Sinistea and its evolved form, Polteageist, have arrived in Pokémon Go. Catching Sinistea requires participating in Raids, making the Just My Cup of Tea event crucial for collectors. This event, running from December 3rd to December 7th, 2024, offers a prime opportunity to acquire this unique Pokémon. One intriguing aspect of Sinistea is the distinction between its Phony and Antique forms. This guide will explain how to identify which form you’ve caught.
Sinistea appears in One-Star Raids during the event. While it’s likely to return in the future, the exact timing is uncertain, emphasizing the importance of this event for dedicated players. Utilizing raid invites with friends is highly recommended to maximize your chances.
Upon Sinistea’s release, many players questioned whether both forms would be available in Pokémon Go, mirroring the main series games. The answer is yes, but Niantic’s subtle approach to differentiating them has left some players confused.
The Antique Form is rarer and features a small sticker on the bottom of its teacup. Some players have resorted to examining their Sinistea in AR mode, attempting to find the perfect angle to spot the sticker. However, there are two more efficient methods to determine the form of your Sinistea.
Distinguishing Between Phony and Antique Forms
The easiest way is to appraise your Sinistea. Trainers aiming for high appraisals will likely do this anyway. Your Team Leader’s feedback will explicitly state whether your Sinistea is Phony or Antique, in addition to providing its star rating and other catch details.
After appraisal, consider using nicknames to easily identify the forms, like “ArTEAficial” for a Phony Sinistea. This eliminates the need for repeated appraisals.
Another key differentiator is the candy cost for evolution. Evolving a Phony Form Sinistea into Polteageist requires 50 Sinistea Candy. However, the Antique Form demands a substantial 400 Candies. This significant difference provides a quick way to distinguish between the forms. While the evolved Polteageist forms share similarities, subtle variations in chipping exist between them.
This information wasn’t readily apparent in Niantic’s initial announcement. Fortunately, the Pokémon Go community quickly deciphered the methods for identifying the forms, enabling players to strategize their candy allocation effectively, especially if they aim to evolve the coveted Antique Form Sinistea into Polteageist.
