Pokemon Go raises trainer level cap to 80 in October update

Niantic is expanding Pokemon Go’s trainer leveling system, lifting the trainer level cap from 50 to 80 in mid-October as part of a broad redesign intended to make progression feel faster and more rewarding. The update, slated to go live around Oct. 15, will rebalance the overall leveling curve so players earn levels more frequently, while keeping Pokémon levels capped at 50. In parallel, Niantic is removing the LevelUp Research tasks for levels 41 through 50 and introducing new tasks for levels 71 through 80.

Starting with the new milestones, players who reach level 70 or higher will have an increased chance of becoming Lucky Friends with other trainers, a social feature that can enhance trades and interactions. To accompany the higher cap, new avatar items will be introduced beginning at level 25, and there will be expanded storage capacity for Pokémon, items and gifts. However, some legacy rewards will be retired once the update lands: the Level 50 Jacket and avatar items earned during levels 40 to 50 will no longer be obtainable by new players, though those who earned them before the change will retain them.

Several adjustments are designed to ease the transition for...