Frequently Asked Questions
Updated: 2026-10-22 | Based on v0.8.18 measurements. Anything not covered is unverified.
Account & saves
Q: Will I lose a guest save?
A: Yes. Guest saves live in browser localStorage — clearing cache, switching browsers or devices loses it. Register a name+password account for anything serious.
Q: What happens if I refresh mid-run?
A: Runs go through a server ticket; refreshing abandons the run. The results screen is safe to refresh.
Q: Stuck on the human-verification check?
A: Cloudflare Turnstile normally passes silently; if a checkbox appears, click it.
Versions & maintenance
Q: How do I know the game is under maintenance?
A: The login page shows a maintenance card (title/notice/countdown). Official news: api.pokebonk.com/news.
Q: Do old guides survive updates?
A: Every claim on this site is version-tagged. Season 2 promised no gameplay/economy changes; the six data files were hash-identical from 0.8.5 to 0.8.18. New seasons trigger a fresh baseline.
Run mechanics
Q: What happens when the timer hits 0:00?
A: FINAL SWARM (×6 spawns); the timer flips to +1:00 counting up and danger goes Savage. Head to the shrine before then — the guardian + portal is the only way out.
Q: What keys pick level-up cards?
A: 1/2/3 (4). F rerolls, X skips (for coins), Z banishes. E does nothing there.
Q: What does jumping do?
A: Space jumps; Shift dashes/slides, in air it fast-falls. Flying types hold Space to glide.
Q: Can I see what killed me?
A: The game doesn't record the killer — only a results-screen blurb ("swarmed by wild Pokémon"). This site's death causes are labeled inferences.
Economy
Q: Star Dust vs PokéDollars?
A: Dust = out-of-run permanent growth (Lab). Dollars = in-run spending (balls/chests/shop/cages). See the Lab guide.
Q: What should I buy first in the Lab?
A: Official recommendation + our measurements agree: 4th Move Slot → Reroll/Skip/Training.
Known traps
- The "Rhydon's Roar" altar empowers the boss if pressed.
- Multi-item popups use number keys, not E.
- Slot machine/shop prompts spend money on E.
- Daily quests reset UTC 00:00; missing a day breaks the streak.
More in the guide library
All PokeBonk guides and data tables — beginner basics, meta progression, builds, world, catching, bosses, economy and the data tables.