New scouts pick a free starter Nomling. It’s yours from day one and never goes away; after 3 active days it gets its serial number and counts everywhere.

Every restaurant has its own Nomling, claimed or not. Claimed places are always awake. At the others it sleeps (you’ll see "zz") until someone checks a deal there in person or adds one that goes live, then it stays awake for 60 minutes for anyone nearby. Wild Nomlings also pop up near restaurants for 30–45 minutes; rare ones sparkle and stay 20–30.

Open the place in Hunt mode or on its restaurant page and tap "Catch it here". You need to be there: within 500 ft, or scan the counter sticker. Location is checked once and never stored.

There’s a short wait while you eat. Check or vote on a deal there while you wait.

Food flies to your Nomling’s left or right: tap that side’s paw as the ring closes. Skip the chile, build a streak (10 in a row is fever) and fill the meter past the goal line. You get 3 tries a day at each place. Want to warm up first? Try Practice battle from Scout.

After a win the Nomling is worn out and your catch meter shows how close you are to the line. Reach it and it’s yours: no dice. Calming snacks lower the line and are only used when they help you catch.

Every catch is one of a kind, with its own serial number, look and signature style.