Changing your Neopet’s gender might seem like an unusual request, but it is actually possible in several ways within the game. Whether you accidentally picked the wrong gender or simply want to switch things up, Neopets offers a few methods to alter your pet’s gender. However, it is essential to understand that these methods come with their own set of challenges and consequences.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over the three main ways you can change your Neopet’s gender, the effects these changes have on your pet’s appearance, and other important details that could help you make the right choice.
Can You Change Your Neopet’s Gender?
While you cannot directly change your Neopet’s gender in the Create-a-Pet process after it has been selected, there are three primary methods that can alter the gender of your pet:
- The Lab Ray
- Fighting the Lab Ray Scientist
- Using Items
Each of these methods carries its own potential outcomes and risks, so let’s dive into each one.
1. Changing Gender with the Lab Ray
The Lab Ray is one of the most popular ways to change your Neopet’s gender. It is part of the Secret Laboratory Map, which can be unlocked by collecting all 9 pieces scattered throughout Neopia.
How to Use the Lab Ray to Change Gender
The Lab Ray can change your pet’s gender with a relatively low chance of success. There is approximately an 8% chance that zapping your Neopet with the Lab Ray will result in a gender change. However, this method can also change other aspects of your pet, such as its species, color, or stats, so it comes with some risks.
The Process:
- Collect all 9 pieces of the Secret Laboratory Map.
- Head to the Laboratory section on the Neopets website to zap your pet.
- Each time you use the Lab Ray, there is a chance that your pet’s gender will be changed, but there’s also a risk of other changes happening.
Since this process is random, it may take several attempts before you successfully change the pet’s gender. However, remember that your pet’s appearance might change, and it could end up with a new species or color, which could lead to additional costs or loss of pet value.
2. Fighting the Lab Ray Scientist
A more reliable way to change your Neopet’s gender is by battling the Lab Ray Scientist in the Battledome. Unlike the Lab Ray’s random results, this method involves fighting the Scientist, who has a Strange Potion equipped. When the Scientist uses the Strange Potion against your Neopet in battle, it will change your pet’s gender.
How to Battle the Lab Ray Scientist
To face the Lab Ray Scientist, you need to have unlocked the Lab Ray first. Once you have access to the Lab Ray, you can refresh on the Select a Pet page to challenge the Scientist.
Important Notes:
- You do not have to win the battle to change your pet’s gender.
- The Strange Potion may take several battles before it is used.
- You must have the Lab Ray unlocked on your account, which is usually done on your main account. If the pet you want to change gender is on a side account, you will need to transfer it to your main account or a friend’s main account.
Battling the Lab Ray Scientist is an efficient method because it guarantees a gender change (if the Strange Potion is used), but it may take a few attempts before the Scientist decides to use the correct item.
3. Using Items to Change Gender
Another option to change your Neopet’s gender is by using specific items, which can be purchased or obtained through various means in Neopia. These items are generally easier to acquire compared to the Lab Ray but may come with a higher cost.
Strange Potion
The Strange Potion is a versatile item that can be used to change your pet’s gender. The Potion can be bought at the Neopian Shops or via the Auction House. The downside is that it is quite expensive and may cost more than the Lab Ray map if you are only looking to change your pet’s gender.
How to Use the Strange Potion:
- Obtain a Strange Potion.
- Go to your pet’s profile page and click Use Item.
- Select the Strange Potion and apply it to your pet.
- This will change your pet’s gender without affecting its species or color, but it may be expensive depending on the current market price of the Strange Potion.
This method is particularly useful if you are looking for a direct, cost-effective way to alter your pet’s gender without worrying about other random changes.
Royal Kyrii Morphing Potions
If you are specifically interested in obtaining a Royal Boy Kyrii or a Royal Girl Kyrii, you can use the Royal Boy Kyrii Morphing Potion or Royal Girl Kyrii Morphing Potion. These Morphing Potions will not only change your pet’s gender but also change their color to Royal and transform them into a Kyrii.
- The Royal Boy Kyrii Morphing Potion turns your pet into a male Royal Kyrii.
- The Royal Girl Kyrii Morphing Potion turns your pet into a female Royal Kyrii.
These potions are convenient if you are looking to change both the gender and color of your Kyrii, but they are species-specific and quite rare.
Witchy Negg
The Witchy Negg is an item that has the potential to change your pet’s gender, although the results are not guaranteed. In addition to the gender change, it might also cause your pet to transform into another species (such as a Lenny, Tuskaninny, or Moehog) or alter its stats.
The Witchy Negg is useful if you are feeling lucky, but it’s a more unpredictable option compared to the Strange Potion or the Lab Ray Scientist.
Effects on Appearance After Changing Gender
Changing your Neopet’s gender can have an impact on its appearance, particularly for pets that are painted Royal, Elderly, Usuki, or Quiguki. Here’s what you can expect:
- Royal Paint Jobs: If your pet is painted Royal and you change its gender, its appearance will change according to the new gender. For example, if you have a Royal Boy Zafara and change it to female, it will keep the same Royal color but will have yellow eyes and fluttery lashes.
- Elderly, Usuki, and Quiguki Pets: These pets will also have gender-specific appearance features that might change when you alter their gender.
- Pet Styles: Pet Styles do not change based on your Neopet’s gender. These special outfits are gender-neutral and remain the same regardless of your pet’s gender.
It’s important to note that while some changes are cosmetic, they may alter how your pet is viewed by other users, especially if it is a Royal pet.
Defunct Methods for Changing Gender
Previously, there was a method to change a male pet’s gender using the Cape of the Sun. This glitch allowed male pets to randomly change to female, but it was later fixed by TNT, and this method is no longer available.
Conclusion
While Neopets doesn’t offer an easy way to directly change your pet’s gender in the Create-a-Pet sequence, there are still several options for those who wish to experiment or make adjustments. Whether you decide to use the Lab Ray, battle the Lab Ray Scientist, or purchase special items like the Strange Potion or Morphing Potions, each method has its own advantages and risks. Understanding these options and their potential consequences will help you make the best decision for your Neopet’s transformation.
Remember to consider any changes to your pet’s appearance carefully, especially if you are dealing with a Royal or specialty pet. Choose the method that fits your needs and enjoy customizing your Neopet in ways that match your vision!