Neopets Guide

Petpet Lab Ray

The Petpet Laboratory, also known as the Petpet Lab Ray, is a secret facility within Neopets where players can send their petpets to be zapped by a mysterious ray gun. Similar to the Secret Laboratory for Neopets, this lab is specifically for petpets, offering a variety of potential transformations with a daily zap. Players never know what might happen to their petpets, which is part of the excitement and risk associated with the lab. Outcomes range from color or species changes to level alterations and, in rare cases, a petpet can even vanish completely.

How to Gain Access to the Petpet Lab Ray

Accessing the Petpet Laboratory requires two main steps:

  1. Unlock the Secret Laboratory: You must first unlock the main Secret Laboratory for Neopets, which involves purchasing all nine pieces of the Secret Laboratory Map. This map can be acquired through the Trading Post or shop listings, though it can be a significant investment in Neopoints.
  2. Collect the Petpet Laboratory Map: Once you have access to the main Secret Lab, you’ll need to collect a separate set of nine map pieces for the Petpet Laboratory. Like the Secret Lab Map, these pieces are sold individually or as a full set on the Trading Post. However, keep in mind that Neopets does not label individual map pieces, so buying them separately can be a bit challenging.

Once you have all nine pieces, head to the Petpet Laboratory Map, trade in your map pieces, and receive permanent access to the Petpet Laboratory.

What Does the Petpet Laboratory Do?

Using the Petpet Lab Ray can result in various changes to your petpet. These outcomes are random, adding an element of surprise and risk. Here’s what can happen:

  • Species and Color Changes: The lab can transform your petpet into a new species or color, which is one of the most common effects. These transformations include unique lab-only colors, such as Gold, Ice, and Jelly, which cannot be achieved through Petpet Paint Brushes.
  • Name Changes: Your petpet might get a quirky new name from a list of preset names, such as “Pooky McDroolish” or “OMGROFL.” While this doesn’t affect gameplay, it can add a humorous twist to your petpet’s personality.
  • Level Changes: The lab may increase or decrease your petpet’s level by one. This can impact the petpet’s overall stats if it’s used in Petpet Battledome matches, though the effects are generally minor.
  • Turning to Soot: In rare cases, the ray might reduce your petpet to a pile of soot. This outcome is irreversible but unlocks the coveted “Petpet Laboratory” avatar, making it a sought-after transformation despite its finality.
  • Disappearance: Your petpet might disappear entirely, leaving you without a petpet. This is one of the more unfortunate outcomes, as it forces you to replace the vanished petpet.
  • No Effect: Occasionally, nothing happens at all, and you can try your luck again the next day.

Petpet Lab Ray – Exclusive Colors and Species

One unique aspect of the Petpet Laboratory is its ability to unlock colors and species exclusive to the lab. These special transformations are random, and there’s no other way to obtain them outside of the lab. Here are some of the lab-exclusive colors and species you might encounter:

Exclusive Colors:

  • Chocolate
  • Gold
  • Ice
  • Jelly
  • Strawberry

Exclusive Species:

  • Chiruck
  • Floobix
  • Flurm
  • Graffle
  • Pile of Soot
  • Skindle
  • Snauberack
  • Tanamurx
  • Weebly

Petpet Items:

In rare cases, the lab can even transform your petpet into a unique item, such as a Fire Faerie Straw or Fyora Faerie Straw. These transformations are quirky and add a fun twist to the lab’s randomness.

Petpet Laboratory Names

One of the entertaining outcomes of using the lab is the possibility of a name change. The lab has a selection of humorous preset names that your petpet might receive. Some popular name options include:

  • “1337”
  • “Frankie”
  • “Kadoatie-wannabe”
  • “Pooper”
  • “Skeeter”
  • “Snarkie”
  • “Sir Bob of Geraptiku”
  • “Your Ad Here”

Petpet Lab Restrictions

There are a few limitations to keep in mind when using the Petpet Laboratory:

  1. No Petpet Protection League Eligibility: Zapped petpets no longer qualify for the Petpet Protection League, so if you’re aiming for a trophy, avoid zapping any petpet you plan to enter.
  2. No Painting Allowed: Once a petpet is zapped, it cannot be painted, even if it turns into a desirable species or color. This restriction means that zapped petpets are essentially “locked” to whatever form they’re currently in.
  3. Krawk Transformation Limitations: If a petpet is zapped into a Krawk, it cannot be transformed into a regular Krawk pet, which is a unique privilege for unzapped Krawks.

Using the Petpet Lab for Avatars

One interesting benefit of the Petpet Laboratory is its ability to unlock petpet-specific avatars. For example, if a petpet zapped in the lab transforms into a species required for a petpet avatar, such as a Snowbunny or Gruslen, you may unlock that avatar. This can make the Petpet Lab a budget-friendly way to obtain these petpet avatars, although it can be time-consuming and may result in the petpet disappearing before you get the desired transformation. Note that aged petpet avatars still require the petpet to meet the minimum age requirement.

Special “Soot” Avatar

The lab also provides a unique avatar when your petpet turns to soot. Although it’s one of the rarer transformations, it’s a sought-after prize among avatar collectors. Patience is key, as obtaining this transformation is entirely luck-based.

Additional Facts About the Petpet Laboratory

Here are some extra details to enhance your understanding of the Petpet Lab Ray:

  • Reverting to Original Form: If you decide to remove your zapped petpet, it will revert to its original form, wiping out any transformations gained through the lab. This feature can be helpful if you’re unsatisfied with a recent zap.
  • Zapped Label on Lookups: Zapped petpets will display a “Zapped by the Petpet Lab Ray” label in their lookup, making it evident to other players that the petpet has undergone a lab transformation.

Is the Petpet Laboratory Worth It?

For adventurous players, the Petpet Laboratory offers a daily thrill with the chance to unlock unique colors, species, and avatars. However, there’s always a risk that your petpet may disappear or turn to soot. If you’re particularly attached to your petpet or aiming for a Petpet Protection League trophy, consider skipping the lab’s zapping feature.

For those who love variety and the randomness of transformations, the Petpet Lab Ray is a worthwhile feature to explore. The added possibility of avatar unlocks and exclusive colors makes it a valuable asset for collectors and avatar hunters alike.