Here are 10 detailed tips and tricks for playing Pokémon Go, whether you’re a new player or a seasoned trainer looking to level up your game:
1. Maximize Your Use of Lucky Eggs
Lucky Eggs double your experience points (XP) for 30 minutes. To get the most out of them:
- Save Evolutions: Evolving multiple Pokémon during a Lucky Egg session is a great way to earn XP quickly. Use Pokémon like Pidgey, Weedle, and Caterpie, which require fewer candies to evolve.
- Combine with Special Events: Activate Lucky Eggs during double or triple XP events to multiply the bonus. Also, combine them with friendship XP gains by leveling up with friends.
2. Use Curveballs and Aim for Excellent Throws
When throwing Poké Balls, curveballs give you extra XP and a higher catch rate. Here’s how to improve:
- Spin the Ball: Spin it in a circle before releasing. The ball will curve in the direction of the spin.
- Aim for Excellent Throws: Time your throw to land when the shrinking colored circle is at its smallest. Hitting an Excellent Throw grants more XP and increases the odds of catching the Pokémon.
3. Raid Efficiently and Use Counters
Raids are key to catching Legendary and rare Pokémon, but you need to be prepared:
- Use Counters: Research which Pokémon are the best counters for the raid boss. For example, Rock- and Ice-type Pokémon are effective against Dragon- and Flying-type bosses like Rayquaza.
- Join Groups: Raiding with a group makes it easier to defeat tougher bosses. You can coordinate with local or online communities for remote raids.
4. Use Stardust Wisely
Stardust is one of the most valuable resources in the game, used for powering up Pokémon. To make the most of it:
- Prioritize PvP Pokémon: Save Stardust for powering up Pokémon that are meta-relevant in PvP (Player vs. Player) battles or for key raid counters.
- Participate in Stardust Events: Stardust bonuses are often offered during certain events or through special research tasks. Make sure to take advantage of these opportunities.
5. Hatch Eggs Efficiently
Eggs provide rare Pokémon and items, but hatching them can take time. Here’s how to optimize:
- Use Super Incubators: These incubators hatch eggs faster, so prioritize them for 10km or 12km eggs to save time.
- Walk During Events: Participate in events that reduce hatch distance, like Adventure Week. Make sure to walk during these times to get more out of your incubators.
6. Take Advantage of Pokémon Nests
Nests are locations where specific Pokémon spawn frequently. They rotate every two weeks:
- Farm Candies: Visit a nest to collect large quantities of candies for rare Pokémon or ones that are strong for raids or PvP.
- Plan Based on Current Meta: Focus on nests of meta-relevant Pokémon. For example, Pokémon like Machop or Gible are great for both raids and PvP.
7. Master the Buddy System
Your buddy Pokémon can help you find candies, provide boosts, and even assist in battles. Here’s how to use this feature efficiently:
- Best Buddies Boost: If you walk with your buddy enough to reach Best Buddy status, that Pokémon gains a CP boost in battles, which can be crucial in raids or PvP.
- Switch Buddies Frequently: You can earn up to 10 hearts per day with your buddy. To maximize progress, switch between multiple buddies to earn candy from walking.
8. Learn to Battle in PvP (Go Battle League)
PvP battles are an excellent way to earn Stardust, TMs, and rare Pokémon encounters. Improve your PvP skills with these tips:
- Know Type Matchups: Memorize the strengths and weaknesses of different types to counter your opponent’s Pokémon effectively.
- Use Shields Strategically: In PvP, you only have two shields, so save them for powerful charge moves from your opponent. Baiting out shields with quick charge moves is also a great tactic.
9. Complete Special Research and Timed Research
Special research tasks often reward exclusive Pokémon, rare items, and Stardust. Here’s how to approach them:
- Focus on Timed Research: These tasks are available for a limited time, so prioritize them over special research that doesn’t expire.
- Save Tasks for Events: Some research tasks are easier to complete during certain events. For example, if a task requires catching a specific type of Pokémon, wait until that type is more common in an event.
10. Trade for Better IV Pokémon
Trading Pokémon with friends gives you a chance to reroll their stats (IVs). Here’s how to benefit:
- Focus on Special Trades: You can do one special trade per day, including Legendaries, Shinies, or regionals. Trading these has the potential to improve their IVs.
- Lucky Trades: When trading with a Lucky Friend, the traded Pokémon will always turn into a Lucky Pokémon, which requires less Stardust to power up. Use this wisely for key Pokémon.
These tips and tricks should help you level up faster, optimize your resources, and dominate both raids and PvP battles in Pokémon Go!
