Pokemon GO has taken the world by storm, with the augmented-reality app allowing players to see and collect digital creatures in real-world environments, through the use of GPS technology and the camera on the user’s mobile phone. Ultimately, the goal of the game is to battle other players and catch all 151 types of Pokemon.
While the game is reasonably self-explanatory and will tell you how to do most things as you progress, there are certain less well known techniques that you should employ if you really want to “Catch ‘Em All”. Here, we provide five top tips to help Pokemon GO players gain an advantage over the competition.
1. Catch Every Pokemon You Encounter
Once you begin playing, you will notice that some Pokemon are more common than others and you may feel tempted to skip collecting yet another Pidgey or Rattata. However, it is worth continuing to stock up on these easy-to-find creatures, because they provide you with valuable ‘Stardust’.
Moreover, trading low level Pokemon in will result in you being awarded ‘Candy’, which can then be used to evolve Pokemon. Each time you evolve a Pokemon, you will gain 500 XP, which will help significantly when it comes to levelling up your own character. Embrace the grind and catch everything you can.
2. Evolve While Using Lucky Eggs
After catching a certain number of Pokemon, you will find that you have enough ‘Candy’ to evolve the creature to its next state. Again, the temptation here is to do so as soon as possible, so that you add another Pokemon to your Pokedex. Nevertheless, if you can resist this temptation, there is a better way.
As you level up, you will be awarded items called ‘Lucky Eggs’, which will double the XP you gain for a period of 30 minutes. If you save up as many evolutions as possible and then use a ‘Lucky Egg’, you will find that you are awarded 1,000 XP for each evolution, rather than the usual 500, helping you to level up much faster.
- Take Care When PlayingMuch has been made of the safety concerns around Pokemon GO, but it warrants repeating. Players should be aware of their surroundings at all times and pay extra careful attention when crossing roads. It is also important to be respectful and avoid hanging around places where your presence may not be appreciated.One of the great things about Pokemon GO is the way it encourages players to go outside, travel around and potentially meet new people. However, it pays to be vigilant. While your phone insurance may cover you against theft or damage, it is better to avoid having to make a claim if you can avoid it.
4. Travel to Different Towns and Cities
With 151 Pokemon to catch, you will need to travel to different places to find them all. You may find that your home town is inundated with Weedles and Drowsees, while a neighbouring town may have an abundance of Pidgeys and Eevies. It is important to stock up on these common Pokemon in order to evolve them.However, the same thing applies to rare Pokemon too. You may occasionally encounter a Charmander in the city you are in, but you may need to travel to a different place entirely before you will find a Bulbasaur Take your phone with you on your travels and don’t be afraid to explore new places. You might just stumble upon a Pikachu nest.
5. Save Your Stardust
‘Stardust’ is important as the game goes on, because it allows you to power up your Pokemon, which is essential for claiming those high level Gyms. Yet, one of the most common mistakes people make is to use their ‘Stardust’ too early, which is essentially a waste of your resources.
As a general rule, there is no need to use ‘Stardust’ before you reach Level 20, because up until that point, you are likely to find more powerful Pokemon than the one you are trying to power up anyway. Instead, keep the ‘Stardust’ in reserve until later on, identify Pokemon with a high Max CP and use it to power them up.
