Pokémon Candy Carnage: Which Pocket Monsters Empty Your Sugar Bowl the Fastest?

So, you’re a budding Pokémon Trainer, eh? Got your walking shoes laced, your Poké Balls ready, and your heart set on evolving that rare critter? Hold your horses! Before you go spending all your hard-earned Candies, let’s talk about the Pokémon that are notorious for their sweet tooth – the ones that require a ton of Candies to evolve.

The Pokémon that demand the most Candies to evolve, a whopping 400 Candies each, are: Magikarp evolving into Gyarados, Wailmer evolving into Wailord, Swablu evolving into Altaria, Larvesta evolving into Volcarona, Noibat evolving into Noivern, Stufful evolving into Bewear, Wimpod evolving into Golisopod, and Meltan evolving into Melmetal. These eight species represent the ultimate test of patience and dedication in Pokémon GO and other titles!

Now, let’s dive deeper into why these particular Pokémon are such Candy hogs and explore some other related questions that are bound to be buzzing around your Trainer brain.

Why 400 Candies? A Deep Dive into Evolution Costs

You might be wondering, why 400 Candies? What makes these Pokémon so special? There isn’t one definitive answer, but some theories help explain this phenomenon.

• Power and Rarity: Often, Pokémon that evolve into exceptionally powerful or highly sought-after creatures (like Gyarados or Volcarona) require more investment. The 400 Candies act as a gatekeeper, ensuring that trainers earn their powerful Pokémon through effort.

• Two-Stage Evolution: Generally speaking, Pokémon that only evolve once (two-stage evolution lines) are often more expensive to evolve than those with two evolutions (three-stage evolution lines). This is likely to balance the overall power curve and playtime required to obtain them.

• Rarity in the Wild: The more elusive a Pokémon is in the wild, the harder it is to collect Candies. Imagine finding a Larvesta or Noibat compared to a Pidgey. The scarcity makes the 400 Candy requirement even more challenging.

• Gameplay Balance: Ultimately, evolution costs are a balancing factor to keep the gameplay engaging. It prevents players from obtaining powerful Pokémon too quickly, which can diminish the game’s long-term appeal.

Mastering the Candy Grind: Tips and Tricks

Don’t despair, aspiring Trainer! Evolving these 400 Candy Pokémon is definitely achievable with the right strategies.

• Pinap Berries are Your Friend: Always use Pinap Berries when catching these Pokémon. They double the amount of Candies you receive, drastically speeding up the grind.

• Buddy System: Make your target Pokémon your Buddy. You’ll earn Candies by walking a certain distance, which varies depending on the species. This is a steady source of Candies over time.

• Special Events: Keep an eye out for special events that boost Candy rewards. These events can significantly reduce the time it takes to gather enough Candies for evolution.

• Trading: Trading Pokémon, even if you are not looking for a “trade evolution”, can reward you with Candies. Consider trading lower IV specimens, as they will be less useful in the future.

• Raid Battles: Raid battles that feature these Pokémon will also provide Candies as rewards upon a successful capture. Look out for special raid events and announcements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pokémon Evolution Costs

Here are some commonly asked questions that will provide even more insight into the fascinating world of Pokémon evolution and Candy requirements.

1. Which Pokémon need 200 Candies to evolve? Several Pokémon require 200 Candies. Notable examples from Pokémon GO include Boldore to Gigalith, Gurdurr to Conkeldurr, Karrablast to Escavalier, and Shelmet to Accelgor. Remember that trading these prior to evolution negates the need to spend Candies.

2. Why do some Pokémon cost different amounts of Candies to evolve? The Candy cost reflects the rarity, power, and stage of evolution of a Pokémon. More powerful evolutions or rare Pokémon generally require more Candies to evolve.

3. Which Pokémon only take 12 Candies to evolve? Common early-game Pokémon like Weedle, Caterpie, Pidgey, Whismur, and Wurmple typically only need 12 Candies to evolve.

4. What Pokémon cost 0 Candies to evolve? Some Pokémon, like Haunter, Machoke, and Boldore can be evolved for free after they have been traded with another player.

5. Do rare candies give less stats? In the main series games, Rare Candies provide no Stat Exp (effort values); Pokémon raised using this item will therefore tend to be weaker than those trained in battle. Pokémon GO does not have this mechanic.

6. Which Pokémon is worth evolving? Most common Pokémon are worth evolving for the EXP boost, especially during events where EXP is doubled. Evolving Pokémon also unlocks Pokédex entries, and some can be useful in battle.

7. Can you evolve without candy? Yes, certain Pokémon can be evolved without Candy if they are traded first. This applies to Pokémon like Haunter, Machoke, Boldore, Gurdurr, Karrablast, and Shelmet.

8. What does XL candy do in Pokémon GO? XL Candy allows you to level up your Pokémon beyond level 40, all the way to level 50, significantly increasing their CP and stats.

9. Can Eevee evolve with rare candy? In the main series games, yes, using a Rare Candy will get your Eevee to evolve if all other conditions (friendship, time of day, etc.) have been met. In Pokémon GO, you still need the appropriate amount of Eevee Candy.

10. Why can’t you trade shiny Pokémon easily? Trading shiny Pokémon costs a significant amount of Stardust, especially if the recipient doesn’t already have that shiny form registered in their Pokédex. The price decreases with higher friendship levels.

11. Does evolving Pokemon give XL candy? When catching a first-stage evolution Pokémon, it will have a guaranteed drop of one XL Candy. A two-stage evolution Pokémon will drop two XL Candies instead.

12. Should I give my Pokémon candy before evolving? In Pokémon GO, it doesn’t matter whether you power up a Pokémon before or after evolving it. The final CP will be the same, provided you invest the same amount of Candies and Stardust.

13. Is using EXP Candy bad? In the main series games, EXP Candy and Rare Candy do not affect stat gains differently than regular leveling.

14. Why does Gyarados need 400 candies? The 400 Candy requirement for Magikarp to evolve into Gyarados is likely due to the dramatic transformation and the considerable power difference between the two. It adds a significant challenge to obtaining a powerful Gyarados.

15. Which Pokemon should not evolve? This is subjective and depends on your goals! Some Pokémon might be better in their pre-evolved form for specific PvP (Player vs Player) leagues. Consider the movesets and stats before evolving.

The Importance of Pokémon Research and Community

Becoming a truly skilled Pokémon trainer extends beyond just catching and evolving. The Games Learning Society, an organization that explores the intersection of games and education, understands the deep learning potential within these gaming experiences. Just like mastering complex strategies in Pokémon GO, understanding the theory behind games can be a gateway to valuable knowledge and skills applicable in various fields. You can learn more about their work at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.

Ultimately, the journey to evolve those 400 Candy Pokémon is a testament to perseverance and strategic thinking. So, get out there, catch ’em all, and savor the sweet victory of finally evolving your prized Pokémon! Happy training!