Hatch ‘Em All: Your Ultimate Guide to Unlocking Eggs in Pokémon GO
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So, you’re itching to expand your Pokémon GO collection and those mysterious Eggs are calling your name? You want to know how to unlock the secrets within these virtual shells and unleash the Pokémon hiding inside? Well, you’ve come to the right place, Trainer!
Unlocking Eggs in Pokémon GO, more accurately described as hatching, is a core mechanic of the game. It’s a process that involves acquiring Eggs, placing them in Incubators, and then walking (or employing some creative workarounds!) the required distance to finally reveal the Pokémon nestled within. The most common methods for acquiring Eggs are:
- Spinning PokéStops: This is your bread-and-butter method. Regularly visit and spin PokéStops for a chance to receive various types of Eggs.
- Defeating Team GO Rocket Leaders: Successfully battling these nefarious characters can reward you with special 12km Eggs, also known as Strange Eggs.
- Special Events: Keep an eye out for in-game events as they often feature increased Egg drop rates or even the chance to find special event-themed Eggs.
- Adventure Sync Rewards: Walking and tracking your progress via Adventure Sync can grant you Egg rewards when you hit certain distance milestones each week.
- Gifts from Friends: Sometimes your friends can send you gifts that contain 7km Eggs, which often contain Pokémon that are regional variants or not commonly found in your area.
Once you have an Egg, select it from your item bag and place it in an Incubator. Now comes the hard part: walking! The distance you need to walk varies depending on the Egg type (2km, 5km, 7km, 10km, or 12km). Keep the app running (or use Adventure Sync) to track your distance. Once you’ve reached the required distance, the Egg will hatch, revealing a brand-new Pokémon!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pokémon GO Eggs
1. What are the different types of Eggs in Pokémon GO?
There are currently five different types of Eggs you can find in Pokémon GO, each requiring a different distance to hatch:
- 2km Eggs: The most common type, requiring 2 kilometers of walking.
- 5km Eggs: A slightly less common type, requiring 5 kilometers of walking.
- 7km Eggs: Obtained from gifts from friends, often containing Alolan or Galarian forms of Pokémon, and require 7 kilometers of walking.
- 10km Eggs: Rarer than 2km and 5km Eggs, offering a chance at rarer Pokémon, and require 10 kilometers of walking.
- 12km Eggs (Strange Eggs): The rarest type, obtained by defeating Team GO Rocket Leaders, and contain Pokémon that are typically Dark-type or Poison-type, requiring 12 kilometers of walking.
2. How do I get more Incubators in Pokémon GO?
You start with one infinite-use Incubator that can be used indefinitely. You can purchase additional limited-use Incubators from the in-game shop using PokéCoins. These Incubators can typically hatch three Eggs before disappearing. Special boxes available in the shop sometimes contain Incubators at a discounted price.
3. Can I hatch Eggs without walking in Pokémon GO?
Officially, no. The game is designed to encourage walking and exploration. However, some players have found creative workarounds, such as:
- Using a Roomba: Placing your phone on a Roomba can simulate walking as it cleans.
- Attaching your phone to a record player or ceiling fan: The slow, consistent movement can sometimes register as steps.
- Using a pet: Securely attaching your phone to a dog while you walk it (with supervision, of course!).
Be cautious when using these methods, as Niantic has measures in place to detect and prevent cheating.
4. What Pokémon are currently hatching from 10km Eggs?
The Pokémon hatching from each type of Egg can change periodically with in-game events. Some Pokémon that have been found to hatch from 10km Eggs, but can vary:
- Deino
- Larvesta
- Tyrunt
- Amaura
- Carbink
- Goomy
- Rockruff
- Jangmo-o
5. How do I get 12km Eggs in Pokémon GO?
12km Eggs, also known as Strange Eggs, are obtained by defeating Team GO Rocket Leaders (Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra). You need to have an open Egg slot in your inventory to receive one.
6. What determines the Pokémon that hatches from an Egg?
The Pokémon that hatches from an Egg is determined when you receive the Egg, not when you hatch it. This means that if you receive an Egg during a specific event, it will contain the Pokémon associated with that event, even if you hatch it after the event has ended.
7. Can I delete unhatched Eggs in Pokémon GO?
No, you cannot delete unhatched Eggs. The only way to get rid of them is to hatch them.
8. Does shaking my phone help hatch Eggs faster?
No, shaking your phone will not help hatch Eggs faster. The game tracks distance using GPS and accelerometer data, not by detecting shaking motions. Any suggestion to that effect will be a waste of time.
9. Can I use Adventure Sync to hatch Eggs without the app open?
Yes! Adventure Sync allows the game to track your distance even when the app is closed by using your phone’s built-in fitness tracking features (Google Fit on Android and Apple Health on iOS). Make sure Adventure Sync is enabled in your settings to take advantage of this feature.
10. Can I get a Lucky Egg from a PokéStop?
No, you cannot get a Lucky Egg from a PokéStop. Lucky Eggs are items that you can purchase from the in-game shop or obtain as rewards for leveling up. They double the amount of XP you earn for a limited time. You can get regular eggs from a PokeStop.
11. Does riding a Pokémon help hatch Eggs faster in Pokémon GO?
This question is relevant in other Pokémon games, such as the mainline Pokémon series, but not Pokémon GO. The best way to hatch Eggs in Pokémon GO is by walking at a steady pace or using Adventure Sync.
12. Can Ditto breed in Pokémon GO?
This question is not relevant in Pokémon GO, as breeding is not a mechanic in Pokémon GO. Breeding exists in other Pokémon games. Ditto is known for being able to breed with almost any Pokémon that can breed.
13. Will eggs hatch without being turned in Pokémon GO?
The concept of turning eggs is crucial in real-life poultry farming to ensure proper embryo development. However, this is not applicable to Pokémon GO. In Pokémon GO, the only requirement is to walk (or simulate walking) the required distance.
14. Is there a way to fake steps in Pokémon GO?
Yes, there are apps and methods that can fake steps for Pokémon GO. One popular method involves using an Android app called DeFit, which simulates fitness activity that gets synced with Google Fit and then to Pokémon GO via Adventure Sync. However, using such methods can be considered cheating and may result in penalties from Niantic.
15. How can I stay updated on changes to Egg contents and availability in Pokémon GO?
The best way to stay informed about changes to Egg contents and availability is to follow the official Pokémon GO social media channels, such as Twitter, Facebook, and the Pokémon GO blog. Community resources, such as The Silph Road subreddit, are also valuable for staying up-to-date on the latest news and discoveries.
Embracing the learning aspects of Pokémon GO and game-based learning in general provides a great way to develop problem-solving skills and adapt to new challenges, which are key benefits of using games in education, as shown by the Games Learning Society.
So, get out there, Trainer! Spin those PokéStops, defeat those Team GO Rocket Leaders, and hatch those Eggs! With a little luck and a lot of walking, you’ll fill your Pokédex in no time. Happy hatching!