How Long Does It Take to Get a Lucky Egg in Pokémon GO?

The answer to how long it takes to get a Lucky Egg in Pokémon GO is, frustratingly, “it depends.” You can acquire them relatively quickly through leveling up (specifically at levels 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35), or almost immediately if you purchase them from the in-game shop. The time investment varies dramatically depending on your chosen method. Finding them on wild Pokémon is extremely rare. Let’s dive into the details of each method, along with strategies to maximize your Lucky Egg usage, and explore some frequently asked questions.

Methods for Acquiring Lucky Eggs

There are several ways to obtain Lucky Eggs in Pokémon GO, each with its own timeframe and degree of certainty:

• Leveling Up: This is a guaranteed, albeit time-consuming, method. You’ll receive Lucky Eggs as rewards for reaching specific trainer levels. The article states that you get them at levels 9, 10, 15, 25, and 35 (one egg each), level 20 (two eggs), and level 30 (three eggs). The time it takes to reach these levels depends entirely on your play frequency, experience-gaining strategies, and the availability of experience-boosting events. A casual player might take weeks or months to level up, while a dedicated player could achieve the same in days.

• In-Game Shop Purchases: This is the fastest method, but requires spending PokéCoins, which can be earned through gameplay (primarily by defending Gyms) or purchased with real money. One Lucky Egg costs 80 PokéCoins, and a set of eight costs 500 PokéCoins. Bundles often appear in the shop, sometimes offering better deals on Lucky Eggs and other items. Purchasing offers immediate access to Lucky Eggs.

• Event Research Tasks: Pokémon GO frequently features special events with timed research tasks that may reward Lucky Eggs. The availability of these events is sporadic, so checking the in-game news is crucial. The time required to complete these tasks varies depending on the event’s complexity and the required activities. These are a great free method to obtain them.

• Wild Chansey (Rare): While the article mentions that wild Chansey can hold Lucky Eggs, this is extremely rare and unreliable as a primary source. The chance of encountering a Chansey is low, and even if you do, the chance of it holding a Lucky Egg is only 5% (potentially increased with certain Pokémon abilities). Do not rely on this method.

Maximizing Lucky Egg Usage

Once you have a Lucky Egg, you’ll want to use it efficiently to maximize the experience points (XP) you earn. Here are some key strategies:

• Friendship Level Increases: Coordinate with your in-game friends to time your Friendship Level increases (Good Friend, Great Friend, Ultra Friend, Best Friend) with the activation of a Lucky Egg. Reaching Ultra Friends or Best Friends provides a massive XP bonus, which is doubled with a Lucky Egg. Communicate with your friends to ensure you both use a Lucky Egg at the same time for maximum benefit.

• Evolution Sprees: Collect a large number of Pokémon that require only 12 or 25 candies to evolve (e.g., Pidgey, Weedle, Caterpie). Activate a Lucky Egg and then evolve as many of these Pokémon as possible within the 30-minute duration. Aim for approximately 60 evolutions to fully utilize the time, which translates to 60,000 points of experience gained.

• Completing Special Research: Save up completed stages of Special Research tasks and claim the rewards while a Lucky Egg is active. This is an excellent way to gain a significant amount of XP quickly. Check the rewards beforehand to estimate the total XP you’ll receive.

• Catching Pokémon: While not as efficient as the other methods, using a Lucky Egg while catching Pokémon can still boost your XP gain, especially during events with increased catch XP. Combine this with throwing techniques like “Excellent” throws to further increase the experience gained per catch.

• Gym Battles and Raids: Participating in Gym battles and Raids can also contribute to your XP gain, especially if you’re defeating powerful opponents or participating in higher-level raids. Activate a Lucky Egg before engaging in these activities to double the XP rewards.

Why XP Matters

Earning XP is crucial in Pokémon GO as it allows you to level up your trainer, which unlocks several benefits:

• Higher Pokémon Encounters: Higher trainer levels allow you to encounter Pokémon with higher Combat Power (CP) in the wild, making them stronger and more battle-ready.

• Item Unlocks: Leveling up unlocks access to more powerful items, such as Great Balls, Ultra Balls, and Potions, which are essential for catching and battling Pokémon.

• Pokémon Power-Ups: As you level up, you can power up your Pokémon to higher CP levels, making them more effective in Gyms, Raids, and PvP battles.

• Content Access: Some game features, such as certain Special Research tasks or events, may be locked behind specific trainer levels.

Strategic Planning

Ultimately, the “time” it takes to get a Lucky Egg is often directly related to your strategic planning and game-play habits. If you actively participate in events, defend gyms, and prioritize friendship level increases, you’ll naturally acquire PokéCoins and Lucky Eggs at a faster rate. Consider setting goals for yourself and tracking your progress to stay motivated and efficient. Learning how to learn and adapt to the gameplay is an important aspect of games which is studied by the Games Learning Society

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I get more PokéCoins to buy Lucky Eggs?

You primarily earn PokéCoins by defending Gyms. For every 10 minutes your Pokémon defends a Gym, you earn 1 PokéCoin, up to a maximum of 50 PokéCoins per day. You can also purchase PokéCoins with real money.

2. Can I use two Lucky Eggs at once to stack the effect?

No, Lucky Eggs do not stack. You can only have one Lucky Egg active at a time. Activating a second Lucky Egg will simply replace the effect of the first one, wasting the remaining time.

3. Does a Lucky Egg increase the amount of Candy I receive?

No, a Lucky Egg only increases the amount of XP you earn. It does not affect the amount of Candy you receive for catching, hatching, or transferring Pokémon.

4. How long does a Lucky Egg last?

A Lucky Egg typically lasts for 30 minutes. However, during special in-game events, the duration may be extended. Always check the in-game news for details on active events.

5. What is the best way to use a Lucky Egg for evolutions?

Prepare a list of Pokémon you want to evolve in advance. Prioritize Pokémon that require only 12 or 25 candies to evolve. Clear your schedule for 30 minutes and evolve as many Pokémon as possible in rapid succession. Silence your phone to prevent distractions.

6. How much XP do I get for reaching Best Friends with a Lucky Egg?

Reaching Best Friends with another player normally grants 100,000 XP. With a Lucky Egg active, this is doubled to 200,000 XP.

7. Can I get Lucky Friends more often?

The chance of becoming Lucky Friends with someone is approximately 1.1% each day when you interact with them. There’s no way to directly increase this chance, but consistent interaction maximizes your opportunities.

8. Does evolving a Pokémon before or after powering it up affect its CP?

No, it doesn’t matter whether you power up a Pokémon before or after evolving it. The final CP will be the same, assuming you invest the same amount of Stardust and Candy.

9. What is the current level cap in Pokémon GO?

The current level cap in Pokémon GO is level 50.

10. Can I trade a 100% IV Pokémon and expect it to stay perfect?

No, when you trade a Pokémon, its IVs (Individual Values) are re-rolled. The resulting IVs will be different, and there’s no guarantee the Pokémon will remain perfect (100% IV).

11. Do Lucky Friends expire?

Yes, Lucky Friend status is cleared after you complete a trade. After trading, both Pokémon will become Lucky Pokémon and the Lucky Friend status is reset. You can become Lucky Friends again with the same player through continued interaction.

12. Where can I find a Lucky Egg in the main series Pokémon games?

In some of the main series Pokémon games, Lucky Eggs can be found in specific locations or held by wild Pokémon, such as Chansey and Happiny. Consult a game guide or online resource for the specific game you’re playing.

13. What does a Lucky Egg do in the main series Pokémon games?

In the main series Pokémon games, the Lucky Egg increases the experience points gained by the Pokémon holding it after battles. This helps the Pokémon level up faster.

14. Should I always save my Lucky Eggs for Best Friends?

Saving Lucky Eggs for Best Friends is a good strategy, but consider your overall goals and playstyle. If you need a quick XP boost to reach a certain level or complete a research task, using a Lucky Egg for evolutions or catching can still be beneficial.

15. Are there any promo codes that give Lucky Eggs?

Niantic occasionally releases promo codes that can be redeemed for various in-game items, including Lucky Eggs. Keep an eye on Pokémon GO social media channels and community forums for these codes.

By understanding the various methods for acquiring Lucky Eggs and implementing effective XP-maximizing strategies, you can significantly accelerate your progress in Pokémon GO. Good luck, and happy hunting!