Mastering XL Candy: A Trainer’s Guide to Maxing Out Your Pokémon in Pokémon GO
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So, you’re aiming for the pinnacle of Pokémon GO power and want to know the secret sauce? The burning question on every trainer’s mind after hitting level 40: How much XL Candy does it take to max a Pokémon? The answer, while seemingly simple, has nuances depending on the Pokémon type.
For a regular Pokémon, powering up from Level 40 to Level 50 demands a hefty investment of 296 XL Candy and 250,000 Stardust. However, the path deviates for other Pokémon types. Shadow Pokémon, known for their enhanced attack but decreased defense, require a staggering 360 XL Candy. On the flip side, Purified Pokémon, with their balanced stats and reduced Stardust costs for certain actions, need a slightly lesser amount of 272 XL Candy.
Understanding these numbers is crucial, but mastering the art of XL Candy acquisition and usage is what truly separates the casual player from the competitive battler. So, let’s delve deep into the world of XL Candy and equip you with the knowledge to build your ultimate team.
Understanding XL Candy Mechanics
What is XL Candy?
XL Candy is a special type of candy introduced in Pokémon GO to allow trainers Level 40 and above to power up their Pokémon beyond the previous level cap. Unlike regular Candy, XL Candy is significantly rarer and harder to obtain, reflecting the effort required to push Pokémon to their maximum potential. Think of it as the ultimate investment in your prized Pokémon.
Why is XL Candy Important?
XL Candy is the gatekeeper to unlocking the full potential of your Pokémon. Without it, your Pokémon will remain capped at Level 40, unable to compete with trainers who have embraced the XL Candy grind. In competitive formats like Master League PvP and challenging raids, those extra levels can make all the difference between victory and defeat.
Strategies for Earning XL Candy
The path to amassing enough XL Candy for your dream team can feel daunting, but with the right strategies, you can accelerate your progress.
Catching Pokémon
The most fundamental way to obtain XL Candy is simply by catching Pokémon. While not every catch guarantees an XL Candy, higher-level Pokémon and Pokémon caught in favorable weather conditions have an increased chance of dropping them. Using Pinap Berries can also increase your candy yield and the probability of getting an XL candy. Remember that Pokemon Caught in Raids will guarantee an XL Candy. Focus on catching as many Pokémon as possible, especially during events that offer bonus XL Candy.
Trading Pokémon
Trading Pokémon is another avenue for obtaining XL Candy. When you trade a Pokémon, both players involved have a chance to receive XL Candy, with the odds increasing the further the Pokémon were caught from each other. Aim to trade Pokémon caught in different regions or during your travels to maximize your XL Candy gains.
Transferring Pokémon
Transferring unwanted Pokémon to Professor Willow offers a chance, albeit a small one, of receiving XL Candy. While not the most reliable method, every little bit counts. Mass transferring Pokémon during events that offer bonus transfer candy is a great way to get more regular candies.
Hatching Eggs
Hatching Pokémon Eggs is a reliable source of both regular Candy and XL Candy. Eggs that require more walking distance tend to yield more XL Candy. Focus on hatching 10 km and 12 km eggs for the best chance of obtaining a significant amount of XL Candy.
Walking a Buddy Pokémon
Walking with a Buddy Pokémon is a passive way to earn both regular Candy and XL Candy. The higher the Pokémon’s Buddy Level, the greater the chance of receiving XL Candy. Make sure to feed your buddy enough to get it excited to double the distance it walks with you to get candies.
Rare Candy XL
Rare Candy XL exists within the game and are incredibly rare to acquire. These seem to drop only when levelling up past level 40, with just a couple per level. The most viable method of gaining Rare Candy XL is by completing 3-Star and higher Pokemon Raids.
Optimizing Your XL Candy Acquisition
Utilizing Events
Keep a close eye on Pokémon GO events, as many feature bonuses that directly impact XL Candy acquisition. These events can significantly boost your chances of obtaining XL Candy from catches, hatches, and other activities.
Community Day Strategies
Community Days are prime opportunities to farm XL Candy. Focus on catching the featured Pokémon repeatedly throughout the event to maximize your XL Candy gains. Don’t forget to use Pinap Berries and Mega Evolve a Pokémon of the same type to further increase your candy yield.
Leveraging Mega Evolutions
Mega Evolving Pokémon can provide significant bonuses, including increased Candy and XL Candy drops when catching Pokémon of the same type. Plan your Mega Evolutions strategically to coincide with events or when farming specific Pokémon for XL Candy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring lower-level Pokémon: Don’t solely focus on catching high-level Pokémon. Even common Pokémon can yield XL Candy, and catching them en masse can quickly add up.
- Neglecting trades: Trading is a valuable source of XL Candy, especially when trading with friends who live far away.
- Underutilizing events: Events often provide significant bonuses to XL Candy acquisition. Ignoring them is a missed opportunity to accelerate your progress.
- Converting regular Candy to XL Candy: This requires 100 Candy for 1 XL Candy and is not an optimal way to farm XL Candies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you convert XL Candy to regular candy?
Unfortunately, no. There is currently no way to convert XL Candy back into regular Candy. This makes XL Candy a precious resource that should be used wisely.
2. How do you get XL candy before level 40?
Prior to an update, it was impossible to obtain XL Candy before reaching Level 40. Currently, this restriction no longer exists.
3. What is the best way to farm XL candy in Pokémon GO?
The most efficient way to farm XL Candy is by catching as many Pokémon as possible, especially during events that offer bonus XL Candy. Combining this with Mega Evolution bonuses and strategic trading can significantly boost your XL Candy gains.
4. How many XL candies does it take to evolve Meltan?
Meltan is one of the most challenging Pokemon to evolve in Pokemon Go. Not only is the cost extremely high (400 candy), but getting those candies is harder than almost any other monster in the game.
5. What are the chances of getting XL candy from catching Pokémon?
The exact odds of obtaining XL Candy from catching Pokémon are not publicly disclosed by Niantic. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that higher-level Pokémon and Pokémon caught in favorable weather conditions have an increased chance of dropping them.
6. Does the level of the Pokémon affect the XL Candy drop rate?
Yes, higher-level Pokémon generally have a higher chance of dropping XL Candy when caught.
7. Is it worth converting candy to XL Candy?
Converting Candy into XL Candy is not an optimal way to farm XL Candies, as it requires 100 Candy for 1 XL Candy.
8. How much candy do I get for walking with my buddy?
Every 6 hours it’s possible to earn up to 20km’s worth of candy by walking with your buddy. So for 5km buddies you’ll be able to get 4 candy every 6 hours.
9. Is Candy to Candy XL worth it?
Walking with a Buddy Pokémon gives you a chance of receiving XL Candy from walking a certain distance with your Buddy.
10. How do you get Buddy Candy fast?
Your buddy doesn’t have to be on the map with you to earn Candy, although it’s always fun to see them strolling along beside you! Different Pokémon require you to walk different distances to earn Candy. The walking distances to earn Candy are 1 km, 3 km, 5 km, and 20 km, depending on the Pokémon.
11. How much candy per trade?
Trades will give each player additional Candy, with more Candy rewarded if the two Pokémon were caught far away from another. According to Reddit, this is 1 Candy for below 30km, 2 Candy for 30-100km, 3 Candy for above 100km.
12. How do you grind candy in Pokemon go?
The best way to get Candy in Pokémon Go is through grinding out those catches. Using Berries in battle or at gyms. Walking with a Buddy Pokémon, transferring Pokémon, hatching eggs, or trading Pokémon are also good sources of candies.
13. How do you maximize XL candy in Pokemon go?
Pokemon Caught in Raids will guarantee an XL Candy. Hatching Eggs. The number of XL Candy received will be higher, when hatching eggs that require more walking.
14. Why is XL Candy so hard to get?
Rare XL Candy exists in the game, but is incredibly hard to acquire, as it seems to drop only when levelling up past level 40, with just a couple per level. As far as we know, the best way to level up standard wild Pokemon to level 50 is by catching as many of them as possible and transferring them to Professor Willow.
15. Are XXL Pokémon rare?
XXL Pokémon „They’re stupendously rare, rarer than 10k pokemon checked. The odds of getting one, requiring 4 standard deviations of height, is 1/31,500. So it is very possible for all of your friends to never get one or notice one being transferred.
Conclusion
Mastering XL Candy acquisition is an essential part of becoming a top-tier Pokémon GO trainer. By understanding the mechanics, implementing effective strategies, and avoiding common mistakes, you can build a formidable team capable of conquering any challenge. Now go forth, trainers, and unlock the true potential of your Pokémon!
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