Is It Bad to Level Up Pokémon with EXP Candy? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is: no, it’s not inherently bad to level up your Pokémon using EXP Candy. However, like many things in the world of Pokémon, there’s nuance. EXP Candy can be a convenient and efficient way to boost your Pokémon’s level, but understanding the implications for your Pokémon’s stats and long-term potential is crucial. While using EXP Candy is perfectly safe, understanding the role of EVs (Effort Values) and IVs (Individual Values) will help you optimize your Pokémon’s strength and viability.
Understanding the Basics: EXP Candy, EVs, and IVs
Before we delve deeper, let’s clarify the fundamental concepts:
- EXP Candy: Items that grant a fixed amount of experience to a Pokémon, accelerating its leveling process. Different sizes of EXP Candy exist, offering varying amounts of experience.
- EVs (Effort Values): Hidden stats that Pokémon gain by battling and defeating other Pokémon. Each Pokémon defeated grants a specific EV, contributing to the Pokémon’s overall stats in HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.
- IVs (Individual Values): Inherent stats that are determined randomly for each Pokémon upon generation. They range from 0 to 31 in each of the six stats, directly impacting the stat values at higher levels.
The primary concern regarding EXP Candy stems from its impact on EV training. When a Pokémon levels up through battle, it naturally accumulates EVs. EXP Candy, however, bypasses this process. This means a Pokémon leveled solely with candy will lack the EV investment a battle-trained Pokémon would have, resulting in potentially lower stats. However, this is entirely fixable.
The EV Training Dilemma and Its Solutions
While EXP Candy doesn’t grant EVs directly, you can still EV train a Pokémon after leveling it with candy. The process is the same: battling specific Pokémon that yield the desired EVs. Modern Pokémon games often offer tools to make EV training easier and more efficient, such as:
- Vitamins: Items that directly increase a Pokémon’s EVs in a particular stat (e.g., Protein increases Attack EVs).
- Power Items: Items that grant bonus EVs when defeating Pokémon.
- EV-reducing Berries: Berries that reduce a Pokémon’s EVs, allowing for precise EV distribution.
Therefore, the “detrimental” effect of EXP Candy on EVs is a temporary one. With a bit of effort, you can fully EV train any Pokémon, regardless of how it was leveled.
IVs: The Inherent Potential
EXP Candy has absolutely no effect on IVs. A Pokémon’s IVs are determined at the moment it is generated, and they remain fixed throughout its life. Whether you hatch it, catch it, or receive it as a gift, its IVs are set in stone. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about EXP Candy affecting your Pokémon’s inherent potential. You may want to use an IV checker or go to the judge function after leveling up a pokemon to see it’s IVs.
When EXP Candy is Particularly Useful
Despite the EV training consideration, EXP Candy remains incredibly valuable in many scenarios:
- Early Game Leveling: Speeding up the leveling process of your starting Pokémon can give you a significant advantage in the early game.
- Training New Team Members: Quickly leveling up a newly caught Pokémon allows it to join your team at a competitive level.
- Preparing for Raids/Battles: EXP Candy can be used to quickly bring Pokémon up to the required level for challenging battles or raids.
- Post-Game Training: Leveling up Pokémon for competitive battling or completing the Pokédex becomes much faster with EXP Candy.
Conclusion: EXP Candy is a Tool, Use It Wisely
EXP Candy isn’t inherently “bad.” It’s a tool that, when used correctly, can significantly enhance your Pokémon training experience. If you’re concerned about optimizing your Pokémon’s stats, remember to EV train them after leveling them up with candy. Pay attention to IVs to ensure the greatest potential of the Pokemon. With a little planning, you can harness the power of EXP Candy without sacrificing your Pokémon’s strength.
To learn more about Pokémon strategies and gaming research, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About EXP Candy
1. Do EXP Candies affect IVs?
No, EXP Candies have absolutely no impact on a Pokémon’s IVs. IVs are fixed at the moment the Pokémon is generated.
2. Do EXP Candies affect EVs?
EXP Candies don’t directly grant EVs. Pokémon leveled solely with EXP Candies will not gain EVs during the leveling process. However, you can still EV train them afterward through battles or using stat-boosting items.
3. Are Rare Candies bad for stats?
Rare Candies, similar to EXP Candies, don’t grant EVs. A Pokémon leveled solely with Rare Candies will have lower stats compared to one trained in battle. Remember to EV train them later.
4. How much XP does an XL EXP Candy give?
An EXP Candy XL gives a Pokémon 30,000 experience points.
5. How many XL Candies does it take to power up a Pokémon to Level 50 in Pokémon GO?
It takes 296 XL Candies to power up a regular Pokémon from Level 40 to Level 50 in Pokémon GO. Shadow Pokémon need 360, and purified Pokémon need 272.
6. When can I start getting XL Candy in Pokémon GO?
You can start earning XL Candies in Pokémon GO once you reach level 31. Previously, it was only available after reaching level 40.
7. Can I convert XL Candy to regular Candy in Pokémon GO?
Currently, Pokémon GO does not allow you to convert XL Candy back into regular Candy.
8. Does a Lucky Egg affect EXP gained from EXP Candy?
No, the Lucky Egg effect does not stack with EXP Candy. You’ll receive the same amount of XP as you normally would from the Candy, regardless of whether a Pokémon is holding a Lucky Egg.
9. Is it worth using Rare Candies?
It depends on your goals. If you’re a collector or need a specific Pokémon quickly, Rare Candies can be useful. However, if you’re focusing on competitive battling, you’ll need to EV train them afterwards to maximize their potential.
10. How do I get Rare Candy XL in Pokémon GO?
Rare Candy XL can be obtained as a reward from successfully completing Raids. 5-Star and Mega Raids have a higher chance of rewarding Rare Candy XL.
11. Do IVs matter at Level 100?
Yes, IVs significantly impact a Pokémon’s stats at Level 100. Higher IVs will result in higher overall stats.
12. Do IVs matter before Level 100?
IVs have a smaller, but still present, effect at lower levels. Their influence becomes more pronounced as the Pokémon levels up. While the IV total doesn’t matter at lower levels, keep in mind that at level 100 they will contribute a great deal to the overall stats of your Pokemon.
13. Is it okay to level up Pokémon with Rare Candy?
Yes, it is okay. However, be mindful of the lack of EV gain, and factor in some EV training into your play-through.
14. Is there a limit to how much EXP Candy I can use on a Pokemon?
You can use EXP Candies until the Pokémon reaches your desired level. There’s no inherent limit to the number of EXP Candies you can use on a single Pokémon.
15. What are the best ways to optimize EV training after using EXP Candy?
- Defeat Specific Pokemon: Each Pokemon yields a specific EV upon defeat. Refer to online resources for a clear table of EV yields.
- Use Vitamins: Items like Protein (Attack), Iron (Defense), Calcium (Special Attack), Zinc (Special Defense), HP Up (HP), and Carbos (Speed) can boost EVs directly.
- Utilize Power Items: Items like the Power Bracer and Power Anklet will boost your EVs.
- Be aware of maximum stat value of EVs: The maximum total of EVs you can invest in a Pokémon is 510, with a maximum of 252 in any single stat.