Is Converting Candy to XL Candy Worth It? A Deep Dive for Pokémon GO Trainers
So, you’re swimming in Candy for your Pidgey army, but desperately short on XL Candy to power up your prized Hundo Lucario? The question inevitably arises: Is converting regular Candy to XL Candy worth the hefty 100:1 exchange rate? The short answer is, it depends. There’s no universal “yes” or “no.” Whether it’s a worthwhile investment hinges on several factors, including your Trainer level, the Pokémon in question, your playstyle, and your overall goals within Pokémon GO.
Let’s break down the pros and cons, examine specific scenarios, and provide a framework to help you make informed decisions.
The XL Candy Conundrum: A Rare and Precious Resource
XL Candy is the gatekeeper to powering up your Pokémon beyond Level 40, enabling them to reach the coveted Level 50. Reaching this level is critical for excelling in the GO Battle League, dominating raids, and flexing those maxed-out Pokémon on your friends. However, obtaining XL Candy is notoriously challenging, making it a precious resource to manage wisely. You can also walk with a Buddy Pokémon which gives you a chance of receiving XL Candy from walking a certain distance with your Buddy.
Weighing the Costs and Benefits
The Downsides:
- Abysmal Conversion Rate: Converting Candy to XL Candy at a 100:1 ratio is incredibly inefficient. It feels like tossing a mountain of resources into a bottomless pit.
- Candy Still Needed: Regular Candy is still vital for evolving Pokémon and powering them up to Level 40. Depleting your Candy reserves through conversion can hinder these fundamental aspects of the game.
- Alternative Acquisition Methods: There are other, albeit often slow and unreliable, methods for obtaining XL Candy, such as catching Pokémon, trading Pokémon, and completing research tasks.
The Upsides:
- Leveling Up Strong Pokémon: If you have a truly exceptional Pokémon, like a 100% IV Legendary, or a Shadow with amazing stats, leveling it to 50 using XL Candy is worth it.
- Addressing Candy Abundance: For common spawns you have an excessive amount of Candy for (think Pidgey, Rattata, Seedot during specific events), converting a portion of that stockpile into XL Candy can be a useful way to make use of those resources.
- Completing specific tasks and researches: Some tasks require you to convert regular candy to XL Candy to complete them.
Scenarios Where Conversion Makes Sense
- Elite PvP Pokémon: If you’re aiming for the top ranks in the GO Battle League, powering up specific Pokémon tailored to the meta is crucial. High-ranking Pokémon almost always require XL Candy. Converting Candy to XL Candy in this situation makes sense.
- Raid Boss Counters: Investing in powerful raid attackers, especially Shadow Pokémon, can significantly improve your raid performance and help you take down challenging bosses faster.
- Community Day Overabundance: Community Day events often result in an overwhelming surplus of Candy for the featured Pokémon. Converting a portion of this excess is a smart move, but only convert an amount where you can evolve multiple Pokémon.
- Tasks and research that award you with powerful Pokémon: Some times, you can get rare and powerful Pokemon by completing tasks that require you to trade.
Factors to Consider
Before you hit that conversion button, ask yourself these questions:
- Trainer Level: You must be at least Level 40 to use XL Candy, so there’s no point in converting until you’ve reached this milestone.
- Pokémon IVs: Don’t waste XL Candy on Pokémon with poor IVs. Focus on those with high Attack, Defense, and HP.
- Pokémon Rarity: Rare Pokémon like Legendaries and Mythicals are often more valuable investments for XL Candy due to their unique stats and movesets.
- Playstyle: If you’re a casual player who primarily collects Pokémon, converting Candy might not be a priority. If you’re a competitive player focused on raids and PvP, it becomes more worthwhile.
- Future Events: Consider upcoming events that might increase XL Candy drop rates or offer alternative acquisition methods. Patience can sometimes pay off.
Alternative methods of Obtaining XL Candy
While not always reliable, these can supplement candy conversions, especially if you have spare time:
- Catching Pokémon
- Trading Pokémon
- Walking with your buddy
- Completing research tasks
- Mega Evolving a Pokémon
Conclusion: A Strategic Decision
Converting Candy to XL Candy is a strategic decision that requires careful consideration. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Weigh the costs and benefits, assess your specific needs, and make informed choices based on your overall goals in Pokémon GO. And remember, patience is a virtue when it comes to accumulating this valuable resource. Consider joining a group like the Games Learning Society to connect with other players and share strategies for maximizing your XL Candy gains. Learn more about their activities at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly is XL Candy in Pokémon GO?
XL Candy is a special type of Candy introduced in late 2020, exclusive to Trainers at Level 40 and above. It’s required to power up Pokémon beyond Level 40, up to Level 50.
2. How many regular Candies are required to convert into one XL Candy?
It takes 100 regular Candies to convert into 1 XL Candy. This is a significant investment, so it’s important to consider if the conversion is worthwhile.
3. Can I convert XL Candy back into regular Candy?
No, you cannot convert XL Candy back into regular Candy. Once you convert regular Candy to XL Candy, it’s a one-way process.
4. Why are XL Pokémon better than non-XL Pokémon?
XL Pokémon (Pokémon powered up with XL Candy) are better because they can reach a higher Combat Power (CP) and have increased stats like HP, Attack, and Defense.
5. How rare are XXL Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
XXL Pokémon are exceedingly rare, estimated to be rarer than a 1/31,500 chance for each encounter, so you will most likely encounter one in a few years. These Pokémon have a unique visual appearance but don’t necessarily have any statistical advantages in battle.
6. How much XL Candy does it take to max out a Pokémon?
It costs 296 XL Candy to power up a regular Pokémon from Level 40 to Level 50. Shadow Pokémon require 360 XL Candy, and purified Pokémon require 272 XL Candy.
7. What level do I need to be to collect XL Candy?
You need to be at least Trainer Level 31 to begin gathering XL Candy and at least Trainer Level 40 to use them.
8. What is Rare XL Candy?
Rare XL Candy functions like regular Rare Candy but can only be used on Pokémon above Level 40. This is a valuable resource, especially for rare Pokémon.
9. Does leveling up in Pokémon GO have other benefits besides access to XL Candy?
Yes, leveling up unlocks new items, increases the maximum CP of your Pokémon, and unlocks new research tasks and challenges.
10. How can I get more Candy by walking with my Buddy?
You receive one Candy per walk after completing a specific distance with your Buddy Pokémon. The distance required varies depending on the Pokémon’s size category.
11. How does trading Pokémon affect Candy acquisition?
Trading Pokémon provides additional Candy, with more Candy awarded if the two Pokémon were caught far away from each other. The distance tiers are 1 Candy for below 30km, 2 Candy for 30-100km, and 3 Candy for above 100km.
12. What is Mega Energy, and how can I get it?
Mega Energy is required to Mega Evolve Pokémon. You can earn Mega Energy by defeating Mega-Evolved Pokémon in Mega Raid Battles, completing specific research tasks, or walking with your Buddy Pokémon.
13. Should I evolve a Pokémon before or after powering it up?
It’s generally recommended to evolve your Pokémon to its final stage before investing Stardust into powering it up. Evolving can change your Pokémon’s moveset, and you want to ensure you’re powering up the most desirable moveset.
14. Is it worth purifying Shadow Pokémon?
Purifying Shadow Pokémon can increase their IVs, but it also reduces their attack boost. Whether it’s worth purifying depends on the specific Pokémon and your goals. Purified Pokémon require fewer XL Candies to max out.
15. Are Shiny Pokémon stronger than regular Pokémon?
No, Shiny Pokémon are not inherently stronger than regular Pokémon. Their stats are identical. The only difference is their visual appearance.