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Decoding the Bubbles of Pokémon GO: A Comprehensive Guide

The world of Pokémon GO is filled with visual cues and symbols, each offering valuable information to trainers on their quest to catch ’em all. Bubbles, in particular, hold several distinct meanings within the game, acting as visual indicators of status, attack types, and collectible items. Understanding these “bubbles” can significantly enhance your gameplay, allowing you to make informed decisions about your Pokémon, battles, and item collection. Let’s dive into the bubbling world of Pokémon GO!

Different Types of Bubbles in Pokémon GO and What They Mean

The term “bubbles” in Pokémon GO can refer to several different elements within the game:

Buddy Pokémon Bubble: A small, white bubble next to a Pokémon’s icon indicates that this Pokémon is currently set as your Buddy Pokémon. This allows you to earn candies and other rewards by walking with it.
Bubble (Move): “Bubble” is a Water-type fast move that some Pokémon can learn. Its effectiveness and stats vary depending on whether you are in a Gym/Raid battle or participating in the GO Battle League.
Item Bubbles from PokéStops: These are the interactive bubbles that appear after spinning a PokéStop, containing items like Poké Balls, Potions, and Berries.
Popplio’s Bubbles: This refers to the signature ability of the Pokémon Popplio, which can create water bubbles from its nose.
Sparkling Effects: These are not technically “bubbles,” but the sparkles that appear on a Pokémon can indicate whether it is a Shiny Pokémon when entering an encounter, or a Sparkling Pokemon on a pokemon card.
Purified Pokémon: This is also not technically a bubble, but a bright blue particle icon to the left of the Pokémon is used to represent purified Pokemon.

Bubble the Move: A Deep Dive

One of the most prominent uses of the term “bubble” is in reference to the Water-type fast move. Here’s a breakdown of its performance in various scenarios:

Battle Statistics

Gym and Raid Battles: This is the most common PVE experience where Pokémon trainers will engage. In Gym and Raid battles, Bubble deals 12 damage and generates 14 energy. This makes it a relatively strong energy-generating move.
GO Battle League: In the player-versus-player (PVP) GO Battle League, Bubble deals 7 damage and generates 11 energy. The damage output is lower than in Gyms and Raids, but the energy generation remains respectable, allowing you to charge up powerful Charged Moves more quickly.

Effectiveness Against Different Types

As a Water-type move, Bubble is super effective against the following types:

Fire
Ground
Rock

Conversely, Bubble is not very effective against:

Water
Grass
Dragon

This type effectiveness is crucial to consider when selecting Pokémon for battles. Using Bubble against a Fire-type opponent will deal significantly more damage than using it against a Grass-type.

Pokémon that Wield Bubble Best

Several Pokémon can learn the move Bubble, but some utilize it more effectively than others. Factors to consider include the Pokémon’s overall stats, other available moves, and its role in your team composition. Pokémon with high Attack stats or those that benefit from generating energy quickly are often good choices.

Item Bubbles: Collecting Resources Efficiently

Spinning PokéStops is a fundamental activity in Pokémon GO, providing players with essential items. After spinning a PokéStop, several bubbles containing items will appear. You don’t actually have to tap each item bubble individually. Once you spin the PokéStop, you can simply back out of the PokéStop interface, and all the items will be automatically added to your inventory. This efficiency tip can save you precious time and allow you to focus on other aspects of the game.

FAQs: Bubbles in Pokémon GO

1. What does the white bubble next to a Pokémon mean?

That white bubble indicates that the Pokémon is currently your Buddy Pokémon. This allows you to earn candies and other rewards by walking with it.

2. How do I change my Buddy Pokémon?

You can change your Buddy Pokémon by going to your profile, tapping on your current Buddy, scrolling down, and selecting “Swap Buddy.” Be aware that there may be a cooldown period after swapping.

3. Is Bubble a good move in Pokémon GO?

Whether Bubble is a good move depends on the Pokémon using it and the battle context. It has a moderate damage output and generates a decent amount of energy.

4. What types of Pokémon is Bubble effective against?

Bubble is a Water-type move, making it super effective against Fire, Ground, and Rock-type Pokémon.

5. What types of Pokémon resist Bubble?

Water, Grass, and Dragon-type Pokémon resist Bubble, meaning it will deal reduced damage against them.

6. Do I have to pop the item bubbles after spinning a PokéStop?

No, you don’t have to tap the item bubbles individually. Once you spin the PokéStop, you can simply back out, and the items will be automatically added to your inventory.

7. What is Popplio, and what’s its connection to bubbles?

Popplio is a Water-type Pokémon known for its ability to create water bubbles from its nose. This is a signature characteristic of the Pokémon.

8. What do the symbols on Pokémon thumbnails mean?

Different symbols indicate special statuses. For example:

Three stars mark Shiny Pokémon.
Gold particles mark Lucky Pokémon.
A purple flame icon marks Shadow Pokémon.
A bright blue particle icon marks Purified Pokémon.

9. What are Shiny Pokémon, and why do they “sparkle?”

Shiny Pokémon are rare variants with different colorations. They are identifiable by a little sparkle emblem appearing above the ‘mon when you’re going to catch them.

10. Are Shiny Pokémon stronger than regular Pokémon?

No, Shiny Pokémon are not stronger than regular Pokémon. The difference is purely cosmetic.

11. What are Lucky Pokémon, and what makes them special?

Lucky Pokémon have lower Stardust costs for powering up and guaranteed high IVs (Individual Values), making them valuable for competitive players.

12. What are Shadow Pokémon, and should I purify them?

Shadow Pokémon have increased attack power but decreased defense. Purifying them increases their defense but removes the attack bonus. Whether to purify depends on your strategy; some players prefer the increased attack of Shadow Pokémon.

13. What does it mean when a Pokémon is my “Best Buddy”?

A “Best Buddy” is achieved by earning 300 hearts with your Buddy Pokémon. At this point, it receives a CP boost and a Best Buddy Ribbon.

14. Should I evolve my Buddy Pokémon while walking it?

It’s generally advised not to evolve your Buddy Pokémon while you’re in the process of walking it. Evolving essentially turns it into a new Pokémon, resetting your candy meter.

15. Can you trade Shadow Pokémon?

No, you cannot trade Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO.

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of the Bubble

Understanding the nuances of “bubbles” in Pokémon GO is key to becoming a more proficient trainer. Whether it’s strategizing with the Bubble move, efficiently collecting items from PokéStops, or recognizing the significance of the Buddy Pokémon bubble, each aspect contributes to a richer and more rewarding gameplay experience. As you continue your journey, remember to stay informed, adapt your strategies, and embrace the ever-evolving world of Pokémon GO.

To further expand your knowledge of game-based learning and the educational impact of games like Pokémon GO, we encourage you to visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org is a fantastic resource to learn about the intersection of education and the gaming world.

What do bubbles mean in Pokemon GO?