The Ultimate Guide: Which Pokémon Deserve Your XL Candy in Pokémon GO PvP?
The question on every serious Pokémon GO Trainer’s mind: What is the best Pokémon to invest your precious XL Candy into for PvP? The answer, as with many things in the world of Pokémon GO, is nuanced and depends heavily on the League you’re battling in and your specific team composition. However, if we were to crown an overall champion based on versatility, impact, and meta-relevance, it would have to be Azumarill. Its access to powerful moves like Bubble Beam and Play Rough, coupled with its Water/Fairy typing (resisting Dragon-type attacks), makes it a force to be reckoned with in the Great League. Furthermore, reaching its maximum potential requires XL Candy to optimize its IVs for hitting that sweet spot just below the 1500 CP cap.
But Azumarill is just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s dive deeper into some other top contenders, considering their strengths in different leagues:
Great League XL Candy Powerhouses
- Medicham: This Fighting/Psychic-type Pokémon thrives in the Great League thanks to its incredibly high stat product (the sum of its attack, defense, and HP) when powered up with XL Candy. Its access to Counter and Psychic makes it a potent attacker and a valuable addition to any team.
- Lickitung/Lickilicky: Lickitung and Lickilicky are both incredibly bulky Normal-type Pokemon that can be powered up with XL Candy for both Great and Ultra League! Lickitung has a strong matchup against Medicham due to its access to Lick and Body Slam, while Lickilicky can threaten many meta mons with its powerful movesets.
- Carbink: A newer rock and fairy type that is known for it’s extreme bulk. Carbink is very strong in the great league and has gained popularity for its defensive prowess.
Ultra League XL Candy Kings and Queens
- Registeel: Another notable Steel-type Pokémon, Registeel benefits significantly from XL Candy investment in the Ultra League. Its incredible bulk and access to moves like Lock-On and Flash Cannon make it a formidable opponent.
- Golisopod: This Bug/Water-type Pokemon has great potential when powered with XL candy. Thanks to it’s great bulk and access to moves like Fury Cutter and Aqua Jet, it’s a great choice for the Ultra League.
Master League XL Candy All-Stars
- Dialga: As a Steel/Dragon-type, Dialga’s typing is incredibly potent in the Master League. With its access to Dragon Breath and Iron Head, this legendary Pokémon is a very popular pick.
- Giratina (Origin Forme): While the Altered Forme has play in Ultra League, Origin Forme shines in Master League. Its Ghost/Dragon-type allows it to act as a ghost type attacker, making it a great addition to any team.
Ultimately, the best Pokémon to use your XL Candy on depends on your individual needs and goals within Pokémon GO PvP. Consider your team composition, the current meta, and your personal playstyle when making your decision. The most important thing is to have fun and experiment to find what works best for you! Remember that Pokémon GO is a game of strategy and that means you’ll have to do your research and choose the best team for your battles!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about XL Candy and PvP
1. What exactly is XL Candy and how do I get it?
XL Candy is a special resource used to power up your Pokémon beyond Level 40, up to a maximum of Level 50. You can obtain XL Candy in a few ways:
- Catching Pokémon: There’s a chance to receive XL Candy when catching Pokémon, with higher-level Pokémon having a slightly higher chance.
- Transferring Pokémon: Transferring Pokémon to Professor Willow gives you a chance to receive XL Candy.
- Trading Pokémon: Trading Pokémon with friends offers a chance to obtain XL Candy.
- Walking your Buddy: Walking your Buddy Pokémon can sometimes reward you with XL Candy.
- Completing Research Tasks: Certain Research Tasks may reward you with XL Candy.
2. Does IV spread matter for XL Candy Pokémon?
Yes, absolutely! IVs (Individual Values) represent a Pokémon’s inherent stats. When maximizing a Pokémon for PvP using XL Candy, IV optimization is key, especially in the Great and Ultra Leagues where there are CP caps. You often want low Attack and high Defense/HP to maximize your Pokémon’s bulk under the CP cap.
3. Is it worth investing XL Candy in Shadow Pokémon?
Shadow Pokémon deal more damage but also take more damage. Some Shadow Pokémon, like Shadow Swampert or Shadow Machamp, are incredibly powerful in PvP and are worth the XL Candy investment if you plan to use them extensively.
4. How many XL Candies do I need to fully power up a Pokémon?
It requires 296 XL Candy to power up a regular Pokémon from Level 40 to Level 50. Shadow Pokémon require 360 XL Candy, while Purified Pokémon require 272 XL Candy.
5. Can I convert regular Candy into XL Candy?
Yes, you can! Once you reach Trainer Level 40, you can convert 100 regular Candy into 1 XL Candy.
6. What Trainer Level do I need to be to obtain XL Candy?
You must be Trainer Level 40 or higher to begin obtaining and using XL Candy.
7. Do Lucky Pokémon require less XL Candy?
No, Lucky Pokémon do not require less XL Candy. However, they do require less Stardust to power up, making them a more cost-effective option overall.
8. Are XXS and XXL Pokémon more likely to give XL Candy?
The size of the Pokémon (XXS or XXL) does not influence the chance of getting XL Candy when catching or transferring them.
9. Is it better to evolve a Pokémon before or after powering it up with XL Candy?
It’s generally recommended to evolve your Pokémon before investing in XL Candy. This allows you to check the moveset it learns and ensure it’s optimal for PvP. If you’re unsatisfied with the moveset, you can evolve another one.
10. Are certain Community Day moves crucial for PvP viability when using XL Candy?
Yes! Many Pokémon benefit greatly from exclusive Community Day moves. For example, Swampert with Hydro Cannon is far superior in PvP compared to Swampert without it. Always check if a Pokémon’s Community Day move is essential before investing XL Candy.
11. Do weather boosts affect the chance of getting XL Candy?
Weather boosts do not directly affect the chance of obtaining XL Candy. However, they can increase the CP of the Pokémon you encounter, and higher-level Pokémon may have a slightly higher chance of dropping XL Candy.
12. What’s the deal with Legendaries and Mythicals – are they worth the XL Candy grind?
Many Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, like Registeel, Dialga, and Giratina, are absolute monsters in PvP and justify the hefty XL Candy investment. Their unique typings, high stats, and powerful movepools make them staples in the meta.
13. How important is Stardust alongside XL Candy?
Stardust is just as crucial as XL Candy. You’ll need a significant amount of Stardust to power up your Pokémon from Level 40 to Level 50. Plan accordingly!
14. Are there any alternatives to Rare Candy XL for powering up specific Pokémon?
Rare Candy XL is the most versatile option, as it can be converted into any Pokémon’s XL Candy. However, participating in events that feature specific Pokémon can increase your chances of obtaining their specific XL Candy. Raiding is also an option for Legendaries and Mythicals.
15. Where can I learn more about the strategy behind these games?
There are a lot of places to learn more about gaming, but the Games Learning Society is a great starting point. Check out the GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more!