Unraveling the XL Candy Route Exploit in Pokémon GO: A Comprehensive Guide
The XL Candy Route Exploit was a short-lived but significant glitch within Pokémon GO’s Routes feature that allowed players to circumvent the game’s intended mechanics for earning XL Candy. By manipulating their device’s GPS, players could drastically accelerate their Route progress, effectively farming XL Candy at an unprecedented rate. This method bypassed the speed limits typically imposed on Route completion, allowing for rapid and unintended gains.
How the Exploit Worked
The XL Candy Route Exploit primarily revolved around tricking the game’s GPS. Players would use third-party applications or device settings to create the illusion of repeatedly completing a Route. The exploit generally consisted of the following steps:
- Initiating a Route: A player would start a Route as normal.
- GPS Manipulation: Using a GPS spoofing app or similar tools, they would then make their in-game avatar rapidly jump to the end point of the Route.
- Route Completion and Repetition: The game would register the completion of the Route, and the player could restart the same Route repeatedly within a very short timeframe.
Because the game believed the Route was being completed multiple times in rapid succession, the reward system, including the chances of receiving XL Candy, was also triggered multiple times. This resulted in players accumulating XL Candy at a dramatically inflated rate, far exceeding the amount obtainable through legitimate gameplay.
Niantic’s Response and Consequences
Niantic, the developer of Pokémon GO, quickly identified and addressed the XL Candy Route Exploit. Once the exploit gained traction within the player community, Niantic issued bans to players who were found to be using it. These bans varied in severity:
- Temporary Suspensions: Many players received 30-day suspensions from the game.
- Permanent Account Deactivations: In more severe cases, especially for repeat offenders or those who exploited the glitch extensively, Niantic permanently banned accounts.
The message was clear: exploiting game mechanics for unfair advantages would not be tolerated. This action underscored Niantic’s commitment to maintaining fair play and the integrity of the Pokémon GO experience.
The Current State of XL Candy Farming
With the XL Candy Route Exploit patched, players must rely on legitimate methods to acquire XL Candy. While it may take longer, it is important to remember that it is the intended and fair way to play the game.
FAQs about XL Candy in Pokémon GO
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) about XL Candy in Pokémon GO, covering everything from obtaining it to its usage.
1. What are the legitimate ways to farm XL Candy in Pokémon GO?
The most reliable methods include:
- Catching Pokémon: The higher the Pokémon’s level, the better the chance of getting XL Candy.
- Trading Pokémon: Trading has a chance of awarding XL Candy, with increased odds based on the distance between where the Pokémon were caught.
- Transferring Pokémon: Transferring Pokémon to Professor Willow has a small chance of awarding XL Candy.
- Hatching Eggs: Hatching Eggs gives a chance of receiving XL Candy, with longer hatch distances offering better rewards.
- Walking a Buddy Pokémon: Walking with a Buddy Pokémon does not directly award XL Candy, but it does give you regular candy that may lead to you trading for XL Candy.
- Completing Raids: Successfully completing Raids has a chance of rewarding XL Candy.
2. Is there a guaranteed way to get XL Candy?
Catching Pokémon in Raids guarantees at least one XL Candy. This makes raiding a reliable, if not always convenient, method for acquiring XL Candy.
3. How many XL Candies does it take to level a Pokémon to Level 50?
It requires 296 XL Candy to power up a regular Pokémon from Level 40 to Level 50. Shadow Pokémon require 360, and purified Pokémon require 272.
4. How can I farm Rare Candy XL?
The primary method for acquiring Rare Candy XL is through completing 3-Star Raids or higher. Each successful Raid has a chance to reward you with 1-3 Rare Candy XL. Note that Remote Raids won’t encounter Rare XL Candy as a reward, only in-person raids will.
5. Can I convert regular Candy into Candy XL?
Yes, but it’s not recommended unless you have a surplus of candy. The conversion rate is 100 regular Candy to 1 XL Candy, making it an extremely expensive conversion.
6. Why is XL Candy so hard to get?
XL Candy is intentionally rare to ensure that powering up Pokémon to Level 50 requires significant effort and dedication. This rarity helps maintain balance in the game.
7. Can I trade XL Candy for regular Candy?
No, you cannot convert XL Candy back into regular Candy. The conversion is one-way only, from regular Candy to XL Candy.
8. Can I get XL Candy before reaching Level 40?
Yes, you can start earning XL Candy once you reach Level 31. This change was implemented to allow lower-level players to begin preparing for the endgame content.
9. What are Rare Candy XL used for?
Rare Candy XL can be converted into any type of XL Candy needed for powering up Pokémon beyond Level 40. This allows you to use Rare Candy XL on any Pokémon that requires XL Candy.
10. How rare is Rare Candy XL?
Rare Candy XL is a rare reward, typically obtained from in-person raids. You can get between 1 and 3 Rare XL Candy as a raid reward.
11. What does reaching Level 40 mean in Pokémon GO?
Reaching Level 40 is a significant milestone, unlocking access to XL Candy, Level 50 Pokémon, and other high-level gameplay features. It also comes with rewards like 40 Ultra Balls and 40 Max Potions.
12. How much Candy do I get for walking with my Buddy Pokémon?
The amount of Candy you get depends on the Pokémon’s walking distance requirement. For example, a Pokémon with a 1km walking distance requirement will earn Candy more frequently than one with a 5km requirement.
13. What is the daily limit for earning Buddy Candy?
The limit is 40km per day for earning buddy candies.
14. What do Rare Candies do in Pokémon GO?
Rare Candy substitutes for any other Pokémon Candy. Feeding a Rare Candy to a Pikachu will make the game treat it as Pikachu Candy.
15. How many candies are received 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.
Conclusion
The XL Candy Route Exploit serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges developers face in maintaining fair play within online games. While the exploit offered a tempting shortcut, the consequences of using it were severe. As Pokémon GO continues to evolve, understanding the rules and engaging in fair play ensures a positive and rewarding experience for all players. For more insights into the gamification of learning, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.