What Pokémon Earn 1 Candy Per KM?
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The most direct answer to the question “What Pokémon earn 1 candy per KM?” is: Pokémon that typically earn 1 candy per KM walked as a buddy are those that are fairly common in the wild or are basic evolutions. This includes a large swathe of Pokémon, making it an important category to understand when planning your buddy walking strategy in Pokémon GO.
Understanding Buddy Candy in Pokémon GO
In Pokémon GO, Buddy Pokémon are an integral part of gameplay. They allow you to earn candies by walking a set distance, which is crucial for evolving, powering up, and unlocking secondary moves for your Pokémon. The distance required to earn a candy varies depending on the Pokémon’s rarity and size. Knowing which Pokémon fall into the 1 KM candy category is essential for efficient candy collection, especially for trainers looking to maximize their resources.
The 1 KM Candy Group: A Detailed Look
Generally, Pokémon in the 1 KM candy group are those readily available in various biomes or those that are the base form of a three-stage evolution. These Pokémon are typically easier to obtain and evolve, making them a good choice for players just starting or focusing on completing their Pokedex.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of Pokémon that often fall into the 1 KM candy category:
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Common Spawns: These are Pokémon that appear frequently in your local area or during events. Examples might include Pidgey, Rattata, Weedle, Caterpie, Spearow, Zubat, and similar species that are consistently available.
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Basic Evolutions: Pokémon that are the first stage in a three-stage evolution often fall into the 1 KM category. This makes sense, as you’ll need a good number of candies to evolve them through both stages. Expect to see Pokémon like Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, as well as their subsequent evolutions Ivysaur, Charmeleon, Wartortle and more.
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Regionals (Sometimes): While less common, some regional Pokémon might fall into the 1 KM candy group depending on the region and any event bonuses active.
Why are some Pokémon 1 KM candy buddies? Several factors contribute to this designation. Primarily, it’s a balance mechanism to ensure that more common Pokémon are easier to evolve and power up. This allows players to focus their efforts on rarer Pokémon, which require more walking (and often more effort) to collect candies.
Optimizing Your Buddy Walking Strategy
Knowing which Pokémon are in the 1 KM candy group allows you to optimize your buddy walking strategy. Here are some tips:
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Prioritize Needs: Focus on Pokémon you need candies for the most. If you have several Pokémon in this category that you want to evolve, prioritize based on their usefulness in raids, gyms, or PvP battles.
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Event Bonuses: Keep an eye out for events that may offer bonuses to candy distance. During these events, the 1 KM candy Pokémon become even more efficient to walk.
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Berries: Use Poffins to halve the distance needed to earn candy. This doubles the candy earning potential while the Poffin effect lasts.
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Trackers and Communities: Utilize community resources and online trackers to identify nests or spawn points of specific 1 KM candy Pokémon you need. This can help you maximize your candy gains while minimizing walking distance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I tell which buddy distance a Pokémon requires?
You can see the required distance to earn a candy by selecting the Pokémon as your buddy and viewing their profile. The information will be displayed under their name and CP.
2. Does the buddy distance ever change?
Yes, during specific events, Niantic may temporarily reduce the buddy distance required to earn candies. Always check the in-game news for active bonuses.
3. Can I switch buddies while walking and still earn candies?
Yes, you can switch buddies, but you will only earn candy for the distance walked with a particular Pokémon as your active buddy. The progress is tracked individually for each Pokémon.
4. Do all Legendary Pokémon require the same buddy distance?
Typically, Legendary Pokémon require 20 KM to earn one candy, regardless of their specific stats or rarity within the Legendary group.
5. What are Poffins, and how do they help with buddy walking?
Poffins are special items that make your buddy Pokémon excited, which halves the distance needed to earn a candy and also increases other benefits like encounter rates at PokéStops.
6. Are there any Pokémon that require less than 1 KM to earn a candy?
No, 1 KM is the shortest distance required to earn a candy for any Pokémon.
7. Does the size of the Pokémon affect the candy distance?
No, the size of the Pokémon does not directly affect the candy distance. The distance is predetermined based on the Pokémon’s rarity and availability.
8. Can I earn buddy hearts and candies simultaneously?
Yes, walking with your buddy earns both hearts (for increasing your buddy level) and candies. These rewards are earned independently but concurrently.
9. What happens if I reach the daily limit for earning buddy candies?
There isn’t a specific daily limit for earning buddy candies. You can continue earning candies as long as you walk the required distance.
10. Is it better to evolve a Pokémon before or after making it my buddy?
The order doesn’t matter. Evolving a Pokémon doesn’t reset its candy distance or buddy progress.
11. How often does Niantic change the buddy candy distances?
Niantic rarely permanently changes buddy candy distances outside of new Pokémon releases. However, temporary changes can occur during special events.
12. Are Shadow Pokémon affected by buddy distance changes?
Yes, Shadow Pokémon are subject to the same buddy distance rules and event bonuses as regular Pokémon.
13. Does using Adventure Sync affect buddy candy earning?
Yes, Adventure Sync allows you to track your walking distance even when the app is closed, enabling you to earn buddy candies passively. However, the GPS needs to be accurate and the steps tracked correctly.
14. Can I use a Lucky Egg to boost the candy I receive from walking with my buddy?
No, Lucky Eggs do not affect the number of candies earned from walking with your buddy. They only affect experience points (XP).
15. What is the most efficient way to utilize 1 KM buddy Pokémon during Community Day events?
During Community Day events, focus on walking 1 KM buddy Pokémon if their candy is the featured bonus. Combine this with a Poffin to halve the distance and maximize candy gains.
By understanding which Pokémon earn 1 candy per KM and utilizing these strategies, you can effectively manage your resources and progress efficiently in Pokémon GO. Happy walking!