Choosing the Right Pokémon for the Nursery: A Breeder’s Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The Pokémon Nursery, a staple in many Pokémon games, offers aspiring trainers a convenient way to level up their Pokémon and, more importantly, breed new ones. But which Pokémon should you entrust to the Nursery’s care? The answer depends on your goals. Are you aiming for experience gains, hatching eggs, or creating the perfect competitive team? Let’s break down the optimal choices for each scenario.
For Leveling Up, the Pokémon Nursery provides a passive experience boost. Any Pokémon you deposit will gain Exp. Points for every step you take in the game world. This is particularly useful for Pokémon that are lagging behind in level, or for those you want to evolve without actively battling. For this purpose, any Pokémon can work. Consider Pokémon you haven’t used much or those that are close to evolving. Remember that Pokémon in the daycare receive 60% of the EXP that was obtained in the region as a bonus. It doesn’t matter if only 1 or 2 Pokémon are placed in the daycare, they each receive the same amount of EXP.
For Breeding, the selection process becomes significantly more strategic. The Nursery Lady requires two Pokémon: one male and one female from the same Egg Group, or a Ditto and any Pokémon from any other Egg Group except the No Eggs Discovered group. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
-
Same Species: The simplest approach is to pair a male and female of the same species. This guarantees an egg of the same species as the female. For example, breeding a male Charmander with a female Charmander will produce a Charmander egg.
-
Egg Groups: If you want a Pokémon with specific moves or abilities, understanding Egg Groups is crucial. Pokémon within the same Egg Group can breed, even if they are different species. This opens up possibilities for inheriting moves from the father.
-
Ditto: Ditto is the ultimate breeding partner. It can breed with almost any Pokémon, making it invaluable for obtaining eggs of Pokémon that are difficult to find or breed otherwise. The only Pokémon that can’t breed with ditto are baby Pokemon like Riolu, pichu, togepi etc. and the new fossils, Type: Null, and Silvally.
-
Competitive Breeding: For competitive players, breeding is essential for obtaining Pokémon with perfect Individual Values (IVs) and desired Natures. Using a Destiny Knot held item ensures that the offspring inherit five IVs from their parents, while an Everstone guarantees that the offspring inherit the Nature of the parent holding it.
Important Considerations:
-
Ensure the Pokémon are compatible. The Nursery Lady will provide hints regarding their compatibility. Phrases like “They prefer to play with other Pokémon” indicate low compatibility.
-
Be patient. It takes time and steps to produce an egg. The amount of time depends on how much the Pokémon like each other.
-
Consider using the Masuda Method (breeding a Pokémon you own with one from a different region) to increase the odds of finding a shiny Pokémon. The Masuda Method increases the base chance of finding a shiny from 1 in 4092 to 1 in 682, or 1 in 512 if players have the Shiny Charm.
-
The Pokémon with the ability Flame Body or Magma Armor in your party can hasten the hatching process of eggs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Pokémon Nursery
Here are some common questions and answers to help you master the Pokémon Nursery:
What is the point of the Pokémon Nursery?
The Pokémon Nursery serves two primary purposes: leveling up Pokémon passively and breeding new Pokémon. It’s a valuable tool for both casual players and competitive breeders.
How do I get an Egg at the Nursery?
To have an Egg appear at the Pokémon Nursery, you must leave two compatible Pokémon with the attendant. This can be one male and one female of the same Egg Group, or a Ditto and any Pokémon from any other Egg Group except the No Eggs Discovered group. Compatibility is important for the process.
How do I know if my Pokémon are compatible for breeding?
The Nursery Lady will provide hints. Phrases like “They seem to get along very well” indicate high compatibility, while “They prefer to play with other Pokémon” suggests low compatibility. High compatibility leads to more frequent egg creation.
What Pokémon are in the “No Eggs Discovered” Egg Group?
This group includes most Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, as well as some Pokémon that are genderless or have unique breeding restrictions.
Can I breed Legendary Pokémon?
It’s generally impossible to breed Legendaries, with the exception of Manaphy. Breeding a Manaphy with a Ditto gets you a Phione every time. Legendaries are all in the Unidentified Egg Group, which cannot breed with anything.
What is the Masuda Method?
The Masuda Method is a technique used to increase the chances of hatching a Shiny Pokémon by breeding two Pokémon from different regions (e.g., one caught in an English version of the game and one caught in a Japanese version).
What does the Destiny Knot do?
The Destiny Knot is a held item that, when equipped to a parent Pokémon, ensures that the offspring inherits five IVs from either of the parent Pokémon, instead of the usual three. This is invaluable for competitive breeding.
What does the Everstone do?
The Everstone is a held item that, when equipped to a parent Pokémon, ensures that the offspring inherits the Nature of the parent holding it. This is essential for obtaining Pokémon with desired Natures for competitive battling.
Can my Pokémon evolve in the Day Care?
No, Pokémon are unable to evolve in the Day Care. If they are at a ready level to evolve, you must take them out and level them up yourself for the evolution to trigger.
How long should I leave my Pokémon at the Nursery?
For leveling up, leave them as long as you need to reach the desired level. For breeding, it depends on their compatibility. Check back periodically to see if an Egg has been produced. Leave the Pokémon in the Nursery’s care for about a day before returning to collect them to ensure ample time.
How many Pokémon can I leave at the Day Care?
You can have two Pokémon in the Day Care at once.
Will my Pokémon learn new moves in the Day Care?
Yes, if a deposited Pokémon levels up and would learn a new move, it will learn it. However, if it already knows four moves, the first known move will be forgotten, the rest bumped up, and the new move learned.
Does using the Day Care lower my Pokémon’s friendship?
Pokémon that are busy, such as those in the DayCare, will not gain or lose happiness from fields.
What is Egg Power?
Egg Power is a bonus that makes Eggs hatch faster. The bonus will also make eggs hatch faster, so try to hatch eggs while the bonus is still active.
Which Pokémon have abilities that help hatch eggs faster?
Pokémon with the abilities Flame Body or Magma Armor, when placed in your party, can reduce the number of steps required to hatch eggs. For instance, the Ponyta line, Magmar line, Moltres, Heatran, Litwick line, Larvesta line, Fletchinder line, Carkoal line (except for Rolycoly), and the Sizzlipede line all possess the Flame Body ability.
By understanding these principles and applying them strategically, you can maximize the benefits of the Pokémon Nursery, whether you’re striving to build a powerful team, complete your Pokédex, or simply enjoy the adventure. Remember that Games Learning Society offers additional insights into the learning aspects of gaming, which can enhance your strategic thinking in Pokémon and other games. To find out more, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.