Unveiling the Mystery: What Type of Item is Rare Candy?
Rare Candy, a seemingly simple treat, is a powerful and coveted item in the Pokémon universe. It is primarily categorized as a consumable item that grants a Pokémon an immediate level up. While it doesn’t fall neatly into categories like healing items or battle enhancers, its effect of directly increasing a Pokémon’s level makes it an incredibly useful tool for trainers looking to quickly strengthen their team. Its classification often overlaps, being considered a “power-up” item alongside vitamins due to its stat-boosting effect.
Deeper Dive into Rare Candy
The significance of Rare Candy extends beyond simply gaining a level. In the original games, it provided a way to evolve Pokémon that were otherwise difficult to level up through traditional battles. This was particularly relevant for Pokémon requiring high levels to evolve or those that were scarce and hard to train.
In more modern iterations of the Pokémon franchise, including mobile games like Pokémon GO, Rare Candy has taken on a new layer of importance. It serves as a universal “candy” that can be converted into species-specific candy, essential for powering up and evolving rare or legendary Pokémon. This adaptability has ensured that Rare Candy remains a valuable resource, regardless of the game’s specific mechanics.
Functionality and Acquisition
Rare Candy functions straightforwardly: use it on a Pokémon, and that Pokémon instantly gains a level, provided it’s not at the maximum level. It’s important to note that while it boosts the level, it doesn’t influence Individual Values (IVs) or directly affect Effort Values (EVs). The EVs that would have been gained through battles at that level can still be earned later.
Acquiring Rare Candy can vary across different Pokémon games. Traditionally, they’re found hidden throughout the game world, rewarded for completing challenging tasks, or received as prizes for winning competitions. In Pokémon GO, they are often obtained as rewards from Raids Battles, special research tasks, and events.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rare Candy
1. Is Rare Candy a medical item?
While not primarily a medical item like Potions or Revives, Rare Candy could be loosely categorized as a “medicine” due to its effect on a Pokémon’s growth. However, its primary function is leveling up, not healing.
2. What is the point of Rare Candy in modern Pokémon games?
Rare Candy helps trainers power up and evolve Pokémon that are hard to train or catch frequently. In Pokémon GO, it’s recommended to save them for meta-relevant Pokémon that require a lot of candy, such as Legendaries.
3. How does Rare Candy affect a Pokémon’s stats?
Rare Candy increases a Pokémon’s level by one, leading to a corresponding increase in its stats, which are based on its species, IVs, and EVs.
4. Does Rare Candy affect IVs or EVs?
No, Rare Candy doesn’t affect Individual Values (IVs) in any way. As for Effort Values (EVs), any EVs that would have been gained during that level up can be earned in future battles. Rare Candies provide EV-free experience.
5. How do you obtain Rare Candy in different Pokémon games?
Rare Candy can be found hidden in the game world, awarded for completing quests or challenges, obtained as prizes, or earned as rewards from Raid Battles (particularly in Pokémon GO).
6. Is it okay to use Rare Candies liberally?
Using Rare Candy is generally considered fine as it simply saves time by providing experience. It gives you experience equal to the amount remaining to level up your Pokémon.
7. Can humans eat Rare Candy?
According to an interview with Junichi Masuda, humans could theoretically eat Rare Candies, but they probably wouldn’t enjoy it, comparing it to eating dog food.
8. How many BP is a Rare Candy worth?
In some games where Battle Points (BP) are used, a Rare Candy can be purchased for around 20 BP.
9. How do you convert Rare Candy to XL Candy in Pokémon GO?
In Pokémon GO, you need to trade 100 regular Rare Candy to receive 1 XL Candy, which is required to level up a Pokémon past level 40.
10. What Trainer Level do you need to be to collect XL Candy?
You need to be at Trainer Level 31 before you can start gathering XL Candy in Pokémon GO.
11. Are Rare Candies hard to get?
The difficulty of obtaining Rare Candy varies. They are not guaranteed drops from Raid Bosses, but they are one of the possible rewards, making them relatively accessible, particularly in Pokémon GO.
12. What are some effective strategies for using Rare Candy?
A good strategy is to focus on using Rare Candy to level up Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, which are harder to obtain and require more resources to power up. Another strategy is to quickly evolve Pokemon to fill the pokedex.
13. Is using a cheat code for Rare Candy acceptable?
Whether or not using cheat codes is acceptable is a matter of personal preference. However, it can diminish the sense of accomplishment and challenge in the game.
14. What’s the historical significance of candy in relation to Rare Candy?
The concept of candy dates back to ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians who made sweets from honey mixed with fruits and nuts. Rare Candy, in a way, is a modern, digital evolution of this idea – a sweet treat that provides a boost or benefit. The Games Learning Society may be interested in studying the progression of candies and rewards in games like this. You can find more about their valuable research at GamesLearningSociety.org.
15. How does Rare Candy contribute to the overall gameplay experience?
Rare Candy provides a shortcut to leveling up, allowing players to focus on other aspects of the game such as battling, collecting, and exploring. It also enables players to use powerful Pokémon earlier in the game, enhancing their overall experience.
In conclusion, Rare Candy is a valuable and versatile item in the Pokémon world, fulfilling the role of a level-up booster. Its impact on gameplay is significant, providing trainers with a convenient and strategic way to strengthen their teams and progress through their adventures.