What’s the Max Speed for Egg Hatching?
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The maximum speed at which you can effectively hatch eggs in Pokémon GO is approximately 19-20 mph (30-32 km/h). While the game may register some distance at higher speeds, it becomes increasingly unreliable beyond this threshold. This means activities like high-speed driving on a highway will not contribute to your egg-hatching progress. It’s important to distinguish this maximum egg-hatching speed from the speed at which the game might stop registering distance altogether, which is around 20 m/s (72 km/h or roughly 45 mph), usually associated with car travel on a highway. The effective hatching speed is designed to encourage physical activity like walking or biking, and also ensure safe gameplay.
Understanding the Mechanics of Egg Hatching
The egg-hatching system in Pokémon GO is designed to mimic real-world movement. When you move in the real world, the app attempts to translate that movement into in-game distance. This distance is then applied towards the kilometers required to hatch a particular egg. However, this system is not perfect, and certain factors can affect its accuracy.
The game primarily relies on GPS data to track your movement. If your signal is weak or erratic, the accuracy of your distance tracking may decrease. Furthermore, Pokémon GO does not register distance by directly measuring the straight line between your starting and ending points, but rather by registering periodic updates of your location. This difference in implementation sometimes lead to distance loss due to irregular paths or sudden changes of directions. Therefore, it is not about overall velocity, but average velocity in a set time window that influences the total distance.
The game’s system also employs a speed cap to differentiate between different types of movement. Walking, running, and even biking at a moderate pace will usually register as distance for egg hatching. However, higher speeds that are usually associated with car, bus, or train travel often fail to register, or only register partially. The speed limit is a key component of the game’s design, primarily intended to discourage playing Pokémon GO while driving, ensuring player safety while still rewarding players who are active.
Optimal Speed for Hatching
While 19-20 mph (30-32 km/h) is the stated upper limit, it is not the most reliable speed. The game is most consistent and accurate in tracking your movement within a range closer to 6.5 mph (10.5 km/h), which aligns more with a fast walking or cycling pace. Although you can possibly get some mileage when moving at 19-20 mph, you may not get credit for all of your travel. This speed is not only optimal for egg hatching, but also allows you to gather candy from your buddy Pokémon. When exceeding that limit, the game may either ignore the distance or only count a fraction of it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Egg Hatching Speed
1. How fast can I walk to hatch an egg?
The game registers walking distance effectively. A brisk walking pace of around 3-5 mph (4.8-8 km/h) is ideal for consistent egg hatching. While you can walk faster, the game may not be as accurate at very high speeds.
2. Does running hatch eggs in Pokemon Go?
Yes, running at a moderate pace will hatch eggs in Pokémon GO. However, like walking, if you run too fast, close to the 19-20mph maximum speed or above, the game will not accurately count the distance. A comfortable jogging or running pace works well, and typically you can run as fast as you like as long as it doesn’t surpass a pace of about 6.5 mph (10.5 km/h).
3. Does biking count towards egg hatching?
Yes, biking is a great way to hatch eggs in Pokémon GO, and is often one of the most efficient. The game considers biking as faster than walking, but slower than car travel. A moderate biking speed will reliably register distance, while speeds above 20 mph will not, and it is more advisable to ride at a speed below the 19-20mph threshold.
4. Why does Pokemon Go have a speed limit?
The speed limit is primarily for player safety. It’s designed to prevent people from playing the game while driving, which is incredibly dangerous. It also encourages physical activity by rewarding walking, running, and biking over car travel.
5. Does driving count towards hatching eggs in Pokemon Go?
While the game might register some distance at lower speeds of driving, such as city driving at 20-25 mph, the speed at which egg hatching is more reliable is below 20mph, especially below the 19-20 mph. Higher speeds associated with highway driving will not reliably contribute to your egg hatching progress. The game also may not register distance at all at speeds that are over 45mph.
6. What are the best ways to hatch eggs in Pokemon Go?
The best and intended ways are through walking, running, and biking. The key is to maintain a consistent pace within the game’s speed limit, and preferably within a speed closer to 6.5mph. Be wary of erratic speeds and changes in direction, which might reduce the reliability of your progress.
7. Can I use a treadmill to hatch eggs?
Yes, using a treadmill can hatch eggs. The app tracks your movement via GPS, so walking or running on a treadmill is an acceptable substitute. Place your phone in an arm band, or in another secure and convenient position that will allow you to move freely.
8. Are there any Pokemon abilities that can help with hatching eggs faster?
In the core Pokémon games, certain abilities such as Flame Body and Steam Engine halve the time it takes to hatch an egg. However, these abilities do not affect egg hatching in Pokémon GO. It is important to distinguish the mechanics of the handheld titles from the mobile ones.
9. How many steps does it take to hatch a Riolu in the core pokemon games?
In the core games, hatching a Riolu typically takes between 6,425 and 6,681 steps. Remember, this is relevant in the core Pokémon games and not in Pokémon GO, where it’s the distance in kilometres, not steps that count.
10. Is it possible to hatch eggs without walking in Pokemon Go?
While the intention of the game is to reward physical activity, there are methods that are sometimes suggested by users. These methods might range from attaching the phone to a drone, to the use of location spoofing software. These methods are not officially supported by Niantic, and may be in violation of the game’s terms of service.
11. What is the maximum speed that a human can walk?
In the absence of significant external factors, humans typically walk at around 3 mph (5 km/h). While humans can walk up to 5.5 mph (9 km/h) comfortably, most choose a slower pace. Race walkers, however, can even reach 6mph or higher.
12. What is the fastest Pokemon?
Regieleki is currently the fastest Pokémon with a base speed stat of 200. This makes it the fastest Pokémon in the core games. Speed is not a significant attribute in Pokemon GO, and speed is determined by a Pokemon’s stats, and not based on player movement speed.
13. How accurate is Pokemon Go’s distance tracking?
The distance tracking is generally accurate, however, it relies on a stable GPS connection and consistent movement. Erratic movements or sudden changes in direction can sometimes lead to inaccurate tracking, and distance loss.
14. Can speed or distance be improved with Pokemon Go accessories?
Some accessories, such as auto-spin devices, may improve the convenience of the gameplay experience. However, these accessories do not directly affect the distance that your character is covering. This means that they will not affect your egg hatching speed.
15. How does Pokemon Go calculate distances while biking?
Pokémon GO registers bike travel as a faster form of movement than walking but slower than driving. The system registers distance based on GPS tracking and attempts to calculate distance based on speed and time within specific limits. The optimal range for biking is a moderate speed within the 20 mph threshold, closer to the 6.5mph range for the best reliability.