Why Use Rare Candy? A Pokémon Trainer’s Guide
Rare Candies are a coveted item in the Pokémon universe, allowing you to instantly raise a Pokémon’s level by one. But the million-dollar question is: when is it actually smart to use them? The short answer is, use Rare Candies strategically to bypass tedious grinding, expedite evolution for Pokémon with high candy requirements, and efficiently level up legendary or otherwise difficult-to-obtain Pokémon. The perceived downsides are often overstated or easily mitigated. Let’s dive deeper!
The Strategic Advantages of Rare Candies
Many Pokémon veterans have ingrained habits and reservations about Rare Candies from older generations. However, modern Pokémon games have evolved, making Rare Candies more valuable and their alleged drawbacks less significant. Here’s why:
1. Bypassing the Grind: Time is Precious
Let’s face it: not everyone enjoys endlessly battling the same wild Pokémon to level up. Rare Candies offer a significant time-saving shortcut. This is particularly useful when you have a team of Pokémon that need to be leveled quickly for an upcoming battle or challenge. Instead of spending hours grinding, you can instantly boost your Pokémon’s level and get back to the more enjoyable aspects of the game. This is particularly true when dealing with Pokémon with a slow leveling rate.
2. Expediting Evolution for Candy-Hungry Pokémon
Certain Pokémon, most notably Magikarp, require an exorbitant amount of candy (400, to be exact) to evolve. While you can catch multiple Magikarp or use Pinap Berries to increase candy yield, Rare Candies offer a faster alternative to get that Gyarados you’ve always wanted. This is especially helpful if you’re playing a game where Magikarp are scarce or if you’re simply impatient to see your Magikarp evolve into the powerful Gyarados.
3. Leveling Legendaries: A Rare Resource for Rare Pokémon
Legendary Pokémon are notoriously difficult to obtain and often require extensive raids or special events. Once you finally catch one, obtaining enough candy to power them up can be a real challenge. Rare Candies are an invaluable resource for quickly leveling up your Legendary Pokémon, allowing you to use them effectively in battles and raids. This is a practical use, considering you can’t just find more of them in the wild to farm candy.
4. Mitigating EV Concerns: Modern Training Methods
The common argument against Rare Candies is that they prevent proper EV (Effort Value) training. EV’s are stat boosts earned through battling specific Pokémon. While it was true in older games that Rare Candies circumvented EV gains, modern Pokémon games offer various ways to EV train your Pokémon, regardless of their level. Items like vitamins (Protein, Iron, Calcium, etc.) directly boost specific EVs, and training areas allow focused EV grinding, even at level 100. The impact of a few missed EVs from Rare Candies is negligible compared to dedicated EV training methods.
5. Level 100 Evolution: Finally Evolving Those Stubborn Pokémon
Some Pokémon have level-based evolutions. If, for some reason, you’ve gotten a Pokémon to level 100 before meeting its evolution requirement, a Rare Candy can trigger the evolution! This is particularly relevant in games where level caps exist or where you might have accidentally over-leveled a Pokémon. No more regrets about hitting the level cap too soon!
Dissecting the Perceived Downsides: Myths vs. Reality
Many players cling to old notions about Rare Candies hindering Pokémon development. Let’s debunk these myths:
Myth: Rare Candies Ruin EV Training
Reality: As mentioned before, modern Pokémon games offer ample opportunities for EV training after leveling. Don’t let the fear of “missed” EVs deter you from using Rare Candies strategically. Dedicated EV training far outweighs any slight disadvantage from using Rare Candies.
Myth: Trained Pokémon are Always Stronger
Reality: A Pokémon’s strength primarily relies on its IVs (Individual Values), Nature, and EVs. While battling is essential for EV training, Rare Candies don’t inherently make a Pokémon weaker if you supplement them with proper EV training methods. In fact, you may be able to build a more optimal team and strategy by getting the right EVs and IVs on a Pokemon more quickly with strategic Rare Candy use!
Myth: It’s More “Authentic” to Level Up Naturally
Reality: This is a matter of personal preference. Some players enjoy the traditional grind, while others prefer a more efficient approach. There’s no objectively “right” way to play Pokémon. Enjoy the game in a way that suits your play style and time constraints.
The Verdict: Use Rare Candies Wisely, Not Sparingly
Rare Candies are a valuable tool for any Pokémon trainer. They provide a time-saving shortcut, expedite evolution, and allow for efficient leveling of rare Pokémon. Don’t be afraid to use them strategically to enhance your gaming experience and achieve your Pokémon goals. Just remember to supplement their use with proper EV training to maximize your Pokémon’s potential! The Games Learning Society acknowledges how the mechanics of game tools and items, like Rare Candies, can be strategically utilized to meet certain goals within the gameplay. You can find out more about game based learning on GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rare Candies
1. What exactly does a Rare Candy do?
A Rare Candy instantly raises a Pokémon’s level by one. It also provides a small increase in friendship (though more effective methods exist for boosting friendship). If used on a fainted Pokémon, it will also revive it!
2. Do Rare Candies affect a Pokémon’s IVs?
No, Rare Candies have absolutely no impact on a Pokémon’s IVs (Individual Values). IVs are determined at the time of encounter or hatching and cannot be altered by leveling methods.
3. Can I use Rare Candies to evolve a Pokémon?
Yes! If a Pokémon evolves by leveling up, using a Rare Candy will trigger the evolution if the Pokémon meets the level requirement. This includes Pokemon who reach level 100 prior to meeting their evolution requirement.
4. Will my Pokémon learn new moves when leveled up with a Rare Candy?
Yes, when leveled up via Rare Candy, your Pokémon will learn any level-up moves it should have learned at that level.
5. Is it true that Rare Candies prevent me from gaining EVs?
While Rare Candies bypass the immediate EV gains from battling during leveling, modern Pokémon games provide various ways to EV train at any level. Items and training areas make it easy to compensate for any missed EVs.
6. Should I save my Rare Candies for Legendary Pokémon?
Using Rare Candies on Legendary Pokémon is generally a good strategy because they are difficult to obtain and require significant candy investments for powering up.
7. Can I use Rare Candies to evolve a Magikarp faster?
Yes! Considering the massive 400-candy requirement for evolving Magikarp, Rare Candies are a great way to expedite the process.
8. Can I use Rare Candies on a Pokémon at level 100?
Yes, you can use Rare Candies on a Pokémon at level 100. If the Pokémon can evolve by leveling up but hasn’t yet met its evolution requirements, using a Rare Candy may trigger its evolution.
9. Does the CP of a Pokemon change if I evolve it before or after powering it up?
No, the final CP of a Pokemon remains the same whether you evolve before powering up, or vice versa. The order doesn’t matter, as the CP is determined by the Pokemon’s base stats, level, and IVs.
10. Is it better to evolve a Pokémon with high CP or a better Appraisal?
Evolve the one with the best Appraisal. CP alone isn’t as important as the underlying stats, indicated by the Appraisal. A higher appraisal means potentially better IVs and greater potential when fully powered up.
11. Can humans eat Rare Candies?
According to Junichi Masuda of Game Freak, humans could eat Rare Candies, but they probably wouldn’t taste very good and might upset your stomach. Think of it like eating dog food – edible, but not enjoyable.
12. Do Rare Candies make my Pokémon happier?
Using any item on a Pokémon slightly increases its happiness. However, there are more effective methods for boosting friendship, such as using friendship-boosting berries or giving your Pokémon a Soothe Bell.
13. Is there a limit to how many Rare Candies I can use on a Pokémon?
You can use Rare Candies on a Pokémon until it reaches the maximum level in the game (usually level 100).
14. What is the best way to EV train my Pokémon after using Rare Candies?
Utilize the dedicated EV training methods in modern Pokémon games, such as vitamins and training areas, to compensate for any EVs you might have missed while leveling up with Rare Candies.
15. Are Rare Candies worth it in the long run?
Absolutely! When used strategically, Rare Candies save time, expedite evolution, and allow you to level up rare Pokémon efficiently. Combine them with proper EV training, and you’ll have powerful and well-rounded Pokémon.