How To Use XL Candy in Pokémon Go? A Comprehensive Guide
XL Candy is used to level up Pokémon past level 40, unlocking their full potential in battles, raids, and Gym defenses. You primarily use XL Candy by selecting a Pokémon in your storage and using the “Power Up” button, which will now require both regular candy and XL Candy once the Pokémon reaches a certain CP level.
What are XL Candies and Why Do I Need Them?
XL Candy represents a crucial resource for dedicated Pokémon Go players aiming to maximize the combat prowess of their Pokémon. Unlike regular candies, XL Candy is specifically designed to power up Pokémon beyond level 40, up to a maximum level of 50. Reaching these higher levels dramatically increases a Pokémon’s CP, HP, and overall effectiveness in battles, raids, and Gyms. This allows players to push their favorites, or meta-relevant Pokémon, to their absolute limit, granting a significant competitive edge. This feature was introduced to deepen the end-game experience for dedicated players.
How to Obtain XL Candy
Acquiring XL Candy requires dedicated effort and strategic planning. There are several methods available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these methods allows you to optimize your XL Candy acquisition process.
- Catching Pokémon: This is the most common method. The chance of receiving XL Candy increases with your Trainer level and the evolution stage of the Pokémon. For example, evolved Pokémon are more likely to drop XL Candy than their base forms.
- Transferring Pokémon: Transferring Pokémon to Professor Willow can yield XL Candy. The probability of receiving XL Candy is higher for higher CP Pokémon and evolved forms.
- Hatching Eggs: Hatching eggs is another source of XL Candy. Higher star eggs typically have a better chance of rewarding XL Candy.
- Trading Pokémon: Trading Pokémon with friends offers a chance to obtain XL Candy. The further the distance between the locations where the Pokémon were caught, the higher the chance of receiving XL Candy.
- Walking Pokémon: Walking your buddy Pokémon can award XL Candy, especially if the buddy is a higher evolution stage.
- Events: Niantic frequently introduces events that boost XL Candy acquisition rates. Be sure to keep an eye on announcements and capitalize on these opportunities.
- Candy Conversion: Regular Candies can be converted to XL Candies but this is highly inefficient. The conversion rate is usually 100 regular candies for one XL candy.
The Process of Using XL Candy
Once you’ve accumulated a sufficient amount of XL Candy, you can begin powering up your Pokémon. The process is relatively straightforward but requires careful planning.
- Select a Pokémon: Choose the Pokémon you wish to power up. Prioritize Pokémon with high IVs (Individual Values) and potential for competitive use.
- View Pokémon Details: Tap on the chosen Pokémon to view its details, including its CP, HP, and stats.
- Check Requirements: Observe the required amount of regular candy and XL Candy for the next power-up. Ensure you have enough of both resources.
- Power Up: Tap the “Power Up” button. The Pokémon’s CP and HP will increase, and the required amount of candy and XL Candy will be deducted.
- Repeat: Continue powering up the Pokémon until it reaches your desired level or the maximum level (level 50).
Strategic Considerations for XL Candy Usage
Using XL Candy effectively requires strategic thinking. It’s a limited resource, especially in the early stages, so careful planning is crucial.
- Prioritize Meta-Relevant Pokémon: Focus on powering up Pokémon that are strong in the current meta for raids, PvP, and Gym defense. Websites like PvPoke can help you determine which Pokémon are currently ranked highly.
- IV Considerations: While not the only factor, IVs (Individual Values) play a role. A Pokémon with high IVs will generally perform better than one with low IVs. Aim to power up Pokémon with high IVs, particularly in Attack.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis: Consider the cost of powering up a Pokémon versus its potential benefits. Some Pokémon may require an excessive amount of XL Candy to reach a competitive level, making them less efficient to power up compared to others.
- Timing: Consider using XL Candy during events that provide bonuses to candy or XL Candy acquisition. This can help maximize your resources and accelerate your progress.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many players make common mistakes when using XL Candy, leading to wasted resources and suboptimal results. Avoiding these pitfalls can save you valuable time and effort.
- Hasty Decisions: Don’t rush into powering up the first Pokémon that comes along. Take the time to research the meta, evaluate your options, and make informed decisions.
- Ignoring IVs: While IVs are not everything, ignoring them completely can lead to powering up a Pokémon with inferior stats. Use appraisal tools to assess your Pokémon’s IVs before investing heavily in them.
- Over-Investing in Non-Meta Pokémon: While it’s tempting to power up your favorites, prioritize Pokémon that are strong in the current meta. Powering up a non-meta Pokémon may provide short-term satisfaction but ultimately won’t be as effective in competitive scenarios.
- Neglecting Candy Conversion: While inefficient, candy conversion can be useful in certain situations. However, avoid over-relying on it, as it can quickly deplete your regular candy reserves. Consider it a last resort rather than a primary method.
- Not participating in events: Failing to actively participate in events that boost XL Candy acquisition rates means you are missing out on valuable opportunities to increase your XL Candy supply quickly.
Understanding XL Candy Availability
The rate at which you obtain XL Candy can vary significantly depending on factors such as your Trainer Level and the type of Pokémon you are catching. As a rule of thumb, the higher your trainer level, the greater the chance you have of receiving XL Candy. Moreover, catching evolved Pokemon also boost your odds. The game subtly nudges players to catch larger quantities and higher-level Pokémon.
| Pokémon Source | Likelihood of XL Candy |
|---|---|
| Wild Pokémon | Low to Moderate |
| Evolved Forms | Moderate to High |
| Raid Bosses | Moderate to High |
| Eggs | Moderate |
| Trades | Moderate to High |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the exact level requirement to start receiving XL Candy?
You must reach Trainer Level 31 to begin receiving XL Candy from catching, hatching, and transferring Pokémon. Below this level, XL Candy simply will not appear as a potential reward.
How much XL Candy is needed to max out a Pokémon to level 50?
It typically takes approximately 296 XL Candy to power up a Pokémon from level 40 to level 50. This number can vary slightly based on the specific Pokémon. Plan accordingly when allocating your resources.
Does the weather boost affect the chances of getting XL Candy?
While weather boost doesn’t directly impact the chance of receiving XL Candy, it influences the level of the Pokémon you encounter. Higher-level Pokémon have a slightly greater chance of yielding XL Candy, so weather boost can indirectly increase your acquisition rate.
Is it better to catch evolved forms for XL Candy, or evolve base forms?
Catching evolved forms is generally more efficient for XL Candy acquisition. Evolved forms have a higher base chance of dropping XL Candy compared to base forms. Evolving base forms relies on obtaining enough regular candy first.
Are there any specific Pokémon that are easier to get XL Candy for?
Pokémon that spawn frequently in your area, especially during events, are easier to obtain XL Candy for. Community Day Pokémon, for instance, often have boosted spawn rates and increased XL Candy drop rates during the event.
Does Lucky Pokémon affect the cost of XL Candy to power up?
No, Lucky Pokémon only reduce the cost of Stardust, not XL Candy or regular Candy. They are still beneficial for reducing the overall resource cost of powering up Pokémon.
What is the best way to obtain XL Candy for Legendary Pokémon?
The most reliable methods for obtaining XL Candy for Legendary Pokémon are participating in Legendary Raids and walking your Legendary buddy. Raids offer a decent chance of dropping XL Candy, and walking your buddy, though slow, provides a consistent source.
How do I maximize my chances of getting XL Candy from trades?
To maximize your chances of obtaining XL Candy from trades, trade Pokémon that were caught far apart geographically. The further the distance, the higher the probability of receiving XL Candy.
Can I get XL Candy from Research Tasks?
Yes, certain Research Tasks occasionally reward XL Candy. Keep an eye out for these tasks during events or special promotions.
Is there a cap on the amount of XL Candy I can hold?
No, there is no limit to the amount of XL Candy you can store in Pokémon Go. You can accumulate as much XL Candy as you need without worrying about hitting a storage cap.
Does using a Silver Pinap Berry increase my chance of getting XL Candy?
No, Silver Pinap Berries increase the amount of regular candy you receive from catching a Pokémon but do not directly influence the chance of obtaining XL Candy.
What’s the most common mistake players make when using XL Candy?
One of the most common mistakes is powering up Pokémon without carefully considering their IVs or meta relevance. This can lead to wasted resources and a weaker team overall. Research and plan before investing.