What To Do With XL Candy in Pokémon GO: Leveling Up Legends!
XL Candy in Pokémon GO is primarily used for powering up Pokémon beyond level 40, unlocking their true potential. The most effective strategies involve investing in high-IV Pokémon intended for Master League PvP, raids, or gym defense.
Introduction: The Dawn of XL Candy
Pokémon GO’s level cap was initially capped at level 40. The introduction of XL Candy revolutionized the game, allowing trainers to push their Pokémon to unprecedented power levels, topping out at level 50 (or 51 with a Best Buddy boost). This added a new layer of strategic depth to team building, particularly in the Master League PvP format and for maximizing raid damage output. While regular Candy is readily available, XL Candy is much rarer, making investment decisions crucial for optimizing your Pokémon GO experience. Smart allocation of these resources can give you a significant advantage.
Understanding XL Candy
XL Candy is a special type of Candy used exclusively to power up Pokémon past level 40. It is distinct from regular Candy, requiring a specific method to acquire. Each Pokémon family has its own corresponding XL Candy (e.g., Bulbasaur XL Candy for Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur).
- Source: Obtainable through catching Pokémon, hatching Eggs, transferring Pokémon, and walking with your Buddy Pokémon.
- Conversion: It’s possible to convert regular Candy to XL Candy, but the conversion rate is very low and generally not recommended.
- Rarity: XL Candy is significantly rarer than regular Candy, making it essential to carefully consider which Pokémon to invest in.
Who Should Get the XL Candy?
Not all Pokémon are worthy of your precious XL Candy. Focus your resources on Pokémon that excel in specific areas:
- Master League PvP: Pokémon such as Dialga, Giratina (Altered and Origin), Togekiss, and Melmetal shine in Master League and greatly benefit from XL Candy investment. Prioritize species with high stats and versatile move sets.
- Raid Attackers: Certain Pokémon become top-tier raid attackers with XL Candy, allowing you to deal more damage and contribute more effectively to raid battles. Consider Pokémon like Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Salamence, and Shadow Metagross.
- Gym Defenders: While less crucial than PvP or raids, a few Pokémon like Blissey or Chansey can be frustrating to battle in gyms and become even more formidable with XL Candy investment.
The Power-Up Process: XL Candy Edition
Powering up a Pokémon with XL Candy follows a similar process to using regular Candy, but with a few key differences:
- Select Your Pokémon: Choose the Pokémon you wish to power up. Ensure it has good IVs (ideally close to 100%) if you intend to use it competitively.
- Access the Power Up Screen: Navigate to the Pokémon’s details and tap the “Power Up” button.
- Meet the Requirements: Verify you have sufficient Stardust and XL Candy. The amount required increases with each power-up level.
- Power Up: Tap the “Power Up” button to increase the Pokémon’s CP, HP, and overall stats. Repeat until you reach your desired level (max 50/51).
Efficient XL Candy Farming
Maximizing your XL Candy gains requires strategic gameplay:
- Catch Everything: Every Pokémon caught has a chance of awarding XL Candy, even common spawns. Use Incense and Lure Modules to increase spawn rates.
- Spotlight Hours and Community Days: These events often feature increased XL Candy drop rates for featured Pokémon. Take advantage of these opportunities to stock up.
- Buddy Pokémon: Walking with your Buddy Pokémon can award XL Candy, especially if your Buddy is a higher level (Great Buddy or higher).
- Hatching Eggs: Higher tier eggs tend to provide higher XL candy rewards.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoiding these pitfalls will help you use your XL Candy wisely:
- Investing in Low-IV Pokémon: Resist the urge to power up a Pokémon just because you have XL Candy. Wait for a Pokémon with high IVs to maximize your investment.
- Spreading XL Candy Too Thinly: Focus on powering up a few key Pokémon to their maximum potential rather than spreading your XL Candy across numerous weaker Pokémon.
- Ignoring Move Sets: Consider the Pokémon’s move set when deciding whether to invest. A powerful Pokémon with a poor move set may not be as effective.
- Converting Regular Candy to XL Candy: The conversion rate is typically so poor that it’s almost never worth it. Focus on farming XL Candy through other methods.
The Future of XL Candy
Niantic continues to tweak and adjust the mechanics of Pokémon GO, including XL Candy acquisition. Keep an eye out for new events, features, and updates that may affect how you obtain and utilize XL Candy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the absolute best way to obtain XL Candy?
The most consistent method is to simply catch as many Pokémon as possible. While events sometimes offer boosted XL Candy rates, regular catching provides a steady stream. Target Pokémon that are weather-boosted for higher CP which tends to correlate with higher XL candy chance.
How much XL Candy does it take to max out a Pokémon?
Maxing out a Pokémon from level 40 to level 50 requires 296 XL Candy. Remember, you also need a significant amount of Stardust.
Does the level of a Pokémon impact its XL Candy drop rate when caught?
Yes, higher CP Pokémon are believed to have a higher chance of dropping XL Candy when caught. Prioritize catching Pokémon with boosted CP (e.g., during weather boosts).
Is it worth converting regular Candy to XL Candy?
Generally, no. The conversion rate is extremely unfavorable, often requiring hundreds of regular Candy to create just one XL Candy. It’s more efficient to focus on catching Pokémon and other methods of XL Candy acquisition.
Should I focus on maxing out a Legendary Pokémon or a powerful Shadow Pokémon first?
This depends on your priorities. Legendary Pokémon are often essential for Master League, while Shadow Pokémon often excel in raids. Analyze your team composition and decide which type of Pokémon will provide the most significant benefit.
What are the best IVs to look for in a Pokémon I plan to max out with XL Candy?
For PvP, the ideal IVs depend on the league and the Pokémon. However, for Master League and Raids, the closer to 100% IVs, the better. This is because in open leagues, there are no CP caps, so stat product (an equation based on attack, defense, and hp) is not the primary determining factor in IV selection.
Do Lucky Pokémon influence XL Candy drop rates?
No, Lucky Pokémon do not impact XL Candy drop rates. They only reduce the Stardust cost of powering up.
How do weather boosts affect XL Candy acquisition?
Weather-boosted Pokémon tend to have higher CP, which is believed to increase the chance of obtaining XL Candy when caught.
Is it worth walking with my Buddy Pokémon just for XL Candy?
Yes, walking with your Buddy Pokémon is a reliable way to earn XL Candy. The higher your Buddy’s level (Great Buddy or higher), the greater the chance of receiving XL Candy. Prioritize walking with Pokémon from species you want to max out.
Are there any special items that boost XL Candy drop rates?
Currently, there are no items that directly boost XL Candy drop rates (other than during specific events). Incense and Lure Modules increase Pokémon spawns, indirectly increasing your chances of getting XL Candy.
Can I trade XL Candy to other players?
No, XL Candy cannot be traded. Each player must earn their own XL Candy.
If I transfer a Pokémon, will I always receive XL Candy?
Transferring a Pokémon has a chance to give you an XL Candy, but the probability is not guaranteed. The exact mechanics are not published, but many trainers find it more effective to simply catch more Pokémon.