Beyond Level 40, a new realm of power awaits your Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Unlocking it requires Pokémon GO XL Candy, a crucial resource for any serious trainer. This comprehensive guide will break down exactly what XL Candy is, the smartest ways to earn it, and how to effectively use it to transform your Pokémon into top-tier competitors for raids and the Master League.
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What is XL Candy in Pokémon GO?
You’ve probably mastered using standard Candy to evolve and power up your Pokémon. But what exactly is XL Candy in Pokémon GO that regular Candy can’t do? Simply put, it’s the exclusive fuel for taking your Pokémon from Level 41 to Level 50. This significant power boost isn’t just a number game; it’s the difference maker in high-stakes trainer battles and challenging raids where every Combat Power (CP) point counts. If you’ve hit the Level 40 cap with your favorite Pokémon and feel like something’s missing, Pokémon GO XL Candy is the missing piece to unleash their full potential.
What Do XL Candies Do in Pokémon GO?
So, you’ve got them, but what do XL Candies do in Pokémon GO beyond just boosting CP? They enable your Pokémon to reach their absolute maximum potential, making them far more effective in specific high-level scenarios. For example, a Level 50 Pokémon performs significantly better in the Master League (where CP limits are removed) and can be the difference-maker in short-manning tough five-star or Mega Raids. XL Candies allow your best Pokémon to hit higher breakpoints for damage output and achieve greater bulk, giving you a competitive edge against other trainers and challenging in-game opponents. They transform a strong Pokémon into an elite one.
How to Get XL Candy in Pokémon GO
Collecting XL Candy in Pokémon GO is a more deliberate process than gathering regular Candy, reflecting its greater value. To even begin seeing XL Candy drops, you need to be at Trainer Level 31 or higher. Once you’ve reached this milestone, focus on these effective ways to stock up:
| Method | Typical XL Candy Yield | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Catching Wild Pokémon | 0-3 per catch (higher for evolved/legendary/high CP) | Consistent farming, event bonuses, specific species |
| Hatching Eggs | 5-12 per egg (longer distances yield more) | Guaranteed drops, diverse Pokémon |
| Trading Pokémon | 1 per trade (guaranteed for >100km distance) | Leveraging friendships, long-distance gains |
| Transferring Pokémon | Small random chance (1 per transfer) | Passive gains from clearing storage |
| Buddy Pokémon Walks | Random chance while walking with Buddy | Passive gains, long-term collection |
| Special Events | Increased drop rates, guaranteed bonuses | Rapid farming, specific Pokémon |
| GO Battle League Rewards | Rare XL Candy (1-3 per reward bundle) | Flexible use for any Pokémon, competitive players |
| Candy Conversion | 1 XL Candy per 100 regular Candy | Emergency use, highly inefficient |
Catching Wild Pokémon Effectively
This is your most consistent method for getting XL Candy.
Higher-level wild Pokémon offer an increased chance of dropping 1-3 XL Candy upon capture. This includes those enjoying a weather boost.
Prioritize catching evolved forms, Legendary, and Mythical Pokémon. These often guarantee a minimum of 2-3 XL Candy per catch. This makes participating in raids and completing special research for powerful Pokémon incredibly efficient for XL Candy farming. During events, this is often the best way to farm XL Candy Pokémon GO for specific species.
Hatching Eggs for Guaranteed Drops
Every egg you successfully hatch has a chance to yield XL Candy. Long-distance eggs (such as 10km or 12km) are usually the most generous, offering a higher quantity of XL Candy. Keep those Incubators active to maximize your gains.
Smart Pokémon Trades
Trading with friends offers a unique opportunity. When Pokémon involved in a trade were caught 100km or more apart, the trade is guaranteed to yield at least 1 XL Candy for one or both trainers. Even shorter-distance trades have a chance. This makes coordinating with friends from different regions or those who’ve traveled a clever way to boost your XL Candy count.
Transferring Unneeded Pokémon
Sending Pokémon to Professor Willow has a small, random chance of giving you 1 XL Candy. While it’s not a primary farming method, regularly transferring large batches of unwanted Pokémon can provide unexpected boosts, especially if you’re transferring many high-CP Pokémon.
Buddy Pokémon Adventures
Your loyal Buddy Pokémon can also help you earn Pokémon GO XL Candy. As your buddy finds regular Candy by walking, there’s a chance they’ll also discover XL Candy, particularly if your buddy is at a higher Pokémon Level (ideally Level 31+).
Maximizing Event Opportunities
Always pay attention to Niantic’s in-game event announcements. Community Days, Spotlight Hours, and larger seasonal events frequently feature increased XL Candy drop rates from catches, raids, or even guaranteed XL Candy bonuses for specific actions. These are your prime opportunities for significant XL Candy gains.
Earning Rare XL Candy from Battles
For trainers who enjoy competitive play, winning matches in the GO Battle League can sometimes reward Rare XL Candy. This is an incredibly valuable and versatile item, as it can be converted into XL Candy for any Pokémon you choose, making it perfect for hard-to-farm species like Legendaries or Mythicals.
Converting Regular Candy (The Emergency Option)
You can convert 100 regular candies into 1 XL Candy. However, this is an extremely expensive conversion rate! It’s generally not recommended unless you have an enormous surplus of regular Candy for a specific Pokémon and absolutely need those last few XLs to finish a power-up. Your regular Candy is often better allocated for evolutions.
LocaRun: Boosting Your XL Candy Efficiency
For dedicated trainers seeking to optimize their Pokémon GO XL Candy collection and overcome real-world geographical limits, tools like LocaRun offer a significant advantage. LocaRun is a Pokémon GO spoofer that allows you to virtually change your in-game location, opening up new avenues for incredibly efficient XL Candy acquisition.
How LocaRun Can Supercharge Your XL Candy Gains:
- Teleport instantly to high-density Pokémon spawn areas, active raid hotbeds, or specific event locations anywhere in the world. This means more catch opportunities for XL Candy and better access to raids that yield guaranteed XL drops.
- Utilize simulated walking routes to rapidly accumulate kilometers. This constant flow of egg hatches translates directly into a steady, reliable stream of XL Candy, saving you countless real-world steps.
- Effortlessly facilitate trades with friends that meet the “100km apart” requirement, securing those guaranteed XL Candy rewards without needing to travel physically.
- Navigate the virtual map with a joystick to efficiently visit PokéStops and Gyms, ensuring you collect vital Stardust (essential for powering up with XL Candy) and other key items.
- LocaRun is designed with a straightforward interface and incorporates features that help manage in-game cooldowns, aiming to provide a smooth and secure experience.
By integrating a smart tool like LocaRun into your Pokémon GO play, you can significantly reduce the time and effort needed to acquire that coveted XL Candy, letting you focus more on battling and evolving your ultimate team.
How to Use XL Candy in Pokémon GO
Once you’ve diligently accumulated your Pokémon GO XL Candy, putting it to use is quite straightforward. Remember, you must be at Trainer Level 40 yourself before you can start using XL Candy to power up your Pokémon.
Here’s the simple process:
- Select the Pokémon you wish to power up from your Pokémon storage.
- Tap the “Power Up” button.
- If your Pokémon is already at Level 40, the game will automatically display the cost in both XL Candy and Stardust required to push it to the next level.
- Confirm your decision, and watch your Pokémon’s Combat Power (CP) increase!
A quick reminder: XL Candy is species-specific (e.g., Charmander XL Candy only works for Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard). However, Rare XL Candy is a versatile exception, converting into the specific XL Candy needed for any Pokémon you choose to power up.
Top Pokémon for XL Candy Investment
Deciding which Pokémon are worthy of your precious Pokémon GO XL Candy is a key decision. Not every Pokémon needs to reach Level 50. Prioritize these top-tier options that truly benefit from the added stats for competitive play or raid dominance:
- Mewtwo: An absolute powerhouse in raids and Master League. Its already high attack stat becomes even more formidable at Level 50.
- Garchomp: A versatile Dragon/Ground-type, excellent in both Master League PvP and as a raid attacker. Its bulk and strong moveset shine at higher levels.
- Togekiss: A crucial Fairy/Flying-type for Master League, especially against Dragons. Its bulk scales incredibly well with XL Candy.
- Shadow Machamp: While costly, a Level 50 Shadow Machamp is an unparalleled Fighting-type attacker, a must-have for many raid bosses.
- Melmetal: A common pick for Master League due to its unique typing and powerful Charged Attacks. It’s relatively easy to farm XL Candy via the Mystery Box.
- Legendary and Mythical Raid Bosses: Powering up your best IV Legendaries (like Dialga, Palkia, Zekrom, Reshiram, Kyogre, Groudon) for Master League PvP or as top-tier raid attackers is often a wise investment, despite the higher XL Candy power up cost.
Choosing from this list can help you understand how to use XL Candy effectively and make the biggest impact on your gameplay.
Wise XL Candy Allocation Tips
Given its rarity and the effort involved in obtaining it, allocating your Pokémon GO XL Candy wisely is crucial. Avoid common pitfalls by applying these insightful tips:
- Prioritize Wisely: Not every Pokémon needs to be Level 50. Focus your XL Candy on high-IV Pokémon that are genuinely top-tier for specific roles, like a powerful Legendary for raids, or a meta-defining Pokémon for competitive Master League play. This is key to using XL Candy effectively.
- Manage Your Stardust: Powering up to Level 50 is incredibly Stardust-intensive. You’ll need substantial amounts (around 250,000 Stardust for one Pokémon from Level 40 to 50, in addition to the 296 XL Candy). Always ensure you have a healthy Stardust reserve before committing to a full power-up project. This is part of understanding the full XL Candy power up cost.
- Leverage Mega Evolution Bonuses: When actively farming for XL Candy via catches, always ensure you have a Mega-Evolved Pokémon of the same type active. This invaluable bonus significantly boosts the XL Candy drops from catches, making your farming efforts much more fruitful.
Common Questions About XL Candy
Conclusion
Pokémon GO XL Candy is the ultimate key to pushing your Pokémon beyond their traditional limits. By understanding its mechanics, employing smart farming techniques, and wisely using innovative tools like LocaRun, you can efficiently gather this valuable resource and transform your team into Level 50 powerhouses. Get ready to dominate every challenge Pokémon GO has to offer!
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