Without these tips, you as a Pokémon Trainer should not leave the house! We explain how Pokémon GO works.
Recently, Pokémon GO has been available in Germany. With these tips and tricks, you as a beginner will have clarity right away!
1. Our Guide for Starting in Pokémon GO
There are 2 ways to log into the game: You can use an existing Google Account and sign in to the game with the corresponding data, or you can create a new account in the Pokémon Trainer Club. The Pokémon Trainer Club also issues a monthly newsletter that sometimes offers download codes for rare Pokémon.
In the game, you can choose a nickname, which may only consist of letters and numbers. Since usernames are unique, you should quickly secure your favorite name before someone else chooses it. Additionally, you can select your character’s skin and hair color and decide on an outfit.
To get started, you obviously need your first Pokémon, which will accompany you on future adventures and fight for you. A Pokémon GO starter Pokémon will not just be handed to you in the form of a filled PokéBall – you will receive instructions from Professor Willow on how to catch Pokémon and can choose between Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander.
Heard of this trick? Pokémon GO: Pikachu as a starter Pokémon – Here’s how it works!
By level 5, you will need to choose a team. Everything you need to know about this can be found in this post: Pokémon GO: Which team to choose? Red, Yellow, or Blue?
2. Catching Pokémon
Catching Pokémon in Pokémon GO is not explained very deeply. While wandering through the world, it may happen that you hear rustling in the tall grass. When you approach this tall grass, there is a high chance that a Pokémon is hiding behind it – clicking on the Pokémon starts a “battle”. Unlike before, you do not fight with your own Pokémon to weaken the opponent, but must shine with your ball-throwing skills.
Related to the topic: Pokémon GO: Where can I find which Pokémon? and All Pokémon in Overview.
When you grab a PokéBall, you have to throw it in the direction of the wild Pokémon and make the best hit possible. If you succeed, you can give the Pokémon a special name. However, you do not have to do it immediately – you can always go to the menu and adjust the names of your companions in your Pokémon overview. For a Pokéball throw with a spin, you first need to tap the Pokéball and spin it in a circle on the screen – it will then be animated and fly with spin.
Trading Pokémon with friends will be possible in the future!
3. Items for Finding and Catching Pokémon
There is a large number of items that you can buy in Pokémon GO to improve your catch and find rate. Besides PokéBalls, you can also buy the following items:
- Incense: By using this incense, you will attract Pokémon for 30 minutes. 1x incense = 80 Poké-coins, 8x incense = 500 Poké-coins, 25x incense = 1250 Poké-coins
- Lucky Egg: This egg doubles the experience points earned for 30 minutes. 1x lucky egg = 80 Poké-coins, 8x lucky egg = 500 Poké-coins, 25x lucky egg = 1250 Poké-coins
- Egg Incubator: While you move, this machine hatches an egg (3 charges). 1x egg incubator = 150 Poké-coins
- Lure Module: With this module, you will lure Pokémon to a PokéStop for 30 minutes – other trainers benefit from it as well. 1x lure module = 100 Poké-coins, 8x lure module = 680 Poké-coins
- PokéBalls: The main item with which you catch Pokémon. 20 balls = 100 coins, 100 balls = 460 coins, 200 balls = 800 coins
Pokémon GO: Hatching Eggs – All Info about Eggs in the Game and this is how you strengthen your Pokémon in Pokémon GO with candies and stardust!
Of course, aspiring Pokémon trainers also want to know what the Poké-coins cost in the shop:
- 100 Poké-coins = 0.99€
- 550 Poké-coins = 4.99€
- 1200 Poké-coins = 9.99€
- 2500 Poké-coins = 19.99€
- 5200 Poké-coins = 39.99€
- 14500 Poké-coins = 99.99€
Pokémon GO: How to get free PokéCoins
5. PokéStops and Gym Battles
As you walk through the world, you sometimes see blue-marked points on your map – these are called PokéStops. Clicking on the marker shows you an image of the desired location. When you approach this location, you can get cool items like PokéBalls or a Pokémon egg. Pokémon eggs hatch after a while in the egg incubator and then become a Pokémon that is added to your collection. You should not walk into a police station for this!
On a public Google Maps map, trainers from around the world record the PokéStops to make searching easier. The data for the buildings and locations of the various PokéStops around the world were actually taken from the Pokémon GO predecessor “Ingress”, which was also developed by Niantic Labs.
Want to know how the controls in battle work? Pokémon GO: This is how the combat system works.
A Pokémon gym can be entered by trainers who have reached at least level 5 – these gyms are distributed throughout the world, similar to PokéStops. However, a gym battle does not occur against an AI opponent, but against the team of another Pokémon Trainer. The strength of a Pokémon is measured by its Combat Power, short CP, which can be increased with various items. The battle is decided by which Pokémon has the higher CP. By swiping on the screen, you can dodge opposing attacks as well.
Not enough yet? Advanced trainers or those who want to become one should check out our collection of guides: Pokémon GO Guide: Tips and tricks for trainers and beginners.
