Tips and Tricks You Didn't Know About Pokémon Go

When you start playing a new game, sometimes you don't want to take the time to read the instructions. You simply want to start playing as soon as possible. Luckily, Pokémon Go is an easy enough game that you can figure it out without reading any instructions beforehand. Instructions aside, what are some insider tips to help you level up the fastest?   

Capturing Wild Pokémon

If you are walking or cycling along and you see rustling leaves, stop and give your map time for the Pokémon to appear. To catch the Pokémon, all you need to do is click on it. This will then show the Pokémon in your real surroundings. You will throw a Pokémon ball and be able to catch the Pokémon.    Pokémon seem to enjoy hanging out in parking lots. Find a strip mall or any area with a large parking lot, and you may have the luck of capturing up to six Pokémon in that one parking lot.   

Visiting Pokémon Stops

You can use coins for in-app purchases; however, that is not always necessary. You can visit Pokémon stops to receive free prizes- usually Pokémon balls. These balls are the same ones you use to throw to capture Pokémon creatures, so visiting the stop allows you to continue stocking up on the balls. These stops are generally blue. When you click the stops, you will see a picture of the landmark they are beside. Even when they are far away, you can see this landmark. You can then find the landmark in reality, and slide your finger across the Pokémon stop on your screen to receive your prize.   

Hatching Eggs

This game is designed for walking and cycling only, not riding in the car. With that said, to hatch eggs, you must walk a certain distance. The app can tell if you are moving at an accelerated speed and will not advance your egg hatching. The distances can be 2km, 5km, or 10km. The most common Pokémon can be found in the eggs that hatch after 2km while the rarest require 10km's worth of walking.    How can you do this walking more quickly? If you have a record player around the house, place your phone on top and let it spin around to finish the distance in no time at all. 

Using Your Battery

Because the app uses your phone's battery so quickly, you may want to pick up a power pack. You do not want to left without your phone at a critical moment. Try turning off the AR (augmented reality) at times so that your battery is not used as quickly.   

Receiving Poke Ball Bonuses

When you are trying to catch a Pokémon, there is a circle that slowly becomes smaller. This circle is your target. However, you can get extra xp points by waiting until the circle has shrunken to its smallest state. You can get a 100xp bonus instead of the 10xp bonus you would get by hitting the Pokémon when the circle is big. Last of all, you can throw a "curveball" that almost guarantees a Pokémon capture. Spin the Poke ball until the ball starts vibrating then throw it. You can also achieve the same effect by putting the side of your thumb against the ball then throwing it.   

Playing Hours

Oftentimes the hours from lunchtime to early evening are the busier hours. This can mean that the server gets overloaded more frequently and can be a bit frustrating. If you play earlier in the morning or later in the evening, you will be less likely to experience such server errors. If you do experience an error right after you catch a Pokémon, the Poke ball may become frozen on the screen. Simply close the app and restart it, and your Pokémon will be safely in your collection.   

Battling

When you begin a battle, swipe your finger left or right to dodge your opponent. This move will give you a quick head start so that you can get in a few moves before they have recovered. When you begin to add Pokémon to a gym, add varying types. It does not help your team as much when you add Pokémon that are similar to the ones already there. To be prepared for any kind of battle, have as many types of Pokémon as possible ready to fight.