Rare Candy is one of the most sought-after items in Pokémon GO. This magical candy can be used to evolve or power up any Pokémon, making it incredibly valuable for trainers looking to strengthen their teams. Unlike regular candies, which are specific to individual Pokémon species, Rare Candy offers unparalleled flexibility. This comprehensive guide will delve into the various methods of obtaining Rare Candy in Pokémon GO, providing detailed steps and instructions to maximize your acquisition of this precious resource.
Why is Rare Candy So Important?
Before diving into the methods of obtaining Rare Candy, it’s essential to understand why it’s so vital for Pokémon GO players. Rare Candy solves several key problems:
- Evolving Rare Pokémon: Some Pokémon are incredibly rare to find in the wild. Obtaining enough species-specific candy to evolve them can be a daunting task. Rare Candy circumvents this by allowing you to use it in place of the normal candies. For example, evolving a rare legendary Pokémon like a Mewtwo or powering up a Mythical Pokémon like Arceus.
- Powering Up Legendary and Mythical Pokémon: Similarly, powering up legendary and mythical Pokémon requires a substantial amount of candy. Rare Candy makes this process much faster and more efficient.
- Leveling Up Regional Pokémon: Pokémon that are exclusive to certain regions can be challenging to obtain candy for if you don’t travel. Rare Candy offers a workaround, allowing you to level them up for various battle purposes.
- Easing the Grind: Collecting enough candy for less common Pokémon can be time-consuming. Rare Candy helps to ease the grind by supplementing your candy supply.
Methods to Obtain Rare Candy in Pokémon GO
There are several avenues to acquiring Rare Candy in Pokémon GO. Each method has its own level of difficulty and reward, so understanding them is crucial for efficient resource management.
1. Raids
Raids are one of the most reliable sources of Rare Candy. Participating in and defeating raid bosses can yield a significant amount of Rare Candy as a reward.
How to Obtain Rare Candy from Raids:
- Find a Raid: Look for active raids on the map. Raid eggs will appear at Gyms, indicating an upcoming raid. The color of the egg corresponds to the raid difficulty (Pink for 1-Star, Yellow for 3-Star, and Rainbow for 5-Star and Mega Raids). You can also use Remote Raid Passes to join raids happening at Gyms that aren’t within your physical proximity.
- Assemble a Team: Coordinate with other players to form a raid team. Higher-level raids require more players to defeat the boss successfully. You can join raids with friends in person, or use online communities and apps to find remote raiders.
- Prepare Your Pokémon: Choose Pokémon that are effective against the raid boss’s type. Consult type charts to identify weaknesses and resistances. Power up your selected Pokémon to maximize their performance.
- Participate in the Raid: Use a Raid Pass or Remote Raid Pass to enter the raid. Battle the raid boss with your team.
- Defeat the Raid Boss: Work together to deplete the raid boss’s health bar before the timer runs out.
- Claim Your Rewards: If you successfully defeat the raid boss, you will receive various rewards, including Rare Candy, TMs, Golden Razz Berries, and a chance to catch the raid boss.
Tips for Raiding:
- Focus on Higher-Level Raids: While lower-level raids can also award Rare Candy, higher-level raids generally offer a better chance of obtaining more Rare Candy.
- Maximize Damage Output: Dealing more damage during the raid increases your chances of receiving better rewards. Use super effective moves and powered-up Pokémon.
- Use Remote Raid Passes Strategically: Remote Raid Passes are valuable, so use them wisely. Prioritize raids that offer desirable Pokémon or high Rare Candy potential.
2. Research Tasks
Completing certain research tasks, both Field Research and Special Research, can reward you with Rare Candy. These tasks vary, but often involve catching specific Pokémon, spinning PokéStops, or battling in Gyms.
How to Obtain Rare Candy from Research Tasks:
- Field Research: Spin PokéStops to receive Field Research tasks. These tasks are randomly assigned and change daily. Check each PokéStop to see what task it offers before accepting it.
- Special Research: Special Research tasks are story-driven quests that are available to all players. These tasks are typically more involved and require more time to complete.
- Check Task Rewards: Before committing to a research task, check the reward list to see if Rare Candy is among the potential prizes.
- Complete the Tasks: Fulfill the requirements of the research tasks to earn the rewards. Some tasks may require multiple steps to complete.
- Claim Your Rewards: Once you have completed the research task, claim your rewards from the research tab.
Tips for Research Tasks:
- Prioritize Rare Candy Tasks: Focus on completing research tasks that explicitly list Rare Candy as a reward.
- Stay Updated: Keep an eye on Pokémon GO news and community forums to learn about new research tasks and their rewards.
- Stack Research Tasks: Some players prefer to stack multiple research tasks that reward Pokémon encounters, saving them for events that offer bonus Stardust or XP. You can only hold three Field Research tasks at a time, so plan accordingly.
3. GO Battle League
The GO Battle League is Pokémon GO’s player-versus-player (PvP) battle system. Participating in battles and achieving higher ranks can reward you with Rare Candy.
How to Obtain Rare Candy from GO Battle League:
- Access the GO Battle League: Navigate to the Battle section in the main menu.
- Choose a League: Select the league you want to participate in (Great League, Ultra League, Master League, or special themed leagues). Each league has different CP restrictions for Pokémon.
- Assemble a Team: Create a team of three Pokémon that adhere to the league’s CP limit and have good type coverage. Consider the current meta and popular Pokémon used by other players.
- Battle Opponents: Engage in battles against other players. You will typically battle five opponents in a set.
- Earn Rewards: As you win battles and increase your rank, you will earn various rewards, including Rare Candy, Stardust, TMs, and Pokémon encounters.
Tips for GO Battle League:
- Learn Type Matchups: Mastering type matchups is crucial for success in the GO Battle League. Understand which types are strong against others and build your team accordingly.
- Optimize Your Pokémon’s Movesets: Choose fast and charged moves that have good damage output and energy generation. Some moves are more effective than others in PvP battles.
- Practice and Refine Your Team: Experiment with different Pokémon and strategies to find what works best for you. Pay attention to the teams and tactics used by your opponents and adapt your approach.
- Climb the Ranks: The higher your rank, the better the rewards you will receive. Aim to reach higher ranks to maximize your Rare Candy earnings.
4. Special Events
Pokémon GO regularly hosts special events that offer increased rewards, including Rare Candy. These events may include Community Days, Raid Days, and themed events that celebrate specific Pokémon or seasons.
How to Obtain Rare Candy from Special Events:
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on Pokémon GO’s official website, social media channels, and in-game news to learn about upcoming events and their rewards.
- Participate in Event Activities: Engage in the activities offered during the event, such as completing event-specific research tasks, participating in raids, or catching featured Pokémon.
- Take Advantage of Bonuses: Many events offer bonuses that increase your chances of obtaining Rare Candy, such as increased raid rewards or special research tasks that award Rare Candy.
- Maximize Your Playtime: Spend as much time as possible playing Pokémon GO during the event to take full advantage of the increased rewards.
Tips for Special Events:
- Plan Ahead: Before the event starts, plan your strategy and prioritize the activities that offer the best Rare Candy rewards.
- Coordinate with Friends: Team up with friends to participate in raids and other event activities.
- Stock Up on Resources: Ensure you have enough Raid Passes, Incubators, and other items to maximize your participation in the event.
5. Team GO Rocket Battles (Shadow Raids)
While Team GO Rocket battles don’t directly reward Rare Candy, defeating Team GO Rocket Leaders and Giovanni offers opportunities to participate in Shadow Raids, which can yield Rare Candy.
How to indirectly Obtain Rare Candy from Team GO Rocket:
- Defeat Team GO Rocket Grunts: Battle Team GO Rocket Grunts at PokéStops to collect Mysterious Components.
- Assemble a Rocket Radar: Combine six Mysterious Components to create a Rocket Radar.
- Find Team GO Rocket Leaders: Use the Rocket Radar to locate Team GO Rocket Leaders (Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra) at PokéStops.
- Defeat the Leaders: Battle and defeat the Team GO Rocket Leaders. Defeating a leader gives you a chance to get a Unova Stone and other items.
- Get Super Rocket Radar: Defeat all three Team GO Rocket Leaders. Professor Willow will give you a Special Research that will lead to Giovanni.
- Find Giovanni: Complete the quest given by Professor Willow to track down Giovanni. The super Rocket Radar will lead to decoy stops, but Giovanni will be at one of them.
- Defeat Giovanni: Battle and defeat Giovanni.
- Participate in Shadow Raids: Shadow Raids are special raids that feature Shadow Pokémon. These raids often reward Rare Candy upon completion.
Tips for Team GO Rocket Battles and Shadow Raids:
- Prepare Your Team: Before battling Team GO Rocket Grunts, Leaders, and Giovanni, prepare a team of Pokémon that are effective against their Pokémon’s types.
- Use Purified Pokémon: Purified Pokémon receive a boost in battle, making them useful against Team GO Rocket.
- Coordinate with Friends: Team up with friends to tackle Shadow Raids, especially higher-level raids.
6. Trainer Battles with Friends
Battling friends in trainer battles can sometimes yield Rare Candy as a reward, though this is less reliable than other methods.
How to Obtain Rare Candy from Trainer Battles:
- Add Friends: Add friends in Pokémon GO to engage in trainer battles.
- Initiate a Battle: Challenge a friend to a battle. You can battle friends remotely or in person.
- Participate in the Battle: Battle your friend using a team of three Pokémon.
- Earn Rewards: After the battle, both players receive rewards, which may include Rare Candy, Stardust, or other items. The rewards are random, so Rare Candy is not guaranteed.
Tips for Trainer Battles:
- Battle Regularly: The more you battle, the higher your chances of receiving Rare Candy.
- Coordinate with Friends: Agree with your friends to battle each other regularly to maximize your chances of obtaining Rare Candy.
- Use Different Leagues: Experiment with different leagues (Great League, Ultra League, Master League) to see if certain leagues offer better rewards.
7. Completing Routes
Routes are trainer-created paths that you can follow. Completing these routes can sometimes give you Rare Candy as a reward, albeit rarely. This is a newer feature, so rewards and drop rates may change over time.
How to Get Rare Candy by Completing Routes:
- Find Routes: Navigate to the Route tab in the game. You can find routes created by other players near you.
- Follow the Route: Start the route and follow the designated path. Make sure to stay on the route to ensure progress.
- Complete the Route: Successfully complete the route by reaching the end point.
- Claim Rewards: Upon completion, you’ll receive rewards, which can include items such as Stardust, XP, and occasionally Rare Candy.
Tips for Completing Routes:
- Check Route Length: Shorter routes can be completed quickly, increasing the number of attempts you can make to get Rare Candy.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Pay attention to your surroundings while following routes to avoid any accidents.
- Create Your Own Routes: Creating your own routes will give you opportunities to earn more rewards.
Strategies for Maximizing Rare Candy Acquisition
To effectively accumulate Rare Candy, consider the following strategies:
- Prioritize High-Yield Activities: Focus on activities that offer a higher chance of rewarding Rare Candy, such as higher-level raids and special events.
- Be Consistent: Regularly participate in raids, research tasks, and GO Battle League to consistently earn rewards.
- Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with Pokémon GO news and community forums to learn about new events, research tasks, and strategies for obtaining Rare Candy.
- Manage Your Resources: Use your resources, such as Raid Passes and Remote Raid Passes, wisely. Prioritize raids and events that offer the best Rare Candy rewards.
- Coordinate with Others: Team up with friends and other players to participate in raids and other activities. Coordinating with others can increase your chances of success and maximize your rewards.
Conclusion
Rare Candy is a valuable resource in Pokémon GO that can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. By understanding the various methods of obtaining Rare Candy and implementing effective strategies, you can build a stronger and more competitive team. Focus on participating in raids, completing research tasks, engaging in the GO Battle League, and taking advantage of special events to maximize your Rare Candy acquisition. With dedication and smart resource management, you’ll be well on your way to powering up and evolving your favorite Pokémon.