After playing the game near-nonstop the past few days and tapping into my hefty RPG grinding experience, I’ve compiled some preliminary tricks for XP grinding in Pokemon Go! This thread may be updated as I get more information (especially in regards to the gyms). Feel free to comment with your own methods or suggestions as well!
Please note that all numbers displayed are numbers that I have confirmed for myself in-game, unless otherwise specified.
I. XP
Lucky Egg Modifier: *2 XP
Register a new pokemon in the dex: +500 XP
Evolve a pokemon: +500 XP
Hatch an egg: +[hatching distance requirement*100] XP
Win a gym battle: +150 XP and +100 XP per additional (non gym leader) pokemon defeated
Visit a pokestop: +50 XP
Catch a pokemon: +100 XP
Train at a gym: +10 XP (**I'm not sure if this number scales with the level of the gym, number of pokemon stationed at the gym, number of pokemon defeated, etc)
Pokeball throws:
Nice: +10 XP
Great: +50 XP
Excellent: +100 XP
Curveball: +10 XP
II. Grinding Methods
Note: For best and fastest results, please have a lucky egg active
1. Stationary
Requirements: Incense
My personal favourite method. It’s fantastic for when you can’t walk around or have other things to do (nighttime, at work, in class, etc). Pair with the in-app power saver mode (screen blackens if you flip your device upside-down vertically) for best results.
The stationary method is very easy: simply use an incense (and a lucky egg, if you want) and wait for the pokemon to come to you. Make sure your in-app vibrations are on so that you're notified when a pokemon comes into the overworld. This method is more effective if you're in a more urban place (shopping centre, ect), but works just fine in rural areas too.
Your primary source of XP in this method is through capturing pokemon. Incense is nice because, even if a pokemon isn't listed in the "nearby" box, it can still be attracted by incense, meaning you get that dex entry XP bonus. The Stationary method also works very nicely with the Scientist method (detailed below).
I should note that this method becomes increasingly harder as you climb in levels, as higher CP pokemon are much harder to catch and will run away more often.
2. The Explorer
Recommended: Incense
The most common method because it doesn’t require you to spend any money. Plus, it’s the most fun!
This method is essentially the "standard" method of Pokemon Go. You get out of the house and onto your own two legs and chase pokemon! If you're in a relatively urban area, especially when paired with an incense, you'll find a lot more pokemon a lot faster than the Stationary method, making it on average more effective than the Stationary method.
Like the Stationary method, your primary source of XP is through capturing pokemon. Since you're traveling, especially if you're traveling by bike or car, you're likely to run into new pokemon, thus granting you the dex entry XP bonus as well. Incense only serves to promote this further. Because this method is based around travel, it pairs nicely with the Breeder method (detailed below), unless you're traveling by car.
3. The Scientist (Evolution)
Requirements: A large amount of pidgey OR weedle OR caterpie near your house (or wherever you typically hunt for pokemon)
Recommended: Incense
The easiest of the three “team” methods. However, it is very conditional and requires the most monetary input out of the three (only beaten by the Stationary method).
This method looks to abuse the XP bonus granted from evolving a pokemon. Because pidgey/weedle/caterpie require 12 candies to evolve, after catching only four of them, you can evolve the fourth and get that 500 XP evolution reward. For even faster results, transfer numbers one through three to get extra candies, and then transfer the evolved mon for another extra candy.
If you have access to an area with multiple pokestops, try using lure modules on them for even faster results! This method works equally well with either the Stationary or Explorer method, but does require that you use at least one of them since you need to catch pokemon in order to evolve them.
4. The Breeder (Eggs)
Requirements: Access to a bike and multiple pokestops very close by your chosen biking route(s)
Perhaps the most straightforward, but also the most luck-based method. However, if you manage to get rarer pokemon, it can yield staggering results. It also helps with trying to strengthen or evolve some of the harder to find pokemon. Additionally, frequently visiting pokestops will net you some nice rewards.
View the Breeder method as akin to breeding and hatching in the main games, because that's essentially what it is. You bike along a route in order to hatch some eggs, passing by the daycare (pokestops) and checking if they have any eggs. (Make sure you actually spin the pokestop and collect your rewards, though!)
While this method requires the most physical input, if you're willing to actually put in the effort it can yield incredible results. This is also incredibly helpful if you're at higher levels, since it doesn't require you to catch any wild pokemon (but you're more than welcome to, if you want to).
I highly recommend having at least five incubators (including the one you're given at the start) available to put eggs in if you're planning on doing this. Hatching one egg at a time is incredibly inefficient, and incubators are a worthwhile investment anyhow.
For incubation, I think priority should go in order of distance tier (distance required to hatch), from least to greatest. However, make sure at least one of your 10 km eggs is incubating, but no more than two (unless you have no other eggs that need to hatch). To conserve resources (and money), try and save your incubators with one use left for the 10 km eggs.
Important note: Unless you're driving slowly, riding in your car will not count towards an egg's distance total. If you see your character running, you're going too fast and any distance covered will not be counted. Bike for best results.
5. The Ace Trainer (Gym)
Requirements: An easily reached gym AND at least two accounts (both yours or yours + a willing participant) of different team alignment; both trainers must also be at AT LEAST level 5
This one is probably the trickiest one, but if done well and in the right environment, it has the best XP/second. This method is especially good if you have a local friend who also plays, since both participants will benefit equally and you can get defender bonuses from the shop.
If you haven't already, take over the nearby gym you plan to grind at. Be sure to place a very weak pokemon as your defender. Allow your gym to be taken over by the other account, making sure they place a weak pokemon as their defender. Take over their gym. Rinse and repeat for as long as you'd like.
With a weak pokemon as the defender, the gym is quickly overthrown with little loss to HP, thus mitigating the need for potions. Therefore, you can grind very quickly in the same spot, netting about 150 XP per two minutes. Because the XP reward per gym defeat is so small, I recommend pairing this with a lucky egg the most out of all of the methods.
Important note: As of right now, the gym system is very glitchy. Until the gym bugs are resolved, I do not recommend doing this method, you will get very little results. I will edit if the gym glitches are fixed.
III. Team Recommendations
You may have noticed that a couple of the XP grinding methods revolve around the mantras of the three teams (hatching eggs, evolving pokemon, and power, respectively). While this wasn't intentional, I do think it might be helpful for those who aren't level 5 yet or just reached level 5 and are still on the fence about which team to choose.
There are no team benefits currently, but it seems to be implied that something will be implemented later on.
With that said, if the Scientist method appeals most to you, you should join Team Mystic.
If the Breeder method appeals most to you, you should join Team Instinct.
If the Ace Trainer method appeals most to you, you should join Team Valor.
Obviously you're not required to join any team based on the criteria above. These are simply recommendations for those who might be on the fence or want to plan ahead for the long run. It's very possible that teams are simply ornamental and that there will never be any team bonuses in the future. (or you could just join team Instinct and be with the cool kids)
IV. Additional Comments
1 Lucky Egg + 1 Incense = 160 pokecoins -> $2
8 Lucky Eggs + 8 Incense = 1000 pokecoins -> $10
25 Lucky Eggs + 25 Incense = 2500 pokecoins -> $20
The 25/25 route is by far the best option, especially if you’re doing Stationary/Scientist grinding. Due to how useful both lucky eggs and incense are, I think the 1/1 route is a waste of money and you’re better off spending the $10 for 8/8, even if you don’t plan on grinding for very long.
Both the lucky egg and incense have a duration for 30 minutes, so I highly recommend using them both at once (items -> incense, then lucky egg!). You never know what pokemon might pop up and it’s always good to have that XP multiplier when you’re playing.
Also, if you're a completely new player, I highly recommend using the incense for your first couple of levels. Since almost all pokemon you catch will be new dex entries, you'll be getting approximately 1200 XP per catch with the lucky egg active, bringing you to level 4 after 3-4 new pokemon.
Please let me know if you have any questions, additional comments or methods, corrections, new information, etc! Or, let me know if I've been able to help you out in any way! Happy Leveling!
Please note that all numbers displayed are numbers that I have confirmed for myself in-game, unless otherwise specified.
I. XP
Lucky Egg Modifier: *2 XP
Register a new pokemon in the dex: +500 XP
Evolve a pokemon: +500 XP
Hatch an egg: +[hatching distance requirement*100] XP
Win a gym battle: +150 XP and +100 XP per additional (non gym leader) pokemon defeated
Visit a pokestop: +50 XP
Catch a pokemon: +100 XP
Train at a gym: +10 XP (**I'm not sure if this number scales with the level of the gym, number of pokemon stationed at the gym, number of pokemon defeated, etc)
Pokeball throws:
Nice: +10 XP
Great: +50 XP
Excellent: +100 XP
Curveball: +10 XP
II. Grinding Methods
Note: For best and fastest results, please have a lucky egg active
1. Stationary
Requirements: Incense
My personal favourite method. It’s fantastic for when you can’t walk around or have other things to do (nighttime, at work, in class, etc). Pair with the in-app power saver mode (screen blackens if you flip your device upside-down vertically) for best results.
The stationary method is very easy: simply use an incense (and a lucky egg, if you want) and wait for the pokemon to come to you. Make sure your in-app vibrations are on so that you're notified when a pokemon comes into the overworld. This method is more effective if you're in a more urban place (shopping centre, ect), but works just fine in rural areas too.
Your primary source of XP in this method is through capturing pokemon. Incense is nice because, even if a pokemon isn't listed in the "nearby" box, it can still be attracted by incense, meaning you get that dex entry XP bonus. The Stationary method also works very nicely with the Scientist method (detailed below).
I should note that this method becomes increasingly harder as you climb in levels, as higher CP pokemon are much harder to catch and will run away more often.
2. The Explorer
Recommended: Incense
The most common method because it doesn’t require you to spend any money. Plus, it’s the most fun!
This method is essentially the "standard" method of Pokemon Go. You get out of the house and onto your own two legs and chase pokemon! If you're in a relatively urban area, especially when paired with an incense, you'll find a lot more pokemon a lot faster than the Stationary method, making it on average more effective than the Stationary method.
Like the Stationary method, your primary source of XP is through capturing pokemon. Since you're traveling, especially if you're traveling by bike or car, you're likely to run into new pokemon, thus granting you the dex entry XP bonus as well. Incense only serves to promote this further. Because this method is based around travel, it pairs nicely with the Breeder method (detailed below), unless you're traveling by car.
3. The Scientist (Evolution)
Requirements: A large amount of pidgey OR weedle OR caterpie near your house (or wherever you typically hunt for pokemon)
Recommended: Incense
The easiest of the three “team” methods. However, it is very conditional and requires the most monetary input out of the three (only beaten by the Stationary method).
This method looks to abuse the XP bonus granted from evolving a pokemon. Because pidgey/weedle/caterpie require 12 candies to evolve, after catching only four of them, you can evolve the fourth and get that 500 XP evolution reward. For even faster results, transfer numbers one through three to get extra candies, and then transfer the evolved mon for another extra candy.
If you have access to an area with multiple pokestops, try using lure modules on them for even faster results! This method works equally well with either the Stationary or Explorer method, but does require that you use at least one of them since you need to catch pokemon in order to evolve them.
4. The Breeder (Eggs)
Requirements: Access to a bike and multiple pokestops very close by your chosen biking route(s)
Perhaps the most straightforward, but also the most luck-based method. However, if you manage to get rarer pokemon, it can yield staggering results. It also helps with trying to strengthen or evolve some of the harder to find pokemon. Additionally, frequently visiting pokestops will net you some nice rewards.
View the Breeder method as akin to breeding and hatching in the main games, because that's essentially what it is. You bike along a route in order to hatch some eggs, passing by the daycare (pokestops) and checking if they have any eggs. (Make sure you actually spin the pokestop and collect your rewards, though!)
While this method requires the most physical input, if you're willing to actually put in the effort it can yield incredible results. This is also incredibly helpful if you're at higher levels, since it doesn't require you to catch any wild pokemon (but you're more than welcome to, if you want to).
I highly recommend having at least five incubators (including the one you're given at the start) available to put eggs in if you're planning on doing this. Hatching one egg at a time is incredibly inefficient, and incubators are a worthwhile investment anyhow.
For incubation, I think priority should go in order of distance tier (distance required to hatch), from least to greatest. However, make sure at least one of your 10 km eggs is incubating, but no more than two (unless you have no other eggs that need to hatch). To conserve resources (and money), try and save your incubators with one use left for the 10 km eggs.
Important note: Unless you're driving slowly, riding in your car will not count towards an egg's distance total. If you see your character running, you're going too fast and any distance covered will not be counted. Bike for best results.
5. The Ace Trainer (Gym)
Requirements: An easily reached gym AND at least two accounts (both yours or yours + a willing participant) of different team alignment; both trainers must also be at AT LEAST level 5
This one is probably the trickiest one, but if done well and in the right environment, it has the best XP/second. This method is especially good if you have a local friend who also plays, since both participants will benefit equally and you can get defender bonuses from the shop.
If you haven't already, take over the nearby gym you plan to grind at. Be sure to place a very weak pokemon as your defender. Allow your gym to be taken over by the other account, making sure they place a weak pokemon as their defender. Take over their gym. Rinse and repeat for as long as you'd like.
With a weak pokemon as the defender, the gym is quickly overthrown with little loss to HP, thus mitigating the need for potions. Therefore, you can grind very quickly in the same spot, netting about 150 XP per two minutes. Because the XP reward per gym defeat is so small, I recommend pairing this with a lucky egg the most out of all of the methods.
Important note: As of right now, the gym system is very glitchy. Until the gym bugs are resolved, I do not recommend doing this method, you will get very little results. I will edit if the gym glitches are fixed.
III. Team Recommendations
You may have noticed that a couple of the XP grinding methods revolve around the mantras of the three teams (hatching eggs, evolving pokemon, and power, respectively). While this wasn't intentional, I do think it might be helpful for those who aren't level 5 yet or just reached level 5 and are still on the fence about which team to choose.
There are no team benefits currently, but it seems to be implied that something will be implemented later on.
With that said, if the Scientist method appeals most to you, you should join Team Mystic.
If the Breeder method appeals most to you, you should join Team Instinct.
If the Ace Trainer method appeals most to you, you should join Team Valor.
Obviously you're not required to join any team based on the criteria above. These are simply recommendations for those who might be on the fence or want to plan ahead for the long run. It's very possible that teams are simply ornamental and that there will never be any team bonuses in the future. (or you could just join team Instinct and be with the cool kids)
IV. Additional Comments
1 Lucky Egg + 1 Incense = 160 pokecoins -> $2
8 Lucky Eggs + 8 Incense = 1000 pokecoins -> $10
25 Lucky Eggs + 25 Incense = 2500 pokecoins -> $20
The 25/25 route is by far the best option, especially if you’re doing Stationary/Scientist grinding. Due to how useful both lucky eggs and incense are, I think the 1/1 route is a waste of money and you’re better off spending the $10 for 8/8, even if you don’t plan on grinding for very long.
Both the lucky egg and incense have a duration for 30 minutes, so I highly recommend using them both at once (items -> incense, then lucky egg!). You never know what pokemon might pop up and it’s always good to have that XP multiplier when you’re playing.
Also, if you're a completely new player, I highly recommend using the incense for your first couple of levels. Since almost all pokemon you catch will be new dex entries, you'll be getting approximately 1200 XP per catch with the lucky egg active, bringing you to level 4 after 3-4 new pokemon.
Please let me know if you have any questions, additional comments or methods, corrections, new information, etc! Or, let me know if I've been able to help you out in any way! Happy Leveling!
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