Part 2: Embrace Efficiency & Optimize Your Gameplay
Now that you’ve mastered the basics, let’s dive deeper into two areas where beginners often make choices that hinder progress: catching strategies and evolving Pokémon.
Catching Low CP Pokémon:
- XP & Efficiency: Contrary to some advice, prioritizing low CP Pokémon can be efficient for XP and stardust gain. They offer the same rewards as high CP counterparts, while using fewer Pokéballs, allowing you to catch more in less time.
- Relevance at Lower Levels: At lower levels, gym Pokémon are often out of reach. High CP wild Pokémon, though tempting, won’t be relevant later and consume more resources. Focus on easily catchable Pokémon for faster progress.
- Catch Rate & Resource Management: Higher CP Pokémon have lower catch rates, demanding more throws and Pokéballs. By focusing on low CP versions, you conserve resources and maximize catches.
Evolving Rare Pokémon:
- Relevance & Power Creep: Early evolutions, even of “rare” Pokémon, become irrelevant quickly as you level up. Wait for higher CP specimens at higher levels for truly competitive Pokémon.
- Stardust Investment vs. Later Gains: Powering up an early evolution is costly in stardust. Investing that stardust in a higher CP version later saves resources and yields a more powerful Pokémon.
- Pokédex Completion vs. Strategic Advantage: Completing the Pokédex offers no immediate in-game advantage. Consider delaying evolution for tactical benefits when a stronger specimen is available.
- XP Trade-off: Evolving grants 1000 XP (double with a Lucky Egg), easily regained by catching common Pokémon like Pidgeys. Prioritize resource efficiency over immediate XP gains.
- Candy Scarcity: Evolving rare Pokémon early depletes candy reserves, making re-evolving at higher levels difficult. Use candies strategically on high potential Pokémon later.
