Some Pokémon Go information
This turned out a little long so I’ve bolded main points for TL;DR skim readers.
This post covers some current issues and some beginner tips.
As of typing (7/7/16), Pokemon Go has been released in Aus, NZ, US, and JP.
The game does not work on Windows OS, or Android versions older than Lollipop.
You need GPS location tracking enabled on your phone, as well as a constant stable internet connection. The GPS is a major battery drain.
The AR cam decimated my Samsung Note 4′s battery in minutes, disable it for more play time.
Data usage is minimal, but more Data is used when battling Gyms from my observance.
You can sign up with either a Google Account (or whatever Apple use) or a Pokemon Trainer Club account. Right now Trainer Club is having periodic connectivity issues. (“Unable to Authenticate.”)
When starting the game, you’re offered a “starter Pokémon”, its 100% preference as you can catch starter Pokémon later.
After capturing your “starter”, you enter your username. Alphabetical/Numeral Characters only, no spaces, Names must be Unique. They cannot be changed, currently, if ever.
The game must be actively open for it to find Pokemon, but you do not need to be staring at the phone. Stay safe and be alert of your surroundings, your phone will vibrate if something pops up near you.
The “Nearby Pokemon” tab seems to double up as a tracker, tap a “nearby pokemon” in the list, Footprints indicate its distance, and the tab pulses more as you approach the nearest/targeted Pokemon.
Small towns have no shortage of Pokestops and Gyms, but residential areas understandably have very few.
Catching Pokemon is simple, you start with ~50 Pokeballs, you gain many more from Pokestops, you can carry a limited number of combined items (350) without bag upgrades. Do not buy Pokeballs from the cash shop, they are essentially an infinite free resource.
Pokestops go Purple when used, the cooldown is incredibly short but the cooldown does not reduce if you stay near the stop.
Battles are not explained, at all. Tap the opponent Pokémon to launch a “Fast Attack”, and accumulate charge for your Strong “Hold” attack. Swiping your Pokémon to dodge attacks is very important.
Teams are “Instinct” Yellow, “Mystic” Blue, and “Valor” Red. There is no benefit to joining a specific team, just pick the one you want/agree with.
A Grey Gym is unclaimed, simply deposit a Pokemon to defend it and claim it as your own. Warning: Deposited Pokemon cannot be withdrawn from the Gym until it is defeated by the opposing team, avoid depositing your strongest Pokémon when defending Gyms.
At a Friendly Gym, you can battle your own defending Pokémon (and the Pokémon fellow teammates have deposited) and give your Gym more Prestige. Prestige is essentially the “health” of your Gym, and if the opponent teams reduce it to 0, the Gym becomes unclaimed. You may struggle to train if you deposited your strongest Pokémon.
At a Rival Gym, your goal is to defeat as many of the Rival Pokemon as possible. Your 6 Selected Pokemon will be allowed to assist you in battle, but only two may faint. You may switch at any time.
Pokémon defeated in a training session are reduced to 1 hp and can be healed with a Potion, however Pokémon defeated while battling an rival gym become fainted, and a Revive must be used. These items can be obtained at Pokestops from level 5 onwards.
You can challenge a Gym as many times as you are able.
The Strongest Pokemon in the Gym is the one sat atop the tower on the Map.
I do not know if Eggs are Pedometer related or distance related, but you should get off your lazy ass and walk because its good for you. It took me approximately 7000 steps to hatch a 5km Egg.
YOU MUST INCUBATE AN EGG IN ORDER FOR IT TO HATCH. You are given one Incubator to start with unlimited uses. You can buy more, but they break after hatching 3 eggs.
Evolution is not level/CP based. They use Candy to evolve. Candy Evolution requirements vary. Pidgey needs 12, Spearow needs 50.
Eevee Evolve Randomly, according to screenshots.
Each Pokemon gives 3 candy of its species upon being caught, 6 if hatched. You can power up a Pokémon’s CP using its candy and “stardust.”
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