Have you ever wondered how to maximize your Pokémon Go experience? The answer often lies with coin Pokémon Go, also known as PokeCoins. These invaluable in-game currency units are the key to unlocking a vast array of items and upgrades that can significantly enhance your gameplay, from catching rare Pokémon to dominating raids. Understanding how to acquire PokeCoins and what to spend them on is fundamental for any serious trainer.
What are Pokémon Go Coins?
- Pokémon Go coins*, or PokeCoins, serve as the premium currency within the popular augmented reality game, Pokémon Go. They are essential for purchasing various items directly from the in-game Shop or the official [Pokemon GO Web Store]. Unlike other in-game resources that are primarily found through gameplay, PokeCoins offer a direct path to acquiring crucial items and expanding your inventory, making them a highly sought-after commodity for trainers aiming to progress efficiently.
How to Get PokeCoins
There are two primary methods for obtaining PokeCoins: purchasing them with real money or earning them through in-game activities. Each method offers distinct advantages, catering to different playstyles and budgets.
1. Buying PokeCoins with Real Money
For trainers who want immediate access to PokeCoins without the grind, purchasing them directly with real money is the quickest and most straightforward option.
In-Game Shop Purchase
The most common way to buy PokeCoins is through the in-game Shop:
- Navigate to the Main Menu: From the main game screen, tap the Poké Ball icon at the bottom center.
- Access the Shop: Select the “Shop” option from the menu.
- Choose Your Pack: You’ll see various PokeCoin packs available, ranging from small amounts to large bundles. Larger bundles typically offer a better value per coin.
- Complete the Transaction: Select your desired pack and proceed with the purchase. Payments are processed through your device’s associated app store (Google Play for Android, Apple App Store for iOS, or Galaxy Store for Samsung devices). This method is secure and integrated directly into your mobile ecosystem.
Pokémon GO Web Store Purchase
An increasingly popular alternative for purchasing PokeCoins is the [Pokemon GO Web Store]. This dedicated online store often provides additional benefits:
- Visit the Web Store: Access the store via a web browser on your computer or mobile device.
- Log In: Sign in with your Pokémon Go account credentials.
- Browse Offers: The web store typically lists various PokeCoin packs, often with exclusive bonuses or discounts not available in the in-game shop. Larger packs frequently include bonus PokeCoins, making them a more cost-effective choice for bulk purchases.
- Secure Payment: Complete your transaction using various accepted payment methods.
- Why buy PokeCoins?* While it costs real money, purchasing PokeCoins allows you to instantly acquire items like Remote Raid Passes for legendary Pokémon, storage upgrades to avoid constant inventory management, or Incubators to hatch more eggs simultaneously, significantly accelerating your progress and enjoyment. For serious players, it’s often seen as an investment in their gameplay experience.
2. Earning PokeCoins for Free
For trainers who prefer to earn their way or are on a budget, Pokémon Go offers a reliable method to acquire PokeCoins without spending real money: defending Gyms.
Defending Gyms
This is the primary free-to-play method for earning coin Pokémon Go:
- Find a Friendly Gym: Locate a Gym on the map that is controlled by your team (Mystic, Valor, or Instinct).
- Place Your Pokémon: Tap on the Gym and select the option to add one of your Pokémon to defend it. You can only place one Pokémon per Gym.
- Defend and Earn: Your Pokémon will remain in the Gym, defending it against opposing teams. The longer your Pokémon stays in the Gym, the more PokeCoins you will accrue.
- Coin Accumulation Rate: You earn 6 PokeCoins per hour that your Pokémon defends a Gym.
- Daily Cap: There is a daily maximum of 50 PokeCoins that can be earned from Gym defense.
- Reaching the Cap: To earn the full 50 PokeCoins, your Pokémon needs to defend a Gym for a cumulative total of 8 hours and 20 minutes (500 minutes / 6 coins per hour * 60 minutes per hour = 8 hours and 20 minutes). This can be achieved by one Pokémon defending for that duration, or multiple Pokémon defending different Gyms for shorter periods that add up to the total.
- Receiving Coins: You do not receive the PokeCoins while your Pokémon is in the Gym. Instead, the accumulated PokeCoins are automatically deposited into your account when your Pokémon is defeated and returns to you. This means you might defend a Gym for days, but only receive the coins once your Pokémon is knocked out and comes back. If multiple Pokémon return on the same day, their earned coins will combine, but the 50-coin daily cap still applies.
- Tips for Gym Defense:*
- Choose High-Traffic Gyms: Gyms in busy areas might be contested more often, meaning your Pokémon might return sooner, but also potentially more frequently, allowing you to hit the daily cap.
- Choose Low-Traffic Gyms: Gyms in remote or less popular locations might allow your Pokémon to stay for much longer, potentially accumulating the full 50 coins over several days before being knocked out.
- Strategize with Friends: Coordinate with teammates to fill Gyms with strong defenders, making them harder for opposing teams to take down.
- Feed Berries: You can remotely feed berries to your Pokémon in Gyms to restore their motivation and keep them defending for longer.
Understanding this mechanism is crucial for free-to-play trainers. Consistent Gym defense is the cornerstone of accumulating coin Pokémon Go over time without spending real money.
What Can PokeCoins Buy You?
Once you have a healthy stash of coin Pokémon Go, the possibilities for enhancing your gameplay are extensive. PokeCoins can be exchanged for a wide range of items and upgrades, significantly impacting your ability to catch, battle, and collect.
Essential Items for Everyday Play
These items are fundamental for general gameplay and efficient resource management:
- Poké Balls: While you get basic Poké Balls from spinning PokéStops, sometimes you run out, especially during Community Days or events with high spawn rates. PokeCoins allow you to stock up on Great Balls and Ultra Balls, which are more effective at catching stronger Pokémon.
- Incense: Attracts Pokémon to your location for a limited time, useful when you’re stationary or want to maximize catches during events.
- Lucky Eggs: Doubles the XP you earn for 30 minutes. Invaluable for leveling up quickly, especially when combined with mass evolutions or raid battles.
- Lure Modules: Attracts Pokémon to a specific PokéStop for 30 minutes, benefiting all trainers in the vicinity. There are also special Lure Modules (Magnetic, Glacial, Mossy, Rainy) that attract specific types of Pokémon and enable certain evolutions.
- Egg Incubators: You get one infinite-use incubator, but additional incubators (both standard and Super Incubators) allow you to hatch multiple eggs simultaneously, greatly speeding up your egg-hatching progress. This is crucial for obtaining rare Pokémon from eggs.
- Max Potions and Max Revives: While you can get these from PokéStops and Gyms, having a reliable source via PokeCoins ensures your battle party is always ready for action, especially after challenging raids or Gym battles.
- Berries (Pinap Berries): While you typically get these from PokéStops, buying them ensures you always have a supply to double the candy from catches, which is essential for powering up and evolving Pokémon.
Premium Battle and Raid Items
For trainers focused on competitive play and challenging content:
- Premium Battle Passes: These passes are required to participate in certain competitive features like the Go Battle League beyond the free daily sets, and are also interchangeable with Raid Passes for participating in raids.
- Raid Passes (now Premium Battle Passes): Historically, these were separate. Now, Premium Battle Passes serve this role. They allow you to participate in additional raids beyond the one free daily pass, crucial for catching legendary Pokémon and high-IV Pokémon from raids.
- Remote Raid Passes: A game-changer introduced during the pandemic, these allow you to join any raid visible on your map, or an invited raid from a friend, regardless of your physical location. This is incredibly useful for participating in raids with distant friends or tackling raids you can’t physically reach.
Storage Upgrades
As you play more, you’ll inevitably accumulate a vast collection of Pokémon and items. Storage upgrades are perhaps one of the most critical long-term investments for coin Pokémon Go:
- Pokémon Storage Upgrade: Increases the maximum number of Pokémon you can carry. This is essential for community days, catching sprees, and maintaining a diverse collection of Pokémon for different purposes (battling, trading, evolving). Each upgrade adds 50 slots.
- Item Bag Upgrade: Increases the maximum number of items you can carry in your bag. As you progress, you’ll need more space for Poké Balls, Potions, Berries, TMs, Rare Candies, and other essential items. Each upgrade adds 50 slots.
- Why are storage upgrades so important?* Without adequate storage, you’ll constantly be forced to transfer Pokémon or discard items, which can be time-consuming and frustrating. Investing in storage early on prevents these headaches and allows for a smoother, more enjoyable gameplay experience.
Avatar Customization
For trainers who enjoy personalizing their in-game appearance:
- Clothing and Accessories: PokeCoins can be used to purchase a wide variety of clothing items, hats, shoes, glasses, and other accessories for your avatar. This allows you to express your style and stand out from other trainers. While purely cosmetic, it adds a fun element of personalization to the game.
Maximizing Your PokeCoin Usage
To get the most out of your coin Pokémon Go, consider these strategies:
- Prioritize Storage: For most players, Pokémon Storage and Item Bag upgrades should be among the first purchases. They provide lasting benefits and alleviate common frustrations.
- Invest in Raid Passes for Legendaries: If you’re keen on completing your Pokedex with legendary Pokémon or obtaining powerful raid attackers, Remote Raid Passes and Premium Battle Passes are excellent investments.
- Utilize Lucky Eggs for XP: During XP-heavy events or when you have a lot of evolutions saved up, using Lucky Eggs purchased with PokeCoins can dramatically accelerate your level progression.
- Strategic Incubator Use: Use additional incubators during events like Eggstravaganza or when specific rare Pokémon are available from eggs.
- Avoid Impulse Buys: Don’t just buy single Poké Balls or Potions unless absolutely necessary. These are usually better acquired through gameplay. Save your PokeCoins for the more impactful items and upgrades.
- Monitor Sales and Bundles: Keep an eye on the in-game shop and the Web Store for special bundles or sales on items you frequently use. Sometimes, event boxes offer better value than buying individual items.
Conclusion
- Coin Pokémon Go* is the lifeblood of progression and convenience in the game. Whether you choose to purchase them with real money for immediate benefits or diligently earn them through Gym defense, understanding their acquisition and strategic spending is paramount. From expanding your storage and participating in high-stakes raids to simply stocking up on essential items, PokeCoins empower you to tailor your Pokémon Go journey to your preferences and achieve your goals more effectively. By mastering the art of acquiring and spending PokeCoins, you’ll unlock the full potential of your Pokémon Go adventure, ensuring a richer and more rewarding experience as a trainer.
Is it worth buying coins in Pokemon Go?
From my experience, With just PokéCoins alone, the the short answer is yes, the ticket is worth buying, but only if you’re a player who will log in every day to reap the benefits. Usually $4.99 will buy you 550 PokéCoins, so as long as you log in enough to beat that amount, it’ll technically be “worth it.”
How do I get coins for free in Pokemon Go?
Good point! And Scorpie with an increased shiny chance of nose pass apparently from the eggs. So kind of some random shinies. But they’re all red like the shiny variants variants are all red which makes sense.