The Pokémon Go Coin Bag has emerged as a pivotal item for trainers aiming to evolve their Gimmighoul into the coveted Gholdengo. This guide provides an exhaustive look at what the Pokémon Go Coin Bag is, how to obtain it, its optimal use, and strategies for maximizing your Gimmighoul Coin collection.
What is the Pokémon Go Coin Bag?
The Pokémon Go Coin Bag is a unique in-game item that functions similarly to an Incense. When activated, it attracts Roaming Form Gimmighoul to your location for a duration of 30 minutes. This item is crucial for collecting Gimmighoul Coins, which are necessary for evolving Gimmighoul.
Unlike standard Incense, the Pokémon Go Coin Bag has a specific acquisition method tied to a cross-game feature with the Nintendo Switch titles, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the encounter and capture of Roaming Form Gimmighoul, making it an indispensable tool for players focused on completing their Gholdengo evolution.
How to Get the Pokémon Go Coin Bag
Acquiring the Pokémon Go Coin Bag involves a direct interaction between your Pokémon GO account and a Nintendo Switch console running Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. This cross-platform connectivity is the sole legitimate in-game method for obtaining this item.
Step-by-Step Acquisition Process:
- Pair Pokémon GO with your Nintendo Switch:
- On your Nintendo Switch, open Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet.
- Access the in-game menu (X button).
- Select “Poké Portal.”
- Choose “Mystery Gift.”
- Select “Connect to Pokémon GO.”
- On your mobile device, open Pokémon GO.
- Tap the Poké Ball icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Select “Settings” (top right gear icon).
- Scroll down and tap “Connected Devices and Services.”
- Select “Nintendo Switch.”
- Tap “Connect to Nintendo Switch.”
- Confirm the pairing on both devices. A successful connection will be indicated on both screens. This pairing only needs to be done once per Pokémon GO account.
- Send a Postcard from Pokémon GO:
- After successfully pairing, open your Pokémon GO item bag.
- Navigate to your Postcard Book. This book stores postcards received from Gifts opened from friends around the world.
- Select any postcard you wish to send. There is no strategic advantage to sending one postcard over another; any postcard will trigger the reward.
- On the chosen postcard’s detail screen, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner.
- Select “Send to Nintendo Switch.”
- Confirm the action.
- On your Nintendo Switch, return to the “Mystery Gift” menu in Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet.
- Select “Connect to Pokémon GO” again.
- Choose “Receive Gift from Pokémon GO.” The postcard you sent will appear. You do not need to save the postcard on your Switch; simply receiving it is enough.
- Receive the Coin Bag in Pokémon GO:
- Immediately after successfully sending and receiving a postcard on your Switch, return to Pokémon GO.
- A notification will appear indicating that you have received a Pokémon Go Coin Bag in your item inventory.
Daily Acquisition Limit
You can obtain one Pokémon Go Coin Bag per day by sending a postcard to your Nintendo Switch. This daily limit resets at midnight local time. Consistent daily postcard sending is the most efficient way to maintain a steady supply of this item.
Using the Pokémon Go Coin Bag
Once acquired, activating and optimizing the use of your Pokémon Go Coin Bag is straightforward but requires strategic planning to maximize Gimmighoul encounters and coin collection.
Activating the Coin Bag:
1. Locate in Item Inventory: Open Pokémon GO and tap the Poké Ball icon. Select “Items.”
- Activate: Scroll through your item inventory until you find the Pokémon Go Coin Bag. Tap on it and then confirm activation.
Optimal Use Strategies:
- Duration: The Pokémon Go Coin Bag attracts Gimmighoul for 30 minutes from the moment of activation.
- Movement is Key: Similar to other Incense items, the effectiveness of the Pokémon Go Coin Bag significantly increases when you are moving. Gimmighoul will appear more frequently if you are walking or traveling at a moderate speed. Stationary use will yield fewer spawns.
- Location: While the Pokémon Go Coin Bag attracts Gimmighoul to your location, activating it in areas with good GPS signal and open spaces can help ensure smooth spawns. It does not require you to be near PokéStops or Gyms, though being near them can be beneficial for other reasons (e.g., spinning stops for items, interacting with raids).
- Poké Ball Supply: Ensure you have an ample supply of Poké Balls (especially Great and Ultra Balls) before activating your Pokémon Go Coin Bag. Gimmighoul is a relatively common catch, but a consistent supply of balls is important for 30 minutes of continuous catching.
- Pinap Berries: Consider using Pinap Berries on Gimmighoul catches. Each Gimmighoul typically yields 1-3 Gimmighoul Coins upon capture. A successful Pinap Berry will double this amount, significantly accelerating your coin collection.
- Lucky Eggs/Star Pieces (Optional): While not directly related to Gimmighoul Coins, activating Lucky Eggs and Star Pieces during your Pokémon Go Coin Bag session can help you gain extra XP and Stardust from catches, making the session more broadly productive.
Gimmighoul Coin Collection and Evolution
The primary goal of using the Pokémon Go Coin Bag is to accumulate Gimmighoul Coins. These coins are the sole requirement for evolving Roaming Form Gimmighoul into Gholdengo.
Gimmighoul Coin Mechanics:
- Catching Gimmighoul: Each caught Gimmighoul awards a certain number of Gimmighoul Coins. The number of coins received can vary, with better throws (Nice, Great, Excellent) increasing the likelihood of receiving more coins.
- Spinning Golden PokéStops: Sending postcards for five different days (not necessarily consecutive) will reward you with a Golden Lure Module. When activated at a PokéStop, a Golden Lure Module transforms the stop into a Golden PokéStop. Spinning a Golden PokéStop yields significantly more items than a regular stop, including Gimmighoul Coins. This is a complementary method to the Pokémon Go Coin Bag for coin collection.
- Total Coins Needed: You need a staggering 999 Gimmighoul Coins to evolve a Gimmighoul into Gholdengo. This high requirement underscores the importance of consistent Pokémon Go Coin Bag usage and strategic coin collection.
Evolving Gimmighoul into Gholdengo:
Once you have accumulated 999 Gimmighoul Coins, navigate to your Gimmighoul’s summary screen. The “Evolve” button will become active, allowing you to transform your Roaming Form Gimmighoul into Gholdengo.
Shiny Gimmighoul Availability
As of Pokémon GO’s 9th anniversary events, shiny Roaming Form Gimmighoul have become available in the game. This adds an exciting layer to your Pokémon Go Coin Bag sessions, as you now have a chance to encounter a rare shiny variant. The mechanics of attracting and catching shiny Gimmighoul are identical to their regular counterparts, meaning continued use of the Pokémon Go Coin Bag increases your odds of finding one.
Troubleshooting and Alternative Acquisition
While the in-game method for obtaining the Pokémon Go Coin Bag is straightforward, some players may encounter issues with connectivity or postcard sending. It is important to ensure:
- Both your Nintendo Switch and mobile device are connected to a stable internet connection.
- Both Pokémon GO and Pokémon Scarlet/Violet are updated to their latest versions.
- Bluetooth is enabled on your mobile device during the pairing and sending process.
- Your devices are in close proximity to each other.
Unofficial Acquisition Methods
It has been observed that some online sellers on platforms like eBay offer Pokémon Go Coin Bags for purchase. These are typically individuals who offer to connect to your account or provide accounts with Coin Bags. It is crucial to exercise extreme caution with such services. Sharing your account credentials goes against Pokémon GO’s Terms of Service and can put your account at risk of being compromised or banned. While these methods exist, they are not officially supported and carry significant risks. The safest and most reliable method remains the direct in-game process.
Maximizing Your Gimmighoul Hunt
To get the most out of your Pokémon Go Coin Bag sessions and accelerate your progress towards Gholdengo, consider the following:
- Daily Routine: Incorporate sending a postcard to your Switch into your daily Pokémon GO routine. This ensures a consistent supply of Coin Bags.
- Walk Often: Plan your Coin Bag activations for times when you can be actively moving, such as during a walk, commute, or while running errands.
- Community Day Synergy: If a Community Day or other event featuring increased spawns or XP is active, consider activating your Pokémon Go Coin Bag simultaneously. This allows you to gain benefits from both events.
- Friends and Gifts: Continue opening gifts from friends to replenish your Postcard Book, ensuring you always have postcards to send to your Switch.
- Golden Lure Module Strategy: Once you earn a Golden Lure Module, consider using it in a high-traffic area with multiple PokéStops. This maximizes the chances of other players spinning your Golden PokéStop and benefits you with more potential Gimmighoul Coins. Coordinate with friends to stack Golden Lure Modules for even greater effect.
- Inventory Management: Keep an eye on your item storage. Make sure you have enough space for the Pokémon Go Coin Bag and any items you collect from spinning Golden PokéStops.
The Pokémon Go Coin Bag is a well-integrated feature that bridges the gap between Pokémon GO and the main series games, offering a unique challenge and reward for trainers. By consistently acquiring and strategically using this item, players can efficiently gather the necessary Gimmighoul Coins and add the formidable Gholdengo to their collection.
How long does a coin bag last in Pokémon GO?
The Coin Bag is a rare, special type of Incense that will attract the Coin Chest Pokémon to you for 30 minutes.
Can you use the coin bag twice in one day?
How often can I use the Coin Bag? The Coin Bag can be used once per day, but you need to send a postcard each day to refresh it.
What is the difference between coin bag and mystery box?
Good point! Coin Bag is a special kind of Incense that Trainers can receive upon sending a Postcard once per day to Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. Opening it attracts Roaming Form Gimmighoul for 30 minutes. Unlike the Mystery Box, Trainers must be walking to receive the full effect from the Coin Bag.
Can you get shiny Gimmighoul with a coin bag?
Thanks for asking. And you’re going to get 30 minutes of spawns. Of only gimme. From that coin bag. And within this event you can get spawns of a regular gimme that doesn’t have that number nine on the back of the coin.