The Coin Bag in Pokémon GO provides a unique opportunity to encounter Roaming Form Gimmighoul, a special Ghost/Steel-type Pokémon. This guide explains how to use Coin Bag Pokémon GO to maximize your chances of catching Gimmighoul and collecting its valuable coins.
What the Coin Bag Does
The Coin Bag functions as a specialized incense within Pokémon GO. When activated, it attracts Roaming Form Gimmighoul to your location for a duration of 30 minutes. This item is crucial for players looking to evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo, as it’s the primary way to gather the necessary Gimmighoul Coins. Understanding how to use Coin Bag Pokémon GO effectively is key to this process.
How to Get the Coin Bag
Obtaining the Coin Bag involves a connection between your Pokémon GO mobile app and a Nintendo Switch console running Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. This cross-platform interaction is a prerequisite for activating the Coin Bag feature.
Step 1: Pair Pokémon GO with Pokémon Scarlet or Violet on a Nintendo Switch
The initial step requires establishing a connection between your two devices.
- On the Nintendo Switch (Pokémon Scarlet/Violet):
1. Open the game.
2. Press the X button to open the main menu.
3. Navigate to “Poké Portal.”
4. Select “Mystery Gift.”
5. Choose “Connect to Pokémon GO.”
6. Select “Pair with Pokémon GO” to put the Switch in pairing mode.
- On your Phone (Pokémon GO):
1. Open the Pokémon GO app.
2. Tap the Poké Ball icon to open the main menu.
3. Go to “Settings” (the gear icon).
4. Scroll down and select “Connected Devices and Services.”
5. Tap “Nintendo Switch.”
6. Select “Connect to Nintendo Switch.” Your phone will search for the Switch. Once found, confirm the connection.
Step 2: Send a Postcard from Pokémon GO to your Switch
Once the devices are paired, you need to send a Postcard from your Pokémon GO account to your Nintendo Switch. This action triggers the delivery of the Coin Bag.
- In Pokémon GO:
- Tap your avatar icon in the bottom left corner of the map screen.
- Select “Me” to view your Trainer Profile.
- Tap on “Scrapbook” (usually located near your Buddy Pokémon).
- Select any postcard from your collection. These are typically obtained from spinning PokéStops or opening gifts from friends.
- Tap the Menu icon (three lines, usually in the bottom right corner).
- Select “Send to Switch.”
- On your Nintendo Switch:
- After sending the postcard from Pokémon GO, return to the “Connect to Pokémon GO” screen in Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet.
- The Switch will receive the postcard.
Upon successful receipt of the postcard on your Switch, the Coin Bag will automatically appear in your Pokémon GO item inventory. This is the primary method for how to use Coin Bag Pokémon GO by obtaining the item.
Refreshing Coin Bag Availability
You can send a postcard to your Switch once per day. Each time you send a postcard, it refreshes the availability of the Coin Bag in your inventory. This means you can get one Coin Bag per day, ensuring consistent access to Gimmighoul encounters.
Using the Coin Bag
Once you have the Coin Bag in your inventory, activating it is straightforward.
1. Open your Pokémon GO Item inventory. This is accessed via the Poké Ball menu, then selecting “Items.”
- Tap the Coin Bag within the “Trainer Boosts” section of your item list.
- Select “Open” or “Use” to activate its effect.
Upon activation, the Coin Bag will attract Roaming Form Gimmighoul to your location for 30 minutes.
Maximizing Gimmighoul Encounters
To get the most out of your Coin Bag, movement is key, similar to how regular Incense works.
- Move around: Walking while the Coin Bag is active maximizes the number of Gimmighoul that appear. The more you move, the more Gimmighoul will spawn within the 30-minute window.
- Stationary Spawns: While stationary, Gimmighoul will still appear, but at a much slower rate, approximately once every five minutes. To truly benefit from how to use Coin Bag Pokémon GO, active movement is essential.
Maximizing Your Gimmighoul Coin Collection
Gimmighoul Coins are vital for evolving Gimmighoul into Gholdengo. You need 999 Gimmighoul Coins for this evolution. Here are strategies to maximize your coin collection:
- Make accurate throws when catching Gimmighoul: When catching Gimmighoul, aiming for “Nice,” “Great,” or “Excellent” throws, along with curveballs, can increase the number of Gimmighoul Coins you receive upon capture. This is a direct way to boost your coin gains while actively using the Coin Bag.
- Spin Golden PokéStops: Certain PokéStops can turn “golden” for a limited time. Spinning these Golden PokéStops often rewards Gimmighoul Coins.
- Use Golden Lure Modules: Golden Lure Modules are special items that transform a regular PokéStop into a Golden PokéStop for a set duration.
- When a Golden Lure Module is active on a PokéStop, it significantly increases the chances of Gimmighoul spawning around that stop.
- Spinning a Golden PokéStop also provides more Gimmighoul Coins compared to a regular golden stop.
- You can acquire Golden Lure Modules by sending multiple postcards to your Nintendo Switch. After the first postcard (which grants the Coin Bag), subsequent postcards can reward Golden Lure Modules. This provides another incentive for consistent postcard sending, reinforcing how to use Coin Bag Pokémon GO in conjunction with other features.
Important Notes on Coin Bag Usage
Several restrictions and mechanics apply to the Coin Bag:
- Daily Limit: The Coin Bag can only be used once per day. Plan your usage for times when you can actively move and catch.
- Incense Incompatibility: The Coin Bag cannot be used simultaneously with other incense items, including standard Incense or the Meltan Mystery Box. Activating one will deactivate the other.
- Coin Inventory: Gimmighoul Coins do not take up space in your item inventory. You can collect up to 9,999 Gimmighoul Coins.
- Evolution Requirement: To evolve Gimmighoul into Gholdengo, you need 999 Gimmighoul Coins. This makes collecting coins a primary goal when understanding how to use Coin Bag Pokémon GO.
- Shiny Gimmighoul: As of the Pokémon GO 9th Anniversary event, Shiny Roaming Form Gimmighoul became available. This adds an extra layer of excitement for collectors using the Coin Bag.
Conclusion
The Coin Bag is an essential item for any Pokémon GO player aiming to catch Roaming Form Gimmighoul and evolve it into Gholdengo. By pairing your game with a Nintendo Switch, consistently sending postcards, and actively moving while the Coin Bag is active, you can efficiently collect Gimmighoul Coins. Understanding how to use Coin Bag Pokémon GO is a straightforward process that yields significant rewards for dedicated trainers. Remember to maximize your throws and utilize Golden PokéStops and Golden Lure Modules to accelerate your coin collection.