Pokemon Go is proof that childhood dreams come true, assuming your biggest aspiration as a kid was to catch wild Pokemon. After devoting the past few days of my life to catching Tauros and Squirtle, I've discovered a few tricks of the trade towards improving the overall Pokemon Go gameplay experience.
1. Fully charge your phone before heading out to explore.
Pokemon Go notoriously eats up battery power. However, the best way to prepare for an adventure is to start with your phone at full charge. Before you leave the house, also remember to adjust your phone's brightness setting to reduce battery consumption so you can be outdoors for as long as possible.
2. Utilize the app's build in battery saving mode.
Under game settings, you have an option to turn on battery saving mode. This Pokemon Go feature dims the screen when your phone is stored away in a pocket or other downward facing position. As a result, battery life is extended. Don't worry: when you approach a Poke Stop or a wild Pokemon appears, you will receive a sound and vibration notification.
3. Invest in Pokecoins.
Although Pokemon Go is a free app available for download, micropurchases within the application can be used for buying items such as Pokeballs and incense. The in-app currency consists of Pokecoins which can be bought in 99 cents to 99 dollar increments.
Pokecoins can be earned for free by defeating and maintaining dominance over certain gyms. Additionally, useful items such as Pokeballs, berries, and eggs can be collected free of charge when you visit PokeStops.
4. Try different modes of transportation while exploring.
I've collected Pokemon as a passenger in a car, as a pedestrian, and as a bicyclist. Switching up the mode of transportation helps to keep the game fresh. Naturally, riding a bike during a hot day keeps you cooler than trudging around on foot (which is much nicer after sunset).
Likewise, the Pokemon you can catch vary depending on the time of day and your geographic location. Ghost Pokemon, for instance, are easier to find at night and water-type Pokemon like Psyduck and Horsea have niches near oceans.
Pro tip: I caught a Tauros beside a McDonald's parking lot.
5. Don't rely too heavily on incense.
Incense can be a useful tool for attracting Pokemon while stationary, but the point of Pokemon Go is to remain active. As a result, you'll find just as many, if not more, Pokemon riding your bike for 30 minutes as opposed to using incense for 30 minutes.
Moreover, Lure Modules are more efficient than incense and the effect allows you to take a rest at PokeStops. Other users can enjoy the increased chance of attracting Pokemon as well. For 100 Pokecoins and higher catch rates, the Lure Modules prove to be a better deal than incense.
6. Play with your friends or significant other.
I'm so glad I had my boyfriend with me when I caught my first wild Oddish. Playing with your friends or significant other makes the game more enjoyable because each person will see roughly the same Pokemon and you can notify each other of nearby Pokemon and landmarks. This is twice as fun if you have a Lure Module; everyone in your party attracts Pokemon!
