Table of Contents

Getting Started

Becoming a Pokémon Master

Choose your starter wisely: Charmander, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur? Each has unique strengths and weaknesses.
Catch ’em all: Explore your surroundings and use Poké Balls to capture wild Pokémon.
Evolve your Pokémon: Use Candies to transform your Pokémon into stronger forms.

Battling Basics

Mastering the Combat System

Type advantages: Different Pokémon types have advantages and disadvantages against each other.
Special moves: Use charged attacks to deal extra damage and turn battles in your favor.
Dodging and shielding: Time your dodges and use shields to minimize damage.

Training Your Pokémon

Powering Up Your Partners

Leveling up: Gain experience through battles and Power Up using Stardust.
Evolving: As Pokémon level up, they may evolve into stronger forms.
Fast and charged moves: Customize your Pokémon’s moveset to suit your playstyle.

Gym Battles

Conquering Territories

Join a team: Choose from Team Valor, Mystic, or Instinct.
Train at your gym: Power up your gym’s prestige to defend against attacks.
Challenge other gyms: Battle and defeat rival Pokémon to capture their gym.

Raids and Bosses

Teamwork and Strategy

Raids: Join forces with other trainers to defeat powerful Raid Bosses.
Legendary Pokémon: Encounter and capture rare and legendary Pokémon through Raid Battles.
Boss attacks: Learn the specific attack patterns of each Raid Boss to optimize your strategy.

Advanced Tactics

Mastering the Game

Weather boosts: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost certain Pokémon types.
Lucky Pokémon: Catch or trade for Pokémon with higher stats and cheaper power-up costs.
Shiny Pokémon: Encounter and collect rare, color-variant Pokémon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common Questions Answered

Q: What is the best way to find rare Pokémon?A: Use Incense or Lure Modules to attract Pokémon near you. Check nest locations and attend Community Days.

Q: How can I maximize my Stardust earnings?A: Catch multiple Pokémon of the same species, participate in raids, and use Star Piece items to boost earnings.

Q: What are the best counters for specific Raid Bosses?A: Use Pokémon with type advantages and strong, resisted movesets. Check online resources for specific boss counters.

Q: How do I get started with competitive battling?A: Join the GO Battle League and practice with different Pokémon and strategies. Study type matchups and learn from experienced battlers.

Q: What are the latest updates to the game?A: Check the official Pokémon GO website, social media channels, and in-game news for updates on new features, events, and gameplay mechanics.

Pokémon GO Release Date

Pokémon GO, the mobile augmented reality game developed by Niantic and The Pokémon Company, was first released in Japan on July 22, 2016. It was subsequently released in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand on July 6, 2016, followed by Europe on July 13, 2016. The game has since been released in over 150 countries worldwide.

Pokémon GO for Beginners

Pokémon GO is an augmented reality game that allows players to capture, train, and battle virtual Pokémon creatures in the real world. Here’s a beginner’s guide:

1. Download the App: Install Pokémon GO from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Create an Account: Sign up with a Gmail or Pokémon Trainer Club account.
3. Customize Your Avatar: Choose your appearance, gender, and clothing.
4. Catch Pokémon: Tap on Pokémon in the wild to catch them with Poké Balls.
5. Spin PokéStops: Visit PokéStops to find items like Poké Balls, potions, and eggs.
6. Battle Gyms: Train your Pokémon at Gyms and challenge other players’ Pokémon for control.
7. Join a Team: Choose between Team Valor, Team Mystic, or Team Instinct.
8. Participate in Raids: Team up with other players to defeat powerful raid bosses.
9. Hatch Eggs: Incubate Pokémon eggs to hatch new Pokémon.
10. Trade Pokémon: Connect with friends to trade Pokémon between accounts.

Niantic

Niantic, Inc. is an American software development company best known for developing augmented reality mobile games, such as Pokémon Go and Ingress. The company was founded in 2010 by John Hanke, who previously worked at Google on the development of Google Earth and Google Maps. Niantic’s games use real-world locations and data to create immersive experiences for players. The company has partnered with various organizations, including The Pokémon Company and Warner Bros., to create games based on popular franchises.

Inc. Founder

Inc. magazine was founded by George Edward "Ed" Smart in 1979. Smart was an entrepreneur and journalist who had previously worked as an editor at Forbes magazine. He founded Inc. with the goal of creating a magazine that would provide practical advice and inspiration to entrepreneurs.

Under Smart’s leadership, Inc. quickly became one of the leading magazines for entrepreneurs. The magazine’s content focused on a wide range of topics, including finance, marketing, sales, and management. Inc. also became known for its annual Inc. 500 list, which ranks the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

Smart served as Inc.’s editor-in-chief until 1993. He then sold the magazine to Gruner & Jahr, a German publishing company. Gruner & Jahr sold Inc. to Mansueto Ventures in 2005. Mansueto Ventures is a family-owned investment firm that also owns Fast Company and Inc.com.

Inc. continues to be one of the leading magazines for entrepreneurs. The magazine’s content is available in print, online, and mobile. Inc. also hosts a variety of events and conferences for entrepreneurs.

Niantic

Niantic, Inc. is an American software development company based in San Francisco, California. The company was founded in 2010 by John Hanke, key members of the Google Geo team, and Keyhole, Inc. Niantic specializes in developing augmented reality games, such as Pokémon Go and Ingress.

The company’s mission is to "build technology that encourages people to explore the world together." Niantic’s games are designed to get people up and moving, and to encourage them to explore their surroundings. The company’s games have been downloaded over 1 billion times, and have been played by people in over 200 countries.

Niantic is a privately held company, and its investors include Google, The Pokémon Company, and Nintendo. The company has been praised for its innovative work in the field of augmented reality, and has been named one of the "100 Most Innovative Companies in the World" by Fast Company.

Inc. Headquarters

Inc. Magazine is a multimedia brand that focuses on entrepreneurship, management, and leadership. Its headquarters is located in New York City, New York. The building is a 12-story, 100,000-square-foot structure that was designed by architect Frank Gehry. The building is home to Inc.’s editorial, marketing, and sales teams, as well as its production and distribution facilities.

Pokémon GO Characters

Pokémon GO features a variety of characters, including:

Trainers: Players create and customize their own trainer avatars, which they use to explore the world and catch Pokémon.
Professors: Three professors guide players on their Pokémon journey: Professor Willow, Professor Candela, and Professor Spark.
Team Leaders: Each team (Valor, Mystic, and Instinct) has a leader who provides guidance and challenges to players.
NPCs: Non-player characters, such as gym leaders and shopkeepers, provide assistance and challenges to players.
Pokémon: Over 700 species of Pokémon appear in the game, each with their unique abilities and characteristics.

Pokémon GO Lures

Pokémon GO lures are items that can be purchased in-game to attract Pokémon to a specific location for a limited time. When a lure is used, a white, sparkling cloud of dust will appear at the PokéStop where it was used. Pokémon will be drawn to the lure and will spawn around the PokéStop for 30 minutes.

Lures can be used to attract Pokémon of all types, including rare Pokémon. They are a great way to farm PokéStops for candy and XP, or to simply catch some new Pokémon.

There are two types of lures available in Pokémon GO: regular lures and incense. Regular lures can be purchased from the in-game shop for 100 PokéCoins each, while incense can be purchased for 80 PokéCoins each. Incense works similarly to lures, but it attracts Pokémon to the player’s location instead of to a specific PokéStop.

Pokémon GO Raids

Pokémon GO raids are cooperative multiplayer battles where players team up to defeat powerful Pokémon bosses.

Types of Raids: There are different levels of raids, each with its own tier and difficulty. Tier 1-3 raids are relatively easy and can be completed by solo players, while Tier 4-5 raids require multiple trainers.
Battle System: During a raid, players battle the boss Pokémon in a turn-based system. Each player’s Pokémon attacks the boss, and the boss attacks all players simultaneously.
Rewards: Defeating a raid boss rewards players with valuable items such as Rare Candies, Charged TMs, and the chance to catch the boss Pokémon.
Raid Passes: Players need Raid Passes to participate in raids. Raid Passes are obtained for free through daily tasks or by purchasing them in the in-game shop.
Communication: Players can use in-game communication features to coordinate raid groups and share strategies.

Pokémon GO Gyms

Pokémon GO gyms serve as training grounds for Pokémon, where players can battle their Pokémon against others. Gyms are controlled by teams (Valor, Mystic, or Instinct), and players must defeat the defending Pokémon to assign their own.

Features:

Pokémon Training: Players can train their Pokémon by battling them against others at the gym.
Pokémon Deployment: Players can assign a Pokémon to defend a gym once their team has control.
Gym Control: Teams can hold control of gyms for as long as their Pokémon remain victorious.
Gym Badges: Players earn badges for participating in gym battles and defeating defending Pokémon.
Raids: Gyms can be used for raids, where multiple players team up to battle powerful boss Pokémon.

Benefits:

Rewards: Winning gym battles grants rewards such as Stardust, Gym Coins, and Experience Points.
Community Building: Gyms encourage players to interact with each other and form teams.
Strategic Gameplay: Players must consider which Pokémon to assign to gyms to maximize their chances of holding control.

Pokémon GO Events

Pokémon GO regularly hosts events to provide players with unique experiences and opportunities. These events include:

Special Research: Limited-time storylines that reward players with exclusive Pokémon, items, and other rewards.
Raids: Cooperative battles against powerful Pokémon, with a chance to catch them afterwards.
Community Days: Monthly events featuring a specific Pokémon with increased spawn rates, boosted moves, and exclusive bonuses.
Seasonal Events: Events themed around seasons, holidays, or specific regions, offering special Pokémon, items, and activities.
In-Person Events: Live events held in various cities, offering meet-ups, raids, exclusive merchandise, and special rewards.
Collaboration Events: Partnerships with other brands or organizations, introducing unique Pokémon and in-game content.

Events provide a fun and engaging way for players to expand their Pokémon collection, level up their characters, and connect with the community.