Getting Coins in Pokémon GO: A Comprehensive Guide
In the world of Pokémon GO, coins are the lifeblood of any serious player. Whether you’re looking to stock up on Poké Balls, upgrade your gear, or gain a competitive edge, coins are essential. However, earning coins isn’t always straightforward, especially for newer players. In this guide, we’ll explore the best ways to get coins in Pokémon GO, ensuring you’re well-equipped to dominate the game.
Understanding the Importance of Coins
Before diving into how to get coins, it’s crucial to understand why they’re so important. Coins are the in-game currency that allows you to purchase items from the in-game shop, such as Poké Balls, Incense, Lures, and more. Without a steady supply of coins, you’ll find it challenging to progress, especially as you reach higher levels and encounter rarer Pokémon.
1. Defending Gyms
One of the most reliable ways to earn coins is by defending gyms. Gyms are scattered throughout the map, and when you take over a gym with your Pokémon, you earn coins based on how long your Pokémon remains in the gym. Here’s how it works:
Take Over a Gym: Find a gym controlled by your team (Mystic, Valor, or Instinct) and add one of your Pokémon to its defense.
Stay in the Gym: The longer your Pokémon stays in the gym, the more coins you earn. You can earn up to 50 coins per day from a single gym.
Collect Your Rewards: Once your Pokémon is defeated and removed from the gym, you’ll receive your coins as a reward.
2. Completing Tasks and Research
Niantic, the developers of Pokémon GO, regularly introduces tasks and research that reward players with coins. These tasks can vary from catching a certain number of Pokémon to defeating specific Gym Leaders. By completing these tasks, you can earn a significant amount of coins in a short amount of time.
Daily Tasks: These are simple tasks that reset every day, such as catching 5 Pokémon or spinning 5 PokéStops. Completing these tasks not only gives you coins but also other rewards like XP and items.
Special Research: These are more involved tasks that often coincide with events or updates. They usually offer a higher reward for completion, including a larger number of coins.
3. Purchasing Coins
If you’re in a hurry or want to stock up quickly, buying coins is always an option. You can purchase coins using real money from the in-game shop. While this method requires spending money, it’s the fastest way to get a large number of coins.
Coin Bundles: The shop offers various coin bundles, ranging from 100 coins to 14,500 coins. The larger the bundle, the better the value.
Special Offers: Keep an eye out for special offers and discounts, especially during events or holidays. These can give you more coins for your money.
4. Participating in Events
Pokémon GO is known for its frequent events, which often include exclusive rewards. During these events, you can earn extra coins by participating in event-specific activities. For example, some events might offer double the usual amount of coins for defending gyms or completing certain tasks.
Community Days: These events often include exclusive rewards, including increased coin drops.
Festivals: Larger events like the Pokémon GO Fest usually have special challenges and rewards that include coins.
5. Using Incense and Lures
While not directly giving you coins, Incense and Lures can help you earn more coins indirectly. By attracting more Pokémon to your location, you can catch more Pokémon, which can then be used to defend gyms or complete tasks. More Pokémon means more opportunities to earn coins.
Incense: This item attracts Pokémon to your location for 60 minutes, giving you more chances to catch rare Pokémon.
Lures: Placed on PokéStops, Lures attract Pokémon for 30 minutes and can be used by other players as well, making them a great way to collaborate and earn more coins.
Case Study: Maximizing Coin Earnings
Let’s consider a player who wants to maximize their coin earnings in a single day. They could start by taking over a gym and adding their strongest Pokémon to its defense. While waiting for their Pokémon to be defeated, they could complete daily tasks and participate in any ongoing events. Finally, they could use Incense to attract more Pokémon, allowing them to catch and add more Pokémon to gyms, further increasing their coin earnings.
Conclusion
Earning coins in Pokémon GO requires a combination of strategy, patience, and participation in the game’s various activities.