Getting Coins in Pokémon GO: A Comprehensive Guide
Pokémon GO has taken the world by storm since its release in 2016, and one of the most essential resources in the game is coins. Coins are crucial for purchasing items, upgrading your gear, and enhancing your overall gaming experience. However, many players struggle with accumulating enough coins, especially since the game doesn’t provide an unlimited supply. In this article, we’ll explore the best ways to get coins in Pokémon GO, ensuring you can stock up on everything you need to become a top trainer.
Understanding the Importance of Coins
Before diving into how to get coins, it’s important to understand why they’re so valuable. Coins are the premium currency in Pokémon GO, allowing you to purchase items like Poké Balls, Incense, Lure Modules, and even upgrades for your bag or Pokémon storage. Without enough coins, you might find yourself limited in your ability to progress or enjoy the game to its fullest potential.
1. Gyms and Gym Defense
One of the most reliable ways to earn coins is by defending Gyms. When you take over a Gym with your team and leave one of your Pokémon to defend it, you earn coins and XP. The longer your Pokémon stays in the Gym, the more rewards you’ll accumulate. Here’s how it works:
Defending a Gym: Place your Pokémon in a Gym, and for every hour your Pokémon remains there, you’ll earn 1 coin. The maximum number of coins you can earn per day is 50 coins, regardless of how many Gyms your Pokémon are defending.
Claiming Rewards: To collect your coins, simply visit the Gym where your Pokémon is defending and claim your rewards. This method is straightforward and requires minimal effort, making it a great way to stockpile coins over time.
2. Participating in Events
Niantic, the developers of Pokémon GO, frequently hosts events that offer bonus coins or discounted items. These events can range from limited-time holiday celebrations to special community days. During these events, you might find:
Bonus Coin Multipliers: Some events increase the number of coins you earn for specific actions, like defending Gyms or completing Raids.
Special Bundles: Niantic often releases special item bundles during events that include coins at a discounted rate. These bundles can be a great way to top up your coin balance without spending real money.
3. Completing Research Tasks
Another excellent way to earn coins is by completing research tasks. Professor Willow and other characters in the game often have research assignments that reward coins upon completion. These tasks can vary from catching a certain number of Pokémon to defeating a specific number of enemies in Raids.
Daily Research: Some research tasks are available daily and can be completed quickly, offering a steady stream of coins.
Special Research: Larger research projects, often tied to events or new Pokémon releases, can offer substantial coin rewards for completing all the tasks.
4. Purchasing Coins
If you’re in a hurry or need a quick boost, you can always purchase coins directly from the in-game shop. While this method requires real money, it’s the fastest way to get the coins you need. The prices vary depending on the amount of coins you purchase, but it’s a reliable option for players who want to skip the grind.
5. Using Incense and Lure Modules
Although not a direct way to earn coins, using Incense and Lure Modules can indirectly help you accumulate more coins by attracting more Pokémon to your location. More Pokémon spawns mean more opportunities to catch rare species, which can then be sold for coins or used to defend Gyms.
6. Participating in Raids
Raids are another great way to earn coins, especially if you participate in higher-level Raids. While the primary rewards for Raids are usually rare Pokémon or exclusive items, some Raids also offer a small number of coins as a bonus. Additionally, the XP and items you earn from Raids can help you level up faster, unlocking more ways to earn coins.
7. Trading with Friends
In recent updates, Niantic introduced the ability to trade Pokémon with friends. While trading itself doesn’t directly give you coins, it can help you acquire rare Pokémon that you can then use to defend Gyms or sell for coins. Building a strong network of trading partners can significantly boost your coin collection.
Case Study: Maximizing Coin Earnings
Let’s consider an example of how a player can maximize their coin earnings. Suppose you have a Pokémon defending a Gym for 10 hours. At the end of those 10 hours, you’ll earn 10 coins. If you have multiple Pokémon in different Gyms, you