Pokemon GO: How to Use XL Candy

Those looking to power up their Pokemon to the highest levels of Pokemon GO will need plenty of XL Candy. Despite its name, the XL Candy functions a bit differently than the Exp. Candy XL in mainline Pokemon games. While both give experience, one is used for going beyond a level cap for specific Pokemon, while the other can be used to give a boatload of experience to any species.

In Pokemon GO, there are Pokemon-specific Candy instead of the generic blue Rare Candies found in the main series. Because GO lacks the traditional battle system, giving Candy and Stardust is how players can evolve (and Mega Evolve) their Pokemon. However, unlike Pokemon‘s level cap of 100, Pokemon GO has a level cap of 50. Trainers will need to start farming XL Candy if seeking to progress through the levels of 41-50, which have been added recently.

Updated November 26, 2023 by Stephen LaGioia: There are few mobile titles that continue to captivate gamers quite like the AR sensation Pokemon GO. Developer Niantic has kept its virtual ecosystem thriving and players traveling far and wide with their phones. By trickling out waves of events, new features, and of course, new monsters to collect (which now include some Gen nine Pokemon), the game’s remained quite popular.

One of the biggest additions was an expansion of player and Pokemon progression, which came in late 2020 and brought a reworked level system, an extra ten levels, as well as Gen 6 Pokemon. With many still playing the game often years after its release, XL Candy has become an increasingly important item. And so, we thought we’d revisit and flesh out this trusty guide highlighting the best ways to get XL Candy fast.

What is XL Candy And How To Use Them?

Originally, Pokemon would stop leveling once they hit Level 40. This was changed in December 2020, when the level cap was raised to 50 instead by way of the “Beyond Update”. To do this, they need to feed their Pokemon an XL Candy, so they can extend from level 40 to 50. What makes XL Candy different from regular Candy is that it can’t be obtained until the Trainer Level is 31.

Initially, it takes 10 XL Candy to power up your Pokemon for the first time. This cost goes up the more it gets powered up.

There are two types of XL Candy:

• XL Candy: These are Pokemon-specific Candy that can only be fed to that particular species of Pokemon. For example, Amaura and its evolution consume Amaura Candy to Power Up. They cannot eat any other type of Candy, but there is one exception.
• XL Rare Candy: These are rainbow-colored XL Candy, and they will change their type depending on the Pokemon that eats them. For example: Feeding a Rare Candy XL to Aurorus will turn the Rare Candy XL into Amaura Candy XL. These candies can only be used on Pokemon that are level 40. Like regular Rare Candy, they can be used on any Pokemon.
  • These items are especially rare, so its best to only use them on Pokemon that are difficult finding normal XL Candies for (ie Legendaries).

Using XL Candy works the same way as using regular Candy. Select the Power Up option to start. If players want to use XL Candy to get to level 50 immediately, they’ll need Stardust, regular candy (of that Pokemon’s species), and 296 pieces of XL Candy per non-Shadow Pokemon (with Shadow Pokemon needing more).

• To reiterate: If elevating a Pokemon all the way from level 40 to level 50, they’ll just need Stardust and 296 XL Candy.

The amount of Stardust and Candy needed to Power Up depends on the current level of the Pokemon players are trying to Power Up.

Best Ways To Farm XL Candy

Luckily, there are several ways to farm XL Candy in Pokemon GO. While XL Candy is rare, there are some methods that have guaranteed drops. Players should decide which method works best once they’re at a high enough level to start collecting.

Catching Pokemon

The quickest way to get XL Candy is to catch Pokemon. As players know, catching a Pokemon will normally yield one to three pieces of Candy. If players need a specific type of Candy, they’ll have to catch specific Pokemon. For example, catching Bulbasaur or any of its evolutions will occasionally give Bulbasaur Candy, which can be fed to Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur.

If players are at the point where they can start farming XL Candy (i.e: Trainer Level is 31), then the Pokemon has a chance of dropping a piece of XL Candy (and up to 3) if it’s caught.

• When catching a first-stage evolution Pokemon, it will have a guaranteed drop of one XL Candy. The higher the CP Level, the more guaranteed the drop.
• A two-stage evolution Pokemon will drop two XL Candies instead.
• When catching Mythical Pokemon like Manaphy or Legendary Pokemon like Dialga, the guaranteed drop is three XL Candies.
• Catching a Raid Boss will guarantee one XL Candy.

Walking a Buddy Pokemon

Selecting a Pokemon to walk with on the Pokemon’s menu screen is another way to get XL Candy. The higher the CP, the more likely the XL Candy drop once a certain amount of distance has been walked. A 3km distance will give one regular Candy, but there is a chance of getting an XL Candy too.

Transferring a Pokemon

The third method is by transferring Pokemon. Those with a high CP Level have a higher chance of dropping XL Candy. There’s at least one XL Candy for each transfer per Pokemon.

Hatching Pokemon Eggs

Depending on the type of Pokemon Egg, players can get more XL Candy. The longer the km, the higher the chance of getting more XL Candy. 2km Eggs have an average of one XL Candy while 12km Egg has an average of 4.

The highest among XL Candy players can get are from 10/12km Eggs at a total of 24 XL Candies, with 8 XL Candies as the lowest from 2km Eggs.

Exchanging Candy

The fifth method of farming XL Candy is by trading in regular Candy. To do this, tap the menu icon in the bottom right corner of a Pokemon’s status page, and select Transfer.

At the cost of 100 regular Candy, players will get one XL Candy. Since Candy is still needed for leveling up and evolving, this isn’t recommended unless players have an excessive amount of regular Candy in their inventory.

Trading a Pokemon

This is not a guaranteed method, but trading a Pokemon can give one XL Candy to one of the traders or, on rarer occasions, to both trainers. If players want an XL Candy through trading, both need to be at level 31. Before initiating a trade, check the distance between the two Pokemon. The farther the km/distance, the more likely chance of getting an XL Candy.