Getting Started in Pokémon GO: The Complete New Trainer Guide

Launched in 2016, Pokémon GO turned our streets into hunting grounds. Ten years later, the game has grown considerably richer: Raids, online battles, Mega Evolutions, Max Battles… It can be a lot for a newcomer. This guide goes back to the very beginning so that your first walks are as effective as they are enjoyable.

Your first Pokémon

After creating your avatar, Professor Willow introduces you to three starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. Tap the one you like best to catch it. Here is a little secret known to fans: if you walk away from the three starters several times without catching any of them, a Pikachu ends up appearing at your feet!

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Their full entries in the Pokédex: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle and Pikachu.

The map: where to find Pokémon

Pokémon GO uses your real-world location. Wild Pokémon appear around you, in greater numbers in busy areas, and their type varies with the environment: more Water-type Pokémon near rivers, Grass in parks… The real-world weather matters too: a sunny sky, for example, boosts Fire-, Grass- and Ground-type Pokémon.

• PokéStops (blue discs) are real places: monuments, murals, shops. Spin their photo disc to get Poké Balls, Potions, Berries and sometimes Eggs.
• Gyms (big colorful towers) host teams’ Pokémon and Raids. You unlock them at level 5.
• Power Spots host Max Battles, where you take on giant Pokémon together with other players.

Your first goal: leveling up

Every catch, every PokéStop and every evolution earns you experience points (XP). As you level up, you unlock better Poké Balls, items and new features. The first levels go by quickly: take advantage of that to catch everything, including Pokémon you already have. Their Candy will come in handy later.

Choosing a team at level 5

At level 5, you join one of three teams: Valor (red, leader Candela), Mystic (blue, leader Blanche) or Instinct (yellow, leader Spark). The choice affects neither your catches nor your battles: it determines the color of the Gyms you defend and the leader who appraises your Pokémon. Choose freely, or join your friends’ team.

Research: your common thread

• Field Research is obtained by spinning PokéStops: small tasks (catch 5 Pokémon, make 3 Great Throws…) that reward you with items or encounters.
• Special Research tells a story in several steps and often offers rare Pokémon, sometimes Mythical ones.
• Timed Research accompanies events, for a limited time.

Don’t miss the events

Pokémon GO’s calendar is paced by events: every month, a Community Day puts one Pokémon in the spotlight for a few hours, with bonuses and an exclusive move. On top of that come the three-month seasons, Raid Days and Max Battle Days, and big gatherings like Pokémon GO Fest. Our events calendar is updated every month.

Next step: learning to catch more efficiently, so you save your Poké Balls.