7.3 Catching Pokémon:

- When catching Pokémon, the first thing you should know is that the distance you have to throw the Pokéball to catch the Pokémon changes with what Pokémon it is. For example, to catch a Pidgey the throw will have to be short while for a Zubat it will need to be a long throw.

- The smaller the circle is the better the chance of catching the Pokémon is, the circle pauses once the ball is thrown so wait for it to get really small and then throw the ball.

- If a Pokémon has an orange or red circle, consider feeing it a Razz Berry as these Pokémon are not only harder to catch but have a greater chance of running away.


7.4 Getting EXP:

- The quickest method I have found of increasing your trainer level is through either Egg hatching or Evolution. Evolution seems to be there easiest method, every time you evolve a Pokémon you receive 500EXP even if it is the second, third or fourth time you have evolved a Pokémon of this type. I suggest saving up Pidgey, Caterpie and Weedle Candy (12 to evolve) as well as Rattata Candy (25 to evolve) as all of these Candy are easily obtained. Then using a Lucky Egg to double your EXP gain to 1000EXP an evolution you can quickly evolve a bunch of Pokémon and rise in levels quickly. The Lucky Egg lasts for 30 minutes so you have plenty of time to cash in the evolutions.


7.5 Battling Pokémon:

- Make sure when battling gyms that you bring some friends who are on your team with you. 3 or 4 people can quickly take over a gym and the more Pokémon you place in a gym once you control it means it is harder to lose control.

- If every time you start a battle at the Gym and it suddenly takes you out or the other Pokémon is staying at 1HP it means that the Gym has bugged out on you. The most common case I have seen this happen in is when more than one person battles the gym at the same time. The easiest fix is to wait about 5-10 minutes and try again. Sometimes sheer persistence gets through, but most times I think this does more harm than good.

- If you see a nearby Gym controlled by your team with a free slot, drop a Pokémon in. It means that Gym is now stronger and your Defender Bonus is increased.

- If you see a friendly gym which is very close to levelling up in Prestige, stay a while and train. Hopefully it will level up and allow you a slot for your Pokémon.

- This is an exceptionally mean tactic which I have used on occasion and have heard it cause more than a few loud exclamations in the nearby area. If you see a Gym your team controls being challenged by another team. Wait around for a bit and wait for the Gym to turn grey and become unclaimed. Immediately throw one of your Pokémon into them Gym and hey presto your team controls that Gym again. Make sure to be quick though, and make sure a Pokémon you want to place is at full health because the Gym won’t accept it otherwise.

- When Battling a Gym make sure to pack Revives and Potions are your Pokémon can be knocked out, when training a Gym, you only need Potions as your Pokémon will be left on at least 1HP even if it loses.