The Pokémon world is full of wonder, adventure, and adorable creatures. In Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, you embark on a nostalgic journey through the Kanto region. While the game revamps some classic mechanics, one question often pops up for seasoned trainers: can you get eggs in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!? The answer is a little complex, but let’s delve into it.
The Mystery of Breeding in Let’s Go, Pikachu!
Traditional Pokémon games often involve breeding, a system where you leave two compatible Pokémon at a Day Care, and they eventually produce an egg. This allows you to hatch new Pokémon with specific natures, abilities, and even egg moves. Breeding is a cornerstone for competitive training and completing the Pokédex.
However, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! took a different route. These games aimed to recapture the essence of Pokémon Yellow while incorporating elements from Pokémon GO. As a result, the traditional breeding mechanic was removed. That’s right, you cannot breed Pokémon and obtain eggs in the conventional sense in these games.
This can be disappointing for players accustomed to breeding teams. But, don’t despair! There are alternative ways to strengthen your team and find rare Pokémon.
Why No Eggs? Exploring the Game’s Design Choices
The decision to exclude breeding wasn’t arbitrary. Game Freak aimed for a streamlined experience focusing on catching, training, and battling with your favorite Pokémon. The integration with Pokémon GO also played a significant role.
Pokémon GO introduced a simplified catching mechanic and removed breeding altogether. Let’s Go followed suit, encouraging players to catch multiple Pokémon of the same species to improve their stats and build strong teams. This focus on catching aligns with the game’s mobile counterpart and simplifies the training process for newer players.
Additionally, the introduction of the “Catch Combo” mechanic replaced, in some ways, the desire to breed for specific stats or shiny Pokémon.
Catch Combos: A New Path to Stronger Pokémon
Since breeding is absent, Catch Combos are your primary method for obtaining Pokémon with better stats and potentially rare variants. A Catch Combo involves catching the same species of Pokémon repeatedly. The higher your combo, the better the chances of encountering Pokémon with high IVs (Individual Values), shiny Pokémon, and rare spawns.
IVs are hidden stats that influence a Pokémon’s overall potential. High IVs mean a stronger Pokémon that will perform better in battles. While you can’t directly influence IVs through breeding, Catch Combos significantly increase your chances of finding Pokémon with optimal IVs.
Moreover, Catch Combos increase the chances of encountering rare Pokémon that might not normally appear in certain areas. This encourages exploration and rewards players who dedicate time to building long combos.
Mastering the Catch Combo Technique
Building and maintaining a Catch Combo requires patience and strategy. Here’s how to maximize your success:
- Choose Your Target Wisely: Select a Pokémon species that spawns frequently in a specific area. This will make it easier to maintain your combo.
- Stock Up on Items: Ensure you have plenty of Poké Balls, Berries (to make Pokémon easier to catch), and Potions to heal your partner Pokémon.
- Pay Attention to Pokémon Behavior: Observe how Pokémon react to your presence. Some Pokémon are more likely to flee than others. Use Berries strategically to calm them down.
- Avoid Breaking the Combo: Don’t catch a different species of Pokémon, and don’t run away from encounters. If a Pokémon flees, your combo will be broken. Save often!
- Utilize Lures: Lures increase the spawn rate of Pokémon, making it easier to build and maintain your combo.
Transferring Pokémon from Pokémon GO: An Alternative Source
While you can’t breed, you can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! This is another way to obtain Pokémon with potentially good IVs or even shiny Pokémon.
Pokémon transferred from Pokémon GO arrive in the GO Park complex in Fuchsia City. You can then catch them within the GO Park and add them to your team.
Considerations When Transferring from Pokémon GO
Before transferring, keep these points in mind:
- Transfer is One-Way: Once you transfer a Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Let’s Go, you cannot transfer it back.
- CP is Converted to Level: A Pokémon’s Combat Power (CP) in Pokémon GO is converted to a level in Let’s Go.
- Limited Compatibility: Only Pokémon originally found in the Kanto region (and their Alolan forms) can be transferred to Let’s Go. Meltan and Melmetal are also transferable.
Shiny Hunting Without Breeding
Shiny Pokémon, with their unique color variations, are highly sought after by collectors. The absence of breeding in Let’s Go might seem like a setback for shiny hunters, but Catch Combos provide an excellent alternative method.
As mentioned earlier, Catch Combos significantly increase the chances of encountering shiny Pokémon. A combo of 31 or more is generally considered the sweet spot for maximizing your shiny hunting odds. Combine this with a Lure, and you’ll dramatically improve your chances of finding that elusive shiny.
Tips for Effective Shiny Hunting
- Patience is Key: Shiny hunting requires time and dedication. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find a shiny right away.
- Choose a Good Location: Select an area where your target Pokémon spawns frequently and is easy to catch.
- Monitor Spawn Rates: Pay attention to how quickly Pokémon are spawning. If spawn rates are low, try a different location or use a Lure.
- Save Often: Before engaging with a potential shiny, save your game. If the shiny turns out to have poor stats or you accidentally knock it out, you can reload your save and try again.
The Role of Natures in Let’s Go, Pikachu!
Natures play a crucial role in determining a Pokémon’s stat growth. Each nature boosts one stat while hindering another. While you can’t directly control a Pokémon’s nature through breeding in Let’s Go, you can influence the natures of Pokémon that appear in the wild using Madam Celadon.
Madam Celadon is located in the Celadon City Pokémon Center. By speaking to her and paying a fee, you can specify which nature you want to be more common in wild Pokémon encounters. This allows you to tailor your team to your preferred battling style.
Selecting the Right Nature
Choosing the right nature for your Pokémon depends on its role in your team and your overall strategy. Here are some popular nature choices:
- Adamant: Increases Attack, decreases Special Attack.
- Jolly: Increases Speed, decreases Special Attack.
- Modest: Increases Special Attack, decreases Attack.
- Timid: Increases Speed, decreases Attack.
Closing Thoughts: Adapting to a Breeding-Free World
While the absence of breeding in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! might disappoint some players, the game offers alternative methods for building a strong and diverse team. Catch Combos, transferring from Pokémon GO, and influencing natures with Madam Celadon provide engaging ways to obtain Pokémon with desired stats and traits. By adapting to these mechanics, you can still enjoy the thrill of training and battling with your favorite Pokémon in the Kanto region. So, grab your Poké Balls, start building those Catch Combos, and embark on a new adventure!
How do you get eggs in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!?
Unfortunately, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! do not feature the Pokémon breeding mechanic that has been a staple in other games. As such, you cannot obtain Pokémon Eggs through traditional in-game methods like leaving two compatible Pokémon at a Day Care. These games heavily emphasize catching Pokémon in the wild, building trainer level through repetitive encounters, and completing the main storyline.
The absence of breeding in these games was a deliberate design choice by the developers, likely aimed at streamlining the gameplay experience and focusing on the core mechanics of catching, training, and battling. They wanted a more straightforward and accessible game for both returning players and newcomers to the franchise, removing some of the complexities associated with breeding for specific IVs or Egg Moves.
Are there any ways to get baby Pokémon like Pichu or Cleffa in Let’s Go?
While you cannot breed Pokémon to get baby forms like Pichu, Cleffa, or Igglybuff in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, you can still obtain certain Pokémon that evolve into these baby forms through other means. Some Pokémon species are exclusively found in specific locations throughout the Kanto region.
For example, while you can’t directly breed for a Pikachu to get a Pichu, you can catch wild Pikachu in the Viridian Forest or the Power Plant. Catching these evolved forms remains the sole method of acquiring Pokémon that would typically be obtained through breeding in other Pokémon games. These forms can then be trained and used in battles.
Why was breeding removed from Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!?
The removal of Pokémon breeding in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! was likely due to the game’s design philosophy, aiming for simplicity and a focus on catching Pokémon. The developers wanted to recapture the feeling of the original Pokémon Red and Blue games, making the experience more accessible to a wider audience, including newcomers to the franchise.
Breeding can be a complex and time-consuming process, requiring knowledge of Egg Groups, IVs, and natures. By removing breeding, the games shift the focus to exploring the Kanto region, battling trainers, and catching a diverse range of Pokémon through the simplified catch mechanics inspired by Pokémon GO.
Are there any Pokémon-exclusive events or alternative methods to obtain special Pokémon that normally rely on breeding?
While Pokémon breeding is absent, the developers implemented alternative ways to obtain certain Pokémon that might typically be acquired through breeding in other titles. Special in-game events, like encounters with shiny Pokémon or the introduction of specific Pokémon in unique locations, compensate for the lack of a breeding system.
Furthermore, the games feature Mystery Gift options, which can occasionally provide players with rare or exclusive Pokémon, potentially mimicking the rewards that could be achieved through successful breeding in other games. These events and distributions serve as a substitute, ensuring players still have access to unique or powerful Pokémon.
How does the absence of breeding affect the competitive scene in Pokémon: Let’s Go?
The absence of breeding in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! significantly affects the competitive scene by removing the ability to meticulously breed for specific IVs and natures. Trainers must rely on catching Pokémon with desirable stats and then using Bottle Caps to maximize Individual Values (IVs) for Hyper Training.
This makes the competitive scene more accessible, as players no longer need to spend hours hatching eggs to get the perfect Pokémon. However, it also introduces a greater element of chance, as finding Pokémon with suitable natures and base stats becomes a crucial aspect of building a competitive team.
Can I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon: Let’s Go, and does this affect the need for breeding?
Yes, you can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! via the GO Park complex in Fuchsia City. This allows you to bring Pokémon you’ve caught in Pokémon GO into the Kanto region of Let’s Go, expanding your team options.
However, transferring Pokémon from Pokémon GO does not replace the need for breeding, as breeding is simply not present in the Let’s Go games. The Pokémon transferred from GO retain their stats and nature, so you still have to rely on catching Pokémon in the wild or transferring from GO to build your ideal team. Hyper Training is still needed to maximize the power of your team.
What strategies can I use to get strong Pokémon in Let’s Go given the lack of breeding?
Since breeding is not available in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, focus on maximizing your catch combo to improve the chances of finding Pokémon with better IVs and rare natures. Building a catch combo increases the odds of encountering shiny Pokémon as well, rewarding you for patience and persistence.
Additionally, utilize Bottle Caps and Hyper Training to maximize the IVs of your Pokémon at the Day Care Center on Route 5, allowing you to enhance their stats for competitive battles. Focusing on building a diverse team with strong move sets and strategically utilizing items during battles will further improve your chances of success in the absence of breeding mechanics.