Incense is a powerful item in Pokémon GO that attracts Pokémon to your location for a limited time. This guide covers the types of Incense, best practices for using it, optimal timing and location strategies, and special events featuring Incense to help you maximize your gameplay.
Types of Incense and Their Effects
Standard Incense
Standard Incense in Pokémon GO lasts for 60 minutes and attracts one Pokémon every five minutes when you’re stationary. If you’re moving, the spawn rate increases to one Pokémon per minute, making it ideal for players who enjoy walking or exploring new areas while playing.
Special Incense
Event-Specific Incense: During certain events, Incense can attract event-specific Pokémon more frequently. These events often feature unique Pokémon that aren’t typically available in the wild, making them highly sought after by trainers.
Daily Adventure Incense: This type of Incense lasts for 15 minutes and is designed to attract rarer Pokémon. It’s a great way to encounter Pokémon you wouldn’t normally see in your area, adding an element of excitement to your daily Pokémon GO adventures.
Best Practices for Using Incense
Maximize Pokémon Spawns
- Keep Moving: Moving increases the frequency of Pokémon spawns. Walking at a moderate pace is ideal for maximizing the effectiveness of your Incense. This is especially useful during events where specific Pokémon are more likely to appear.
- Use in High-Density Areas: Activate Incense in areas with many PokéStops and gyms. This not only increases the variety of Pokémon you can encounter but also helps you restock on items as you play.
Pair with Other Bonuses
- Lucky Eggs and Star Pieces: Use a Lucky Egg or Star Piece alongside Incense to maximize your XP and Stardust gains from catching Pokémon. This is particularly beneficial during events that offer double XP or Stardust bonuses.
- Weather Boosts: Use Incense during weather conditions that boost the types of Pokémon you want to catch. For example, using Incense during rainy weather can increase the likelihood of encountering Water-type Pokémon, which may also benefit from a weather boost in their stats.
Timing and Location Strategies
Optimal Times to Use Incense
- During Events: Many Pokémon GO events increase the effectiveness of Incense, making it an ideal time to use it. Events like Community Days, Spotlight Hours, and themed events can dramatically boost the spawn rates and variety of Pokémon.
- Peak Activity Periods: Use Incense during peak activity periods when more players are active. This increases the chance of encountering Pokémon with higher IVs due to player activity influencing spawns.
Best Locations
- Urban Areas: Cities and towns with high player activity and many PokéStops are perfect for using Incense. The higher density of spawns can lead to a more diverse range of Pokémon.
- Parks and Natural Areas: These locations often have specific Pokémon biomes, allowing you to target particular types of Pokémon that spawn more frequently in those environments. Parks are especially good during events that boost spawns of particular types of Pokémon.
Special Events Featuring Incense
Community Days
During Community Days, Incense typically lasts for three hours and attracts the featured Pokémon more frequently. This is a fantastic opportunity to catch a large number of the spotlight Pokémon and possibly its shiny variant. Make sure to plan your day around these events to maximize your catches.
Spotlight Hours
These weekly events often include bonuses for using Incense, such as increased spawns of a specific Pokémon or additional XP for catching Pokémon. Spotlight Hours are a great way to focus on specific Pokémon you might need for evolving or completing your Pokédex.
Seasonal Events
Special events like Halloween, Christmas, and other themed celebrations often feature boosted Incense effects. These events can include exclusive Pokémon, increased shiny rates, and other bonuses that make using Incense particularly rewarding. Keep an eye on the event schedules and plan your Incense usage accordingly.
Effectively using Incense in Pokémon GO can significantly enhance your gameplay experience by attracting more and rarer Pokémon to your location. By understanding the different types of Incense, following best practices, strategically timing and locating your Incense use, and taking advantage of special events, you can maximize your catches and enjoy the game even more.
If you want to get the exact locations of Pokémon in your area, you should check out our real-time interactive Pokémon map at Pokemap.net.