Pokémon Let’s Go: Pikachu and Eevee has been out for a little while now, yet with the holidays last month, many gamers are just starting their newest Pokémon adventure. Let’s Go is like no other Pokémon game has ever been before, and this means that whether you are new to the series or a veteran player, you have a lot to learn about. The game acts as a cross between Pokémon Go and Pokémon’s core series, creating a rather unique hybrid. This guide covers everything from beginner tips to Alolan trade locations. You can find anything you need to know about this unique game right here.
Beginner’s Guide to Pokémon Let’s Go: Pikachu and Eevee
Major differences between Let’s Go and regular Pokémon games
Even if you’ve never played a typical Pokémon game, you are probably familiar with the formula it goes by. You travel around batting and catching a variety of Pokémon. In that sense, Let’s Go is very similar to its predecessors. It’s technically a remake of Yellow, so it follows a similar story and gameplay to that game. Yet, there are key differences between Let’s Go and other Pokémon games that can make it a bit confusing at first.
Catching: The first and most obvious difference between Let’s Go and other core series Pokémon games is how you catch Pokémon. Unlike any other game in the series, you can see Pokémon on the overworld. This lets you avoid unnecessary encounters, while also giving you the opportunity to choose which Pokémon you want to encounter.
Once you’re facing one of these Pokémon, the catching sequence follows a similar mechanic to Pokémon Go. You can give the Pokémon berries to make them easier to catch, and you have to throw a Poké Ball at them. The trick is to try and have the Poké Ball land within the inner circle, while the inner circle is at its smallest. This will optimize your catching experience.
Storage: Other than Let’s Go, each core series Pokémon game features a PC box where you store your excess Pokémon. These boxes were typically only accessible in Pokémon Centers. Let’s Go changes this formula by having your Pokémon storage with you at all times. This means you can switch out your Pokémon whenever you are outside of battle. While this storage system gets full more easily than the box system, you are able to release weaker Pokémon in exchange for special stat-increasing candy.
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HMs: While recent Pokémon games have removed HMs in place of alternative means of travel, Let’s Go is the first to have your starter exclusively use these traveling moves. Without taking up one of its precious move slots, and without needing to be in your party, your starter is able to learn a few special techniques that will allow you to do everything that HMs were used for (such as surfing and cutting trees down).
Stats and Candy: Stats work essentially the same way they always have. However, you are now able to see a Pokémon’s Combat Power (CP). This essentially tells you the power difference between two Pokémon of the same level, as one may have better stats than the other. Additionally, this game has introduced candy, similar to Pokémon Go, that will increase specific Pokémon stats. There is a limit to the amount you can use, but it is pretty high, so feel free to maximize the power of your Pokémon.
Abilities: This game features no Pokémon abilities at all.
Limited list of Pokémon: Unlike other Pokémon games, you’re unable to use any Pokémon outside of generation 1 (excluding Meltan, which is exclusive to this game). However, all generation 1 Mega evolutions do appear in this game, and you are able to obtain Alolan versions of gen 1 Pokémon, so there is more variety than you’d originally expect.
Pikachu and Eevee’s unique moves
Since you’re unable to evolve your starter, it may be tempting to scrap them for a more powerful Pokémon. However, the game has given each of them unique moves as incentive for you to keep them on your team. Many fans scoffed at the names of these moves in the trailers, however, they are each powerful and useful in their own right. If you choose to use your starter than be sure to include these on your Pokémon (locations for each tutor will be listed below):
- Pikachu
- Note: Pikachu only has 4 unique moves, but each one is worth being put on your starter. They give Pikachu powerful type coverage, and one of the best priority moves in the game, Zippy Zap.
- Zippy Zap
- Physical / Electric / 50 power move
- Can be found in the Cerulean Pokémon Center.
- This move will always go first and always crits.
- That means it is essentially an Electric Quick Attack but with 75 base power. It is incredibly strong.
- Floaty Fall
- Physical / Flying / 90 power
- Can be found in the Celadon Pokémon Center.
- Can cause flinch.
- Splishy Splash
- Special / Water / 90 power
- Can be found in the Fuschia City Pokémon Center.
- Can cause paralysis.
- Pika Papow
- Special / Electric / — power
- This moves power is based off your friendship levels with Pikachu. It can range from 1 to 102. Additionally, it will never miss.
- This move can only be used occasionally in battle, and doesn’t take up a move slot. Instead, Pikachu will prompt you to shake the Joy-Con when it’s usable.
- Eevee
- Note: Eevee has one move for each type it can evolve into, plus a Normal type move. Each move is a 90 base power version of another move (typically a status move). This means it’s a more powerful version of an already useful move. If you’re familiar with the base move, then it may help in understanding how this new move works:
- Bouncy Bubble
- Special / Water / 90 power
- Found in Cerulean City.
- The user heals for half the damage dealt.
- A 90 power Water version of Drain Punch and Leech Life.
- Buzzy Buzz
- Special / Electric / 90 power
- Found in Cerulean City.
- Leaves the opponent paralyzed.
- A 90 power version of Thunder Wave.
- Sizzly Sizzle
- Physical / Fire / 90 power
- Found in Cerulean City.
- Leaves the opponent burned.
- A 90 power version of Will-O-Wisp.
- Glitzy Glow
- Special / Psychic / 90 power
- Found in Celadon City.
- Doubles Special Defense of your team for 5 turns.
- A 90 power version of Light Screen.
- Baddy Bad
- Special / Dark / 90 power
- Found in Celadon City.
- Doubles Defense of your team for 5 turns.
- A 90 power Dark version of Reflect.
- Sappy Seed
- Physical / Grass / 90 power
- Found in Fuschia City.
- Drains the opponent of 1/16th health every turn while healing the user by that much.
- A 90 power version of Leech Seed.
- Freezy Frost
- Special / Ice / 90 power
- Found in Fuschia City.
- Removes all stat changes from all Pokémon in battle.
- A 90 power version of Haze.
- Sparkly Swirl
- Special / Fairy / 90 power
- Found in Fuschia City.
- Cures the user’s party of any status conditions.
- A 90 power Fairy version of Heal Bell.
- Veevee Volley
- Physical / Normal / — power
- This moves power is based off your friendship levels with Eevee. It can range from 1 to 102. Additionally, it will never miss.
- This move can only be used occasionally in battle, and doesn’t take up a move slot. Instead, Eevee will prompt you to shake the Joy-Con when it’s usable.
Rideable Pokémon
You’ll notice if you press the + button on a Pokemon in the party, they will follow you around. Well, certain Pokémon will let you ride on them instead. There are three categories for the speed of these rideable Pokémon, Fast, Moderate, and Slow. Moderate Pokémon have the same speed as your trainer’s walking animation, while Fast and Slow Pokémon vary in relation to that speed. Here are all the rideable Pokémon, their speed, and earliest place they can be caught:
- Aerodactyl (Flying)
- Fast
- Earliest Aerodactyl can be obtained from using the Old Amber in Pewter City at the Pokemon Lab on Cinnabar Island (or transferring from Go).
- After the Elite Four is defeated, this Pokémon can fly over trainers and other Pokémon.
- Dragonite (Flying)
- Fast
- Earliest Dratini can be found is Route 10 after getting Sea Skim, or transferring from Go.
- After the Elite Four is defeated, this Pokémon can fly over trainers and other Pokémon.
- Charizard (Flying)
- Fast
- Earliest Charmander can be found is on Route 3.
- Since Charmander is a rare spawn on Route 3, we recommend chain catching to obtain it, or taking the free one from a trainer on Route 25.
- After the Elite Four is defeated this Pokémon can fly over trainers and other Pokémon.
- Persian
- Fast
- Earliest Meowth can be found on Route 24.
- Only obtainable in Let’s Go: Eevee or from transferring in Go.
- Only Kanto Persians are rideable.
- Arcanine
- Fast
- Earliest Growlithe can be found on Route 5, just before the underground tunnel.
- Tauros
- Fast
- Earliest Tauros can be obtained is on Route 14.
- Rhyhorn
- Moderate
- Earliest Rhyhorn can be obtained is in the Rock Tunnel leading to Lavender Town.
- Rhydon
- Starmie
- Moderate
- Earliest Staryu can be found is surfing past Fuchsia City, or transferred from Go.
- Dodrio
- Moderate
- Earliest Doduo can be found on Route 16.
- Machamp
- Moderate
- Earliest Machop can be found in the Rock Tunnel.
- Onix
- Slow
- The earliest location that Onix can be found is Mt. Moon.
- Haunter
- Slow
- Earliest Ghastly can be obtained is in Lavender town after obtaining the Silph Scope (must defeat Erika).
- Snorlax
- Slow
- Earliest Snorlax can be obtained is right after completing the Pokemon Tower, either on route 12 or 16 with the Poke Flute.
- Kangaskhan
- Slow
- The earliest place Kangaskhan can be found is in the Rock Tunnel.
- As a rare Pokémon, it is recommended that you try to catch it through chain catching or transferring from Go.
- Gyarados (Water)
- Can only be used while surfing.
- Fast
- Earliest Magikarp can be found on Route 4 after obtaining Sea Skim, or transferring from Go.
- Lapras (Water)
- Can only be used while surfing.
- Fast
- Earliest Lapras can be obtained is surfing outside of Fuschia City, or transferring from Go.
Note: Only certain Pokémon are faster to get from Go, since you can’t access the Go Park until you reach Fuschia City, halfway through the game.
Alolan trade locations
If you’ve played Pokémon Go or Sun/Moon, then you are probably familiar with Alolan forms. These are gen 1 Pokémon that have been altered by Alolas climate, giving them unique typing and abilities. You’re able to infinitely trade your Pokémon for their Alolan forms at select locations. These trades are completely random, and can even yield a shiny! Here is the location for each one (listed in order of how soon you can obtain them):
- Rattata – Cerulean City
- Geodude – Vermillion City
- Diglett – Lavender Town
- Sandshrew – Celadon City
- Note: Sandshrew is exclusive to the Pikachu version. It can only be obtained in Eevee via trade or Go transfer.
- Vulpix – Celadon City
- Raichu – Saffron City
- Marowak – Fuschia City
- Meowth – Cinnabar Island
- Note: Meowth is exclusive to the Eevee version. It can only be obtained in Pikachu via trade or Go transfer.
- Grimer – Cinnabar Island
- Note: Grimer is exclusive to the Eevee version. It can only be obtained in Pikachu via trade or Go transfer.
- Exeggutor – Indigo Plateau
Note: An Alolan Pokémon will always evolve into their Alolan evolved form. So your Alolan Rattata will evolve into an Alolan Raticate (which is why there is no place to trade for Alolan Raticate).
Master Trainers
Let’s Go has frequently been described as a more casual experience for gamers than previous Pokémon games have been. And while the game holds your hand a lot more than older Pokémon games, Master Trainers are the challenge that elite gamers have been waiting for.
Each Pokémon has a Master Trainer associated with them, most of which you are able to battle. These trainers will challenge you to a one on one battle, where both players can only use their featured Pokémon. So when battling the Rapidash Master Trainer, you and your opponent can only use a single Rapidash. Each Master Trainer’s Pokémon is around level 75, and features a moveset specifically designed to take out themselves, since you’re forced to use the same Pokémon. For example, that same Rapidash knows Drill Run, which will be super effective towards your Rapidash.
By beating these Master Trainers, you will receive a special title. If you defeat the Rapidash trainer, then you will receive the title Rapidash Master. If you receive six or more titles, then you are given the chance to battle Red, with a full team of powerful Pokémon. These challenges are truly great for testing your skills as a trainer.
Also, for the Master Trainers who won’t ask you to battle, such as the Ditto trainer, you simply have to show them a powerful Pokémon of this species. For example, that Ditto Master will ask to see a 4000+ CP Ditto in exchange for the title.
Connecting your Pokémon Go account
It can be a little confusing when you’re trying to connect your Go account to your Let’s Go game, so we’ve created an easy step by step guide on how to connect to your accounts, making the process much easier. This is an important step to do, as it is the only want to obtain certain Pokémon. You’ll also be able to receive some rewards in both games by connecting them.
