Why Are There So Many Rattata And Pidgey? WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THEM?
They're EVERYWHERE.
By Samantha Khor — 08 Aug 2016, 10:26 AM
So, you've started playing Pokémon GO. In your quest to become the very best (like no one ever was), you've explored every inch of your neighbourhood and beyond in search of Pokémon.
Before long, you realise that you keep bumping into the same few Pokémon over and over and over again. Yes, we're talking about the infuriating Rattata, Pidgey, Weedle, Caterpie, and Zubat.
Writer's note: I didn't believe everyone else when they say Rattata are everywhere until I started playing it. THEY. ARE. EVERYWHERE.
Image via Instagram @teonydonyWhy does it seem like the world is only made up of these Poké-critters? Well, if you're just starting out, you're more likely to meet these super common Pokémon than the other less common ones.
Don't worry, the variety of Pokémon available to you diversifies as you level up. Spoiler alert, these annoying Rattata and Pidgey could even help you advance faster!
So, should you catch every Rattata, Pidgey, and Zubat that comes your way? That's entirely up to you, but having them in your inventory could be a big help in helping you evolve your Pokémon!
You see, there is a 'Transfer' option where you can hand over your duplicate Rattata, Caterpie, or whatever Pokémon you want to get rid of to Professor Willow in exchange for Candy.
Each Pokémon has its own set of Candy, which can be used to Power Up or Evolve a particular Pokémon into the next level of its chain. For example, a Caterpie can be evolved into a Metapod for 12 Caterpie Candy and subsequently into a Butterfree for 50 Caterpie Candy.
How to 'Transfer' duplicate Pokémon to Professor Willow:
1. Go to the Main Menu (the Pokéball at the bottom of your screen).
2. Tap on 'Pokémon' (the circular icon with a Pikachu silhouette on the left).
3. Tap the Pokémon you want to exchange for Candy.
4. Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines at the bottom right of your screen).
5. Tap 'Transfer' and then select 'Yes' when the prompt below appears, and you get a [insert Pokémon here] Candy!
How does this help you level up? As mentioned before, Candy can be used to evolve your Pokémon to the next level in its chain. Not only that - you get 500XP every time you evolve a Pokémon!
Pidgey, Weedle, and Caterpie are the easiest to evolve, requiring only 12 Candy each. Other Pokémon require 25 Candy (e.g. Rattata and Eevie) and up to 400 (Magikarp) to Evolve to its next level. Check out the full list of Candy requirements here.
In addition, you can utilise Lucky Eggs (acquired from Pokéstops and doubles XP gain for half an hour) to quickly gain XP and level up!
Note that you also get 3 Candy and 100XP every time you catch a Pokémon.