New Official Tips for Managing Energy in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League
In the world of Pokemon GO, effective battling relies on the strategic use of resources. One of the most crucial resources is energy, which is generated from Fast Attacks. Understanding how energy is generated and knowing how to utilize it wisely can greatly impact your chances of victory in the GO Battle League.
How Do I Get Energy in Pokemon GO?
Energy in Pokemon GO is obtained every time you use a Fast Attack. The amount of energy gained depends on the specific Fast Attack used. For example, let’s take a look at the Pokemon Swampert, a popular choice in the GO Battle League. Swampert has two Fast Attacks to choose from: Mud Shot and Water Gun. While Water Gun deals slightly more damage per second (DPS), Mud Shot provides slightly more energy per second (EPS). This means that using Mud Shot will make Swampert’s Charged Attacks available faster compared to using Water Gun. It’s important to note that neither attack is inherently better than the other, and trainers must decide whether to prioritize damage or energy gains when selecting a Fast Attack.
With the availability of multiple Charged Attacks for each Pokemon, each requiring different amounts of energy to use, there are numerous variables to consider when choosing Fast Attacks and Charged Attacks. The decision regarding which Fast Attack to use will likely influence the selection of Charged Attacks as well. If a Charged Attack requires a significant amount of energy, it might be advantageous to pair it with the Fast Attack that generates the most energy possible. Determining the superiority of one Fast Attack or Charged Attack over another is challenging, but it is crucial for trainers to understand all the factors related to energy generation and management when making attack decisions.
What is Energy Farming?
In order to grasp the concept of energy management in Pokemon GO, it is essential to understand energy farming, also known as “farming down.” Energy farming involves continuously using Fast Attacks even when a Charged Attack is available, with the goal of saving energy to have one or more Charged Attacks ready for the opponent’s next Pokemon. This technique is particularly valuable in battles that often become a race to unleash a Charged Attack first.
It is advisable to practice energy farming when your Pokemon is battling against an opponent that poses no significant threat. This allows you to accumulate energy without using up Protect Shields. However, it is essential to be aware of the Charged Attacks available to your opponent’s Pokemon. Having a surplus of energy stored up can lead to an unpleasant surprise if your Pokemon is unexpectedly knocked out by a Charged Attack you were unaware of. Since every Pokemon can have up to two different Charged Attacks, it is safest to assume that every opposing Pokemon in battle has access to two.
It’s important to note that there is a limit to the amount of energy you can accumulate. Once you reach this energy cap, indicated by the Charged Attack icons no longer filling up, you need to decide whether to use a Charged Attack or continue with Fast Attacks. For example, if your opponent will be defeated with just a few more Fast Attacks, it may not be worth using a Charged Attack. Each battle situation is unique, and trainers must make strategic choices based on the circumstances.
What Are Some Examples of Energy Farming?
Example 1:
In a Pokemon Salt Lake City Regional Championships match, Trainer Vergverg’s Umbreon has accumulated enough energy to unleash a Charged Attack against Trainer 0ELiTE0’s Froslass. However, instead of immediately using the Charged Attack, Vergverg continues to utilize Fast Attacks, steadily gaining more energy. Vergverg waits until he has more than two uses of Foul Play ready to go before finally unleashing the Charged Attack. By undercharging the attack and not fully completing the sequence, he chips away at Froslass’s HP, postponing its defeat and allowing for a few more Fast Attacks. This strategy accumulates additional energy for Umbreon’s next battle.
Example 2:
In another match, Trainer birdpower13’s Lickitung has gathered enough energy to perform the Charged Attack Power Whip, which could potentially knock out BrokeTravelerEd’s Azumarill. However, birdpower13 decides to use the Charged Attack Body Slam instead, as it deals less damage but also costs less energy. This choice enables her to execute a few more Fast Attacks before Azumarill is defeated. Knowing that Azumarill won’t be able to perform a Charged Attack before fainting, birdpower13 safely accumulates more energy for Lickitung’s subsequent battle.
Example 3:
In the finals of the Salt Lake City Regional Championships, birdpower13, who emerged as the victor, once again showcases exceptional energy management skills. Despite having two fully charged Rock Slides and one Earthquake available for her Galarian Stunfisk, she persists in using the Fast Attack Mud Shot against BuckeyeFitzy’s Lickitung. She waits until Lickitung is on the verge of acquiring a Charged Attack (a skill requiring proficient counting of Fast Attacks) before unleashing a Rock Slide, intentionally underpowering it. This strategic move results in knocking out Lickitung, allowing her Galarian Stunfisk to face off against BuckeyeFitzy’s Medicham with a charged Rock Slide and Earthquake. By eliminating half of Medicham’s health before switching, birdpower13 gains a significant advantage.
What Are the Risks of Energy Farming?
Although energy farming can be advantageous, it carries certain risks. One potential danger is not being aware of how close your Pokemon is to fainting because you are focused on other aspects of the battle. Losing your Pokemon and all the accumulated energy can give your opponent a significant advantage. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor your Pokemon’s HP closely during battles, especially when practicing energy farming.
If your opponent realizes that you are farming energy, they may switch in a Pokemon that can withstand the Charged Attack you are attempting to unleash. This threat exists regardless of energy farming, but it becomes a question of your opponent’s ability to anticipate your decisions. For instance, if you spend a considerable amount of time charging the costly Charged Attack Foul Play with Scrafty and your opponent swaps in an Alolan Ninetales (which is resistant to Dark-type attacks), your energy won’t inflict as much damage as you expected. Any wasted time and effort can be detrimental. However, unless you are familiar with your opponent’s Pokemon lineup, it can be
