Pokémon has not been a difficult series since Generation I and Let’s Go is no exception. With every game, the series only gets easier and easier. For whatever reason, Game Freak seems intent on dumbing down the gameplay until anyone and everyone can power through the games without so much as sweating. This isn’t to say there isn’t hard content, however. Despite its rather easy main game, Let’s Go does get quite difficult near the end. The post game arguably offers a bigger challenge than any other game in the series. Surprising▨, we know, but true. Thriving in the post game requires the skills of a master however.
So what defines a Pokémon Master? It’s not simply filling your Pokédex. Rather, it’s understanding the core mechanics not just of the series, but Let’s Go itself. Game Freak has really outdone themselves in switching up the gameplay loop. Let’s Go have a very distinct gameplay identity compared to the main Generations which gives it a learning curve it wouldn’t have otherwise. A Pokémon Master is someone who can keep up with the change of pace. Someone who knows where to go. Someone who knows what to do. If you’re not already a ꦯmaster, we’re here to help you become one.
25 🃏 Catch Combos ꧃
Where battling once defined Pokémon’s gameplay, catching takes that role for the Let’s Go sub-series. Never before has there been such an emphasܫis on catching Pokémon. Want EXP? Catch Pokémon. Want to progress? Catch Pokémon. What sounds like a st♔ripped down loop is actually enhanced by one detail: combos.
This is the only way you're getting a shiny starter.
Rather than simply allowing players to catch on🌠e by one, combos are in store to help net certain goodies. Specifically, the more Pokémon you catch, the lower the encounter rate for a Shiny becomes. That’s right, if you want a shiny bad enough you can manipulate the RNG in your favor by chaining combos.
24 Candꦆy Streak
Along with helping you catch shiny Pokémon, one of the best benefits from chaining up a catch combo is just how much candy you’ll up getting. As far as Let’s Go is concer📖ned, candy is going to be your main way of beefing up your Pokémon’s stats. The more candy you get, the stronger your Pokémon will be.
Making this a result of a catch combo is one of the smartest things Game Freak could have done. Not only does the catch combo reward you with an aesthetic reward, the amount of candy you get immediately plays into how strong your Pokémon get. It’s basically Let’s Go’s version of EV training.
23 ♚ ღ How To Get The Shiny Charm
If you’re really desperate for shiny Pokémon and catch combos simply aren’t doing enough for you, there is a way you can manipulate the shiny encounter RNG even more in your favor: the S🎀hiny Charm. Upon completing the Kanto Pokédex, you’ll be gifted a shiny charm instead of a diploma.
It comes late, but it's worth it.
Forgivingly, you do not need Mew or Meltan in your Pokédex to get the Shiny Charm. Considering both are incredibly difficult (read: impossible) to get for people who just own Let’s Go, it wouldn’t be fair to block the Shiny Charm away from them. Catc💎hing the rest of the Kanto Pokédex, though? That’s fair game.
22 Skꦏipp﷽ing Lt. Surge
Contrary to popular belief, you do not actually need to beat Lt. Surge third. Realistically, there’s💛 no reason not to and holding him off for later in the game will only make an already easy Gym even easier, but you can theoretically skip him for a tougher mid-game. All you need to do is brute force your way to the fourth Gym.
This does mean traversing a cave in complete darkness, but who hasn’t suffered a similar fate in Gen I? In many ways, it’s ♏a rite of passage for trainers. Should you be brave enough to force your way through a cave you shouldn't be in, you’ll be allowed to tackle all the next Gym Leaders (sans Koga and Blue) in any order.
21 ✤ Sequence Breaking
Speaking of sequence breaking, let’s get a bit more into it. Let’s Go is the mo꧃st sequence break friendly game in the series since Gen I. Upon skipping Lt. Surge, you can actually go all the way to Cinnabar Island and challenge Blaine. That’s right, the penultimate Badge can actually be your third.
From there, you can challenge Erika and Koga in any order. The only real prerequisite for the eight Badges is that you need to defeat Koga before you challenge Sabrina and you need to defeat the other seven Kanto Gym Leaders before yo𓆉u can challenge Blue. Other than that? Go wild.
20 Cerulean Cave’s Many Treasures ඣ
Despite Gen II more or less introducing the concept of the modern post-game (for the series at least,) Gen I did have a bit of post-Elite Four content to satiate fans. Specifically, trainers could go into Cerulean Cave to catch themselves a rather powerful Legendary and find some goodies. Let’s Go makes the cave even better.
Who doesn't want a free Master Ball?
This time around, items in Cerulean Cave actually respawn. Not just that, they’re random. That actually doesn’t sound too good on paper, but you know what you can get f💮rom the cave? A ꦛMaster Ball. That’s right, the randomized items are actually INCREDIBLE. Feel free to visit the cave on the regular and “grind” for items.
19 Catching Mewtwꦿo 🌳
As was the case with G𓄧en I, you can yet again catch Mewtwo in Cerulean Cave. Upon traversing the dungeon like cave, you’l🎃l find Mewtwo at the very bottom. Unlike in the first game, where Mewtwo was more or less a pushover, he actually puts up a surprisingly tough fight this time around.
If you don’t have a Master Ball at the ready (either from playing the main story or simply finding one in the cave,) get ready to spend quite a bit of time trying to catch the Legendary. Make sure you have Pokémon with high HP, too, because Mewtwo will absolu🧜tely brutalize anything in his path if you let him.
18 Getti꧙ng The Good Versions Of The Kanto Starters 🐠
For the first time in the serie꧃s, you can actually cat꧟ch the Kanto starters in the wild, a feat previously exclusive to only fan games. While you can catch Kanto starters in the wild, though, should you? Obviously, the answer is “yes.” Why wouldn’t you want a Bulbasaur or Charmander? Well, because they won’t be very good.
Most of the starters you catch in the wild will have weak base stats. It’s unfortunate, but it’s just how this works. Thankfully, there is a workaround. No, it’s not breeding- that’s actually not in this game. It🌠’s gifting! If you fill out your Pokédex, you’ll be gifted each starter. 40 nets you Bulbasaur, 50 nets you Charmand𝕴er, and 60 nets you Squirtle.
17 Chansey Grinding ✤
Cerulean Cave is such a magical place, isn’t it? Not only can it get you randomly generated Master Balls, it’s also home to everyone’s favorite Legendary Pokémon: Chansey. Well, Chansey isꦫn’t actually a Legendary, but she serves a truly legendary purpose: experience grinding.
Get ready to rake in the experience.
Across all Generations, Chansey has been a wonderful source of experience. That hasn’t changed in Let’s Go. By catch comboing enough ⛄Chanseys in Cerulean Cave, you can grind out massive amounts of levels on a scale like never before.This stands as one of the only times in the series where it’s totally viable to just grind via wild Pokémon🌳.
16 🉐 The Early Game Catchꦑing Grind
On the subject of grinding, if for🌌 whatever reason you’re struggling early on (either intentionally or because you’re doing a challenge run,) you can actually catch combo Rattatas or Pidgeys to earn some quick experience. Naturally, this method will only work fairly early in the game and will lose his usefulness fast, but it does work. Simply catch either Pokémon repeatedly in order to build up your combo. Along wit♉h getting more candy, you’ll gradually get more experience. It won’t award you with too many levels, but it will give you the edge you need early on.