How Does Spawning Work in Pokemon Go?
If you've been playing Pokemon Go since launch, you've probably noticed some trends on how and [...]
If you've been playing Pokemon Go since launch, you've probably noticed some trends on how and when Pokemon appear in the game. There are definite spawn points in Pokemon Go, where Pokemon will regularly appear and linger on a regular basis. While the secrets of spawning haven't been entirely unlocked, dedicated Pokemon Go players have figured out the basics to determining when and where Pokemon will appear in the game.
Spawn points are places where Pokemon will appear at least once an hour. Many (but not all) spawn points are marked on player's maps as "moving grass" that occasionally shoots leaves into the air. When a Pokemon appears in the "Nearby" window, the best place to look for it is to see if there's a spawn point in your immediate location. Most often, a spawn point is tied to cell phone data usage, so they're often located in high traffic areas or spots where people regularly check their phones.
So when does a Pokemon appear in Pokemon Go? A spawn point will produce a Pokemon once an hour. While the time varies for each spawn point, the Pokemon should populate at the same time every hour. So, a spawn point should produce a Pokemon at 12:15, 1:15, 2:15, etc. Once a Pokemon appears at a spawn point, it will stay in that spot for fifteen minutes before disappearing. Please note that a player catching a Pokemon at a spawn point will not make it disappear any quicker. All players have fifteen minutes from a Pokemon's appearance to catch it.
There seems to be two types of spawn points in Pokemon Go. Some spawn points are "universal" spawn points that can technically spawn just about any Pokemon. Most often, these spawn points will put out common Pokemon like Pidgey and Rattatas, but they will occasionally produce an uncommon or rare Pokemon. Other spawn points are closer to what players have dubbed "Pokemon Nests", with a much smaller possible list of Pokemon they can produce. If you see a spawn point that almost exclusively produces Charmanders, chances are that spawn point only has a couple of Pokemon it could produce. Not all spawn points are created equal, so some spawn points will produce better Pokemon while others will just pump out Weedles.
With the "three step bug" still a problem in Pokemon Go, understanding and figuring out how spawn points work is crucial if you want to efficiently catch Pokemon and fill out your Pokedex. A little bit of research and observation as to when a Pokemon appears in Pokemon Go will go a long way in helping you find the best spots to catch Pokemon.