Getting to Know Squirtle
Pokemon Go Squirtle, known as the Tiny Turtle Pokémon, is a beloved starter from the Kanto region and one of the original three choices available to trainers beginning their journey. Its popularity has endured over the years thanks to its memorable appearances in the Pokémon anime, where its personality and loyalty left a lasting impression. As a water-type Pokémon, Squirtle is both versatile and dependable in battles, particularly against fire, ground, and rock types.
With the use of 25 candies, Squirtle evolves into Wartortle, gaining a more mature look and enhanced battle capabilities. Wartortle then evolves into Blastoise using 100 candies, becoming a formidable force with high defense and strong water-type moves. Trainers can further power up Blastoise through its Mega Evolution, which requires Mega Energy and unlocks even greater strength for limited-time battles and raids. Understanding this evolution line is essential for trainers aiming to build a strong and reliable water-type team.
Where to Find Squirtle
As a water-type Pokémon, Squirtle is commonly found in areas close to natural water sources such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and beaches. These environments mimic its aquatic nature, making them ideal places for trainers to search. For those seeking a more consistent way to encounter Squirtle, understanding the concept of Pokémon Go nests can provide a strategic advantage. Nests are real-world locations where specific Pokémon appear more frequently than usual for a limited period.
These nests rotate every few weeks, offering trainers a chance to catch large numbers of the same Pokémon, including Squirtle, when it is featured. Visiting known nest locations during these cycles can significantly increase the chances of collecting Squirtle candies and finding high-IV specimens. Staying engaged with local Pokémon Go groups and in-game events can help trainers identify current nest locations and plan their hunting routes more effectively.
Squirtle Community Day Classic
Pokémon Go frequently hosts Community Day events that highlight specific Pokémon, and Squirtle has been celebrated during a Community Day Classic. These events are excellent opportunities for trainers to catch large numbers of the featured Pokémon, as the spawn rate is significantly increased during the designated hours. A past Squirtle Community Day Classic was held on a Saturday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time, offering various bonuses to enhance gameplay. These included a reduced egg hatch distance, increased Squirtle appearances, and special field research tasks. Lure Modules and Incense activated during the event typically lasted for three hours, helping draw more Pokémon to a player’s location.
One of the key attractions of the event was the ability to evolve Wartortle into Blastoise and receive the exclusive Charged Attack, Hydro Cannon. This move is highly effective in both Trainer Battles and Gym or Raid battles, making it a valuable asset for competitive play. Trainers had until two hours after the event ended to evolve and obtain this move. The event also presented chances to encounter Squirtle in AR Photo mode, adding a bit of extra fun for collectors and photographers alike.
Community Day Classics also boost the odds of finding Shiny Pokémon, and Squirtle was no exception. Trainers had a higher likelihood of encountering a Shiny Squirtle, which features a distinct coloration and is a prized addition to any collection. Additionally, the event included the appearance of the special “Squirtle Squad” Squirtle, recognizable by its sunglasses. This costumed version of Squirtle was available through specific field research tasks tied to the event, making it a unique and highly desirable catch for dedicated trainers.
Preparing for Squirtle Events
To maximize the benefits of a Squirtle Community Day Classic or any event with boosted Squirtle spawns, effective preparation is essential. In the days leading up to the event, opening gifts and spinning PokéStops regularly can help stock up on valuable resources such as Poké Balls, especially Great Balls and Ultra Balls, which are more effective for catching Pokémon and increasing the chances of earning XL Candy, XP, and Stardust. Clearing out regular Poké Balls can free up inventory space for these higher-tier options. Pinap Berries are particularly helpful for gaining extra Squirtle Candy during catches, though using them may slightly slow your catching pace.
Having at least one Incense active during the event can significantly boost spawn rates, especially in areas with fewer natural spawns. If the event offers reduced egg hatch distances, using Incubators strategically can help hatch more eggs quickly, and activating a Star Piece while hatching 12 km eggs can increase Stardust gains. Managing Pokémon storage in advance is also important. Transferring unneeded Pokémon ensures you won’t run out of space mid-event, allowing continuous catching without interruptions.
To get the most out of your event time, avoid catching Pokémon in your main play area about 30 minutes before the event begins. These pre-spawned Pokémon may convert into event-featured Squirtle once the event starts. Similarly, hold off on completing field research tasks until the event is live, as the tasks may shift to ones that offer encounters with the special Squirtle Squad variant. With the right planning, you’ll be well-positioned to take full advantage of everything the event has to offer.
Catching Squirtle Effectively
During a Squirtle event, selecting the right location can make a significant difference in your overall success. Areas with a high density of PokéStops, such as parks or urban centers, offer more opportunities to collect field research tasks, which may reward encounters with the Squirtle Squad wearing sunglasses. These areas also tend to have more frequent Pokémon spawns, giving you a better chance to catch multiple Squirtle in a short time. If you’re playing in a location with fewer PokéStops or spawns, using Rainy Lure Modules can help attract additional water-type Pokémon, including Squirtle. These lures are especially effective when paired with rainy in-game weather, which boosts the spawn rate and strength of water-types.
To make the most of the limited event window, learning and using the fast catch technique is highly recommended. This method allows you to catch Pokémon quickly without watching the full capture animation, helping you move through encounters faster and catch more Pokémon overall. In-game weather also affects gameplay, with rainy conditions not only increasing Squirtle spawn rates but also boosting their Combat Power. A weather-boosted Squirtle can appear at level 35 with a maximum CP of 878 if it has perfect IVs, compared to 810 CP at level 30 in normal weather. Playing during rainy weather can improve your chances of encountering stronger and higher-IV Squirtle, making it a strategic advantage for trainers looking to catch top-tier Pokémon.
The Elusive Squirtle Squad
The Squirtle Squad, known for their iconic sunglasses, are a standout feature during certain Squirtle-themed events in Pokémon Go. Unlike regular Squirtle spawns, these costumed versions are not typically found in the wild during the event window. Instead, they are primarily available as rewards from specific event-related field research tasks. These tasks are usually straightforward and often involve actions like catching a certain number of Squirtle, making them accessible to most trainers regardless of experience level.
A perfect IV Squirtle Squad Squirtle from a research encounter has a CP of 405, making it easy to identify for those seeking top-tier stats. To increase your chances of encountering this special variant, it’s important to actively spin PokéStops throughout the event to gather as many relevant field research tasks as possible. With a bit of persistence and the right strategy, you can secure your very own member of the Squirtle Squad and add this unique costume Pokémon to your collection.
Evolving Squirtle into Blastoise with Hydro Cannon
Evolving Squirtle into its final form, Blastoise, is a satisfying milestone for any trainer and offers both strategic and aesthetic rewards. The evolution process requires 25 Squirtle Candies to evolve into Wartortle, followed by an additional 100 Candies to evolve Wartortle into Blastoise. During a Squirtle Community Day Classic, evolving Wartortle into Blastoise within the event window—or up to two hours after—grants the exclusive Charged Attack Hydro Cannon.
This move is a powerful legacy attack that is typically only available during limited-time events or by using an Elite Charged TM, making it highly valuable for PvE and PvP battles. Hydro Cannon significantly boosts Blastoise’s effectiveness, giving it a strong presence in raids, Gym battles, and certain PvP leagues. To make the most of this opportunity, consider selecting a Squirtle with high IVs for maximum combat potential, or choose a Shiny Squirtle to evolve into a rare and visually distinctive Blastoise that also possesses this elite move.
Understanding Legacy Moves
Legacy Moves in Pokémon Go are special Fast or Charged Attacks that a Pokémon could learn during specific events but are no longer part of its standard move pool. These moves are often tied to limited-time events like Community Days and can give certain Pokémon a unique edge in battles. Because of their exclusivity and potential combat advantages, Pokémon with Legacy Moves are considered valuable by many trainers. Blastoise, for example, can learn Hydro Cannon—a powerful water-type Charged Attack—only during specific events such as Squirtle Community Day. This move significantly boosts Blastoise’s performance, making it a popular choice for players looking to strengthen their teams for raids, Gym battles, and PvP.
In addition to Hydro Cannon, other event-exclusive moves may have been available in the past for Squirtle, Wartortle, or Blastoise, adding to the rarity and desirability of these versions. If you obtain a Pokémon that already knows a Legacy Move, it’s usually wise to keep it, as these moves may never return or could become even more useful with future game updates. For trainers who miss out on event windows, Elite TMs offer a second chance. These rare items allow you to teach a Pokémon a specific move from its entire historical move pool, including Legacy Moves. Using an Elite TM strategically can make a major difference in a Pokémon’s battle performance and long-term value.
Squirtle’s Battle Capabilities
Squirtle, as a first-stage evolution in Pokémon Go, has a maximum CP of 1082, making it more suitable for Great League battles or as a stepping stone toward evolving a powerful Blastoise. Its base stats include 94 in Attack, 121 in Defense, and 127 in Stamina, which provide decent durability and efficiency in lower-tier battles. Squirtle’s Quick Moves include Bubble, a water-type move, and Tackle, a normal-type move. Its Charge Moves are Aqua Jet, Aqua Tail, and Water Pulse, all of which are water-type attacks. When Squirtle uses water-type moves, it benefits from the Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB), increasing the damage of those moves by 20%.
As a water-type Pokémon, Squirtle is vulnerable to Electric and Grass-type attacks, taking 1.4 times the normal damage from these moves. However, it has resistances to Fire, Ice, Steel, and Water-type moves, reducing the damage taken from them to 0.71 times the usual amount. In terms of effectiveness for Gym battles or Trainer Battles, the optimal moveset for Squirtle often includes Bubble as the Quick Move and Aqua Tail as the Charge Move. This combination delivers the highest damage output over time, making it a strong choice for trainers who want to use Squirtle in combat or as a reliable option for evolving into higher forms.
The Allure of Shiny Squirtle
Shiny Squirtle, easily recognized by its green shell and slightly altered color palette, is a rare and coveted variant in Pokémon Go. Although Shiny Squirtle is permanently available in the game, the chances of encountering one during regular gameplay are typically very low. Events like Squirtle Community Day Classic dramatically boost the odds of finding a Shiny Squirtle, offering a valuable window for trainers to add this rare Pokémon and its shiny evolutions—Shiny Wartortle and Shiny Blastoise—to their collection.
During these events, spawns are more frequent and the shiny rate is increased, making it the best time to hunt for this unique version. When encountering a Squirtle, watch for the telltale sparkle animation that confirms it’s shiny, and make sure to catch it quickly to secure your rare find.
Building Bonds with Buddy Adventure
The Buddy Adventure feature in Pokémon Go allows players to strengthen their bond with their Pokémon, and Squirtle makes a great choice as a buddy. By selecting Squirtle as your buddy, you can earn candy by walking 3 km, making it a steady way to accumulate Squirtle Candies for evolutions or powering up. Interestingly, Squirtle doesn’t need to be visible on the map to earn candy, so you can still make progress even if it’s not actively displayed. To further enhance your connection, interacting with your buddy through activities like feeding it berries, playing with it, battling, taking snapshots, and visiting new PokéStops can help you earn hearts and raise your Buddy Level.
As you increase your Buddy Level with Squirtle, you unlock various perks that improve your experience. For example, reaching higher Buddy Levels increases the chance of getting a catch assist, where your buddy helps you during Pokémon captures. You may also find presents and discover new PokéStops, adding extra rewards to your adventures. The ultimate reward is achieving the Best Buddy status, which not only strengthens the bond between you and Squirtle but also grants a CP boost, making your buddy more powerful in battle. These benefits make Squirtle an excellent companion for trainers looking to level up their Pokémon and gain additional in-game advantages.
The Benefits of Trading Squirtle
Trading Pokémon with friends is a key feature in Pokémon Go that provides several benefits, especially during or after events like Squirtle Community Day. Trading allows you to obtain Pokémon with better IVs, increasing your chances of getting a high-stat Squirtle or Blastoise. There’s also a possibility of a trade resulting in a Lucky Pokémon, which requires less Stardust to power up—making it an efficient way to strengthen your Pokémon collection. Additionally, during certain events, trainers may receive bonus rewards for trades, such as an extra candy and guaranteed XL Candy, regardless of the distance between the traded Pokémon. This is particularly useful when trading Squirtle or its evolutions.
Trading Squirtle, especially those with different sizes like XS (Extra Small) or XL (Extra Large), after evolving them into Blastoise can also contribute to earning progress on the “Pilot” medal, which tracks your trade achievements. Keep in mind that there is a daily limit on the number of trades you can make, and special trades—such as those involving Shiny or Legendary Pokémon—are limited to one per day. Making strategic trades during Community Day or other special events is a great way to enhance your Pokémon collection and maximize the benefits of your trading experience.
Understanding Individual Values (IVs)
Individual Values (IVs) are hidden stats that significantly influence a Pokémon‘s potential in battle, affecting its performance across various aspects such as CP, damage output, and durability. IVs are assigned values ranging from 0 to 15 for each of the three main stats: Attack, Defense, and Stamina. A Pokémon with perfect IVs, meaning 15/15/15, will reach the highest possible CP for its species at a given level. However, while IVs are important, they aren’t the sole determining factor in a Pokémon’s effectiveness. A Pokémon’s moveset and your trainer level also play a crucial role in its overall battle capabilities.
During Squirtle Community Day, one way to quickly assess the potential of a caught Squirtle is by checking its CP. Weather boosts can affect the CP, so it’s a useful first step for evaluating its IVs. For a more detailed and accurate assessment of a Pokémon’s IVs, you can use the in-game appraisal system, which provides a rough overview of its strengths in each stat. Additionally, third-party IV calculators are available and can give you a precise breakdown of a Pokémon’s IVs, helping you make informed decisions about which Squirtle to evolve or power up. Understanding IVs is key for trainers aiming to optimize their Pokémon for competitive play or high-level battles.
