Heidi Norton
In Pokémon Go, incense is used to draw Pokémon to your location. While it is not necessary to be moving for it to work, walking, jogging, or running will optimise its usage. The spawn rate for stationary incense is one spawn every five minutes, while moving incense has a spawn every 30 seconds. Some players have also found success in turning their location off and on again, causing their player to drift and sometimes resulting in two spawns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Movement required | Yes, you usually have to be moving for incense to work. However, some users have reported that they get some spawns while standing still, although this may be due to their avatar moving a decent distance on the map. |
| Optimal movement | Walking, jogging, or running. Some sources mention that walking is sufficient to maximise the area in which the incense can work, while others suggest that faster movement is required for increased effectiveness. |
| Spawn rate | The spawn rate for stationary incense has decreased over time, with some users reporting one spawn every 10-15 minutes. Moving incense has a higher spawn rate, with one spawn every 30 seconds. |
| Location | Incense tends to work better in populated areas such as shopping malls or town centres compared to less populated areas like forests or the countryside. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is more effective when moving
The change was made to get players moving and out of the house, but some players have criticised this, arguing that not everyone is able-bodied and that this throws disabled players "under the bus". Others have pointed out that extreme weather can make playing outside dangerous for your phone, due to battery drain and overheating.
However, if you are able to move, it is still possible to make the most of your incense. One player recommends using incense in populated areas, such as shopping malls or town centres, as you will get better results than in the forest or countryside. Another player found that they got 8 Pokemon spawns instead of the usual 20-24 over a distance of 900m, although they were unsure if this was due to the weather or their changing location.
Another way to increase the effectiveness of incense is to combine it with other items. One player found that activating incense, an XP egg, and a lure module at two Pokestops close to each other was the best use of their incense.
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Incense can still work when standing still
The reduction in spawns for stationary incense was a deliberate change made by Niantic, the developers of Pokémon Go, to encourage players to get out and moving. Before the change, incense used to provide 1 spawn per minute, but now it provides 1 spawn every 5 minutes for stationary players. This has been a point of contention among players, especially those who are unable to move around due to various reasons such as extreme weather, disability, or post-COVID chronic illness.
Despite the reduced effectiveness, there are a few strategies that players have shared to optimize incense usage while standing still. One method is to turn the location off and back on, causing the player's avatar to drift and sometimes resulting in 2 spawns. Another strategy is to use incense in certain areas of the house that have shown better results in the past. However, these methods are not guaranteed to work every time, and the general consensus is that moving around will yield significantly more spawns.
In conclusion, while incense can technically work when standing still, its effectiveness is greatly diminished. The best way to maximize the usage of incense is to use it while walking or moving around, preferably in populated areas such as shopping malls or town centers.
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Incense spawns new Pokemon
Incense is an item that makes Pokémon spawn near a Trainer temporarily. When activated, it shows a pinkish cloud aura around the Trainer. The effect will follow the Trainer if they continue to travel, though it is also possible to keep catching Pokémon while remaining in one place.
Incense does not move Pokémon towards you; instead, it spawns new Pokémon for you. The Pokémon lured by the Incense will also have a pink cloud aura. Spawns are either based on the local biome of the player or on an ongoing event.
Incense can be used in populated areas such as shopping malls or town centres, but it can also be used in rural areas. It is often better to use Incense in populated areas, as you will get much better results than in the forest or countryside.
To optimise the usage of Incense, it is best to be walking or jogging. If you are standing still, Incense will spawn one Pokémon every five minutes. Moving reduces the interval to one Pokémon every minute or 200 meters, whichever happens first. Special Incense, like the Daily Adventure Incense, increases spawn rates to one Pokémon every 30 seconds if you are walking.
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Incense is best used in populated areas
Incense works by spawning new Pokémon near you, and populated areas provide more opportunities for these spawns to occur. The more populated an area is, the more potential there is for Pokémon to appear. This is especially true if you are also moving around, as this increases the area in which the incense can work. Walking, jogging, or running can all help to improve the effectiveness of incense.
However, it is important to note that simply moving to a new location is not always enough to make incense work optimally. The distance you move and the speed at which you move can also impact the effectiveness of incense. For example, pacing in large circles around a building may not be as effective as walking in a straight line for a decent distance. Additionally, the speed required to trigger the increased effectiveness of incense is around 6km per hour, which is above the average walking speed.
To get the most out of incense, it is recommended to combine it with other in-game items such as lure modules and XP eggs. Using these items together at PokéStops can result in drastically more Pokémon spawns. Additionally, certain areas of your house may be better for incense spawns than others, so it's worth experimenting to find the optimal location.
In conclusion, while moving can definitely improve the effectiveness of incense, it is not always necessary or feasible. Incense is best used in populated areas with good signal, and combining it with other items and strategies can further improve its effectiveness.
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Incense works better when paired with a lure module
Incense is an item that attracts Pokémon to spawn near a Trainer for a limited time. While Incense does work when the Trainer is stationary, it is more effective when paired with a Lure Module and the Trainer is moving.
Incense can be purchased from the in-game store or earned for free by levelling up or leaving Pokémon at a Gym. It is particularly useful when a Trainer wants more Pokémon to catch. When activated, Incense is indicated by a pinkish cloud aura around the Trainer, and any Pokémon that are spawned by it will also have this pink mist circling them.
Incense is most effective when paired with a Lure Module. While Incense attracts Pokémon to spawn near a Trainer, it does not make a difference whether the Trainer is walking or standing still. However, the Lure Module allows the Trainer to share the additional Pokémon spawned by the Incense with others nearby. Therefore, to maximise the number of Pokémon spawned and to share these with others, it is best to use Incense in conjunction with a Lure Module.
Additionally, the effectiveness of Incense is influenced by the Trainer's movement. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Incense spawned Pokémon every five minutes, even if players were standing still. However, this has since been removed, and players now need to be walking for Incense to work optimally. Specifically, Incense spawns one Pokémon when the Trainer walks 200 meters or waits every five minutes while not moving. Therefore, in 60 minutes, a Trainer can obtain six Pokémon by standing still and up to 30 Pokémon by moving.
Furthermore, the speed of movement also affects the effectiveness of Incense. The increased effectiveness while stationary made Incense usable for many players, especially during extreme weather conditions or for those with disabilities or chronic illnesses. However, the speed required to trigger the increased effectiveness of Incense is around 6km per hour, which is above the average walking speed. Therefore, to get the most out of Incense, it is best to pair it with a Lure Module and maintain a brisk walking pace.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you usually have to be moving for incense to work. However, some users have found that they can get some spawns by moving their avatar a decent distance on the map, even if they are physically standing still.
You should be walking, and ideally, you should be jogging or running to get the most out of your incense. The speed for increased effectiveness is around 6km per hour, which is above the average walking speed.
Niantic, the company that makes Pokémon Go, wants to encourage players to get out and be active.
You should be moving to maximize the area in which the incense can work, but you don't need to walk to new places. Pacing in large circles or moving a decent distance in a straight line should be enough.
The requirement to move for incense to work can be difficult for players who are not able-bodied or who live in areas that are not safe to traverse on foot. Some players have expressed frustration with this change to the game.
