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Pokémon Go level 40: Legacy event, rewards, and how to level up before 2021

The best trainers in Pokémon Go - level 40 players - are set to be rewarded, so here’s how to get there before time runs out

There is a way to know if a player is one of the very best trainers in Pokémon Go – level 40. Four years after the game’s release, there are still relatively few players who have reached the level cap because, at the end of the day it’s a mammoth slog. However, now that the level cap has increased, Niantic is offering a special reward to players who reach level 40 before the end of 2020.

As we mentioned, in Pokémon Go, level 40 trainers are the best of the best – and these rewards intend to showcase that. Luckily, we’ve still got a little bit of time before the cut off, but if you want to be classed as a Legacy 40 trainer – and get your hands on those lovely rewards – you’ve got some rapid levelling ahead of you.

Many trainers will be trying to reach the new highest level in Pokémon Go: level 50. But we’re here to get you to level 40 before the end of the year. We’ll detail all of the rewards, as well as all of the bonuses and events that can help you on your way, so you can make it to level 40 before the year is out!

How to get to Pokémon Go level 40:

Legacy 40 event and rewards

Trainers who reach level 40 before the end of the year – that’s literally 11:59pm local time on December 31, 2020 – will earn exclusive rewards. This includes unique Timed Research that rewards an exclusive Gyarados Hat avatar item and a special Legacy 40 medal.

We’ll have more details of the Legacy 40 event closer to the time, but if you’re after a one-time exclusive item and medal, you’d better start earning some serious experience.

XP-boosting events

First of all, there has been a whole reshuffle of how XP is awarded in Pokémon Go. From November 30, you’ll earn more XP for catching and evolving Pokémon, hatching Eggs, registering new Pokédex entries, and more. Niantic says that in some cases, the XP awarded has doubled, so we’ll wait to see exactly how things change.

As an incentive to help you on your way, Niantic has doubled the XP you gain for catching Pokémon from now until the end of the year. Combine this with an item (more on those below) and you could be looking at quadrupling your usual experience just for catching Pokémon – something you probably do every day!

What’s more, the 12 Days of Friendship event which runs from November 18 at 1.00pm PST (9.00pm GMT) until November 30 at 1.00pm PST (9.00pm GMT) offers a chance to earn more XP from participating in raids. That makes the Raid Hour, which goes ahead at 6pm local time on November 25, a perfect chance to gather loads of the good stuff!

Magmar Community Day is a great opportunity to catch loads of the fiery duck Pokémon – and the perfect time to reap XP rewards. Just be sure to utilise your items to maximise the day’s potential…

XP-boosting items

The most obvious item to use is a Lucky Egg. These can be bought in game for 80 PokéCoins – or you can grab a bundle of eight for 500 coins – but you might have a few hanging around your bag anyway. These double the XP you receive for 30 minutes – and that’s all XP. Catching, raiding, levelling up friendships, you name it, it’s doubled.

Combining a Lucky Egg with the double catch XP that’s happening until the end of the year can really help your chances, but you need to maximise the number of Pokémon that appear in the half an hour when your Egg is working its magic. That’s why we recommend using Incense and Lures at the same time to attract Pokémon, which you can then catch.

Incense currently lasts 60 minutes, and Lures for 30 minutes, but if you use an Incense during Magmar Community Day, for instance, it will last for a whole three hours. Stack a few Lucky Eggs up on top of that, and watch your XP rise! Using multiple items at the same time is the best way to maximise their effectiveness, so be sure to keep a few Incense and Lucky Eggs in stock just in case.

If you’re looking for the full rundown of potential XP to be harvested, check out our Pokémon Go event guide, and make sure you know what raids are happening when in our handy guide to Pokémon Go raids – they’re a surefire way to get tons of XP.