Master the Mystery Box to catch Meltan and evolve Melmetal with proven Pokemon Go strategies
Understanding Meltan and the Mystery Box
The Mystery Box represents your primary method for obtaining the elusive Mythical Pokemon Meltan in Pokemon Go, providing a systematic approach to adding this unique Steel-type creature to your collection.
Pokemon Go enthusiasts seeking Meltan must first unlock the Mystery Box functionality, which serves as a specialized spawning mechanism exclusively for this Hex Nut Pokemon from Generation 7. This guide delivers comprehensive instructions for securing Meltan within Niantic’s mobile game, supplemented with crucial details about its Shiny variant availability.
Among Pokemon Go’s diverse assortment of specialized items serving various functions, the Mystery Box stands out as particularly valuable, enabling trainers to acquire Meltan, the metallic species distinguished by its hex nut appearance originally introduced in Generation 7.
Despite having been integrated into the game for several years, numerous trainers remain unfamiliar with both acquisition methods and optimal utilization techniques. Consequently, this walkthrough provides complete guidance on employing the Mystery Box effectively to obtain this Mythical Steel-type Pokemon.
Trainers have two primary avenues for obtaining Meltan in Pokemon Go: through limited-time Special Research or Timed Research tasks, or by activating a Mystery Box.
The limitation with Special or Timed Research assignments involves their connection to specific in-game occurrences, requiring participants to await activation periods. Conversely, the Mystery Box offers on-demand accessibility whenever desired.
Following Mystery Box activation, Meltan will appear within your immediate vicinity, necessitating rapid capture of as many specimens as possible before their disappearance.
The Mystery Box functions as a specialized Incense-style item that proves essential for acquiring Meltan in Pokemon Go, generating spawns around your location for 60 continuous minutes, delivering ample opportunities to capture this Mythical Pokemon.
After your Mystery Box expires, a mandatory 72-hour cooldown interval commences. During particular celebrations such as Let’s Go events, this waiting period may experience reduction.
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Niantic introduced the Mystery Box to Pokemon Go during 2018 commemorating the Nintendo Switch launches of Let’s Go! Pikachu and Let’s Go! Eevee. It generated significant attention since Meltan represented the first completely original Pokemon to make its initial appearance within the mobile application.
Unlocking the Mystery Box Step by Step
To unlock the Mystery Box, participants must transfer one Pokemon from Pokemon Go to their Pokemon Home account. This process necessitates establishing a Nintendo Account beforehand.
After creating your Home account, return to Pokemon Go and implement these procedures:
You’ll subsequently gain access to the Go Transporter within Pokemon Go’s Home interface. Designate the Pokemon intended for transfer, then launch the Pokemon Home application to confirm the relocation.
Important reminder: transferred Pokemon cannot return from Home to Go.
Upon successful completion, the Mystery Box should automatically materialize within your Pokemon Go inventory. If it fails to appear instantly, attempt restarting the application.
Pro Tip: Transfer common Pokemon you don’t need rather than rare specimens, as the transfer is permanent. Consider sending duplicate community day Pokemon or low-stat creatures to minimize collection impact.
Troubleshooting Note: If the Mystery Box doesn’t appear after transfer, ensure both apps are updated to their latest versions and that you’ve completely closed and reopened Pokemon Go. Sometimes syncing between applications takes a few minutes.
Advanced Meltan Hunting Strategies
Indeed, Meltan can appear as Shiny in Pokemon Go, with its debut occurring in February 2019. However, trainers will exclusively encounter Shiny variants during designated special occasions.
To date, Shiny Meltan has exclusively appeared during these occurrences:
Once you’ve secured Meltan in Pokemon Go, your subsequent objective likely involves obtaining its evolution, Melmetal. This requires accumulating 400 Meltan Candy to evolve a single Meltan, representing a substantial undertaking.
This explains why Mystery Box farming proves crucial. The optimal approach for amassing Meltan Candy involves utilizing Mystery Boxes while capturing maximum Meltan quantities alongside Pinap Berry usage for bonus Candy.
Designating Meltan as your Buddy Pokemon and increasing its Affection Hearts provides another effective technique, as it will gather Candy during exploration. You may also transfer surplus Meltan to Professor Willow for additional Candy rewards.
Advanced Strategy: Activate your Mystery Box during double candy events or while using a Lucky Egg to maximize candy gains and experience points simultaneously. Time your box usage to coincide with weather boosts for Steel-type Pokemon to improve catch rates.
Catching Efficiency: Use Golden Razz Berries for higher-level Meltan to ensure captures, saving Pinap Berries for lower-level specimens. Since Meltan has a relatively low base catch rate, employing curveballs with excellent throws significantly increases successful capture probability.
Meltan Evolution and Combat Capabilities
As a pure Steel-type Pokemon, Meltan possesses these statistical attributes:
Evolution Strategy: Since Melmetal cannot be obtained through raids or wild captures, systematic Mystery Box usage remains your only evolution method. Plan your box activations around your availability to ensure you can dedicate full attention to catching sessions.
Combat Performance: As a fully evolved Pokemon, Melmetal becomes a formidable contender in Master League PvP battles and 5-star raids. Its Steel typing provides excellent defensive capabilities against common Dragon, Fairy, and Ice-type attackers.
Resource Management: Track your candy accumulation progress and consider using rare candies from raids if you’re close to the 400 requirement but want to evolve sooner. However, prioritize using Mystery Boxes as your primary candy source to preserve rare candies for legendary Pokemon.
These instructions provide everything necessary to unlock the Mystery Box and acquire Meltan in Pokemon Go. Explore our additional guides covering top competitive Pokemon selections, upcoming Spotlight Hour schedules, current Raid Boss rotations, and advanced capturing methodologies.
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