Pokémon GO has been around for quite some time now, but people still have some misconceptions about the purpose of account levels. In this Pokémon GO accounts guide, I'll cover what levels actually unlock, why you want to level it up as high as possible, and what benefits there are.
What Pokémon GO Account Level Does
Account level is one of the most important aspects of Pokémon GO. Along with handy rewards, it unlocks some gameplay elements that you won't have access to until you reach a certain level. Leveling up your account isn't hard cause you gain XP for multiple things, such as:
- Catching Pokémon
- Spinning PokeStops
- Raiding & Battling
- Completing Research
- Sending Gifts
- Participating in Events
The problem lies in the fact that it becomes harder and harder to level up your account as time goes on, and you'll inevitably get burned out if you're trying to achieve max level asap. That's why, if you don't want to grind, it's crucial to pick the best Pokémon GO accounts. While you can catch Pokémon and enjoy basic gameplay elements, using Pokémon GO as a way to go out and touch grass, deeper systems of the game remain inaccessible. Despite that, having a high-level account on its own doesn't say much. You can be level 45 and have strong raid teams, lots of Stardust, some Shiny Pokémon, and old Pokémon that only dropped from a limited-time event. After level 35, you unlock all elements of the game and can slow down a little and focus on improving every other aspect of your critters. Now let's see what you get for leveling up.
Pokémon GO XP Chart and Level Unlocks
If I were to list every single reward for gaining a level in Pokémon GO, it'll be a really lengthy list that you would have trouble reading and understanding. Instead, I'll focus on the most important gameplay systems that the leveling system unlocks. Here's what you unlock with account levels in Pokémon GO:
| Trainer Level | Unlock | What It Does for You |
| 5 | Teams, Gyms, Raids | Unlocks real Pokémon GO with Gyms and Raids |
| 10 | Trading, GO Battle League | Trading is a crucial part of the game since the GB days, and GO Battle League is a PvP mode with a plethora of rewards |
| 21 | Party Play | Lets you group with nearby Trainers for Party Challenges and bonuses |
| 31 | Candy XL | Big powerspike for your Pokémon roster, allowing you to push them beyond their CP limit. The most important unlock from account leveling |
| 35 | Wayfarer access | Lets eligible players submit PokéStop and Wayspot nominations. |
| 70–80 | Level-Up Research | From lvl 70, you need to complete tasks to level up your account. XP alone isn't enough anymore. |
| 80 | Current max level | The highest Trainer Level available right now. |
For most players, reaching level 31 is the most important step in becoming a competitive Trainer. Candy XL unlocks Pokémon's true potential and lets them become the powerhouse they can be. Level 80 is the current level cap, and you can't get any higher than that. If you're curious what you get between these milestone levels, here's a general rewards list:
- Poke Balls
- Nanab Berries
- Potions
- Revives
- Lucky Eggs
- Incense
- Lure Modules
- Raid Passes
- Incubators
- TMs
- Premium Raid Passes
- Item, Gift, Pokémon, and Postcard Storage Increases
As you can see, it's very beneficial to grow your account, but don't do stupid things in order to grow it faster. Don't upgrade the Pokémon you don't care about just so you get a level up. Usually, it's not worth spending the resources
Why Progressing the Account Level is More About Time than Money
While Pokémon GO has paid items, you can't buy Trainer Levels directly. All the raid passes, incubators, event tickets, and Luck Eggs are only there to help you play more efficiently. Earning XP can only be done by playing the game, as it's not one of those idle games where it can play itself while you're watching something on TV. A road from level 1 to 80 is a really long one. This is the main reason why high-level accounts are so valuable. Having a high-level account means that the boring part of the grind is already done, which can be even more attractive than having a rare Shiny. Take a look at the table that shows the benefits of getting an upgraded account:
| Feature | Why It's Important |
| Stardust | Upgraded accounts usually have a decent amount of Stardust that's needed for power-ups, trades, second Charged Moves, and PvP builds |
| Candy XL | Perhaps even more important for high-level Pokémon and Master League builds |
| Legendary Pokémon | Grown accounts usually have some number of those. Getting a leveled Rayquaza isn't unheard of |
| Shiny Pokémon | Big collector value, especially old or event-limited Shinies |
| Hundo Pokémon | Perfect IV Pokémon are always desirable |
| Shundo Pokémon | Shiny + perfect IV, one of the biggest account flexes one can have |
| Old event Pokémon | Some can be hard, or even impossible, to get again |
| PvP-ready Pokémon | Plug'n'play Pokémon. You already have strong monsters in your roster |
| Storage upgrades | Lowkey, one of the most important long-term upgrades. Makes the account easier and cheaper to use |
Hundo and Shundo in Pokémon GO are perhaps one of the most sought-after features of the game. A Hundo is a Pokémon with perfect IVs (Individual Values), which basically means it has perfect stats. Shundo is a Shiny Pokémon with perfect IVs, which can earn you hundreds of dollars cause collectors are ready to pay real money for those.
Best Pokémon GO Account Level to Look For
If you need advice on choosing the right Pokémon GO account for purchase, here's how I'd break them down:
| Account Level | Explanation |
| 1–9 | Too fresh for most players, unless it already has something rare on it |
| 10–20 | Trading, PvP, and many basic systems are open |
| 21–30 | More complete casual account with Party Play and somewhat leveled Pokémon |
| 31–34 | An account with freshly unlocked Candy XL and untouched Pokémon is quite valuable, though not very pricey |
| 35–49 | Wayfarer access and most important gameplay systems are active |
| 50–69 | Veteran accounts. Check Stardust, Pokémon, medals, and storage when choosing one |
| 70–80 | Prestige range with serious long-term time investment behind it. Can be really expensive |
For the vast majority of players, getting a level 31+ account is the wisest investment. Believe it or not, these accounts usually have more money invested in them than they cost. If you're willing to spend more, look for accounts around level 50-70. If you're really rich, 70-80 are there for you, but at that point, why even play the game? Anyway, the most important thing when picking an account is looking at the storage, Stardust amount, Shinies (as well as Hundos and Shundos), Legendaries, old event rewards, and raid teams.
F.A.Q
Is it legal to buy Pokémon GO accounts?
While it's not legally forbidden to buy them, it goes against Pokémon GO's TOS. Developers say not to purchase or trade accounts, but so far, there are no confirmed cases where the purchased accounts were banned, so it's pretty safe. Be sure to check the account you're purchasing for cases of cheating violations or limited access.
Who has the best Pokémon GO accounts?
My website of choice for purchasing Pokémon GO accounts is Playhub, but there are plenty of marketplaces like Eloboost or Eldorado where you can buy accounts as well.
How to look up Pokémon GO accounts?
When checking a Pokémon GO account on a marketplace, don't judge it by Trainer Level alone. Look at the Pokémon roster, Stardust, storage capacity, Legendaries, Shinies, Hundos and Shundos, PvP-ready teams, old event Pokémon, and whether the account has useful resources like Candy XL. A lower-level account with a strong collection can be a much better buy than a high-level account with weak Pokémon and poor storage.
