Today on our "Pokémon GO" guide, we will discuss one of the most commonly overlooked items in the game.

What Is Stardust?

Most people already know what the stardust is for, but for the sake of the newcomers, we will explain. Stardust can be used to power up any Pokémon in your team, compared to Candies, which can only power up a specific Pokémon evolution family.

Stardust can be obtained by either catching or hatching Pokémon of any species, according to the "Pokémon GO" support page.

How To Power Up Pokémon Using Stardust

There is an option to power up any Pokémon using stardust by heading on to their profile. Remember that you would still need at least one Candy to use stardust for powering up your mon.

Best Way To Get Stardust

The most effective way to farm for stardust is through catching Pokémon, according to Eurogamer. You will be awarded 100 stardust for every Pokémon caught, along with the usual 3 Pokémon Candy. That means that you shouldn't ignore that Rattata you always meet during your adventures.

The next best option is through hatching Pokémon eggs, with 10KM eggs usually netting you around a hefty 2,000 stardust. To effectively use this method, some players buy more incubators using Pokécoins. Whether you will be going the same route is totally up to you.

Defending a gym will also net you tons of stardust, according to IGN. Once a gym is claimed, you will be able to obtain both Pokécoins and stardust every 21 hours by clicking on the shield icon. The amount of stardust increases with every Pokémon defending a gym.

Maximizing Stardust

Now that you know where to get stardust, the next step is to know exactly when to use them. According to Reddit user Bovronius, the best time to use stardust is to wait until you catch a Pokémon with high IV and a great moveset.

Stay tuned for more "Pokémon GO" tips and tricks.