When the levels higher than L8 were introduced into the game I've jumped straight to L10 and I'm stuck there since then. My AP is more than 8.4 million which is enough for L12 but I'm still struggling to get to L11.
I've already achieved two black badges with recharging and guardian badges but as I'm an urban player I don't have the same portal density in my area as a metropolitan player does and so I can't get to the next badge levels as fast as they do.
Was it a mistake for me to achieve those black badges so early, and if so are there some other guidelines to follow to raise the badge levels more equally?
Best Answer
No, that wasn't a mistake. Badges levels are cumulative, so a black badge counts also as a bronze, silver and gold badge in terms of requirements. Also, badges gained early still count for the requirements of later levels.
This is better explained by this image:
As you can see those two black badges will still count all the way through level 16, so you'd only need 2 more platinum badges and three gold badges to meet the requirements to get to level cap.
This lets you use any strategy you prefer. You can even concentrate on a badge at a time, knowing that your progress is "saved" for later levels.