Mario + Rabbids Sparks Of Hope: The Best Time To Use Star Potions

2017's "Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle" was a sleeper hit, surprising fans as both an ambitious crossover between Nintendo and Ubisoft, and being a solid turn-based tactical game in the same vein as "XCOM." Considered one of the best "Mario"-themed games of all time, Ubisoft went back to the well and has since released its highly anticipated sequel, "Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope." So far, the game has earned critical acclaim for its successful implementation of everything that made the first game special while adding enough new features to keep things fresh. Like the first game, "Sparks of Hope" is challenging. And if you wish to get the most out of the experience, it will require some trial and error.

This is especially true for leveling up your Sparks. For newer players to "Mario + Rabbids," the Sparks' leveling system provides unique abilities such as powers, attacks, and boosts. Your Sparks' levels range from 1-5 and can be upgraded using either Star Bits or Star Potions. Star Bits are the in-game currency that you'll earn by following the core game — defeating enemies and completing missions. Star Potions are a rare item you can find in-game that automatically raise your Sparks level by 1 (via Samurai Gamers). And while it may be tempting to use Star Potions early on to give your Sparks an early boost, it's not worth it. Here's why.

Because Star Potions automatically level up a Spark, they are essentially a shortcut. Therefore, they should be used when you need them as opposed to your earliest convenience. Level 2 will cost 100 Star Bits, while levels 3 and 4 require 200 and 350 Star Bits, respectively. As recommended by Ari Notis of Polygon, you should level up your individual Sparks to Level 3 using only your Star Bits since they are much more plentiful and can always be earned in-game. Then, once they get up to Level 3, you can use whatever Star Potions you have to immediately avoid having to grind the higher levels and instantly get them up to Level 5.

YouTuber GameXplains also recommends players use this method, as it is the most efficient way to level up your Sparks. "Levels 4 and 5 cost a lot of Star Bits, so it's best to use a Star Potion and save your Star Bits to level up another Spark to Level 3," GameXplains in his tips video.

So there you have it. Yes, the early grind will be difficult and you'll likely be tempted to skip the early parts to make your Sparks formidable early on. But this is foolish as it's a short-term solution to a long-term game.