This is a little something I've noticed happening so I figure I can at least spread the word from what I've noticed.
In tier 3, when you find a punkin lair, you'll notice the punkin king will grant you 12 various candies upon giving you a treat. However, should you get a "trick", then sometimes you get less than 12...
There's a reason to this. The first 5 times the punkin king is hit by any attack, he will drop a candy. However, should an attack be able to hit more than once (hammer dash, brandish charge, shock spasm), only the first cause of damage will drop a candy. Now this may seem not too bad, however it still takes away a point from the "candy drop-o-meter".
All of you trying to drop mist bombs or shock spasm the punkin king are essentially losing candies. Try hitting the punkin king 5 times before you throw any status or powerful attacks his way to maximize candy gain.
Alternatively it might just be a candy drop cooldown. Regardless, smack the punkin king with single hits about 5 times before unleashing your most powerful attacks if you can so help yourself.
I also realized that the Punkin King was dropping candies as he was being damaged, but I was never counting how many he drops when he's defeated. Good to know Fangel, always the one with the words of wisdom.