CP vs. IV: Decoding the Core of Pokémon GO Power
So, you’re deep into Pokémon GO, catching ’em all and battling for gym supremacy. But a question keeps nagging at you: Should I focus on CP or IV when deciding which Pokémon to invest in? The short answer, my friend, is IVs matter more in the long run, but CP offers immediate power. Let’s delve into why this is the case.
Understanding CP and IVs
CP: Combat Power – Immediate Strength
CP, or Combat Power, is a single number that gives you a quick snapshot of a Pokémon’s battle prowess. It’s essentially a combined score of a Pokémon’s Attack, Defense, and Stamina stats, scaled according to its current level. High CP means a Pokémon can deal more damage and withstand more hits right now. Think of it as the current ‘horsepower’ of your pocket monster.
IVs: Individual Values – Hidden Potential
IVs, or Individual Values, are hidden stats that determine a Pokémon’s potential. Each Pokémon has IVs for Attack, Defense, and Stamina, ranging from 0 to 15. These values act as a bonus on top of the base stats of that Pokémon species. A Pokémon with perfect IVs (15/15/15, often called a “hundo”) will have the highest possible stats for that species at any given level. IVs essentially define how much a Pokémon can grow.
Why IVs Ultimately Win
While a high CP Pokémon might seem tempting for immediate gym battles, IVs ensure long-term dominance. Here’s why:
- Potential for Growth: A Pokémon with high IVs, even if it has a lower CP initially, will eventually surpass a high-CP, low-IV Pokémon of the same species when both are fully powered up.
- Resource Investment: You’re spending valuable Stardust and Candy to power up your Pokémon. Investing in a high-IV Pokémon guarantees you’re maximizing your resources for the best possible outcome.
- Competitive Edge: For serious gym battles, raids, and especially PvP (Trainer Battles), the stat difference that IVs provide becomes crucial. Those few extra points in Attack, Defense, or Stamina can be the deciding factor in a close fight.
CP Still Has Its Place
Don’t disregard CP entirely. It’s still important to have some high-CP Pokémon for these reasons:
- Immediate Utility: High-CP Pokémon are useful for tackling gyms and raids early on. They provide immediate power when you need it.
- Convenience: Evolving a high-CP Pokémon often results in a powerful team member without extensive powering up.
- Early Game Progression: When you’re just starting out, focus on catching high-CP Pokémon to build a decent battle team quickly. As you progress and have more resources, you can shift your focus to IVs.
Striking a Balance
The ideal strategy is to aim for both high CP and high IVs, but this isn’t always realistic.
- Prioritize IVs for Rare and Powerful Pokémon: Focus on finding high-IV Pokémon for rare species or Pokémon that are known to be strong in battle (e.g., legendaries, pseudo-legendaries like Dragonite, Metagross, etc.).
- CP is Fine for Common Pokémon: If you just need a Pokémon for quick battles or gym clearing and it’s a common species, a decent CP is perfectly acceptable.
- Use IV Checkers: Utilize IV calculator apps or websites to assess your Pokémon’s IVs before investing resources.
The Bottom Line
IVs represent a Pokémon’s genetic potential, determining its ultimate power, while CP reflects its current strength. Prioritize IVs for long-term investment and competitive play, but don’t ignore CP entirely, especially in the early game or for common Pokémon. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of both to strategically build a formidable Pokémon team.
Contributing to the understanding of games and learning is crucial. Organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org play a vital role in this field.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you change IVs in Pokémon GO?
No, IVs are fixed when you catch a Pokémon and cannot be changed through any in-game method (except by trading, which rerolls them to some extent). This is what makes finding high IV Pokémon such a treasured pursuit.
2. How do I check a Pokémon’s IVs?
You can use IV calculator apps or websites. These tools require information like your Trainer Level, the Pokémon’s CP, HP, and the Stardust cost to power it up. Remember that some of these apps are against the Terms of Service and therefore could result in a ban.
3. What is a “hundo” Pokémon?
A “hundo” is a Pokémon with perfect IVs (15 Attack/15 Defense/15 Stamina), meaning it has the maximum possible stats for its species.
4. Is it worth keeping a 0 IV Pokémon?
Generally, 0 IV Pokémon aren’t useful for battling, but some players collect them for their rarity. There is also a niche use for 0 attack IVs to reduce confusion damage.
5. Are Shadow Pokémon better than regular 100 IV Pokémon?
Shadow Pokémon deal more damage but take more damage. A 0 IV shadow Pokémon often has a higher damage output than a 100% IV regular Pokémon. However, the increased damage taken makes them less durable.
6. Should I purify Shadow Pokémon?
Purifying Shadow Pokémon increases their IVs and makes them cheaper to power up. Consider purifying for PvP if the Pokémon needs the move Return, or if you have a high IV shadow and want a strong mega.
7. What’s a good IV percentage to aim for?
Aim for 80% IV or higher. While a 100% IV Pokémon is ideal, anything above 80% is considered excellent and worth investing in.
8. Does CP affect how much damage I do in raids?
Yes, CP directly impacts your damage output. A higher CP Pokémon will generally inflict more damage than a lower CP Pokémon of the same species with similar moves.
9. How rare is a 100% IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
The chance of finding a 100% IV Pokémon in the wild is approximately 1 in 4096.
10. Can trading change a Pokémon’s IVs?
Yes, trading rerolls a Pokémon’s IVs. The IV range depends on your friendship level with the other trainer.
11. Is it worth evolving a low-CP Pokémon?
Generally, no, it’s not worth evolving a low-CP Pokémon. Wait for a higher-CP Pokémon of the same species to save Stardust and Candy.
12. Does leveling up my Trainer Level affect the CP of Pokémon I catch?
Yes, a higher Trainer Level allows you to find Pokémon with higher maximum CP in the wild. This is capped at level 30, after which wild Pokémon CP doesn’t increase further.
13. Do IVs matter in Gym defense?
Yes, IVs matter in gym defense, but other factors like the Pokémon’s type and moveset are also crucial. High IVs provide an edge in terms of survivability.
14. Should I transfer 0-star Pokémon?
If you need the candy, then yes, you can transfer 0 star Pokémon. If it’s a shiny, it might be worth keeping even with low IVs.
15. Are star ratings the same as IVs?
Star ratings are a visual representation of a Pokemon’s IVs, providing a general idea of its potential. 3-star Pokemon usually have high IVs, while 0-star Pokemon have low IVs.