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Should I Power Up High IV Pokémon? A Comprehensive Guide

The burning question every serious Pokémon GO player eventually faces: Should I power up high IV Pokémon? The short answer is: it depends, but generally, yes. A Pokémon’s Individual Values (IVs) are hidden stats that determine its potential in battle. High IVs mean a Pokémon can reach a higher Combat Power (CP) and perform better. However, there are many factors to consider before committing your precious Stardust and Candy. Let’s delve into the intricacies of IVs, CP, Trainer Level, and your personal goals to help you make the best decision for your team.

Understanding IVs, CP, and Trainer Level

Before we dive deeper, it’s crucial to understand the three key elements that influence a Pokémon’s strength:

Individual Values (IVs): These are hidden stats, ranging from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and HP. They’re fixed at the time of the Pokémon’s encounter/hatch and cannot be changed (without the use of specific items introduced later in the game). Higher IVs translate to a stronger Pokémon overall.
Combat Power (CP): CP is a composite number that reflects a Pokémon’s overall strength. It’s determined by the Pokémon’s species, level, and IVs. Higher CP generally means a stronger Pokémon.
Trainer Level: Your Trainer Level unlocks access to higher level Pokémon in the wild and the ability to power up your Pokémon to higher levels.

Factors Influencing Your Power-Up Decision

Here are the main factors that you need to consider before powering up your Pokémon:

IV Distribution: A perfect 100% IV Pokémon (15/15/15) is the ultimate goal. But don’t dismiss Pokémon with slightly lower IVs. A Pokémon in the 80-99% range can still be incredibly powerful and worth investing in, particularly if it excels in one or two key stats.
Pokémon Species: Some Pokémon are inherently better than others due to their base stats and move sets. Powering up a high IV but weak Pokémon isn’t efficient. Focus on Pokémon that are known to be strong in raids, gyms, or PvP battles.
Move Set: A Pokémon’s move set is almost as important as its IVs. Even a Pokémon with high IVs will underperform if it has a poor move set. Use TMs (Technical Machines) to reroll your Pokémon’s moves, if possible, and aim for the optimal move set for its role.
Your Trainer Level: As mentioned earlier, your Trainer Level dictates the maximum level you can power up your Pokémon. It’s generally advisable to hold off on serious power-ups until you reach a higher Trainer Level (around Level 30 or higher).
Available Resources: Powering up Pokémon requires Stardust and Candy, both of which can be scarce. Don’t waste your resources on Pokémon you’re not sure about. Prioritize Pokémon that will make a significant impact on your gameplay.
Your Goals: Are you focusing on Raids, Gyms, PvP, or just collecting? Your goals will determine which Pokémon are worth powering up. Raid attackers require high damage output, gym defenders need bulk and longevity, and PvP Pokémon often benefit from specific stat distributions.
Shadow vs. Non-Shadow: Shadow Pokémon have a damage output boost but take more damage. This makes them amazing raid attackers, but not as useful in gym defense or PvP.
Mega Evolution: If a Pokemon has a Mega evolution, that will give it a significant boost to its CP and can be a relevant thing to consider when deciding whether to spend resources.
Cost of powering up: Different pokemon require different amount of resources to power up.

When Should You Power Up?

High-Tier Pokémon with Excellent IVs and Move Sets: If you have a Pokémon that is already known to be a strong attacker or defender, and it has high IVs (80% or better) and a good move set, it’s almost always worth powering up.
Pokémon Needed for Specific Raids or Battles: If you’re struggling with a particular raid boss, powering up a Pokémon with the correct type matchups and move set can make all the difference.
When You Need Strong Gym Defenders: Placing strong defenders in gyms can earn you valuable PokéCoins. A high IV Pokémon with a good defensive move set is a great investment for gym control.
When You Want to Compete in PvP: PvP requires strategic team building and well-rounded Pokémon. A Pokémon with a good IV distribution and move set can give you a competitive edge in PvP battles.

When to Hold Off

Low Trainer Level: Save your Stardust and Candy until you reach a higher Trainer Level to maximize the potential of your Pokémon.
Weak Pokémon: Don’t waste resources on Pokémon that are inherently weak, even if they have high IVs. Focus on the meta-relevant choices.
Bad Move Sets: Before powering up Pokémon with good IV, make sure the movesets are acceptable.
Insufficient Resources: It is wise to hold on to your Stardust and Candy until you have enough resources to power up a Pokémon to a usable level.
Lower IV when a better one may be available soon: During events with increased spawn, it is not worth it to power up a Pokémon with great IV when a better one might show up soon.

The Value of a Perfect Pokémon

Many people ask, “Should I ONLY power up Pokémon with perfect IVs?” While a 100% IV Pokémon is the dream, waiting for one before powering up anything can be a major disadvantage. Perfect Pokémon are rare. Holding out for one could mean missing out on opportunities to participate in raids, defend gyms, and compete in PvP.

Focus on What You Need

Ultimately, the decision to power up a Pokémon depends on your individual needs and goals. Do you need a strong raid attacker? A reliable gym defender? A competitive PvP Pokémon? Evaluate your current team, identify your weaknesses, and prioritize Pokémon that can fill those gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are high IV Pokémon better in Pokémon GO? Yes, the higher the IV stat, the better the Pokémon’s Attack, Defense, or HP will be. A Pokémon with high IVs can reach a higher CP and generally perform better in battles.
What is a “perfect” IV Pokémon? A perfect IV Pokémon has the maximum possible value in each of its three stats: Attack, Defense, and HP. That is, a 15/15/15.
Is it worth evolving a Pokémon with high IVs but low CP? Generally, yes. The CP will increase upon evolution, and a Pokémon with high IVs will have a higher potential CP than one with low IVs.
Should I power up a Pokémon before evolving it? Never power up a Pokémon before evolving it! Evolving a Pokémon changes its moveset, and it’s best to wait until after evolving to ensure you have a desired moveset.
Does evolution affect a Pokémon’s IVs? No, IVs do not change when a Pokémon evolves. A 100% IV Pokémon will remain a 100% IV Pokémon after evolving.
How do I check a Pokémon’s IVs? Use a third-party IV checker app or website, such as Poke Genie or Calcy IV, to estimate a Pokémon’s IVs. The in-game appraisal system can give you a general idea, but is not precise enough to reveal all of the information.
What’s the difference between CP and IVs? CP represents a Pokémon’s overall strength, while IVs are hidden stats that contribute to its potential. A high CP Pokémon might not have great IVs, and vice versa.
Should I keep Pokémon with low IVs? Generally, no. Low IV Pokémon will not reach their full potential and are best transferred to Professor Willow for Candy.
What’s the ideal IV spread for PvP Pokémon? The best IV spread for PvP depends on the specific Pokémon and the League. However, a general guideline is to prioritize low Attack and high Defense and HP. This is because CP calculation favors Attack, and lower attack allows the Pokemon to remain within the CP limits for longer, increasing the overall bulk.
How rare are 100% IV Pokémon? The chance of encountering a 100% IV Pokémon in the wild is approximately 1 in 4096.
What should I do with a high IV Ditto? A high IV Ditto can be useful for gym battles because it transforms into other Pokemon. However, in modern times, it is more valuable to find Pokémon caught in six-star raids, which guarantee to have five perfect IVs with their sixth stat being a random IV between 0 and 31.
Does weather boost affect a Pokémon’s IVs? No, weather boost does not affect a Pokémon’s IVs. However, it does increase the Pokémon’s level upon encounter.
How do IVs affect damage output in battles? IVs affect damage output by influencing the Pokémon’s Attack, Defense, and HP. Higher IVs mean a Pokémon will deal more damage, take less damage, and have more HP.
What level should I be before seriously powering up my Pokémon? Trainer Level 30 is a good benchmark. Reaching this level allows you to encounter Pokémon with higher maximum CP values in the wild, and the ability to power up your Pokémon to higher levels.
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Conclusion

Powering up high IV Pokémon is a crucial part of becoming a successful Pokémon GO player. Understanding the factors that influence a Pokémon’s strength, prioritizing your goals, and managing your resources wisely will help you make the best decisions for your team. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

Should I power up high IV Pokemon?