Evolve or Power Up? Cracking the Pokémon GO Conundrum!
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Alright, Trainer! You’ve got a pocket full of Stardust, a bag overflowing with Candy, and a burning question: Is it better to evolve a Pokémon or level it up (Power Up) in Pokémon GO? The short answer? It depends, but generally, you evolve first. Let’s dive into the nuanced reasons behind this strategy and explore the factors that can shift the scales.
Evolution Before Powering Up: The Core Strategy
The primary reason to evolve before powering up boils down to move sets. In Pokémon GO, a Pokémon’s moves are randomly assigned upon evolution. If you invest a ton of Stardust and Candy into powering up a Pokémon, only to have it evolve into something with a terrible move set, you’ve wasted valuable resources. Evolving first allows you to assess the move set and decide if the Pokémon is worth the investment.
Why Move Sets Matter
Move sets are crucial for determining a Pokémon’s effectiveness in Raids, Gym Battles, and Player vs. Player (PvP) combat. A Pokémon with powerful stats but a weak or ineffective move set will underperform. By evolving first, you avoid the regret of investing heavily in a Pokémon that ultimately isn’t viable.
The Candy Consideration
Evolution also requires Candy, specific to that Pokémon species. Powering up also costs Candy. By evolving first, you commit to the evolutionary line before committing to further stat increases via powering up. This conserves Candy, which is a valuable resource.
When to Power Up First (and Maybe Why Not)
While evolving first is generally recommended, there are niche scenarios where powering up before evolving might be considered, though the risks often outweigh the benefits:
- Low CP (Combat Power) Pokemon: If a low level pokemon would evolve into something much stronger, it may be necessary to level up first to gain an advantage.
- The Illusion of Saving Stardust: Some trainers believe that powering up before evolving will somehow result in a “stronger” final evolution. However, the underlying IVs (Individual Values) and level remain the same regardless of when you power up. Evolving only changes the base stats of a Pokemon. You aren’t necessarily saving stardust, but if you reach the Pokemon’s limit, you will see how much CP it has to offer.
- Filling the Pokedex: If your priority is solely completing the Pokedex, powering up to achieve evolution requirements quicker might be an option, though not the most efficient.
The PvP Exception
The “evolve first” rule has an exception when concerning PvP battles. For PvP, especially in the Great and Ultra Leagues, you often want Pokémon with low Attack IVs but high Defense and HP IVs. This maximizes their bulk and allows them to survive longer in battles. Evolving a high level Pokemon could push it beyond the CP maximum allowed in particular leagues, therefore not qualifying for the battle.
In this scenario, you might consider powering up a pre-evolution Pokémon to reach the CP cap for a specific league, and then holding off on evolving it to keep it within the league’s CP limits. This requires a deep understanding of IVs, CP calculations, and the specific Pokémon in question.
Understanding the Underlying Mechanics
To fully grasp the evolution vs. powering up debate, it’s crucial to understand the underlying game mechanics:
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CP (Combat Power): A measure of a Pokémon’s overall strength. Determined by its base stats, IVs, and level.
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IVs (Individual Values): Hidden stats that range from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and HP. These are fixed and do not change upon evolution.
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Base Stats: Each Pokémon species has base stats for Attack, Defense, and HP. These do change upon evolution.
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Level: A hidden value that determines a Pokémon’s CP multiplier. Increased by powering up.
Powering up increases a Pokémon’s level, which in turn increases its CP. Evolving changes a Pokémon’s base stats, which significantly impacts its potential CP.
The Appraisal System: A Crucial Tool
The in-game Appraisal system is your best friend when deciding which Pokémon to invest in. Use the Appraisal to assess a Pokémon’s IVs. Aim for Pokémon with high IVs, especially in Attack, if you plan to use them for Raids or Gyms. High Defense and HP IVs are preferable for PvP.
3 Star Pokemon
If a Pokemon GO trainer receives a Pokemon that appraises with three red bars and a red three-star stamp, they’ll want to keep the Pokemon. This particular appraisal means the Pokemon has perfect IVs, and its stat growth will be maximized as it powers up and evolves.
0 Star Pokemon
A fully 0% IV Pokemon is extremely rare, even when compared to their 4-star/Perfect IV counterparts. Players may want to keep it just for the rarity. Because it will take most players a long time before they can max out Pokemon Storage, it’s best to just release the 0-stars and keep the 1/2/3/4-stars.
Beyond CP: Other Considerations
While CP is a convenient metric, don’t solely rely on it. Consider these factors:
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Pokémon Type: Certain types are more effective against others.
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Move Type: A Pokémon’s moves should ideally match its type to benefit from Same Type Attack Bonus (STAB).
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Rarity: Some Pokémon are rarer than others, making them more valuable for completing your Pokedex or trading.
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Shadow Pokémon: Shadow Pokemon works as angry Pokemon and will deal damage more faster then Normal or Purified Pokemon. The attack power of a Shadow Pokemon is boosted by 1.2x or 20%, making its fast attack hit significantly harder.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the decision to evolve or power up first depends on your individual goals and priorities in Pokémon GO. However, for most players, evolving first to check the move set is the most strategic approach. Remember to consider IVs, type matchups, and rarity when making your decisions. Happy hunting, Trainers!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should I always evolve a 3-star Pokémon?
Generally, yes! A 3-star Pokémon has high or perfect IVs, meaning it has the potential to become a powerful battler. Evolve it and then invest in powering it up.
2. Is it ever worth keeping a 0-star Pokémon?
A fully 0% IV Pokemon is extremely rare, even when compared to their 4-star/Perfect IV counterparts. Players may want to keep it just for the rarity.
3. Does the level I am when I evolve a Pokémon matter?
No. A Pokemon’s stats will catch up once it evolves no matter how long you hold it off. For the most part, the stats are better than the waiting longer for moves.
4. Should I purify my Shadow Pokémon?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon will improve their appraisal and reduce the amount of Stardust and Candy required for them to Power Up, Evolve, or learn a new attack. When Purified, a Shadow Pokémon will forget Frustration and learn Return, a Charged Attack that’s exclusive to Purified Pokémon.
5. How important are IVs in Pokémon GO?
IVs significantly impact a Pokémon’s potential. Higher IVs translate to higher stats at maximum level.
6. Can I change a Pokémon’s move set?
Yes, you can use Technical Machines (TMs) to change a Pokémon’s Fast or Charged moves. However, the moves are assigned randomly from the available move pool.
7. What’s the best way to find high IV Pokémon?
Raids and Research Tasks often reward Pokémon with higher IVs. Trading with friends can also increase the chances of getting a lucky Pokémon with boosted IVs.
8. Should I evolve a shiny Pokémon?
Evolve your favorites, but tend to keep them as base forms just in case you get a second shiny of the same species with better stats. One reason not to is to save them for lucky trades with someone who has the same shiny. Then you can get a lucky shiny, and perhaps with better IVs.
9. Are evolved Pokémon always stronger than unevolved Pokémon?
Generally, yes. Evolved Pokémon have higher base stats and can reach higher CP values.
10. Should I power up a Pokémon before or after adding a second Charged Move?
It doesn’t matter when you add a second Charged Move. The cost is the same regardless of the Pokémon’s level.
11. How does weather boost affect Pokémon evolution?
Weather boost increases the CP of wild Pokémon. It doesn’t directly affect evolution, but it can help you find stronger base Pokémon to evolve.
12. Is it better to evolve a high CP or low CP Pokémon?
In general, you want higher CP Pokémon to evolve over lower CP Pokémon, but just because a Pokémon has a high CP doesn’t mean it’s actually very good. Since you can’t see the underlying stats, you won’t know if the numbers are getting goosed because it has one high stat and a bunch of low ones, for instance.
13. What are “legacy” moves?
Legacy moves are moves that were previously available to a Pokémon but are no longer obtainable through evolution or TMs. Pokémon with legacy moves can be highly valuable.
14. Can I evolve a Pokémon that has been traded?
Yes, you can evolve a Pokémon that has been traded, and it won’t affect its evolution potential. In fact, trading can sometimes result in a “lucky” Pokémon with improved IVs.
15. Are there any resources to learn more about Pokémon GO strategy?
Absolutely! Websites like GamePress, Pokémon GO Hub, and the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) offer in-depth guides, simulations, and community forums to help you master the game.