CP vs. Stars: Decoding Pokémon GO’s Appraisal System for Optimal Gameplay
The age-old question for any aspiring Pokémon GO trainer boils down to this: Is it better to prioritize a Pokémon with high CP (Combat Power) or one with more stars (higher IVs – Individual Values)? The answer, as with many things in Pokémon GO, isn’t a simple black and white. Generally, a Pokémon with better Appraisal (more stars) is a better long-term investment, but high CP can be valuable in the short term. Let’s break down why.
CP is a quick indicator of a Pokémon’s battle prowess at its current level. It reflects the Pokémon’s Attack, Defense, and HP (Hit Points). A higher CP means the Pokémon will generally inflict more damage and withstand more hits in battles, making it immediately useful for raids, gyms, and trainer battles.
Stars, on the other hand, represent a Pokémon’s Individual Values (IVs). IVs are hidden stats that range from 0 to 15 for each of the Attack, Defense, and HP categories. These IVs essentially determine the Pokémon’s potential. A 3-star or 4-star Pokémon has significantly better IVs, meaning it will reach a much higher CP when fully powered up than a lower-star Pokémon of the same species and level.
Think of it like this: CP is the Pokémon’s current strength, while stars are the Pokémon’s potential for future strength. A high-CP, low-star Pokémon is strong now but has limited growth. A low-CP, high-star Pokémon may be weaker now, but it has the potential to become a powerhouse.
Therefore, prioritizing stars is crucial for long-term competitive play. A 4-star (perfect IV) Pokémon represents the absolute best possible version of that Pokémon, maximizing its potential for Gyms, Raids, and PvP battles in the Master League. However, for immediate use, especially for new players who need strong Pokémon right away, a higher CP can be more helpful. It all comes down to your immediate goals and long-term aspirations as a Pokémon GO trainer.
Understanding the Nuances: When CP Might Take Precedence
While IVs are crucial, there are situations where prioritizing a Pokémon with high CP, even with lower IVs, might be the right call:
- Early Game: When you’re just starting, you need Pokémon that can battle effectively right away. A high-CP Pokémon, even with low stars, can help you take down gyms and participate in raids to earn rewards and level up.
- Temporary Gym Defenders: If you just want to quickly throw a Pokémon into a gym to earn daily coins and don’t plan on heavily investing in it, a decent-CP Pokémon is sufficient.
- Specific Raid Counters: Sometimes, a Pokémon with a specific moveset and a reasonably high CP is more valuable for a particular raid boss, even if its IVs aren’t perfect. This is especially true if you need to fill out a raid team quickly.
- Limited Resources: Powering up Pokémon requires Stardust and Candy. If you’re short on these resources, evolving a higher CP Pokémon can give you a more immediate return on your investment.
The Long-Term View: Why IVs Are King
In the long run, focusing on Pokémon with good IVs is the key to success in Pokémon GO. Here’s why:
- Maximum Potential: A 4-star Pokémon has the highest possible stats and will reach the highest CP possible for its species. This is crucial for competitive play.
- Stardust Efficiency: While powering up a high-IV Pokémon can be expensive, the investment is worthwhile because you’re building a truly powerful Pokémon that will last.
- Future Proofing: As Pokémon GO continues to evolve with new features and challenges, having a roster of high-IV Pokémon will ensure you’re always prepared.
- Trading: High-IV Pokémon are highly sought after in trades. If you have a duplicate 4-star Pokémon, you can trade it for something you need.
Evaluating Your Pokémon: A Practical Approach
Here’s a step-by-step approach to evaluating your Pokémon and deciding whether to prioritize CP or IVs:
- Appraise the Pokémon: Use the in-game appraisal system to determine the Pokémon’s star rating (IVs).
- Check the CP: Note the Pokémon’s current CP.
- Consider the Species: Some Pokémon are inherently better than others due to their base stats and available movesets. Research which Pokémon are considered meta-relevant for raids, gyms, and PvP.
- Assess Your Resources: How much Stardust and Candy do you have available? Are you willing to invest in powering up a low-CP, high-IV Pokémon?
- Define Your Goals: Are you looking for immediate strength or long-term potential?
Ultimately, the decision of whether to prioritize CP or stars depends on your individual circumstances and goals. However, understanding the difference between the two and how they impact your Pokémon’s performance is crucial for becoming a successful Pokémon GO trainer. Understanding the mechanics of the game is an important factor in making informed choices, and platforms like the Games Learning Society offer valuable insights into how games can be used to enhance learning and decision-making skills, as seen on GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should I keep all 3-star Pokémon?
Not necessarily all of them. Prioritize 3-star Pokémon that are meta-relevant or have high base stats for their species. Keep the ones with a high CP already for better performance, even though they are not perfect, they can still be powerful. It’s also good to keep the potential of future evolutions and their usefulness in battles.
2. Should I evolve a 4-star Pokémon?
Absolutely! A 4-star Pokémon represents the pinnacle of its species’ potential. Evolving it will maximize its stats and CP, making it a formidable asset.
3. Is it better to raise CP then evolve?
No. It doesn’t matter whether you power up a Pokémon before or after evolving it. The final CP will be the same, regardless of the order. Focus on evolving first to see the final moveset.
4. Should I evolve a 3-star Pokémon with low CP?
It depends. If it’s a meta-relevant species with a good moveset after evolution, then yes. The 3-star IV is more important to give higher potential to the Pokémon. Be prepared to invest Stardust and Candy to power it up.
5. Why are 3-star Pokémon better?
They have higher IVs, meaning they have a higher potential for reaching a higher CP when powered up. They also have the possibility of having perfect IVs, boosting the stat growths when powered up and evolved.
6. Should I keep 0-star Shiny Pokémon?
A Shiny is not worth transferring even if it has a poor Appraisal. They are extremely rare and valuable to collectors. You can always trade it later for something you need.
7. Should I keep 0-star Shadow Pokémon?
If a Shadow Pokémon is 0-stars but has decent Attacks and CP, it’s better to leave it unpurified for future battles. Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage, making them powerful attackers, even with low IVs.
8. How rare are 0-star Pokémon?
A fully 0% IV Pokémon is extremely rare. Even when compared to their 4-star/Perfect IV counterparts, Players may want to keep it just for the rarity.
9. Should I keep 1 and 2-star Pokémon?
It depends on your storage capacity and goals. If you’re short on space, focus on keeping only the 2-star Pokémon that are meta-relevant or have the potential for good evolutions.
10. Does low CP matter in Pokémon GO?
Yes, it matters in the short term. A lower CP means the Pokémon will inflict less damage and withstand fewer hits in battles. However, IVs are what matter for long-term growth and battle performance.
11. Do Lucky Pokémon have higher CP?
No. They can reach a higher CP much faster than other Pokémon due to the reduction in Stardust cost.
12. Should I delete 0-star Pokémon?
Generally, yes. 0-star Pokémon have very low IVs and limited potential. Focus on keeping Pokémon with higher star ratings. Consider other factors though, such as the League rules.
13. Should I keep low IV Pokémon?
Absolutely not – for your defenders and enemy gym attacking team, high IVs are much more important. This is where having a high CP is important – the difference between a maxed out Dragonite with 0% IVs and 100% IVs is 3,141 and 3,581 respectively.
14. Why do people put low CP Pokémon in gyms?
There are a few reasons we do it. They’re annoying to battle, because chances are, you’ll have to battle them 3 times to get them out of the gym. Related to the above, once a Pokémon gets to level 30-something or above, when it’s in a gym, it loses CP on its own, massively.
15. Can a 2-star Pokémon become a 3-star Pokémon?
Purified Pokemon will have better Appraisal and receive 2 points towards all their IVs. This can potentially bring a 2-star Shadow Pokemon to a 3-star if it’s purified. Purified Pokemon will receive a significant boost in Combat Power (CP).