Is It Better to Raise CP Then Evolve in Pokémon GO? Decoding the Evolutionary Enigma
The age-old question for every aspiring Pokémon GO trainer: Is it better to power up your Pokémon before evolving it, or evolve it first and then power it up? The simple, definitive answer is: It doesn’t matter. The final CP (Combat Points) of your evolved Pokémon will be the same regardless of the order in which you power up and evolve. The CP is determined by the Pokémon’s base stats, IVs (Individual Values), your Trainer Level, and the current power up level.
However, while the potential CP remains constant, there are tactical considerations that can make one approach more advantageous than the other. Let’s delve into the nuances of this debate and equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions.
Understanding the Underlying Mechanics
Before we get deeper into the debate, it’s important to understand the mechanics that govern Pokémon evolution and CP.
IVs: The Hidden Potential
Individual Values (IVs) are hidden stats that are unique to each Pokémon. They range from 0 to 15 in each of three categories: Attack, Defense, and Stamina (HP). These values are added to the Pokémon’s base stats to determine its overall strength. A Pokémon with high IVs will always have a higher CP potential than a Pokémon of the same species with low IVs, assuming both are powered up to the maximum level.
CP Multiplier
The CP multiplier is a value that increases as you power up your Pokémon. This multiplier is based on your Trainer Level. As you level up as a trainer, you can power up your Pokémon to higher levels, thereby increasing their CP. The CP displayed in the game is calculated using the Pokémon’s base stats, IVs, and the current CP multiplier.
Evolution and Move Sets
Evolution dramatically changes a Pokémon’s base stats and move sets. Move sets are the specific attacks your Pokémon can use in battle. Each Pokémon has a pool of possible Fast Attacks and Charged Attacks. The move sets are randomly assigned upon evolution. This is where the real tactical advantage lies.
Why the Order Doesn’t Affect CP Potential
Imagine you have a Pikachu. You can either:
- Power up the Pikachu to a certain CP, then evolve it into Raichu.
- Evolve the Pikachu into Raichu, then power up the Raichu.
In both scenarios, if you were to power up the Raichu to its maximum potential given your trainer level and the Pokémon’s IVs, the final CP would be identical. The game’s algorithm ensures that evolution maintains the same proportional stat increase regardless of the order.
Tactical Considerations: When to Evolve First
While the CP potential remains the same, evolving before powering up offers some distinct tactical advantages.
Evaluating Move Sets
The primary reason to evolve before investing Stardust and Candy is to check the evolved Pokémon’s move sets. Since move sets are randomly assigned upon evolution, you might end up with a Raichu, for example, with a less-than-ideal combination of attacks. If this happens, you’ve wasted resources powering up a Pokémon you won’t use effectively in battle.
It’s generally recommended to only invest in Pokémon with optimal or at least viable move sets. Numerous online resources, such as the PvPoke website, help you assess which move sets are best for each Pokémon in different battle scenarios. If you’re aiming for a powerful attacker or defender for Gyms or Raids, a suboptimal move set can significantly hamper your Pokémon’s performance.
Saving Stardust and Candy
Evolving first allows you to avoid investing resources in a Pokémon you might ultimately discard. Stardust and Candy are precious resources, especially at higher levels. Powering up a pre-evolved form only to find the evolved form has poor move sets is a costly mistake. Evolving first allows you to make a more informed decision about where to allocate your resources.
Future Proofing
The game is constantly evolving (pun intended!). New moves are added, move sets are rebalanced, and raid bosses change. Evolving first allows you to react to these changes without having already committed resources to a specific Pokémon. You might find that a Pokémon with a previously undesirable move set becomes viable after a game update.
Situations Where Powering Up First Might Be Considered
While evolving first is generally recommended, there are a few niche situations where powering up before evolving might be considered, although they are less common and often less strategic:
Completing Research Tasks
Some Special Research tasks may require you to power up a Pokémon a certain number of times. In these cases, powering up a pre-evolved form that you eventually plan to evolve anyway can help you progress through the research.
Early Game Resource Scarcity
In the very early stages of the game, Stardust and Candy might be less of a concern. If you’re eager to quickly increase your team’s CP, powering up before evolving might give you a short-term boost. However, this is generally not a sustainable strategy in the long run.
Conclusion
While the potential CP remains the same regardless of the order, evolving before powering up is the strategically superior approach in most cases. This allows you to evaluate move sets, save resources, and adapt to game changes. By understanding the underlying mechanics and tactical considerations, you can make informed decisions that optimize your Pokémon GO experience. Remember to check resources like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for the latest information and research on games and learning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide additional valuable information about evolving and powering up in Pokémon GO:
1. What are the best resources to find out which movesets are the best?
Websites like PvPoke and GamePress offer comprehensive guides on optimal move sets for different Pokémon in various battle scenarios (PvP, Raids, Gyms).
2. Are IVs more important than CP?
IVs represent a Pokémon’s potential. A Pokémon with higher IVs can reach a higher CP than a Pokémon with lower IVs. However, in the short term, a higher CP Pokémon with lower IVs might be more immediately useful. Ultimately, IVs become more critical as you invest heavily in powering up a Pokémon to its maximum potential.
3. Can I change a Pokémon’s movesets after evolving?
Yes, you can use Technical Machines (TMs) to change a Pokémon’s moves. There are two types of TMs: Fast TMs (for changing Fast Attacks) and Charged TMs (for changing Charged Attacks). However, the move you get is still random from the Pokémon’s available move pool.
4. What is the maximum CP a Pokémon can have?
The maximum CP a Pokémon can have depends on its species and the Trainer Level. As the Trainer Level cap increases, the maximum CP also increases.
5. Do shadows, purified, or Lucky Pokémon affect the calculation of CP?
Yes, shadows get a damage boost but take increased damage. Purified Pokémon receive an IV boost. Lucky Pokémon cost less Stardust to power up. These attributes influence the perceived value and investment of resources and can therefore inform if and when to evolve or power up a Pokémon.
6. What is the significance of a Pokémon’s appraisal?
The appraisal feature, accessed through a team leader (Candela, Blanche, or Spark), provides an estimate of a Pokémon’s IVs. The appraisal doesn’t give exact numbers but offers a general indication of how good the Pokémon’s IVs are.
7. How do weather boosts affect CP?
Weather boosts increase the CP of wild Pokémon that match the current weather conditions. These weather-boosted Pokémon also receive a level boost, making them stronger than usual.
8. What is the difference between regular Pokémon and shadow Pokémon?
Shadow Pokémon are corrupted Pokémon that are obtained from Team GO Rocket battles. They have increased attack but reduced defense.
9. What is the purification process and how does it work?
Purification is the process of removing the shadow corruption from a Pokémon. It costs Stardust and Candy. Purified Pokémon gain IV boosts and learn the move Return.
10. Are there any events in Pokémon GO that affect evolution?
Yes, there are often events that provide bonuses related to evolution, such as increased XP for evolving Pokémon, reduced evolution costs, or exclusive move sets for evolved Pokémon. Be sure to check the in-game News for details.
11. How important is it to evolve a Pokémon during a Community Day?
Evolving a Pokémon during its Community Day is highly recommended, as the evolved form often learns an exclusive move that is not normally available. These Community Day moves can significantly increase the Pokémon’s battle performance.
12. What is the best way to acquire rare candies?
Rare Candies are most commonly found in Raids, completing special research tasks, and completing field research tasks.
13. How do I get enough stardust to power up Pokémon?
Stardust is acquired by catching Pokémon, hatching eggs, completing research tasks, defending Gyms, and winning battles. The most efficient ways to get stardust include participating in events that offer stardust bonuses and maximizing your daily catches.
14. What is the best strategy for choosing a Pokémon to evolve?
Prioritize Pokémon with high IVs, desirable move sets (after evolving), and relevance to the current meta (battle environment). Consider the Pokémon’s role (attacker, defender, PvP specialist) and how it fits into your overall team.
15. How do mega evolutions affect CP and power up?
Mega Evolutions are temporary transformations that significantly increase a Pokémon’s CP and stats. Mega Evolved Pokémon cannot be powered up directly, but their base forms can be. Mega Energy is required to trigger a Mega Evolution.