Should I Level Up My Pokémon Before Evolving in Pokémon GO?
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The short answer is no, you don’t need to level up (power up) your Pokémon before evolving it in Pokémon GO. The Combat Power (CP) of your Pokémon after evolution will be the same whether you powered it up before or after evolving. The final CP is determined by the Pokémon’s base stats, Individual Values (IVs), and its level. Evolving only affects the base stats, not the level or IVs. Therefore, the order of powering up and evolving doesn’t affect the final outcome.
Understanding the Mechanics
To truly understand why leveling before evolving doesn’t matter, let’s break down the key components:
- Base Stats: Each Pokémon species has inherent base stats for Attack, Defense, and Stamina. These stats determine a Pokémon’s potential power. Evolution changes these base stats to those of the evolved form.
- Individual Values (IVs): These are hidden stats assigned randomly to each Pokémon when you encounter it. They range from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and Stamina. IVs are constant and do not change when you evolve your Pokémon. A Pokémon with higher IVs will always be stronger than one with lower IVs, assuming the same species and level.
- Level: A Pokémon’s level determines how much its base stats and IVs are multiplied to determine its CP. Powering up increases a Pokémon’s level. Your Trainer Level limits how high you can level up your Pokémon.
- Combat Power (CP): This is a single number representing a Pokémon’s overall strength in battle. It’s calculated using the Pokémon’s base stats, IVs, and level.
Since evolving only changes the base stats and powering up only changes the level, the final CP will be the same regardless of the order. It’s like rearranging the terms in a multiplication problem; the answer stays the same.
Focusing on What Matters
Instead of worrying about the order of leveling and evolving, focus on these critical factors:
- IVs: Prioritize Pokémon with high IVs. Use the in-game appraisal system or a third-party IV calculator to check your Pokémon’s IVs. A Pokémon with near-perfect IVs is worth investing in, even if it starts at a low CP.
- Movesets: After evolving, your Pokémon will learn new moves. Some movesets are better than others for attacking or defending in Gyms and Raids. Research which movesets are optimal for your chosen Pokémon. If you evolve a Pokémon and get a bad moveset, you can use Technical Machines (TMs) to change the moves.
- Candy and Stardust: Evolving and powering up Pokémon requires Candy (specific to that Pokémon species) and Stardust (a universal resource). Conserve your resources by only investing in Pokémon with high IVs and desirable movesets.
When to Power Up
Generally, it’s best to evolve your Pokémon first and then power it up if you’re happy with its evolved form and moveset. This allows you to see the fully evolved Pokémon and its moves before committing your resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does evolving a Pokémon reset its level?
No, evolving a Pokémon does not reset its level. It simply changes its base stats and gives it new moves (randomly). Your previous leveling progress is retained.
2. Should I only evolve Pokémon with 3-star appraisals?
Evolving Pokémon with 3-star appraisals (high IVs) is generally recommended, as they have the greatest potential for high CP and strong performance in battles. However, consider your available resources and the Pokémon’s rarity. Sometimes a 2-star Pokémon of a rare species might be worth evolving if you don’t have a better option.
3. What is the ideal CP range for evolving Pokémon?
There’s no ideal CP range, as CP is relative to the Pokémon’s species and level. Focus on IVs instead. A low-CP Pokémon with high IVs will eventually surpass a high-CP Pokémon with low IVs when fully powered up.
4. Do weather conditions affect a Pokémon’s evolved form?
Weather conditions boost the CP of wild Pokémon, but they don’t affect the CP of evolved Pokémon. Weather boost also guarantees a minimum IV floor for each stat.
5. What is the maximum level a Pokémon can reach?
Currently, the maximum level a Pokémon can reach is level 50, which requires reaching Trainer Level 40 and completing specific tasks beyond this point.
6. Are Shadow Pokémon worth evolving?
Shadow Pokémon have a damage bonus but also take more damage. Some Shadow Pokémon are incredibly powerful in raids and battles, making them worth evolving and investing in. Research which Shadow Pokémon are top-tier before committing resources. Be careful because they cost a lot more to evolve than their normal counterparts.
7. Should I purify Shadow Pokémon before evolving?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs and reduces the Candy and Stardust cost for evolving and powering up. However, it removes the Shadow bonus. Purify only if you value IVs over the Shadow damage bonus or if the Shadow Pokémon is not competitively useful.
8. How do I increase my Trainer Level?
You increase your Trainer Level by earning Experience Points (XP). XP is earned by catching Pokémon, spinning PokéStops, winning battles, completing research tasks, and other in-game activities.
9. Can I change a Pokémon’s moves after evolving it?
Yes, you can use Technical Machines (TMs) to change a Pokémon’s moves. Fast TMs change the fast move, and Charged TMs change the charged move. Elite TMs can learn special legacy moves.
10. What are legacy moves?
Legacy moves are moves that were once available on a Pokémon but are no longer obtainable through normal evolution or TMs. They are often highly desirable for their power or strategic value.
11. Is it better to have a Pokémon with high CP or a Pokémon with a specific moveset?
It depends on the situation. In general, a good balance of both is ideal. A high CP Pokémon with a good moveset will perform better than one with a poor moveset. However, a strategic moveset can sometimes compensate for a slightly lower CP, especially in PvP battles.
12. How do IVs affect CP?
IVs directly influence a Pokémon’s CP. Higher IVs translate to higher stats, resulting in a higher CP at any given level.
13. What is the significance of reaching Level 40 in Pokémon GO?
Reaching Level 40 unlocks the ability to power up Pokémon to their maximum potential level (Level 50 with XL Candy). It also unlocks various other features and items in the game. Any existing XP you have earned over Level 40 will contribute to the progress of future levels.
14. What are the best resources for learning more about Pokémon GO strategies?
There are many great online resources for Pokémon GO, including websites, forums, and YouTube channels dedicated to the game. Communities like Reddit are also great. For deeper insight into the mechanics, consider resources that explore the mathematics of game design, like research published by the Games Learning Society. You can learn more about them at GamesLearningSociety.org.
15. How important is it to coordinate with other players in Pokémon GO?
Coordinating with other players can be very beneficial, especially for Raids and Community Days. Raids require multiple players to defeat powerful Raid Bosses, and Community Days offer special bonuses that are best taken advantage of with a group. Trading with others is also a good way to try and improve the IVs of your Pokémon.