Power Up First, Evolve Later? Decoding the Pokémon GO Dilemma!
Absolutely not! The golden rule in Pokémon GO is almost always: evolve your Pokémon before powering it up. This single decision can save you valuable resources like Stardust and Candy and, more importantly, prevent the agonizing regret of investing in a Pokémon with a less-than-ideal moveset after evolution. Let’s dive into the reasoning behind this, explore some nuances, and debunk common misconceptions.
The Evolve-First Strategy: Why It Reigns Supreme
The primary reason for evolving before powering up boils down to randomness and resource management. When a Pokémon evolves, its moveset is randomly assigned from a predetermined pool of possible moves. These moves directly impact a Pokémon’s effectiveness in battle. Imagine spending precious Stardust to power up a Charmander, only to evolve it into a Charizard with Fire Punch and Dragon Claw, instead of the coveted Fire Spin and Blast Burn! All that Stardust and Candy could have been put to much better use.
Moveset Matters: A Trainer’s Bread and Butter
A Pokémon’s moveset dictates its Damage Per Second (DPS), type coverage, and overall viability in raids, Gym battles, and PvP combat. A “bad” moveset can render even a high-CP, high-IV Pokémon virtually useless. Therefore, it’s crucial to evolve first to assess the moveset before committing to power-ups. If the evolved Pokémon rolls the wrong moves, you can always transfer it and try again with another candidate.
Saving Stardust and Candy: The Frugal Trainer’s Guide
Powering up Pokémon requires significant amounts of Stardust and Candy, particularly at higher levels. If you power up a Pokémon before evolving and end up with a terrible moveset post-evolution, all that investment is essentially wasted. By evolving first, you ensure that your hard-earned resources are spent on a Pokémon that’s actually worth investing in.
Nuances and Exceptions: When to Deviate From the Rule
While the evolve-first strategy is generally sound, there are a few rare situations where deviating from it might be considered, although even then, caution is advised.
Community Day Moves: Planning for Exclusive Attacks
Community Day events often feature exclusive moves that are only available to Pokémon evolved during the event window or shortly thereafter. In these cases, you might consider powering up a promising pre-evolution slightly to make it more effective for catching wild Pokémon or completing research tasks during the event. However, avoid over-investing; the primary goal remains to secure that exclusive move on a potentially powerful evolved form.
Extreme Resource Abundance: When Stardust is No Object
If you’re a seasoned player with an overflowing stockpile of Stardust and Candy, and you absolutely need a Pokémon for a specific task immediately, you could consider a small power-up before evolving. This is a highly situational exception and is generally not recommended for most players.
Common Misconceptions Debunked
Several misconceptions persist regarding Pokémon evolution and power-ups. Let’s address a few of them:
- Misconception: Evolving a higher-level Pokémon results in a stronger evolved form. Reality: The level at which you evolve a Pokémon has no impact on the final stats or CP of its evolved form.
- Misconception: Powering up a Pokémon before evolving guarantees better moves. Reality: Movesets are randomly assigned upon evolution, regardless of the Pokémon’s pre-evolution CP or level.
- Misconception: IVs change upon evolution. Reality: Individual Values (IVs) remain constant throughout a Pokémon’s evolutionary line.
Appraisal and IVs: Finding the Perfect Candidate
While movesets are crucial, Individual Values (IVs) play a significant role in a Pokémon’s maximum potential CP. IVs are hidden stats that range from 0 to 15 for each of Attack, Defense, and HP. A Pokémon with high IVs will generally reach a higher CP at maximum level than a Pokémon with low IVs. Use the in-game Appraisal feature to assess a Pokémon’s IVs before committing to evolution. Search online for IV calculators to precisely pinpoint the pokemon’s IVs!
Conclusion: Evolve First, Power Up Later – The Path to Pokémon Mastery
In conclusion, the evolve-first strategy is the cornerstone of efficient Pokémon GO training. It minimizes resource waste, maximizes your chances of obtaining a powerful moveset, and ultimately leads to a stronger and more versatile Pokémon team. Remember to prioritize movesets, assess IVs, and only deviate from the rule in very specific and well-considered circumstances. Now go forth, Trainer, and conquer those Gyms and Raids!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide additional valuable information for the readers.
1. Does purifying a Pokémon before evolving make it stronger?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs and reduces the Stardust and Candy cost for both powering up and evolving. However, Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage but take 20% more damage. Whether purifying is “better” depends on your play style and resource availability. If you lack resources purifying can be helpful to offset the costs.
2. Should I always evolve a 3-star Pokémon?
Not necessarily. While 3-star Pokémon generally have good IVs, the final moveset is the deciding factor. If a 3-star Pokémon evolves with a poor moveset, it might be better to keep searching for a better candidate.
3. What are the best movesets for popular Pokémon?
Websites such as GamePress and Pokémon GO Hub provide comprehensive moveset rankings for various Pokémon. These rankings are based on DPS, type coverage, and overall battle effectiveness.
4. Do Community Day moves make a Pokémon significantly better?
Community Day moves are often powerful and can significantly improve a Pokémon’s viability. They’re often exclusive and can’t be obtained through regular TMs, making them highly desirable.
5. How do I know if a Pokémon has good IVs?
Use the in-game Appraisal feature to assess a Pokémon’s IVs. The appraisal tells you which of the 3 stats (Attack, Defense, HP) are highest. Search online for IV calculators to precisely pinpoint the pokemon’s IVs!
6. Is it better to evolve a high-CP or a high-IV Pokémon?
Generally, high IVs are more important in the long run. While CP indicates current strength, IVs determine potential maximum strength.
7. What is the difference between Fast Moves and Charge Moves?
Fast Moves are basic attacks that generate energy. Charge Moves consume energy and deal significant damage. A good moveset includes both a strong Fast Move and a powerful Charge Move.
8. Can I change a Pokémon’s moveset after evolution?
Yes, using Technical Machines (TMs). Fast TMs change the Fast Move, and Charged TMs change the Charge Move. Elite TMs can even grant access to legacy moves.
9. Should I keep duplicate Pokémon?
It’s useful to keep multiple Pokémon of the same species, especially if they have different movesets or IVs. This allows you to build a diverse team for various battle scenarios.
10. What is the best way to earn Stardust?
The best ways to earn Stardust include catching Pokémon, completing research tasks, battling in Gyms and Raids, and participating in events.
11. How important is type effectiveness in battles?
Type effectiveness is crucial. Super-effective moves deal 1.6x damage, while not-very-effective moves deal 0.625x damage. Understanding type matchups is essential for successful battling.
12. What are Legacy Moves?
Legacy Moves are moves that were previously available on a Pokémon but are no longer obtainable through normal means (like TMs). They often make a Pokemon extremely valuable.
13. Should I use Rare Candy on Legendary Pokémon?
Rare Candy can be a valuable resource for powering up Legendary Pokémon, as their Candy is typically harder to obtain.
14. What are the benefits of joining a Pokémon GO community?
Joining a Pokémon GO community provides access to valuable information, raid coordination, and trading opportunities.
15. Where can I learn more about Pokémon GO strategy and gameplay?
Resources like GamePress, Pokémon GO Hub, and the GamesLearningSociety.org, a place that highlights the educational opportunities in games, are great places to start.
16. What are the best resources for finding the best teams for Go Battle League?
Websites such as PvPoke and content creators on Youtube can teach you how to create the best teams for your level of the game.
By following these guidelines and continuously learning, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Pokémon GO master!