Table of Contents

Level Up Like a Pro: The Ultimate Guide to Upgrading Your Pokémon

So, you’re ready to dominate the Pokémon world? You’re tired of seeing your prized ‘mon get stomped in raids and gym battles? The key is upgrading them, but what’s the best way to do it? There’s no single “best” way, as it depends on which game you are talking about. In most Pokémon games, the best way to level up a Pokémon is to give it a Rare Candy. However, these are limited, so it is recommended you save them for high-level Pokémon. In Pokémon Go, the fastest way to upgrade Pokemon is by doing Tier 5 Raids. This guide will break down the key strategies across different platforms and cover tips on how to increase your Pokemon’s CP, choose which Pokemon to evolve, and make the most of in-game items like Lucky Eggs.

Pokémon Leveling Strategies: Game by Game

Each Pokémon game offers a unique blend of methods to make your team stronger. Let’s dive into some game-specific tips:

Leveling Up in Main Series Pokémon Games

In the classic main series Pokémon games (like Pokémon Scarlet/Violet, Sword/Shield, Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl), leveling up is primarily done through battling. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

EXP Share is Your Best Friend: In modern games, the EXP Share distributes experience points to your entire party, even if they don’t participate in battle. Make sure to keep it on.
Lucky Egg for Bonus EXP: Equip a Lucky Egg to your Pokémon to boost the amount of EXP gained in each battle. These are usually obtained during specific events or by completing certain tasks.
SOS Chaining (Specific Games): Some games, like Sun/Moon and Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon, feature SOS chaining. Pokémon can call for help during battle, and repeatedly defeating these summoned Pokémon yields increased EXP and rare items.
Rematches with NPCs: Some trainers become available for rematches with stronger pokemon. This allows for a solid and consistent way to gain EXP and level up your Pokemon.
Type Effectiveness is Key: Always use type matchups to your advantage. Super-effective moves grant bonus EXP.

Pokémon GO Leveling Strategies

Pokémon GO operates differently, focusing on Candy and Stardust for powering up. Here’s how to maximize your upgrades:

Raid Battles are XP Goldmines: Participating in Raid Battles, especially Tier 5 raids, offers massive XP rewards, even more so if you use a Lucky Egg.
Lucky Eggs for XP Bonuses: Lucky Eggs double all XP earned for 30 minutes. Use them strategically during events or when you’re about to complete a large batch of tasks or friendship level-ups.
Evolve Strategically: Evolving Pokémon grants significant XP. Stockpile common Pokémon and evolve them en masse during a Lucky Egg period.
Complete Research Tasks: Research tasks often reward significant XP. Save up completed tasks and claim them during a Lucky Egg for maximum gains.
Friendship Bonuses: Increasing your Friendship Level with other trainers awards substantial XP. Coordinate with friends to open gifts and battle together during Lucky Egg periods.

Key Considerations Before Upgrading:

Regardless of the game, there are key decisions to make before investing resources into your Pokémon.

IVs (Individual Values): A Pokemon GO trainer will want to hold onto Pokemon that appraise with three red bars and a red three-star stamp, as this means the Pokemon has perfect IVs, and its stat growth will be maximized as it powers up and evolves.
Move Sets: In the main series games, move sets are often fixed upon evolution. Research which moves a Pokémon learns at different stages and plan accordingly. In Pokémon GO, you can use TMs (Technical Machines) to change moves, but it’s still best to evolve Pokémon with desired move sets.
Rarity: Rare candies are limited items and you should save them for pokemon that require high amounts of EXP to level up naturally.

Evolution Timing: A Critical Decision

When should you evolve your Pokémon? It’s a crucial question with potentially significant consequences.

Pokémon GO: Evolve first before investing in Stardust. If you evolve first and get a bad/unwanted move set, you’ll at least have only used Candies and no Stardust.
Main Series Games: Some Pokémon learn specific moves only at certain evolution stages. Research which moves are available when, and delay evolution if necessary to learn a powerful move.

The Role of Items in Powering Up

Items play a huge role in accelerating your Pokémon’s growth.

Rare Candy: Instantly increases a Pokémon’s level by one. Extremely valuable and should be saved for Pokémon that require a lot of experience to level up, or for Pokémon that are difficult to train.
EXP Candy: Gives Pokémon a set amount of EXP. These come in various sizes (S, M, L, XL), each granting different amounts of EXP. These are less valuable than Rare Candies, but more common, allowing you to freely use them as you acquire them.
Lucky Egg (Pokémon GO): Doubles all XP earned for 30 minutes. Plan your activities carefully to maximize the bonus.
Technical Machines (TMs): Allow you to teach a Pokémon new moves. Essential for customizing move sets.

Maximizing CP in Pokémon GO

Combat Power (CP) is a key indicator of a Pokémon’s strength in Pokémon GO. Here’s how to boost it effectively:

Trainer Level: As you level up, the maximum CP of your Pokémon increases. Prioritize leveling up your trainer first.
Power Up Before Evolving?: Evolving a Pokémon with a high CP is generally better, however the actual stats behind the CP of a Pokemon might not mean it is that good.
Weather Boosts: Catching Pokémon in weather conditions that boost their type will result in higher CP Pokémon.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Traded Pokémon: As is tradition in main series Pokémon games, Pokémon traded from other players gain boosted experience and level up more quickly than Pokémon that are native to your copy of the game.
Purifying Shadow Pokémon: Purifying gives the Pokémon a significant increase in Combat Power and it will cost less candies to evolve.
Explore the Games Learning Society! The Games Learning Society explores how games impact learning and engagement. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

FAQs: Your Pokémon Upgrade Questions Answered

1. What’s the easiest way to level up a Pokémon?

The easiest way is often giving it a Rare Candy (if available in the game). In Pokémon GO, participating in Raid Battles is a fast method.

2. Is it better to upgrade a Pokémon before or after evolving it?

Generally, it’s better to evolve first and then invest in upgrades. This allows you to assess the evolved Pokémon’s move set and stats before committing resources.

3. How can I level up quickly in Pokémon GO?

Use Lucky Eggs, participate in Raid Battles, evolve Pokémon in bulk, and maximize friendship level-ups.

4. Should I use Rare Candies on low-level Pokémon?

It’s generally better to save Rare Candies for higher-level Pokémon, as they require exponentially more EXP to level up naturally.

5. What are IVs and why are they important?

Individual Values (IVs) are hidden stats that determine a Pokémon’s potential. Higher IVs translate to better stats when the Pokémon is fully powered up.

6. Should I purify Shadow Pokémon?

Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its stats and reduces the cost to power it up or evolve. However, some players prefer to keep Shadow Pokémon for their unique appearance and attack bonus.

7. What does a Lucky Egg do?

A Lucky Egg doubles all XP earned for 30 minutes. Use it strategically during periods of intense activity.

8. How often can I use a Lucky Egg?

You can use Lucky Eggs whenever you want, provided you have them. There is no cooldown period.

9. Do traded Pokémon level up faster?

Yes, traded Pokémon gain boosted experience and level up more quickly.

10. What’s the best way to increase CP in Pokémon GO?

Increase your trainer level, power up your Pokémon using Candy and Stardust, and catch Pokémon in weather-boosted conditions.

11. Is it worth evolving a 3-star Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Yes, a 3-star Pokémon has high IVs, making it a worthwhile investment.

12. Should I evolve shiny Pokémon?

Evolving a shiny Pokémon is purely a matter of personal preference. If you like the evolved form’s shiny appearance, go for it!

13. What are Technical Machines (TMs)?

Technical Machines (TMs) are items that allow you to teach a Pokémon new moves.

14. How many evolutions can I do with a Lucky Egg?

Approximately 55-60 evolutions can be carried out under one Lucky Egg.

15. How do I get more Rare Candies?

In main series games, Rare Candies are often obtained by completing story events, defeating challenging trainers, or finding them hidden in the environment. In Pokémon GO, Rare Candies are earned as rewards from raids, research tasks, and GO Battle League participation.

By implementing these strategies and keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to building a formidable team and dominating the Pokémon world! Happy training!

What is the best way to upgrade Pokemon?