Why Combat Power (CP) Reigns Supreme in Pokémon GO

Combat Power, or CP, is undeniably a cornerstone of the Pokémon GO experience. It’s not just a number; it’s a primary indicator of a Pokémon’s potential strength in battle. CP dictates how well your Pokémon will fare against other trainers’ Pokémon in Gyms and Raids, and against Team GO Rocket grunts and leaders. In short, CP is a quick and easy way to gauge a Pokémon’s battle readiness and whether it’s worth investing your precious Stardust and Candy to power it up. A higher CP generally means a more formidable Pokémon, capable of dishing out more damage and withstanding greater punishment. However, CP isn’t the only factor at play, but understanding its importance is crucial for success in the game.

The Significance of CP in Gyms and Raids

Gym battles and Raids are central to Pokémon GO, and CP plays a significant role in these activities. When challenging a Gym, your Pokémon with higher CP will generally inflict more damage than those with lower CP. This allows you to defeat opposing Pokémon faster and ultimately claim the Gym for your team. Similarly, in Raids, bringing your highest CP Pokémon is essential for maximizing your damage output and contributing to the Raid’s success. Defeating Raid bosses requires coordinated efforts from multiple trainers, and having strong, high-CP Pokémon significantly increases your chances of victory.

CP and Trainer Level: A Symbiotic Relationship

As you gain experience points (XP) and level up your trainer, you’ll notice that the CP of wild Pokémon you encounter increases. This means that as you progress through the game, you’ll have access to Pokémon with naturally higher CP, allowing you to build a more powerful team. It’s important to remember that CP is capped based on your trainer level, so even if you find a Pokémon with great potential, you won’t be able to power it up beyond a certain point until you reach a higher level. This system encourages continuous gameplay and rewards dedication.

Beyond the Number: Understanding the Limitations of CP

While CP is a valuable metric, it’s crucial to understand its limitations. CP is a composite value calculated from a Pokémon’s underlying stats: Attack, Defense, and HP (Stamina). A Pokémon with a high CP might have one incredibly high stat and relatively low values for the others. In this case, it may not be as effective in battle as a Pokémon with slightly lower CP but more balanced stats. That’s where Individual Values (IVs) come in.

The CP and IV Connection: A Deeper Dive

IVs are hidden stats that range from 0 to 15 for each of the Attack, Defense, and HP categories. They represent a Pokémon’s inherent potential and cannot be changed. Two Pokémon of the same species with the same CP can perform differently in battle due to their IVs. A Pokémon with high IVs will have a higher potential maximum CP than one with low IVs. While CP can be increased through powering up, IVs remain constant. So, when deciding whether to invest in a Pokémon, it’s essential to consider both CP and IVs.

The Evolving Dilemma: CP Before or After?

A common question among Pokémon GO players is whether to evolve a Pokémon with high CP or low CP. Generally, it’s better to evolve Pokémon with higher CP. This is because the evolved form will inherit a CP boost, and starting with a higher base CP leads to a stronger final evolution. However, as previously mentioned, it’s important to consider IVs. A Pokémon with a lower CP but excellent IVs might be a better investment in the long run than one with high CP but poor IVs.

Combat Power (CP) and Individual Values (IVs) Importance

It’s essential to understand the significance of both Combat Power (CP) and Individual Values (IVs) in Pokémon GO, as they play crucial roles in determining a Pokémon’s strength and potential. CP provides an immediate measure of a Pokémon’s battle prowess, influencing its effectiveness in Gyms, Raids, and trainer battles. IVs, on the other hand, represent a Pokémon’s hidden stats, including Attack, Defense, and Stamina, which remain constant and dictate its maximum potential. While CP can be increased through powering up, IVs cannot be changed, making them a vital consideration when deciding which Pokémon to invest in.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Should I prioritize CP or IV in Pokémon GO?

   • IVs are generally considered more important than CP. CP can be changed by powering up the Pokémon, but IVs are permanent. A Pokémon with high IVs will ultimately reach a higher CP than one with low IVs, making it a better long-term investment. The ideal scenario is to have both, of course.

2. Should I get rid of all my low CP Pokémon?

   • Not necessarily. Low CP Pokémon can still be useful for trading (to potentially get Lucky Pokémon), completing certain research tasks, or if they have high IVs and you’re willing to invest the resources to power them up. However, if you’re limited on Pokémon storage, it’s generally best to prioritize keeping higher CP or high IV Pokémon.

3. Should I only evolve 3-star Pokémon?

   • While 3-star Pokémon (those with high IVs) are generally the best to evolve, it’s not a strict rule. Consider the CP as well. A 0-star Pokémon with a significantly higher CP than a 3-star Pokémon might be worth evolving, especially if you’re short on Stardust and Candy.

4. Why do people put low CP Pokémon in Gyms?

   • There are a few reasons. Sometimes, it’s to earn Gym badges. Other times, players might intentionally place weaker Pokémon in Gyms to feed them Berries, hoping to earn Stardust and Candy. Finally, some Gyms are located in remote areas, so it’s a way to claim the Gym and hope to get some PokéCoins when the Pokémon is eventually knocked out.

5. How do you tell if a Pokémon is 100% IV before catching it?

   • You can’t definitively know a Pokémon’s IVs before catching it in the base game. However, some external apps like PokeGenie or Calcy IV (use at your own risk) allow you to estimate IVs by scanning screenshots of the Pokémon.

6. What Pokémon can reach 5000 CP?

   • Currently, Slaking has the highest potential CP in Pokémon GO, reaching over 5000. Other Pokémon that can reach very high CP include Dragonite, Metagross, and various Legendary Pokémon.

7. Should I keep low IV Pokémon?

   • Generally, no. Unless you have a specific reason to keep a low IV Pokémon (such as it being a rare Shiny or having sentimental value), it’s usually best to transfer them. High IV Pokémon are significantly more valuable for battles and Raids.

8. Should I power up before evolving?

   • It’s generally better to evolve first and then power up. This is because the evolved form’s moveset is randomly determined, and you want to make sure you get a desirable moveset before investing Stardust and Candy. If you get a bad moveset, it might be better to evolve a different Pokémon.

9. Is a 2-star Pokémon good?

   • A 2-star Pokémon is decent. It means the Pokémon has good stats, but not exceptional. They’re suitable for casual gameplay, but if you’re aiming for high-level competitive battles, you’ll likely want to prioritize 3-star or 4-star Pokémon.

10. How rare are perfect Pokémon?

    • The base chance of finding a perfect IV (4-star) Pokémon in the wild is 1 in 4096. However, certain situations, such as hatching Pokémon from Eggs or encountering them in Raids, increase the odds of finding high IV Pokémon.

11. Should I evolve a perfect Pokémon?

    • Absolutely! If you have a perfect IV Pokémon, it’s almost always worth evolving and powering up. Perfect IV Pokémon have the highest possible potential CP, making them incredibly strong in battle.

12. Is a 0% Pokémon rare?

    • Yes, a 0% IV Pokémon is very rare, even rarer than a perfect IV Pokémon. While not useful for battles, some players collect them as a novelty.

13. What happens when you purify a Shadow Pokémon?

    • Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs, reduces the Stardust and Candy cost to power it up, and replaces its Frustration Charged Attack with Return. However, Shadow Pokémon typically deal more damage than their purified counterparts, so purifying them can reduce their overall battle effectiveness.

14. Should I evolve a 2-star Pokémon GO?

    • If you have a limited number of Pokémon and resources, evolve the 2-star Pokémon with the highest CP, especially if you do not have a better option available. This is the most common way to play!

15. Does CP matter in PVP?

    • Yes, CP matters in PvP (Trainer Battles), but the optimal CP can vary depending on the League (Great League, Ultra League, Master League). In Great and Ultra Leagues, there are CP caps (1500 and 2500, respectively), so trainers often seek Pokémon with the highest possible level under the CP cap. In Master League, there’s no CP cap, so having the highest CP possible is generally advantageous.

Learning about the science of gaming through research will make you a better Pokemon Go player! Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

In conclusion, CP is a vital aspect of Pokémon GO. While not the only factor to consider, it’s a reliable indicator of a Pokémon’s battle potential and a key element in building a strong team. By understanding the significance of CP, its relationship with trainer level and IVs, and the best strategies for evolving and powering up your Pokémon, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Pokémon GO master.