{"id":372253,"date":"2025-07-17T01:14:39","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T01:14:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/?p=372253"},"modified":"2025-07-17T01:14:39","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T01:14:39","slug":"when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/","title":{"rendered":"When should I power up a Pok\u00e9mon?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#When_Should_I_Power_Up_a_Pokemon_in_Pokemon_GO_A_Trainers_Guide\" title=\"When Should I Power Up a Pok\u00e9mon in Pok\u00e9mon GO? A Trainer&#8217;s Guide\">When Should I Power Up a Pok\u00e9mon in Pok\u00e9mon GO? A Trainer&#8217;s Guide<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#Understanding_the_Power-Up_Process\" title=\"Understanding the Power-Up Process\">Understanding the Power-Up Process<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#The_Golden_Rule_Evolve_First_Power_Up_Later\" title=\"The Golden Rule: Evolve First, Power Up Later\">The Golden Rule: Evolve First, Power Up Later<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#Evaluating_IVs_and_Appraisal\" title=\"Evaluating IVs and Appraisal\">Evaluating IVs and Appraisal<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#Understanding_IVs\" title=\"Understanding IVs\">Understanding IVs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#Using_the_Appraisal_System\" title=\"Using the Appraisal System\">Using the Appraisal System<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#Ideal_Scenarios_for_Powering_Up\" title=\"Ideal Scenarios for Powering Up\">Ideal Scenarios for Powering Up<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#Avoiding_Common_Power-Up_Pitfalls\" title=\"Avoiding Common Power-Up Pitfalls\">Avoiding Common Power-Up Pitfalls<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#The_Role_of_Trainer_Level\" title=\"The Role of Trainer Level\">The Role of Trainer Level<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#Shadow_vs_Purified_Pokemon\" title=\"Shadow vs. Purified Pok\u00e9mon\">Shadow vs. Purified Pok\u00e9mon<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#1_Should_I_power_up_my_starter_Pokemon\" title=\"1. Should I power up my starter Pok\u00e9mon?\">1. Should I power up my starter Pok\u00e9mon?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#2_What_is_the_best_Pokemon_to_power_up_to_their_max\" title=\"2. What is the best Pok\u00e9mon to power up to their max?\">2. What is the best Pok\u00e9mon to power up to their max?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#3_Should_I_evolve_a_3-star_Pokemon\" title=\"3. Should I evolve a 3-star Pok\u00e9mon?\">3. Should I evolve a 3-star Pok\u00e9mon?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#4_Is_it_better_to_purify_Pokemon_before_powering_up\" title=\"4. Is it better to purify Pok\u00e9mon before powering up?\">4. Is it better to purify Pok\u00e9mon before powering up?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#5_Should_I_power_up_a_low_CP_Pokemon\" title=\"5. Should I power up a low CP Pok\u00e9mon?\">5. Should I power up a low CP Pok\u00e9mon?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#6_Do_Pokemon_get_stronger_as_you_level_up\" title=\"6. Do Pok\u00e9mon get stronger as you level up?\">6. Do Pok\u00e9mon get stronger as you level up?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#7_Should_I_purify_Shadow_Pokemon\" title=\"7. Should I purify Shadow Pok\u00e9mon?\">7. Should I purify Shadow Pok\u00e9mon?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#8_Should_you_evolve_shiny_Pokemon\" title=\"8. Should you evolve shiny Pok\u00e9mon?\">8. Should you evolve shiny Pok\u00e9mon?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#9_Does_CP_matter_in_Pokemon_GO\" title=\"9. Does CP matter in Pok\u00e9mon GO?\">9. Does CP matter in Pok\u00e9mon GO?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#10_Is_a_0-star_Shadow_Pokemon_good\" title=\"10. Is a 0-star Shadow Pok\u00e9mon good?\">10. Is a 0-star Shadow Pok\u00e9mon good?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#11_Are_Shadow_Pokemon_better\" title=\"11. Are Shadow Pok\u00e9mon better?\">11. Are Shadow Pok\u00e9mon better?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#12_What_is_a_perfect_3-star_Pokemon\" title=\"12. What is a perfect 3-star Pok\u00e9mon?\">12. What is a perfect 3-star Pok\u00e9mon?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#13_Is_CP_or_stars_more_important\" title=\"13. Is CP or stars more important?\">13. Is CP or stars more important?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#14_Should_I_max_power_up_before_evolving\" title=\"14. Should I max power up before evolving?\">14. Should I max power up before evolving?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/#15_What_Pokemon_has_the_highest_exp_gain\" title=\"15. What Pok\u00e9mon has the highest exp gain?\">15. What Pok\u00e9mon has the highest exp gain?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Should_I_Power_Up_a_Pokemon_in_Pokemon_GO_A_Trainers_Guide\"><\/span>When Should I Power Up a Pok\u00e9mon in Pok\u00e9mon GO? A Trainer&#8217;s Guide<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>The burning question every Pok\u00e9mon GO trainer faces: <strong>when is the right time to invest precious Stardust and Candy into powering up your Pok\u00e9mon?<\/strong> The short answer is: <strong>after you\u2019ve evolved it, and only if it has a good moveset and high IVs (Individual Values).<\/strong> But, like any good strategy in the world of Pok\u00e9mon, there\u2019s a lot more to it than that. This guide will break down the intricacies of powering up, helping you make informed decisions to build the ultimate Pok\u00e9mon GO team.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understanding_the_Power-Up_Process\"><\/span>Understanding the Power-Up Process<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before diving into the &#8220;when,&#8221; let&#8217;s quickly recap the &#8220;how.&#8221; Powering up a Pok\u00e9mon in Pok\u00e9mon GO increases its <strong>Combat Power (CP)<\/strong> and <strong>HP (Hit Points)<\/strong>. CP is a composite number that provides a quick estimation of a Pok\u00e9mon&#8217;s strength, while HP indicates how much damage it can withstand. You power up Pok\u00e9mon using <strong>Stardust<\/strong> and <strong>Candy<\/strong>, both obtained through various in-game activities like catching Pok\u00e9mon, hatching Eggs, completing research tasks, and participating in battles. The amount of Stardust and Candy required to power up a Pok\u00e9mon increases with each level.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Golden_Rule_Evolve_First_Power_Up_Later\"><\/span>The Golden Rule: Evolve First, Power Up Later<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The most crucial piece of advice for any aspiring Pok\u00e9mon GO master is this: <strong>never power up a Pok\u00e9mon before evolving it.<\/strong> Here&#8217;s why:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Random Movesets:<\/strong> When a Pok\u00e9mon evolves, it receives a <strong>new, randomly generated set of moves.<\/strong> Some moves are simply better than others, dealing more damage per second (DPS) or having better energy generation. You might power up a Pok\u00e9mon with a terrible moveset, only to have it evolve and get stuck with even worse attacks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Resource Management:<\/strong> Stardust and Candy are valuable resources. Wasting them on a Pok\u00e9mon that ends up with a subpar moveset is a significant setback. Waiting until after evolution ensures you&#8217;re investing in a Pok\u00e9mon with the potential to be a strong attacker or defender.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Opportunity Cost:<\/strong> While you&#8217;re spending resources on a potentially bad Pok\u00e9mon, you could be saving them for one with far better stats and moves. Be patient and selective!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Evaluating_IVs_and_Appraisal\"><\/span>Evaluating IVs and Appraisal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Once your Pok\u00e9mon has evolved, it\u2019s time to assess its potential. This involves looking at its <strong>Individual Values (IVs)<\/strong> and using the in-game appraisal system.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understanding_IVs\"><\/span>Understanding IVs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>IVs are hidden stats that determine a Pok\u00e9mon&#8217;s potential. Each Pok\u00e9mon has an Attack IV, a Defense IV, and a Stamina IV, each ranging from 0 to 15. A Pok\u00e9mon with perfect IVs (15\/15\/15) will have significantly higher stats than one with low IVs when powered up to the same level.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Using_the_Appraisal_System\"><\/span>Using the Appraisal System<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Pok\u00e9mon GO&#8217;s appraisal system, accessed through your team leader (Candela, Blanche, or Spark), provides a rough estimate of a Pok\u00e9mon&#8217;s IVs.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>0 stars<\/strong>: Low IVs, generally not worth investing in.<\/li>\n<li><strong>1 star<\/strong>: Decent IVs, could be useful for certain situations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2 stars<\/strong>: Good IVs, worth considering for powering up if the moveset is excellent.<\/li>\n<li><strong>3 stars<\/strong>: High IVs, definitely worth investing in.<\/li>\n<li><strong>3 stars with a red stamp<\/strong>: Perfect IVs (100% IV), a rare find and almost always worth powering up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ideal_Scenarios_for_Powering_Up\"><\/span>Ideal Scenarios for Powering Up<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Now that you understand the fundamentals, let&#8217;s explore some specific scenarios where powering up is a smart move:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>High IVs and a Great Moveset:<\/strong> This is the jackpot. If you have a Pok\u00e9mon with high IVs (especially 3 stars or higher) <em>and<\/em> a moveset that&#8217;s highly rated for damage output (check online resources like PvPoke or GamePress), then it&#8217;s a prime candidate for powering up.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Filling a Specific Team Role:<\/strong> Sometimes, you might need a Pok\u00e9mon of a specific type to counter certain Gym defenders or Raid bosses. Even if the IVs aren&#8217;t perfect, a Pok\u00e9mon with a good moveset can be worth powering up to fill this niche.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Participating in PvP Battles:<\/strong> In the GO Battle League, different leagues have CP caps. You might need to power up Pok\u00e9mon strategically to reach the maximum CP allowed in a specific league, like the Great League or Ultra League.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Defending Gyms:<\/strong> While Gym defense isn&#8217;t as crucial as it used to be, a well-placed, powered-up Pok\u00e9mon can still deter attackers and earn you Pok\u00e9Coins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Avoiding_Common_Power-Up_Pitfalls\"><\/span>Avoiding Common Power-Up Pitfalls<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Here are some mistakes to avoid when powering up your Pok\u00e9mon:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Powering up Shadow Pok\u00e9mon before evaluating.<\/strong> Shadow Pok\u00e9mon have an attack boost but are expensive to power up. Decide if you will purify it or keep it as a shadow. Only invest in shadow Pok\u00e9mon with strong IVs and movesets that can be useful in raids or PvP.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ignoring Movesets:<\/strong> IVs are important, but a good moveset is crucial. A Pok\u00e9mon with perfect IVs but a bad moveset will underperform compared to one with decent IVs and an optimal moveset.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chasing Perfection:<\/strong> Don&#8217;t get paralyzed by the search for the perfect Pok\u00e9mon. A Pok\u00e9mon with high, but not perfect, IVs and a great moveset is often more valuable than waiting indefinitely for a 100% IV specimen.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Powering up Beyond Your Trainer Level:<\/strong> You can only power up a Pok\u00e9mon to your Trainer level + 10. There&#8217;s no point in hoarding resources to power up beyond that limit until you level up yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Role_of_Trainer_Level\"><\/span>The Role of Trainer Level<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Your <strong>Trainer level<\/strong> plays a significant role in your Pok\u00e9mon&#8217;s power. The higher your Trainer level, the stronger the Pok\u00e9mon you can catch in the wild and the higher you can power up your existing Pok\u00e9mon. Aim to reach at least Level 30 as quickly as possible, as this is when you can find Pok\u00e9mon with significantly higher CP in the wild. Trainers can Power Up their Pok\u00e9mon to their Trainer levels + 10, which implies that Trainers only need to be level 30 to get a Pok\u00e9mon at level 40. Powering up Pok\u00e9mon to level 41 to 50 consumes Stardust and Candy XL. Similarly, Trainers at level 40 can make their Pok\u00e9mon reach the max level 50.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shadow_vs_Purified_Pokemon\"><\/span>Shadow vs. Purified Pok\u00e9mon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Shadow Pok\u00e9mon have a <strong>20% attack boost<\/strong> but take <strong>increased damage<\/strong>. Purifying them removes this boost but makes them cheaper to power up and evolve.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Shadow Pok\u00e9mon:<\/strong> If a Shadow Pokemon is 0-stars but has decent Attacks and CP, it&#8217;s better to leave it unpurified for future battles. Shadow Pokemon works as angry Pokemon and will deal damage more faster then Normal or Purified Pokemon. The attack power of a Shadow Pokemon is boosted by 1.2x or 20%, making its fast attack hit significantly harder. So it&#8217;s better to keep them unpurified.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Purified Pok\u00e9mon:<\/strong> Purifying gives the Pok\u00e9mon a significant increase in Combat Power and it will cost less candies to evolve. Make sure you Purify a Pok\u00e9mon BEFORE you evolve it so you can use less candies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Powering up Pok\u00e9mon in Pok\u00e9mon GO is a strategic decision that requires careful consideration of IVs, movesets, and your overall team goals. Evolve first, evaluate carefully, and invest wisely. With the right approach, you&#8217;ll build a powerful team that can conquer gyms, dominate raids, and rise through the ranks in the GO Battle League. Good luck, trainers! Consider diving deeper into the mechanics and strategy by visiting the <strong>Games Learning Society<\/strong> website. You can visit <strong>GamesLearningSociety.org<\/strong> to learn more about gaming.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Should_I_power_up_my_starter_Pokemon\"><\/span>1. Should I power up my starter Pok\u00e9mon?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Unlike the main series games, powering up your starter Pok\u00e9mon isn&#8217;t essential for evolving them. Focus on catching stronger Pok\u00e9mon in the wild as you level up.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_What_is_the_best_Pokemon_to_power_up_to_their_max\"><\/span>2. What is the best Pok\u00e9mon to power up to their max?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Mewtwo is often considered one of the best investments for powering up to its max potential due to its high damage output as a Psychic-type attacker.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Should_I_evolve_a_3-star_Pokemon\"><\/span>3. Should I evolve a 3-star Pok\u00e9mon?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If a Pok\u00e9mon has three red bars and a red three-star stamp, it signifies perfect IVs (100%). It is beneficial to evolve.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Is_it_better_to_purify_Pokemon_before_powering_up\"><\/span>4. Is it better to purify Pok\u00e9mon before powering up?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Purifying a Shadow Pok\u00e9mon reduces the Stardust and Candy needed to power up and evolve, but it also removes the Shadow Pok\u00e9mon&#8217;s attack boost. Weigh the costs and benefits based on your goals.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Should_I_power_up_a_low_CP_Pokemon\"><\/span>5. Should I power up a low CP Pok\u00e9mon?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In general, it&#8217;s better to focus on powering up Pok\u00e9mon with higher CP values to begin with, as they have a higher potential. However, consider IVs and movesets as well.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Do_Pokemon_get_stronger_as_you_level_up\"><\/span>6. Do Pok\u00e9mon get stronger as you level up?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The higher your Trainer level, the stronger and rarer the Pok\u00e9mon you&#8217;ll encounter, and the higher you can increase your Pok\u00e9mon&#8217;s CP.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Should_I_purify_Shadow_Pokemon\"><\/span>7. Should I purify Shadow Pok\u00e9mon?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Shadow Pokemon cost 20% more Candy and Stardust to Power Up, Evolve or to learn a new Charged Move. Purified Pokemon will have better Appraisal and receive 2 points towards all their IVs. This can potentially bring a 2-star Shadow Pokemon to a 3-star if it&#8217;s purified.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Should_you_evolve_shiny_Pokemon\"><\/span>8. Should you evolve shiny Pok\u00e9mon?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Aesthetic Appeal: Shiny Pok\u00e9mon have unique coloration compared to their non-shiny counterparts. If you appreciate the look of the shiny form and prefer it over the regular form, evolving your shiny Pok\u00e9mon can be a way to enjoy its unique appearance.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Does_CP_matter_in_Pokemon_GO\"><\/span>9. Does CP matter in Pok\u00e9mon GO?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Generally, a Pok\u00e9mon with higher CP will perform better in battle than one with a lower stat. There are other factors such as types, moveset, and weather bonuses that alter this paradigm, though. Nonetheless, it is a good way of determining a Pokemon&#8217;s strength at a base level.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Is_a_0-star_Shadow_Pokemon_good\"><\/span>10. Is a 0-star Shadow Pok\u00e9mon good?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Shadow Pokemon that are Purified will sometimes have their Appraisal increased. It will also lose the Shadow Bonus effect. So, if a Shadow Pokemon is 0-stars but has decent Attacks and CP, it&#8217;s better to leave it unpurified for future battles.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Are_Shadow_Pokemon_better\"><\/span>11. Are Shadow Pok\u00e9mon better?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Shadow Pok\u00e9mon have a 20% boost to their Attack stats in both PvP and PvE (Raids and Gym battles) at the cost of a 20% decrease to their Defense stats. In PvE, this results in Shadow Pok\u00e9mon being much stronger than their normal versions, since the huge increase in damage outweighs the lower bulk.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_What_is_a_perfect_3-star_Pokemon\"><\/span>12. What is a perfect 3-star Pok\u00e9mon?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If your Pok\u00e9mon has three stars and a red stamp, it means that it has 100% perfect IVs. If it has three star with an orange stamp, it has around 80-99% perfect IVs. Two stars means 66-80% IVs and one star means 50-65% IVs.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_Is_CP_or_stars_more_important\"><\/span>13. Is CP or stars more important?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Rating stars represent the potential, and CP represents the current state. If you power up a Pokemon with 3 stats to the same level as a 0 star Pokemon of the same species, the 3 star one will have more CP. Usually CP is your best indicator of your strongest fighters (but there are TONS more factors).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_Should_I_max_power_up_before_evolving\"><\/span>14. Should I max power up before evolving?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A Pok\u00e9mon&#8217;s CP potential and IVs are not affected by evolution: IVs (Attack, Defense, Stamina values hidden in the game) and CP potential (the max CP that can be reached when fully powered up) remains the same regardless of whether you Power Up before or after evolving. But it is better to evolve first to get the moveset.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_What_Pokemon_has_the_highest_exp_gain\"><\/span>15. What Pok\u00e9mon has the highest exp gain?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Blissey gives the most EXP when defeated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Should I Power Up a Pok\u00e9mon in Pok\u00e9mon GO? A Trainer&#8217;s Guide The burning question every Pok\u00e9mon GO trainer faces: when is the right time to invest precious Stardust and Candy into powering up your Pok\u00e9mon? The short answer is: after you\u2019ve evolved it, and only if it has a good moveset and high &#8230; <a title=\"When should I power up a Pok\u00e9mon?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/when-should-i-power-up-a-pokemon\/\" aria-label=\"More on When should I power up a Pok\u00e9mon?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-372253","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/372253","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=372253"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/372253\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=372253"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=372253"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=372253"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}