IVs: The Hidden Strength of Your Pokemon
Before diving into the power-up vs. evolve debate, let’s talk about a hidden stat called Individual Values (IVs). IVs determine your Pokemon’s potential strength in attack, defense, and stamina. You can now easily check a Pokemon’s IVs within the game using the Appraisal feature.
Why IVs Matter:
- A high IV score (3 stars) indicates a Pokemon with potential to excel in all three stats.
- A 3-star Pokemon with a red certificate is perfect (100% IVs)!
- High IVs make your Pokemon more efficient to power up and evolve, requiring less Stardust.
Should You Power Up Before Evolving?
- Ideally, yes! Powering up first maximizes your Pokemon’s potential before evolution.
- However, evolving first is okay, especially early on or if you’re low on Stardust/candies.
- Remember, evolving increases a Pokemon’s level but not its IVs.
Tips for Selecting Strong Pokemon:
- Click on any Pokemon and go to Appraisal.
- Look for 3-star ratings with high values in all three categories.
- Rename strong Pokemon to easily identify them.
Benefits of High IV Pokemon:
- Stronger for battles, raids, and gyms.
- More efficient to power up, saving Stardust.
Navigating the New Appraisal System:
- Use the arrows to quickly flip through your Pokemon’s IVs.
- This update replaces the old, cryptic appraisal system.
- IVs are based on your trainer level and the three key stats.
Additional Notes:
- Don’t solely rely on CP. IVs reveal a Pokemon’s true potential.
- Use higher CP Pokemon for regular play initially.
- Focus on high IV Pokemon for long-term strength.
- Pinap Berries and targeted encounters can help gather candies for specific Pokemon.
Remember:
- Powering up before evolving is best, but evolve when necessary.
- Check IVs and prioritize strong Pokemon.
- Use the Appraisal feature to identify your best candidates.
- The new system makes IV evaluation much easier!
Evolve Wisely: Powering Up Before Evolution Matters
Evolving Pokemon is exciting, but hold your horses! This guide explains why powering up before evolving can optimize your resources and create stronger Pokemon.
Powering Up Matters:
You spend Stardust and Candy to power up, so use them wisely! Tier 2 Pokemon gain more CP per power-up compared to Tier 1. For example, powering up a Pidgey might only increase its CP by 5, while a Pidgeotto or Pidgeot would see bigger jumps (+20 to +30). Investing in a higher Tier 1 Pokemon from the start means greater CP gains later.
Why Delay Evolution?
Evolving a low CP Pokemon squanders Candies. Consider this:
- A 74 CP Pidgey evolves into a 141 CP Pidgeotto.
- A 170 CP Pidgey evolves into a 335 CP Pidgeotto.
- A 340 CP Pidgey evolves into a 633 CP Pidgeotto.
The higher the starting CP, the stronger the evolved form!
Waiting Makes Sense:
Early on (around Level 17-20), focus on leveling up. You’ll encounter higher CP Pokemon, making them better candidates for evolution. Once you find a Tier 1 Pokemon with 300+ CP, you’re golden! Remember, evolution doesn’t affect IVs, so a higher starting CP leads to a stronger final form.
Bonus Tip:
For “single-stage” Pokemon like Lapras or Jynx, hold off on powering up. Higher CP versions might appear as you level up, saving you precious resources.
Evolve Smarter:
By understanding the CP gains from powering up and the impact of starting CP on evolution, you can make informed decisions. Remember, a little patience goes a long way in building a powerful Pokemon team!
Conclusion:
Powering up before evolving maximizes your Pokemon’s potential. High IVs lead to stronger Pokemon and lower resource costs. Utilize the new Appraisal system to make informed decisions! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
