Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO

Powering Up Pokémon

Increase your Pokémon GO Pokémon's Combat Power and HP. This guide details the process of powering up your strongest allies for raids and battles.

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Powering Up Pokémon

Maximizing your Pokémon's potential in Pokémon GO is crucial for dominating Gyms, winning Raid Battles, and excelling in Trainer Battles. Powering up directly increases a Pokémon's Combat Power (CP) and Hit Points (HP), making them stronger in every encounter. This detailed guide will walk you through the process, item acquisition, and strategic considerations for effective power-ups.

The Power-Up Process: Step-by-Step

Powering up a Pokémon is a straightforward process, but understanding its implications is key.

  1. Select Your Pokémon: From the main map screen, tap the Poké Ball icon at the bottom center to open the main menu. Then, tap "Pokémon" to view your collection. Scroll through your Pokémon and select the one you wish to power up.
  2. Access the Pokémon's Summary: Once you've selected a Pokémon, you'll be taken to its summary screen. Here you can see its current CP, HP, moves, and other vital statistics.
  3. Initiate Power Up: Below the Pokémon's image and stats, you'll find a "POWER UP" button. Tap this button to begin the process.
  4. Confirm Resource Consumption: A confirmation screen will appear, showing you the exact amount of Stardust and Candy required for the next power-up increment. Each tap of the "POWER UP" button increases the Pokémon's level by half a level, consuming resources.
  5. Execute Power Up: If you have sufficient Stardust and Candy, tap "YES" to confirm and power up your Pokémon. You'll see its CP and HP increase immediately.

Important Note: A Pokémon can only be powered up to a maximum level determined by your Trainer Level. As your Trainer Level increases, so does the maximum level your Pokémon can reach.

Essential Resources: Stardust and Candy

Two primary resources are indispensable for powering up your Pokémon:

  • Stardust: This universal resource is used for every single power-up across all your Pokémon. It's the most frequently consumed resource.
  • Candy: Each Pokémon species has its own unique Candy. For example, you'll need Rattata Candy to power up a Rattata, and Pikachu Candy to power up a Pikachu. Some Pokémon share Candy types if they are part of the same evolutionary line (e.g., Charmander Candy for Charmander, Charmeleon, and Charizard).

Acquiring Stardust

Stardust is a precious commodity, and there are several reliable ways to accumulate it:

  • Catching Pokémon: This is your primary source. Each successful catch grants you Stardust. Special events often feature increased Stardust bonuses for catching.
  • Hatching Eggs: Hatching eggs from PokéStops or Gifts provides a significant amount of Stardust, especially for higher-tier eggs (e.g., 10km eggs).
  • Gym Battles: Placing a Pokémon in a friendly Gym and holding it for a period will earn you PokéCoins and Stardust daily, up to a cap.
  • Research Tasks: Completing Field Research and Special Research tasks often rewards Stardust. Keep an eye out for tasks specifically offering Stardust.
  • Team GO Rocket Battles: Defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts, Leaders, and Giovanni will reward you with Stardust.
  • Gifts: Opening Gifts from friends can sometimes contain Stardust.
  • Star Pieces: This premium item, often found in the in-game shop or as event rewards, boosts Stardust gains by 50% for 30 minutes. Use them strategically during Stardust-heavy events or catching sprees.

Acquiring Candy

Candy is species-specific, making its acquisition more targeted:

  • Catching Pokémon: The most common way to get Candy for a specific Pokémon is to catch more of that species. Each catch typically yields 3 Candy.
  • Transferring Pokémon: Transferring unwanted Pokémon to Professor Willow grants 1 Candy of that species. This is an excellent way to clear out your storage and gain resources.
  • Hatching Eggs: Hatching an egg containing a specific Pokémon will also grant you a substantial amount of its Candy.
  • Walking with a Buddy Pokémon: Assign a Pokémon as your Buddy, and it will find Candy for its species after you walk a certain distance. The distance varies by Pokémon (e.g., 1km, 3km, 5km, 20km).
  • Rare Candy: This special item can be converted into 1 Candy for any Pokémon species. Rare Candies are primarily obtained from Raid Battles, completing certain Research Tasks, and sometimes from Gifts. They are invaluable for powering up legendary or rare Pokémon.
  • Pinap Berries: Using a Pinap Berry before catching a Pokémon doubles the amount of Candy you receive from that catch. This is highly recommended for Pokémon you want to power up or evolve.

Strategic Power-Up Considerations

Don't just power up every Pokémon you catch. Strategic power-ups save resources and maximize your effectiveness.

  • IVs (Individual Values): Before investing heavily, check your Pokémon's IVs using the in-game appraisal system. Pokémon with high IVs (especially 3-star appraisals) will have higher maximum stats and are generally better candidates for power-ups.
  • Movesets: A Pokémon's moveset is as important as its stats. Ensure your powered-up Pokémon has an optimal Fast Attack and Charged Attack for its intended role (e.g., attacking Gyms, defending Gyms, Trainer Battles). Use Charged TMs and Fast TMs to change moves if necessary.
  • Evolution First: In most cases, it's more efficient to evolve a Pokémon before powering it up. Evolving often changes a Pokémon's moveset, and you might want to save your Stardust and Candy for the evolved form if its moves are more desirable.
  • Raid and Gym Attackers: Prioritize powering up Pokémon that are strong attackers against common Raid Bosses or Gym defenders. For example, a high IV Machamp with Counter and Dynamic Punch is an excellent investment for fighting Normal-type Gym defenders like Blissey and Snorlax.
  • Trainer Battle Specialists: For Trainer Battles, different Pokémon and CP caps apply (Great League, Ultra League, Master League). Research the meta for each league and power up Pokémon specifically for those roles. Sometimes, a lower CP Pokémon with specific IVs is preferred for certain leagues.
  • Legendary and Mythical Pokémon: These Pokémon often require a significant investment of Rare Candy and Stardust. Power them up judiciously, focusing on those with high IVs and strong utility.