Pokémon Go Stats Explained: CP, IV, and Others

In Pokémon GO, Pokémon have three basic stats: Attack, Defense, and Stamina. All Pokemon of the same species will have the same base stats. The stats are relatively simple: a Pokemon's attack stats affect the damage its attacks will deal. Defense affects how much damage a Pokemon takes from attacks. Stamina affects the Pokémon's maximum HP. Unfortunately, these base stats don't reflect gameplay, so you'll have to rely on a Pokemon's Combat Power (CP) to determine its overall fighting ability.

If you're willing to do a little extra research, you can find a table listing all the basic Pokémon stats in Pokémon GO on Bulbapedia. There are also many useful mobile apps that allow you to view a Pokemon's basic stats on the fly (more on that later).

Like the main series Pokémon games, some Pokémon are inherently better than others. Some Pokemon will unfortunately always be weak no matter how good their IVs are due to low base stats. A Pokémon's base stats will never change.

Pokémon in Pokémon GO also feature height and weight stats, but these have absolutely no effect. Fans of the mainline Pokémon games are likely familiar with the small pool of moves that are affected by a Pokémon's weight, such as Heavy Slam or Grass Knot. This is not true in Pokémon GO, Weight and height are entirely arbitrary. At least it's kind of fun to see how high an Alolan Noadkoko can tower over his peers.

Understanding Combat Power (CP)

A Pokémon's CP represents its strength in battle and comes from a Pokémon's base stats and hidden stats called Individual Values ​​(IVs). IVs are a measure of a Pokémon's potential. Its species also determine a Pokémon's maximum CP; some Pokémon naturally have lower CP values ​​than others. Don't judge a Pokemon by its CP, as its stats, type, and moves are the most important when considering its performance in battle.

Pokemon with higher CP will generally have higher base stats, as these are definitely taken into account when calculating CP and have an effect on a Pokemon's overall performance. CP can be significantly weighted in favor of attack, meaning Pokémon with a high attack stat will have considerably higher CP than those without. However, just because a Pokemon's Attack is high doesn't make it a great Pokemon to use for battles. If his defense is weak, he can be eliminated more easily than the others. This is where IVs can come into play in a significant way, as they can offer boosts to a Pokemon's otherwise low base stats.

Understanding Individual Values ​​(IV)

Pokémon in Pokémon GO feature Individual Values ​​(IVs), like those in the main series games. Unlike the main series Pokémon games, in which a Pokémon will have six IVs (HP, Attack, Defense, Speed, Sp. Def, and Sp. Atk), ranging from 0 to 31, Pokémon in Pokémon GO only have three IVs ( Attack, Defense and Stamina), with a range of 0 to 15. An IV of 0 is the lowest possible and an IV of 15 is the highest possible. A Pokemon's most valuable IVs are those for its lowest base stats. A Pokémon with 15 in all three IVs (so 45 in total) is "perfect".

Because all Pokémon of the same species have the same base stats, an individual Pokémon's IVs determine whether it is stronger than others of its species. A Pokemon's IVs are usually the most critical factor to consider when deciding whether to invest Stardust in its power-up. Unfortunately, a Pokémon's IVs are hidden, but you can quickly check them using online and mobile tools.

It should be noted that while a Pokemon's base stats never change, its IVs do change when traded with another trainer. This feature ultimately exists to prevent the creation of a market for perfect Pokémon IVs and may be detrimental or beneficial to those in the trade. A Pokemon's IVs are completely random when traded, so there's no way to guarantee that an originally traded Pokemon with high IVs will still be awesome when received. Also, a Pokemon can only trade once, so there is no trading between the two until the Pokemon rolls good IVs. Learn more about Pokémon GO trading in our helpful guide.

Pokemon Rating

While a Pokémon's IVs remain hidden from players, you can receive hints to help you determine your Pokémon's IVs using the review feature. When you rate a Pokémon, your team leader offers insight into that individual Pokémon's power, alluding to its IV range. Of course, they won't tell you the information. Instead, they offer somewhat cryptic lines of dialogue to give you a general idea of ​​their stats. We've deciphered some of their statements below.

To select a Pokémon to rate, tap on the Pokémon you want to learn more about, then select “Rate” from the bottom-right menu. Your team leader will appear to tell you more about that Pokémon.

Your team leader analyzes your Pokemon and shares the following details:

1. The total overall range of your Pokemon's IVs
2. Which of your Pokemon's base stats is the highest, and if other stats are equal
3. The IV range of your Pokemon's highest base stat
4. Comment on the size (meaningless) of your Pokemon

As a reminder, a Pokemon can have up to 15 points in each of the three IVs, for a total value of 45. We've omitted size-related comments, as you can see a Pokemon's size by checking its profile.

Determining Your Pokemon's Total IV Range

Your team leader will then tell you which of your Pokémon's stats (Attack, Defense, or HP) is higher and whether any of its other stats are equal.

Determine the Range of Your Pokemon's Highest IVs

Understand the bow

A Pokémon's entry shows an arc displayed below its CP number. The arc does not represent a Pokémon's CP. Instead, the arc represents the Pokémon's current level relative to your trainer level and its growth potential. When your Trainer Level increases, you're essentially increasing the CP cap for your Pokemon, since it's possible to power up until the Pokemon is 1,5 levels higher than your current Trainer Level.

Pokémon with a lower point on the arc are one level lower and have more growth potential until they reach its current level. A Pokemon with a higher point on the arc is closer to your trainer level, and a max arc means it's equal to or higher than your current trainer level by 1,5 levels. Once your trainer level increases, the arc moves backward, indicating the availability of power up power gain. It goes back to max once the Pokemon has been powered up to its max for your level.

Increase a Pokémon's CP by Powering it up

As a Pokémon powers up and gains more levels, its CP increases. Since Pokémon species and IVs determine CP, it is possible to calculate the Pokémon's maximum CP once you know its IVs and level. The amount of CP a Pokemon gains upon power-up comes from its IVs, including the Pokemon's level and species. A Pokemon's CP has no determination on how much damage it deals in battles, as it comes from the Pokemon's Attack IV and the power of individual moves. When defending a Gym, a Pokémon loses motivation upon defeat, lowering its CP unless it eats more berries.

It is important to note that the higher the level of the Pokémon, the less CP it gains per power-up. Once a Pokémon reaches level 30, its CP gains from Powering Up decrease by about half. Therefore, powering up beyond this point is generally considered too minor of an upgrade for the incredible amount of stardust required. If you have a large surplus of stardust, feel free to keep leveling up to the max Pokemon level of 40.

Determine the level of a Pokemon

A Pokémon's base stats and CP increase with each power-up. Each power up grants half a level, up to a max level of 40. You can only power up a Pokemon that is 1,5 levels higher than your current training level. Each Power Up has a Stardust cost and requires a certain amount of candy. This cost, combined with the arc mentioned above, can help you estimate your Pokemon's current level range in all four Power Ups.

Pokemon Power Up Costs Based On Tier Range

Levels 1-3: 200 Stardust, 1 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 3-4: 400 Stardust, 1 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 5-7: 600 Stardust, 1 Candy (per power-up)

Levels 7-9: 800 Stardust, 1 Candy (per power-up)

Levels 9-11: 1000 Stardust, 1 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 11-13: 1300 Stardust, 2 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 13-15: 1600 Stardust, 2 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 15-17: 1900 Stardust, 2 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 17-19: 2200 Stardust, 2 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 19-21: 2500 Stardust, 2 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 21-23: 3000 Stardust, 3 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 23-25: 3500 Stardust, 3 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 25-27: 4000 Stardust, 4 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 27-29: 4500 Stardust, 4 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 29-31: 5000 Stardust, 4 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 31-33: 6000 Stardust, 6 Candy (per power-up)

Levels 33-35: 7,000 Stardust, 8 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 35-37: 8,000 Stardust, 10 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 37-39: 9,000 Stardust, 12 Candy (par Power Up)

Levels 39-40: 10000 Stardust, 15 Candy (par Power Up)

Tools and Apps

There are many formulas you can use to find out more about your Pokemon's stats. It's much easier to use one of the many excellent calculators available online. There are also many useful mobile apps that we recommend to help you check your Pokémon while you're actively playing Pokémon GO.

We've included those that are completely safe for use, and we don't recommend using those that require your Pokémon GO login or directly modify the app in any way. Here are our favorite tools to help you determine your Pokemon's true potential:

Mobile app

Online tools