How to increase strength (CP) and evolve the Pokemons? Pokemon GO Guide
Last update: 20 July 2016
Pokémon GO lacks advanced Pokémon statistics - there is no speed, defense, regular and special attack and so on. Instead, there is only one value, CP (Combat Power) - the higher it is, the stronger the Pokémon is. Similarly as in the animated series and the games, it is possible to evolve the Pokémon to higher form. Below you can read about both processes.
Increasing the CP value of a Pokémon
Each Pokémon is characterized by CP (Combat Power) value. This value determines the overall strength of a Pokémon in combat - if two same Pokémons face each other on the battleground, then the one with higher CP value will win. It is a simple mechanism which partially limits the development possibilities of a Pokémon and which gives advantage to players who are playing the game longer than others.
Each Pokémon you capture starts with a random CP value and has an upper CP limit which he can reach. The maximum CP value is shown on the Pokémon presentation screen - above his portrait you can see an indicator which will be partially filled depending on CP of your Pokémon. If Pokémon's maximum CP is 500 and your monster has 200 CP, then the bar will be filled in 40%. The maximum CP of each Pokémon depends on the level of your character. Once the Pokémon reaches the maximum value of the indicator and you will obtain a new level, the upper CP limit will increase and your Pokémon will be once more able to be strengthened.
In order to increase Pokémon's CP you must use the POWER UP option available on Pokémon screen. Two things are required for it: correct Candy and the required number of Stardust. Candy related to a Pokémon (Charmander Candy, Pikachu Candy and so on) can be obtained when catching a Pokémon (1 piece) and when sending a creature to professor (also 1 piece). Stardust is mostly obtained by catching Pokémons - each captured creature will give you 100 pieces of the resource.
After clicking the POWER UP button CP of a creature will increase by a few percent and his health by a few points. Every a few upgrades (after reaching certain high level of CP) the Candy cost will increase by 1. Once CP value of a Pokémon reaches the maximum (the previously mentioned bar will be filled), you won't be able to strengthen it anymore. Once you gain higher level, the meter will drop to ~90% and you will be able to strengthen the creature more.
Remember not to strengthen Pokémons with very low CP. It is better to wait (and use resources to upgrade a different Pokémon) until you catch a stronger version of the creature. This will allow you to save many Candies and Stardust.
Evolution of Pokémons
Pokémon evolution is a simple process during which the creature reaches "higher form" - Pikachu transforms into Raichu, Charmander into Charmeleon (and then into Charizard) and so on. Higher Pokémon evolutions doesn't change only the looks - it also (and most of all) means higher CP level. After the evolution the CP value can be even multiplied a few times.
In order to evolve a Pokémon you must open the window with the creature (the one where you strengthened it) and select the Evolve option. In order to complete the process you will need to have enough Candy related to the Pokémon (similarly as above - Charmander Candy, Pikachu Candy etc). The higher the evolution and the more dramatic the change (like Magicarp into Gyardos), the more Candy will be needed.
You should remember that Pokémons keep their current percentage of maximum CP value after the evolution. If, for example, Pikachu had 300CP and his meter was filled in 80%, then after his evolution (as Raichu) his CP can be multiplied even a few times and his CP meter will remain filled in 80%. This can allow you to save great number of Stardust - strengthening higher forms of Pokémons is much more expensive than their lower version.