Pokemon Go | How To Raise Pokemon CP: Power Up Guide & Tips

Read this Pokemon GO guide on how to raise a Pokemon's CP - including information on how to power up Pokemon using Stardust, candies, and more!

Step 1: Raise Trainer Level

Raise Trainer Level To Increase Pokemon CP Limit

A Pokemon's CP can only go up as high as its trainer level will allow. If you have a high trainer level, you will be able to power up your Pokemon's CP and make it higher.

Can't Power Up Pokemon If Trainer Level Is Too Low

If you've reached the upper limit of a Pokemon's CP, you'll only be able to power up this Pokemon if you raise your trainer level.

CP Limit Is Removed When Trainer Level Is 35

Once you reach trainer level 35, the CP limit will be removed and Pokemon can be powered up to your heart's content, as long as you have the Stardust and Candy.

Raise Trainer Level By Earning XP

You'll earn XP by playing Pokemon GO - catching Pokemon, defeating gyms, defeating raids, and battling other trainers. This is how you can raise your trainer's level.

Step 2: Check Needed Stardust & Candy

Powering Up Needs Stardust & Pokemon Candy

Powering up a Pokemon requires a specific number of Stardust and Pokemon-specific candy. You won't be able to power up or raise your Pokemon's CP without the correct number of Stardust or Candy.

Earn Stardust & Candies From Catching Pokemon

You can earn Stardust and Pokemon-specific Candy by simply catching Pokemon whose CP you want to raise. This is one of the easiest and simplest ways.

Step 3: Power Up Pokemon

Choose Pokemon You Want To Power Up

Once you have enough Stardust and Candy, you can finally raise the CP of your desired Pokemon. Simply press the "Power Up" button when checking the status of your Pokemon in-game.

After 4 Power Ups, Stardust Needed Increases

After you've powered up your Pokemon 4 times, the Stardust needed will increase. The needed Stardust will increase after every 4th power up.

CP Increase Lowers When 5k Stardust Is Needed

Once you've powered up your Pokemon enough to need 5000 Stardust per power up, the CP number increase will be reduced.

Additional HP Is Also Reduced

The HP bonus will also be reduced after every 4th power up of a Pokemon so it's best to use your remaining Stardust & Candy on other Pokemon.

What Is Combat Power?

Numbers Indicating Pokemon's Stats & Level

A Pokemon's Combat Power or CP indicates its statistics and overall level, determining how well it will do in battle. The higher the CP level, the higher the capacity of attack strength of a Pokemon.

CP Is Randomly Generated Per Pokemon

CP is randomly given per Pokemon. You can catch two same Pokemon and they can have different Combat Power numbers, therefore have different attack power capacities.

CP Limit Depends On Pokemon Species & Form

The Combat Power of a Pokemon depends on its species and its form. Some species naturally have a higher CP limit and higher evolutions have a higher CP limit than their base forms.

Higher Evolutions Have Higher CP

A Pokemon's secondary or final evolution will always have a higher CP than its base form. Evolving a Pokemon also increases this limit, allowing you to power up their CP & make them stronger.