As a Pokémon GO trainer, you've likely found yourself checking the appraisal notes given by your character's mentor in the game. But did you know these aren't just words of praise or criticism? They're actually a numerical rating system that can help you improve your Pokémon. So, can you improve your Pokémon appraisal in Pokémon GO? Absolutely, and here's how.
Understanding the Pokémon Appraisal System is the first step. Each Pokémon in Pokémon GO is rated on four attributes - HP, Attack, Defense, and a special move (for certain Pokémon). Let's dive into these and learn how to make the most of your appraisals.
Understanding Pokémon Appraisal
The appraisal scores range from 0 to 15, with 15 being the best possible. Here's a breakdown of the appraisal notes you might receive, which correspond to these scores:
- Below Average: 0-5 (Poor, Needs Work, Needs Improvement)
- Average: 6-8 (Needs Some Improvement, Not Bad)
- Good: 9-10 (Very Good, Fantastic)
- Great: 11-12 (Great, Beyond Compare)
- Excellent: 13-14 (Excellent, Wonderful)
- Perfect: 15 (Perfect, Amazing, Phenomenal)
Attack, Defense, and HP Ratings
Most Pokémon are rated in terms of their Attack, Defense, and HP. Your mentor's appraisal will give you a good idea of where your Pokémon stands in each of these categories. For instance, if your mentor says your Pokémon is "Not Bad" in terms of Attack, that means its attack stat is probably around 7.
You can use these ratings to make strategic decisions. For example, you might want to prioritize powering up a Pokémon with a high attack rating for your battle line-up, or focus on increasing the defense of a Pokémon that's likely to take a beating.
The Importance of Special Move Ratings
Certain Pokémon have appraisals that focus on their fast move (Quick Attack, Scratch, etc.) or charged move (Tackle, Ember, etc.). These appraisals can give you insight into how effective a particular move is for that specific Pokémon.
For instance, if your mentor praises your Pidgey's "Wing Attack", it's a sign that your Pidgey might be a good candidate to learn that move through a TMS (Technical Machine). Similarly, a poor appraisal of a move might indicate it's not worth using that move on that particular Pokémon.
Improving Your Pokémon's Appraisal
Now that you understand how the appraisal system works, let's look at ways to improve your Pokémon's appraisal scores.
Powering Up and evolving
The most obvious way to improve your Pokémon's appraisal is to power it up using stardust and Candy. A higher level Pokémon will naturally have better stats. Similarly, evolving your Pokémon can significantly increase its stats. For example, evolving a Pidgey into a Pidgeotto or Pidgeot greatly improves its appraisal.
However, keep in mind that evolving also resets your Pokémon's stats, so you might lose some of the gains you've made thus far. This is where understanding your Pokémon's appraisal comes in handy - you can evolve when its appraisal is high, so you're starting from a strong base.
CP and IV's
CP (Combat Power) is a measure of your Pokémon's overall strength, derived from its HP, Attack, and Defense stats. IV's (Individual Values) refer to the specific values of these stats for a particular Pokémon, which can vary even within the same species. The higher your Pokémon's CP and IV's, the better its appraisal will be.
Maxing out your Pokémon's CP and IV's can be a complex process, involving a combination of powering up, evolving, and catching new Pokémon. But understanding the appraisal system can help you make better decisions about when to use your resources to get the best results.
So, the next time you check your Pokémon's appraisal, don't just enjoy the praise. Use it to strategize and improve your team of Pokémon. After all, understanding and using the appraisal system effectively is a significant step towards becoming a top Pokémon GO trainer.