Top 5 Pokémon to Evolve First in Pokémon GO
In Pokémon GO, evolution serves as a crucial mechanic, unlocking your Pokémon’s full potential and enhancing their performance in battles, raids, and gym defense. With so many options available, knowing which Pokémon to evolve first can significantly influence your gameplay. Here, we delve into the top five Pokémon you should consider evolving first to maximize your effectiveness and efficiency in the game.
1. Pidgey
Why Evolve?
Pidgey is a lasting favorite among trainers due to its low candy requirement and immense utility. Evolving Pidgey into Pidgeotto and then Pidgeot allows you to quickly reach higher CP Pokémon without exhausting your resources.
Candy Cost:
Evolve Pidgey into Pidgeotto for just 12 candies.
Usefulness:
Pidgeot’s stats make it a viable option for gym battles and raids. Moreover, Pidgey is one of the most abundant Pokémon in the wild, which means collecting the required candy for evolution is relatively easy. Additionally, during Community Days, particularly for Pidgey, chances to acquire an exclusive move like Hurricane make it even more appealing. This combination of low investment and high potential makes it a must-evolve Pokémon for early-game players.
2. Eevee
Why Evolve?
Eevee’s evolution into one of several different types gives trainers an exciting choice. Depending on the evolution stone used or special conditions met, you can evolve Eevee into Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, or Umbreon.
Candies and Evolution Strategies:
Evolving Eevee costs 25 candies. Choosing the right evolution can cater to your team’s needs based on your battle strategy. For example, if you’re focused on gym battles, Vaporeon can be a tanky water type, while Jolteon offers speed and electric advantages.
Unique Feature:
Eevee boasts a unique evolution mechanic; you can name your Eevee before evolving it to guarantee a specific evolution, which adds another layer of strategy. Particularly during Community Days that typically feature Eevee, the abundance of candy available allows you to evolve multiple variants quickly.
3. Machoke
Why Evolve?
Machoke, when evolved into Machamp, becomes one of the best fighting Pokémon in the game, thanks to its high CP and excellent move set.
Candy Requirement:
Evolving Machoke into Machamp requires 100 candies.
Combat Viability:
Machamp’s versatility shines in various battle scenarios, especially in raids against Normal, Rock, Ice, Steel, and Dark types. Having Machamp in your arsenal increases your effectiveness in battling team leaders and gyms, making it an essential evolution to prioritize.
PvP Relevance:
Additionally, if you’re interested in PvP battles, Machamp with the right moves can dominate in Great League and Ultra League formats. As a team player, Machamp will bolster your fighting type roster, making it a practical choice for evolution early on in your Pokémon journey.
4. Snorlax
Why Evolve?
Although Snorlax does not evolve from another Pokémon and is instead a catchable species, it deserves a place on our list due to its remarkable defensive capabilities and high CP.
Rarity and Strategy:
Securing a Snorlax requires effort, but once obtained, evolving (or rather powering up) it provides significant returns. Snorlax can hold gyms for extended periods and withstand multiple attacks due to its high HP and defense stats.
Effective Moves:
Snorlax can be trained to learn powerful moves like Body Slam, which allows for quick energy gain. This utility makes Snorlax an essential addition to your team, particularly for gym defense and in battles against more challenging opponents. It’s worth investing in a high-IV Snorlax to maximize your competitive edge in the game.
5. Dratini
Why Evolve?
Dratini evolves into Dragonair and eventually Dragonite, one of the more potent Dragon-type Pokémon in the game.
Candy Requirements:
Dratini evolution costs 25 candies for Dragonair and 100 candies to reach Dragonite.
Competitive Power:
Focusing on evolving and powering up Dratini can be a game-changer for trainers, especially in raids, where Dragonite shines with its powerful attacks and ability to evade moves due to its high speed. Notably, Dragonite also possesses versatility in its moves, allowing effective counter-play against many types.
Special Benefits:
Dragonite’s role in both gym battles and competitive bouts cannot be overstated. With access to exclusive moves during special events, prioritizing Dratini as an evolution target could set you up for significant success across different aspects of Pokémon GO.
Additional Considerations
While the Pokémon listed above are prime candidates for evolution, your choices should also reflect your play style and available resources. Always consider the availability of candy, the rarity of Pokémon, and your current needs in battles. Additionally, participating in events like Community Days can yield valuable opportunities to collect candy and evolve Pokémon without breaking your budget.
To optimize your evolution strategy, continuously monitor Pokémon spawns in your area, keep an eye on upcoming events, and refine your roster based on what works best in your personal playstyle. With the dynamic world of Pokémon GO constantly changing, adapting your evolution priorities will ensure your team stays competitive and robust. Happy hunting and evolving!
