Welcome to my comprehensive 2023 guide on powering up the optimal Pokémon for battles, raids, and PvP competitions in Pokémon GO. As a Level 50 trainer who has competed in numerous tournaments and completed over 5,000 raids, I‘ve powered up hundreds of Pokémon and know what it takes to build the best teams.
This guide will walk you through why powering up Pokémon matters, how to obtain the needed resources, and provide data-driven analysis on the top meta and type relevant Pokémon worth investing your stardust and XL candies into. Time to take your game to the next level in 2023!
Why Powering Up Pokémon Is Vital
Simply put – powered up Pokémon deal more damage. They can clear Gyms faster, have higher TDO (Total Damage Output) in raids, and give you the edge in PvP battles.
The CP formula incorporates level, IVs, and base stats. Higher leveled Pokémon have superior CP and combat abilities. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Clear Gym defenders faster with higher CP attackers
- Improve raid performance and rewards
- Unlock new CP breakpoints for PvE and PvP
- Gain type coverage with diverse rosters above Level 40
- Defeat Team GO Rocket more efficiently
- Climb PvP ranks and collect better end of season rewards
If your goal is to be the very best Pokémon trainer, power ups are non-negotiable. Let‘s examine where these level up resources come from.
Stardust and XL Candy – Leveling Up Essentials
Stardust allows you to increase a Pokémon‘s CP and Level 40 and below. XL Candy is essential for powering up from Levels 41-50 which is the max cap as of now.
These valuable resources must be accumulated through core gameplay:
Key Sources of Stardust
- Catching Pokémon, especially weather boosted ones
- Hatching eggs
- Completing raids
- PVP rewards track
- Special research
- Stardust-centric events
Key Sources of XL Candy
- Catching Pokémon (chance increases at higher levels)
- Trading Pokémon
- Participating in raids
- Some special research
- Events like Community Days
In 2023, utilize every stardust-boosted event, raid abundantly, PvP consistently, and trade unwanted Pokémon to stock up. With these power-up essentials covered, let‘s analyze the top Pokémon worth investing in.
Mega Rayquaza & Shadow Rayquaza – Dragon Ascension
The hype is very real for Mega Rayquaza arriving likely during the highly anticipated Hoenn Tour event. As a superb Dragon/Flying type, Mega Rayquaza will establish itself as the #1 Dragon Mega Raider with its phenomenal offensive stats.
{% include stats-table.html
attack="310" defense="213" stamina="225" %}
Its non-Mega form already ranks among the top dragons like Salamence, Garchomp, Zekrom for raids. Given Rayquaza’s future mega relevance, powering any good IV ones up including high stat product IVs for PvP or shinies is a foolproof investment.
Moveset
Dragon Tail + Outrage/Aerial Ace
A powered up squad can easily clear weaker raid bosses solo. For top counters against itself as a Tier 5 boss, use:
- Shadow Weavile
- Shadow Mamoswine
- Galarian Darmanitan
Save Rayquaza Candy XL in preparation since it costs 296 to hit Level 50!
If Shadow Ray gets released in February 2023 as speculated, that would make it an even better power-up for Master League PvP and raids. The 20% attack boost makes it the premiere Dragon dps option.
I plan to use Elite Charged TMs to get the special Draco Meteor move which perfectly complements the hard hitting Dragon Tail/Outrage combo.
Across both PvE and PvP, this mighty green dragon will remain meta relevant for years.
Rock Solid DPS – Shadow Rhyperior
Rock types have remained viable raid counters covering Flying, Fire, Ice, and Bug types thanks to solid damage output. For the best rock specialist in 2023 look no further than Shadow Rhyperior.
{% include stats-table.html
attack="241" defense="190" stamina="251" %}
It’s combination of high CP, tankiness, and access to the exclusive Rock Wrecker makes Shadow Rhyperior the top rock attacker. Mud-Slap covers additional types resisting Rock moves.
Moveset
Mud Slap + Rock Wrecker
Other next best rock options are Rampardos, Terrakion, Tyranitar, and Aerodactyl plus the Shadow versions. With Rhyhorn being a relatively common spawn, building a Rhyperior army is very feasible through trading.
During Adventure Week events I farm Rhyhorn candy regularly to power up my Phase 1 Rock Wrecker Rhyperiors. This buff drill rhino will continue crushing raid bosses throughout 2023!
Metagross – The Steel Brawn
Steel types resist Fairy and Dragon attacks which are very common while dishing out strong neutral damage. Metagross is blessed with tremendous stats and arguably the best steel type Mega Evolution in the game.
{% include stats-table.html
attack="257" defense="228" stamina="190" %}
Being part Psychic-type in addition to Steel gives it the perfect attacking type combination. Bullet Punch + Meteor Mash is the ideal moveset. Make sure to use an Elite Fast TM to get Bullet Punch and evolve Metang/Metagross during a repeat Community Day to get Meteor Mash.
Comparing some other good Steel options:
| Pokémon | Attack | Moveset | Estimate Level 50 Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Metagross | 332 | Bullet Punch + Meteor Mash | 360 XL candy & 365k dust |
| Excadrill | 264 | Mud Slap + Iron Head | 248 XL candy & 248k dust |
| Dialga | 275 | Metal Claw + Iron Head | 344 XL candy & 344k dust |
| Genesect | 264 | Fury Cutter + Magnet Bomb | 248 XL candy & 248k dust |
While Shadow Metagross performs better, a normal one still dominates. Excellent neutral DPS combined with bulk from its Steel sub-typing makes Metagross a versatile generalist attacker.
Any high level Beldum/Metang/Metagross are worthy power up candidates for both raids and Master League PVP.
Mewtwo – The Supreme Psychic
When it comes to sheer Psychic firepower, the legendary Gen 1 Mewtwo remains unmatched with Shadow Mewtwo taking that even further. Together with Giratina Origin, these two can duo weaker Tier 5s like Cresselia.
{% include stats-table.html
attack="300" defense="182" stamina="193" %}
Moveset
Confusion + Psystrike
Shadow Mewtwo specifically boasts the highest neutral damage output in the game. Despite the tremendous cost, building a raid attacking Shadow Mewtwo squad with the optimal Psystrike + Shadow Ball moveset will serve you excellently heading into the future.
Other great Psychic types worth investment are:
- Dialga (Steel/Dragon)
- Regular Mewtwo
- Hoopa Unbound
- Lunala
- Shadow Metagross, Gardevoir, Gallade
With Psychic being a dominant attacking type plus the ever popularity of raid bosses like Deoxys, Cresselia, Latios, Latias, and Mega Slowbro, powered up psychic specialists should be in every seasoned trainer’s battle party.
Swampert – Master of All Leagues
In competitive PVP across various leagues, Swampert remains one of the most dominant Pokémon thanks to its stellar Water/Ground-type combination giving it only a single Grass weakness.
Access to Hydro Cannon and Earthquake provide perfectly spammy STAB charge moves hitting brutally hard.
Swampert dominates in Great League while also performing well in Ultra and Master Premier Classic. XL candy power ups take the already bulky mud fish to new levels enabling key wins even in bad matchups.
Moveset
Mud Shot | Hydro Cannon & Earthquake
No matter the league formats, you’ll continue to face teams with Swampert in 2023. It’s one of the best Pokémon in GO worth powering up with its unmatched versatility.
Trevenant – Halloween Cup Champion
Trevenant took the PVP scene by storm ever since its release, blowing up the limited Halloween Cup meta. It performs incredibly well thanks to the dominating overall Grass/Ghost-type combination with only a Poison and Steel weakness.
Shadow Claw generates energy rapidly enabling it to spam high damage charge moves like Seed Bomb and Shadow Ball. Having resisted counters to prominent Pokemon like Azumarill, Swampert, Talonflame, and Walrein allows it to win key matchups.
{% include stats-table.html
attack="201" defense="156" stamina="216" %}
Make sure to use an Elite Fast TM to get Shadow Claw if evolving from Phantump. Together with optimal PvP IVs and XL power ups, Trevenant will continue haunting opposing teams in 2023!
Registeel – The Golden Standard
Ever since Pokémon GO PVP took off, Registeel has been one of the undisputed steel type champions. In Great League specifically, proper XL candy power ups letting Registeel comfortably go over Level 40 is crucial to maximize stat product.
Moveset
Lock On | Focus Blast & Flash Cannon
A staple on countless top-tier teams, Registeel beats prominent Pokemon like Azumarill, Altaria, Swampert, and Walrein with proper shield usage and energy management. that trainers will continue investing in powering up the silver legend.
With solid bulk, stellar defensive typing, and access to the strong Lock On + Flash Cannon combo, Registeel provides reliable performance against the meta. Make sure to keep any good PvP IV ones for trading and power ups during events like Community Days.
Mega Evolutions – Candy Bonuses
While Mega Evolution costs mega energy, they provide highly useful bonuses including increased candy yields for catching Pokémon that share a type. So optimize mega usage by:
- Mega Evolving Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Beedrill daily for extra candy
- Save higher energy cost megas for raids instead of regular use
- Use Mega Gengar, Gyarados, Aerodactyl for raids then switch to free Megas after
- Level up Megas to 5+ for max bonus candy yields
Instead of chasing every new mega raid, focus on a small roster of efficient megas suited to your playstyle for candy bonuses.
In summary, powered up Pokémon lead to more rewards across all facets of the game – gym offense/defense, raids, rocket battles, and PvP. Key Pokémon like Mega Rayquaza, Shadow Rhyperior, Metagross, Swampert, and Registeel represent solid investments for 2023 and beyond.
I hope this guide gives you clarity on which Pokémon deserve those precious power-ups. Got any other questions? Let me know in the comments!