In Pokémon GO, appraising a Pokémon helps you quickly judge whether it is worth powering up by summarizing its likely potential in a short phrase and by highlighting key stats. This guide explains how the in-game appraisal system works, how to read each appraisal tier, how Individual Values (IVs) relate to appraisal, and how to interpret the CP and IV information together so you can decide which Pokémon to focus on for attacks, defense, and transfers.
How Pokémon Appraisal Works in Pokémon GO
Appraisal in Pokémon GO uses a mix of CP, level, and Individual Values (IVs) to generate a short descriptive phrase that roughly indicates how strong the Pokémon is likely to be. Each phrase corresponds to a tier such as Excellent, Great, Good, or Not Bad, and it reflects the Pokémon’s overall potential after accounting for current stats as well as future gains from powering up. Understanding these tiers and the mechanics behind them helps you decide which Pokémon to prioritize for powering up, evolving, or transferring.
IVs and Their Impact on Appraisal
Individual Values (IVs) are hidden stats that range from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and Stamina. The combination of these three IVs determines a Pokémon’s overall IV percentage, which strongly influences the appraisal you receive. A Pokémon with high IVs will generally outperform a similar Pokémon with lower IVs at the same level and CP, especially once both are powered to a high level. While CP and level are visible, IVs remain hidden, which makes appraisal a practical way to estimate relative strength without external tools.
How to Access Appraisal in Pokémon GO
To appraise a Pokémon in Pokémon GO, open the Pokémon’s summary screen by tapping on it in your collection, then tap the candy or favorite button at the bottom of the screen to open the interaction menu. From there, tap on Appraise to open the appraisal interface. You will see messaging from Team Leaders—Spark, Candela, or Blanche—depending on your team, and their dialogue will include both an appraisal phrase and specific stats to inspect. This interface is designed for in-game use and does not require third-party tools.
Reading the Appraisal Phrase and Team Leader Messages
Each appraisal phrase corresponds to a range of overall IV percentages. Common phrases include Excellent, Great, Good, and Not Bad, with each indicating progressively lower IV brackets. Within the appraisal screen, your Team Leader will also mention which stats are higher or lower, such as Attack, Defense, or Stamina, giving you direct insight into why the Pokémon received that appraisal. Learning to associate these phrases with IV ranges makes it easier to compare Pokémon quickly during gameplay.
Interpreting Appraisal for Attack, Defense, and Stamina
Beyond the overall phrase, pay attention to which individual stats are highlighted as being particularly high or low. A Pokémon may receive a strong overall appraisal but still have uneven stats, such as high Attack but low Defense, which can affect its performance in specific roles. When planning to power up a Pokémon, consider whether its highlighted strengths align with your goals, whether that is raids, gym defense, or fast battles in GO Battle League.
Practical Steps for Evaluating a Pokémon
- Open the Pokémon’s summary and use the Appraise button to see the team leader’s message.
- Note the appraisal phrase and which stats are called out as strong or weak.
- Compare the Pokémon to others you have, focusing on both overall appraisal and stat balance.
- Use appraisal in combination with CP, level, and your planned use case to decide whether to power up, evolve, or transfer.
Appraisal Phrase Tiers and Typical IV Ranges
While Niantic does not publish exact numbers for each appraisal phrase, the community has established consistent ranges based on observed patterns. The table below summarizes typical IV percentage brackets associated with each appraisal, the implied usefulness, and what to prioritize when you encounter each tier.
| Appraisal Phrase | Typical IV Percentage Range | Suggested Action |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | IV 80–100% | Strong candidate for powering up and endgame use |
| Great | IV 67–79% | Good for most content; solid with some room to improve |
| Good | IV 50–66% | Useful early to mid-game; consider powering if stats align |
| Not Bad | IV 34–49% | Viable for casual play; prioritize transfers if better options exist |
| Poor | IV 0–33% | Strong candidate for transfer unless specific roles are needed |
Limitations and Best Practices for Using Appraisal
Appraisal is a useful in-game shortcut, but it has limitations. It reflects the Pokémon’s current stats and potential after powering up to level 40, yet it does not account for future changes such as stat bonuses from new moves, weather adjustments, or game updates. It also does not capture niche usefulness, such as a Pokémon with low IVs that still has value as a status spreader in GO Battle League. To make the most of appraisal, use it as one input alongside CP, moveset, and your own playstyle preferences, rather than as the sole decision rule.
Combining Appraisal with Other Tools
For detailed breakdowns, you can complement appraisal with external resources that show exact IVs, move possibilities, and role analysis. Reserve third-party tools for planning long-term collections or optimizing specific teams, but rely on in-game appraisal for quick, reliable decisions during play. This approach keeps your appraisals consistent with the game’s intended design while still allowing you to refine your understanding over time.
Common Misconceptions About Appraisal
Some players assume that appraisal phrases are purely flavor text or that one phrase maps to a single, fixed IV value. In reality, each phrase covers a range of IVs, and the exact placement within that range is influenced by how Niantic calculates the overall assessment. Another misconception is that appraisal at a low level will remain identical after powering up; while the phrase often stays the same, small shifts can occur as stats change, so it is worth checking again after significant power improvements.
Long-Term Value and Transferring Decisions
When deciding whether to keep, evolve, or transfer a Pokémon, consider both its appraisal and how it fits into your current team needs. High-IV Pokémon with strong appraisal are excellent investments for powering up, while low-IV Pokémon may be better candidates for transfer if you have duplicates or better alternatives. Regularly revisit your collection, re-appraise after level increases, and align your decisions with the roles you want your Pokémon to fulfill in raids, gyms, and battles.