There is no single best Pokémon to power up in Pokémon GO. The right choice depends on the battle you are preparing for, the moves a Pokémon actually has, and what your team is missing. For raid attackers, Dittobase’s ranking updated October 6, 2026 places Mega Rayquaza, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Mega Mewtwo X at the top. That is a modeled raid-only ranking. It does not tell you where to invest for Gyms, Trainer Battles, or Super Mega Raids.
Start with the battle you are preparing for
“Best” only means something once you name a job. Raid damage, Gym attacking, Trainer Battle leagues, and Mega use each reward different traits. A Pokémon that leads a raid table can be a poor PvP investment, and the reverse is also true. Pokémon Support frames the question this way: “The biggest thing to think about, in regards to the strongest, is looking at what kind of challenge you’re facing.” A community thread on r/pokemongo titled “Who should I power up?” asks the same practical question, and the useful answers start with the player’s own team and upcoming battles rather than a general list.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Pokémon GO Plus + | $144.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Pokémon GO Plus + | $124.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Pokemon Go Plus + | $149.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Silicone Case for Poke Go Plus + (2023), Go Plus Plus Cover Case with Strap, Soft Protective Case... | $12.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Pokemon Go Plus + (Renewed) | Buy on Amazon |
Work through the decision in order
- Name the mode. Decide whether the Pokémon is for raid counters, Gym attacking, a Trainer Battle league, or Mega use. Each mode is judged separately.
- Read the moves, not just the CP. Open the Pokémon from your collection and check its Fast and Charged attacks. The Pokémon summary screen lists CP, HP, Stardust, Candy, and attacks, and the official summary guide notes that it displays attack damage for Gyms, Raids, and Trainer Battles. CP is the game’s own measure of how well a Pokémon will perform in battle, but it says nothing about role or moveset.
- Compare against your roster gap. If you already have several strong attackers of one type, another copy of the same species adds little. A modest upgrade to a role you lack often helps more. This is editorial guidance, not an official recommendation.
- Check the cost before committing. The Stardust and Candy required for the next power-up are displayed beside the Power Up button.
- Upgrade in stages. Make the first power-ups that improve a concrete team or matchup, then reassess before pushing a Pokémon toward its maximum level.
What a power-up actually costs
Powering up a caught Pokémon raises its CP and HP. According to the Pokémon GO Help Center’s “Powering Up Pokémon” guide, three resources are involved, and they are not interchangeable:
| Resource | Which Pokémon it can power up | What the Help Center states |
|---|---|---|
| Stardust | Any Pokémon in your collection | Can be used on any Pokémon. The Help Center says per-power-up costs may rise as a Pokémon gets stronger. |
| Candy | Only Pokémon in the same evolutionary family | Used for regular power-ups. |
| Candy XL | Only Pokémon in the same evolutionary family | Required to power up to higher CP than regular Candy allows. Collection begins at Trainer level 31. |
Because Candy and Candy XL are tied to a family, investing in one species can leave a related form short of Candy. Plan the family, not just the single Pokémon.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- The packaging is Japanese, but item works the same as the US version.
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
Reading the raid ranking correctly
Dittobase’s “Best Overall Attackers in Pokémon GO (2026)” table covers raid attackers across every type, ranked by eDPS, and lists the best movesets. Its order changes with configurable inputs: Mega or Shadow status, level, weather, friendship, off-type coverage, and Party Power. The version updated October 6, 2026 at 00:08 UTC shows the following top three:
| Rank | Pokémon | Moves | Dittobase eDPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mega Rayquaza | Dragon Tail / Dragon Ascent | 24.00 |
| 2 | Mega Mewtwo Y | Psycho Cut / Future Sight+ | 23.45 |
| 3 | Mega Mewtwo X | Psycho Cut / Dynamic Punch+ | 22.35 |
These eDPS values are Dittobase’s modeled figures. They are not official Pokémon GO statistics, and they do not guarantee results against every raid boss or in every party configuration. Rankings also shift with game updates, so check the date on any list before acting on it.
Rank #2
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
Super Mega Raids and Mega development
The Pokémon GO team describes Super Mega Raids as a separate, cooperative raid type in which Trainers band together against exceptionally powerful Mega-Evolved Pokémon. The Mega Evolution update released during Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos recommends at least seven other Trainers and a Mega-Evolved Pokémon in each participant’s battle party. The same update says reaching Super Max Mega Level requires Mega Energy after you reach the third Mega level.
If you are pursuing these raids, Mega development is directly relevant. If you are not, a Mega form is a weak reason to invest on its own. Mega features and raid rules are subject to change, so confirm the current rules in the game before you commit resources.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
Trainer Battles and Gyms
A raid ranking does not transfer to PvP. For Trainer Battle leagues, compare each candidate’s moves against the league you play and the opponents you actually face, and use the damage the summary screen shows for Trainer Battles. This guide does not rank Pokémon for specific leagues, so treat any league-specific list as a separate source and check its date and configuration before relying on it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Catch Pokémon and track your rest rhythm with the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory!
- Keep track of your sleep with the press of a button
- Press and hold the central button on the Pokémon GO Plus + accessory and place it by your pillow to track your rest rhythm on the Pokémon Sleep app
- There’s a Pikachu within your Pokémon GO Plus + that can sing you lullabies and act as your morning alarm; Pikachu grows friendlier the more you sleep, unlocking even more sounds!
- Spin PokéStops or throw Poké Balls automatically in Pokémon GO for hands-free gameplay (and Great Balls and Ultra Balls can be thrown too!)
Rank #4
- Designed for GO Plus +: The case is specially designed for GO Plus + and its size fits the GO Plus + so well that the gaming switch will not move around and tumble in the case.
- Premium Silicone Material for Comfort & Safety: Crafted from high-quality silicone, this case delivers a soft, pleasant touch while shielding your Poke GO Plus+ from scratches, dirt, and daily wear.
- Portable Design with Wrist Strap: The built-in hand strap allows you to wear the case on your wrist, ensuring easy portability and hands-free convenience during outdoor adventures.
- Designed for GO Plus +: The case is specially designed for GO Plus + and its size fits the GO Plus + so well that the gaming switch will not move around and tumble in the case.
- Package: Silicone Case x1; Hand strap x1. If you need any support please feel free to contact us.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
