Top 10 Best Pokémon to Evolve in Pokémon GO 2025

In Pokémon GO, knowing which Pokémon to evolve can make or break your gameplay. Not every cute Pokémon deserves your hard-earned Candy and Stardust, but pick the right ones, and you’ll get top-tier battlers for raids, PvP, and gyms.

This guide shows you exactly what makes a Pokémon worth evolving, the Best Pokémon to Evolve in Pokémon GO for 2025, and smart tips to evolve efficiently without wasting a single resource.

Not every Pokémon deserves your precious Candy and Stardust, so before you hit that evolve button, think about what really makes it worth it.

First, focus on practical value: evolve Pokémon you’ll actually use in battles, like high-CP species that can hold their own in raids, gyms, or PvP leagues.

Next, think about XP gains. Sometimes it makes sense to stockpile common Pokémon like Pidgey or Weedle and evolve them all at once during a Lucky Egg session. This classic “mass evolution” trick is still one of the easiest ways to stack up Trainer XP fast.

Finally, don’t forget the fun factor. Sometimes the best reason to evolve is simply because you love that Pokémon. Maybe it’s a shiny, a rare catch with sentimental value, or one that completes your Pokédex.

In the end, it’s your journey, so evolve what makes you smile as well as what makes you stronger.

Here’s your must-evolve list Pokémon that deliver the best bang for your Candy and Stardust this year.

1 Beldum ➜ Metagross

Recommended for: Raids & Gyms

Metagross is widely considered the top non-Legendary Steel-type attacker. If you want a Pokémon that reliably smashes Rock, Ice, and Fairy bosses, this is a must-have for any raid team and also holds its own as a gym defender.

Best Moveset: Bullet Punch + Meteor Mash

To reach its true potential, your Metagross must have Meteor Mash. If you missed it, use an Elite Charged TM; nothing else comes close in damage output.

Why Evolve:

Unlike many Pokémon, Metagross stays relevant year after year thanks to its high Attack stat, good bulk, and the huge power boost Meteor Mash provides. It’s also a great pick for newer players because Beldum often comes back during special events, making it easier to stock up on Candy. Plus, it looks awesome. That metallic sheen makes it a shiny prize worth flexing in gyms or raids.

2 Gible ➜ Garchomp

Raids, PvP (Master League)

Garchomp is a true all-rounder. It dominates as a Ground- and Dragon-type attacker in raids, but also stands tall in Master League PvP thanks to its bulk, typing, and flexible moves.

Best Moveset: Mud Shot + Earth Power / Outrage

Ideally, your Garchomp should know Earth Power that makes it one of the strongest Ground attackers in the game. For PvP, many trainers pair it with Outrage for Dragon coverage.

Why Evolve:

Gible is rare enough to feel like a prize catch, but evolving it is where the real payoff is. Garchomp’s unique combo of high Attack and decent bulk lets it counter Electric, Fire, Poison, and Dragon types all at once. Its Mega Evolution (when available again) pushes its raid value even higher. If you’re chasing a single investment that works across PvE and PvP, Garchomp is worth every Candy.

3 Swablu ➜ Altaria

Recommended for: PvP (Great League)

Altaria is a classic core pick in the Great League. Its Dragon/Flying typing and solid bulk make it tough to counter, and it’s a safe option against many common meta threats.

Best Moveset: Dragon Breath + Sky Attack

Altaria doesn’t rely on any exclusive moves. Its regular moveset is already strong enough. Dragon Breath gives it fast, consistent damage, while Sky Attack provides reliable charged pressure.

Why Evolve:

What makes Altaria shine is how cheap it is to build compared to other Great League dragons. Swablu is easy to catch in nests, but evolving it does require a hefty 400 Candy, so plan ahead. Once you have it, Altaria covers plenty of matchups where bulkier Dragons or Fairies would otherwise shut you down, and it looks stunning as a shiny cloud dragon too.

4 Machop ➜ Machamp

Recommended for: Raids & Gyms

Machamp is one of the most reliable and affordable Fighting-type attackers for new and veteran players alike. It tears through Normal, Rock, Ice, Dark, and Steel-type bosses, perfect for raid squads or clearing gyms fast.

Best Moveset: Counter + Dynamic Punch

This combo gives Machamp fast energy gain and high burst damage. Both moves are standard in its pool, so you don’t need to worry about hunting for event-exclusive attacks.

Why Evolve:

Machamp stands out because it’s so accessible yet always useful. Machop nests appear frequently, the evolution cost is low, and a decent Machamp can fill gaps in raid teams even if you’re missing Legendary Pokémon. Plus, with its Shadow form, it can hit even harder, so having a few Machamps is never wasted Candy.

5 Bagon ➜ Salamence

Recommended for: Raids (Dragon-type DPS)

Salamence is one of the top non-Legendary Dragons for PvE, known for dishing out huge damage in raid battles. It’s a fan favorite for players who love raw offensive power.

Best Moveset: Dragon Tail + Outrage

This classic Dragon combo provides high neutral DPS. Outrage is readily available in Salamence’s normal move pool, so no need for an event move unless you specifically want Draco Meteor, which is more niche.

Why Evolve:

Bagon isn’t the easiest spawn, so catching enough for a Salamence feels rewarding on its own. When powered up, Salamence can stand next to dragons like Dragonite or Garchomp for big neutral damage in raids, especially against Dragon-, Grass-, and Electric-type bosses. And its Mega form is a beast, so future-proofing this line is always smart.

6 Eevee ➜ Umbreon / Espeon / Sylveon

Recommended for: PvP (Great/Ultra League) & Flexible Roles

Eevee is the ultimate budget all-rounder thanks to its multiple evolutions, each fitting different niches. Umbreon is a defensive star in Great League; Espeon offers solid Psychic coverage for raids; Sylveon is popular for Fairy-type matchups.

Best Moveset for Umbreon: Snarl + Foul Play

Best Moveset for Espeon: Confusion + Psychic

Best Moveset for Sylveon: Charm + Moonblast

No special moves are required. Their normal movesets are more than enough for meta relevance.

Why Evolve:

Few Pokémon lines can match Eevee’s flexibility. Whether you’re missing a good Fairy, need a tanky Dark for PvP, or want a reliable Psychic attacker for your raids, evolving Eevee is cost-effective and fun. Plus, shiny Eevee evolutions are fan-favorites to flex in gyms.

7 Magikarp ➜ Gyarados

Recommended for: Raids, Gyms & Mega Raids

Gyarados is a classic investment that still holds its place as a strong Water- and Flying-type attacker, especially once Mega Evolved. It’s perfect for early and mid-game teams that need a reliable heavy hitter.

Best Moveset: Waterfall + Aqua Tail / Crunch

Aqua Tail is its Community Day move, but Gyarados is still decent with standard moves like Crunch if you miss out. Waterfall + Crunch gives coverage against Psychic types too.

Why Evolve:

The main hurdle is the 400 Candy cost, but that’s why evolved Gyarados feel special. It’s a great long-term goal for new trainers and its Mega version adds serious raid value. Also, shiny red Gyarados remains one of the coolest shinies in the game, no contest!

8 Rhyhorn ➜ Rhyperior

Recommended for: Raids & Gyms (Rock- and Ground-type DPS)

Rhyperior is one of the most versatile attackers when it comes to tackling Flying-, Fire-, Bug-, and Electric-type bosses, perfect for many legendary raids and gym clearing.

Best Moveset: Smack Down + Rock Wrecker

Rock Wrecker is Rhyperior’s top Rock-type move, originally tied to Community Day but worth getting with an Elite TM if needed. Smack Down as the fast move provides consistent Rock-type damage output.

Why Evolve:

Rhyhorn spawns aren’t super rare, but building up the Candy for a good IV Rhyperior still feels rewarding. It’s tankier than many Rock attackers and doubles as a Ground counter with Mud-Slap + Earthquake if you prefer. Rhyperior is also a solid choice for budget-conscious players who don’t have access to rarer Legendaries like Rampardos or Terrakion.

9 Litwick ➜ Chandelure

Recommended for: Raids (Ghost- and Fire-type DPS)

Chandelure is one of the strongest non-Legendary Ghost- and Fire-type attackers, giving you great coverage against Psychic-, Grass-, and Steel-type raid bosses.

Best Moveset: Hex + Shadow Ball

Shadow Ball is Chandelure’s bread and butter for Ghost damage. You can also run Fire Spin + Overheat if you want to pivot it into a Fire attacker role.

Why Evolve:

Litwick isn’t exactly easy to farm, so finding enough to evolve makes your Chandelure feel extra valuable. It outclasses many other Ghosts that are trickier to get, and its dual typing means you’re never short on raid uses. Plus, its eerie design and shiny form make it a fan favorite at Halloween events.

10 Deino ➜ Hydreigon

Recommended for: Raids (Dark-type DPS) & PvP (Master League)

Hydreigon is a top Dark attacker with solid performance against Ghost- and Psychic-type raid bosses. It also sees play in Master League thanks to its bulk and unique typing.

Best Moveset: Bite + Brutal Swing

Brutal Swing is Hydreigon’s signature charged move that pushes it to the top tier for Dark-type raids.

Why Evolve:

Deino is one of the rarer spawns in the wild, so having enough Candy to evolve feels like an achievement in itself. When built right, Hydreigon can replace or complement Legendaries like Darkrai, which makes it a smart non-Legendary investment for many raid squads. Its edgy dragon design is just a bonus flex.

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1．What Pokémon should I evolve for maximum XP?

Cheap, common Pokémon like Pidgey, Weedle, or Wurmple are best for mass evolution XP gains.

2．Is it better to power up before evolving?

Usually, no. Evolve first to see final IV stats and moveset, then power up if it’s worth it.

3．When is the best time to evolve Pokémon?

During double XP events or while using a Lucky Egg for max rewards.

4．How do I get enough Candy to evolve rare Pokémon?

Use Pinap Berries, walk your Buddy, join events or teleport with AnyTo to rare spawn nests.

Whether you’re building a raid team, chasing PvP ranks, or just filling your Pokédex, picking the best Pokémon to evolve can make or break your progress in Pokémon GO. Focus on species that give you real value in battles, maximize your XP during events, and keep things fun by evolving what you truly love. And if you ever need that final push to get enough Candy or find that perfect IV catch, let AnyTo help you unlock more evolutions, faster and smarter — no matter where you are.

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Article by Ryan Miles

Ryan Miles is a seasoned gamer and mobile strategy writer with over 5 years of hands-on experience in Pokémon GO spoofing and GPS-based games. Known for breaking down complex location tricks into beginner-friendly guides, Ryan’s mission is simple: help you explore more, catch faster, and play smarter without ever leaving home.