What’s the highest CP in Pokémon Go?

There is a clear winner for the highest CP, but that also doesn't mean they're the strongest Pokémon.

Froakie, Chespin, Fennekin, and some of their evolutions hanging out in the world of Pokémon Go
Screengrab via Pokémon on YouTube

The strength of a Pokémon you can catch in Pokémon Go is determined by their combat power (CP), which you can see directly underneath them when you catch and level them up. Every Pokémon has a maximum CP limit they can reach, and some are significantly stronger than others.

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A Pokémon’s CP is a combination of their attack, defense, and stamina stats, which determines how hard they hit with attacks, how much they can endure from an enemy attack, and how much health they have. The higher CP for a Pokémon means these stats are larger, and if you’re looking for a Pokémon with the largest amount of CP, there is a certifiable winner. Here’s what you need to know about the Pokémon with the highest CP in Pokémon Go and how you can get it.

What Pokémon has the highest in Pokémon Go?

Slaking in Pokémon Go
Slaking is one of the strongest Pokemon because of its amount of health and defense. Image via the Pokemon Company, remix by Dot Esports

A Pokémon with a higher CP will be stronger than a Pokémon with a lower CP and have a much better chance of victory in battle. The Pokémon with the highest CP value without a Mega Evolution, Dynamax Form, or one that lasts for a limited time is Slaking, a Normal-type Pokémon. Slaking has a total of 5,010 CP, making it a mighty Pokémon in its base form.

While Slaking does have the highest CP amount of any Pokémon, that doesn’t make it the best choice in every situation. It all comes down to the type of Pokémon you use against another player and the activity you’ll be doing in Pokémon Go. For example, you don’t want a Pokémon with a high defense to attack a gym or a raid unless yours are super-effective against the opponent. Still, even then, those are better for defending gyms or for use as a final Pokémon in a battle against other players.

This might surprise some players since Legendary Pokémon have always had the highest stat totals in mainline Pokémon games. While that still holds true for Mega-evolved Pokémon, Slaking is the true king of CP for non-Mega-evolved pocket monsters. But to push your CP limits, you should start looking towards Mega-evolved Pokémon or giving Pokémon XL Candy.

If you’re looking to use the strongest Pokémon available to you in Pokémon Go, it comes down to increasing your trainer level. The highest level you can reach is 50, which makes it easier to improve your Pokémon and give them XL Candy. XL Candy is a premium resource you have a chance to get each time you catch a Pokémon or transfer them. They’re harder to find, but become a requirement to reach the stronger CP values for most Pokémon.

The strongest Mega and Primal Pokémon in Pokémon Go

If you’re looking for Pokémon with temporary stats, such as Mega Evolutions, Fusions, or Primal choices, several options with a CP amount far exceeds Slaking. These transformations won’t last forever, though. You’ll need more Mega Energy or other resources to reach these levels before they disappear.

PokémonCP Levels
Primal Groudon6.672 CP
Primal Kyogre6.672 CP
Mega Rayquaza6,458 CP
Mega Garchomp6,132 CP
Mega Tyranitar6,045 CP
Mega Salamence5,688 CP
Mega Latios5,661 CP
Mega Metacross5,552 CP
Mega Heracross5,433 CP
Mega Latias5,428 CP
Mega Gyarados5,332 CP
Mega Gardevoir5,101 CP
Mega Alakazam5,099 CP
Mega Charizard Y5,037

You can expect to earn these Pokémon by defeating them in Mega Raids and acquiring Mega Energy. When you have enough, you can use it to Mega Evolve that specific Pokémon, and the more times it Mega Evolves, the less resources it costs.

Author
Image of Anish Nair
Anish Nair
Freelance gaming writer for Dot Esports. An avid gamer of 25 years with a soft spot for RPGs and strategy games. Esports writer for 2 years and a watcher for 12 years. Aspiring author. Dad to a host of animals. Usually found trying to climb ranks in Dota 2, plundering the seas in Sea of Thieves, hunting large monsters in Monster Hunter World, or mining rare minerals in Deep Rock Galactic.
Author
Image of Zack Palm
Zack Palm
Zack Palm has been writing about video games for the past five years. He spends his free time trying to learn about a new board, reading high-fantasy series, or working on his latest DnD character.