When Pokémon GO launched in July 2016, the idea of “maxing out” a Pokémon was very different from what it is today. Back then, seeing a Dragonite above 3000 CP felt legendary. Fast forward to 2026, and players now routinely push Pokémon beyond 5000, 6000, and even 7000 CP through systems like XL Candy, Mega Evolution, Primal forms, and Gigantamax mechanics.

