Unveiling the Mystery: Why Do Shadow Pokémon Have Bad IVs?

The burning question on every Pokémon GO trainer’s mind: why do these corrupted creatures often come with seemingly abysmal Individual Values, or IVs? The simple answer is: Shadow Pokémon don’t inherently have bad IVs; their IVs are randomly generated upon encounter, just like most wild Pokémon. The perception of “bad” IVs stems from the fact that Shadow Pokémon cannot be obtained from sources that guarantee higher IV floors, like Raids, Eggs, Research Breakthroughs, or Trades. This means you’re rolling the dice every time you battle a Team GO Rocket grunt, increasing the chances of encountering Pokémon with lower stat distributions. Let’s delve into the specifics and clear up the confusion surrounding Shadow Pokémon IVs, exploring the trade-offs, strategic considerations, and when purification might (or might not!) be the right call.

Decoding the Shadow Pokémon IV Conundrum

The crux of the issue is availability. Normal Pokémon spawns can be influenced by weather boosts, events that increase specific Pokémon spawns, and, crucially, the aforementioned Raids, Eggs, and Research, all of which guarantee a minimum IV floor (usually 10 for each stat). Shadow Pokémon, however, are exclusively obtained through battling Team GO Rocket grunts, leaders, and Giovanni. These encounters offer no such guarantees. Each stat (Attack, Defense, and HP) is rolled independently, from 0 to 15, making the probability of a “perfect” (15/15/15) Shadow Pokémon exceedingly low. This randomness, coupled with the power of the Shadow bonus, creates a fascinating dilemma for trainers.

The Allure (and Burden) of the Shadow Bonus

The power of a Shadow Pokémon lies in its 20% damage bonus (1.2x multiplier) to its Attack stat. This makes even a 0 IV Shadow Pokémon deal more damage per second (DPS) than a 100% IV regular Pokémon in many raid and PvE scenarios. This is because the Attack stat has a much greater impact on damage calculation. This damage output comes at a cost: a 20% reduction in defense.

This defensive nerf, however, is often less impactful in raids and other PvE content. Many battles are more about dealing damage quickly before being defeated, making the increased offense far more valuable. The increased damage output also can make some raids shorter.

To Purify or Not to Purify?

This is the age-old question when it comes to Shadow Pokémon. Purifying a Shadow Pokémon offers several benefits:

• +2 to every IV stat: This can potentially turn a low-IV Shadow into a decent-to-good regular Pokémon. The maximum IV for each stat is still 15.

• Reduced Stardust and Candy costs: Purified Pokémon require less resources to power up, evolve, and learn new moves.

• Learn the move Return: Purified Pokémon learn the exclusive Charged Move Return.

However, purification comes at the expense of the Shadow bonus. You lose that valuable 20% attack boost, trading it for marginal IV improvements and reduced resource costs.

Strategic Considerations for Shadow Pokémon

Given the rarity of high-IV Shadow Pokémon, the decision to purify should be carefully considered, particularly with the 20% damage bonus in play:

• PvE Dominance: For raid attackers and general PvE purposes, keeping the Shadow bonus is almost always preferable, even with lower IVs. The damage output increase significantly outweighs the slight stat improvements gained from purification.

• PvP Viability: In the world of player-versus-player combat, the decision becomes more nuanced. Some Shadow Pokémon perform exceptionally well in PvP, even with less-than-perfect IVs, thanks to the increased damage output allowing them to apply shield pressure or secure crucial knockouts. Others become more viable after purification for specific leagues, especially if you want to use the move Return.

• Resource Constraints: If you are severely limited in Stardust and Candy, purifying a Pokémon with reasonable IVs can be a cost-effective way to obtain a usable Pokémon for raiding and gym battles.

• Collection Goals: Some trainers simply desire a perfect (100% IV) Pokémon of every species. Purifying a near-perfect Shadow is the only way to achieve this.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Shadow Pokémon IVs

Here are some of the most common questions trainers have about Shadow Pokémon and their IVs:

1. Can Shadow Pokémon be shiny?

Yes! Shiny Shadow Pokémon are possible, although they are very rare, even more rare than wild Shinies.

2. Are 0% IV Shadow Pokémon rare?

Yes, a 0% IV Pokémon is incredibly rare, even more so for Shadow Pokémon. As stated previously, regular Pokémon can never come from raids, eggs, research tasks or trades.

3. Should I purify a 0-star Shadow Pokémon?

Generally, no. The Shadow bonus is often more valuable than the IV gains from purification, unless you have a specific need for a Purified Pokémon or are severely resource-constrained.

4. Does purifying a Shadow Pokémon make it stronger?

Not necessarily. While purification increases the IVs, it removes the Shadow bonus, which provides a significant damage boost. The overall strength depends on the specific Pokémon and its intended use. Shadow Pokemon works as angry Pokemon and will deal damage more faster then Normal or Purified Pokemon.

5. How do I get Shadow Pokémon with good IVs?

Persistence is key. Keep battling Team GO Rocket grunts and leaders. There is no guaranteed method for obtaining high-IV Shadow Pokémon, it all depends on random IV generation.

6. Is it worth keeping low-CP Shadow Pokémon?

Potentially, yes. If the Shadow Pokémon has a desirable species and moveset, it might be worth investing in. Low CP values doesn’t always mean weakness. The Shadow bonus can make it surprisingly effective in battle.

7. How can I tell if a Pokémon is 100% IV before catching it?

For regular Pokémon in the wild, the in-game appraisal system and external IV calculators can help you estimate IVs before catching. However, for Shadow Pokémon, you won’t know the exact IVs until after you catch it.

8. Can you trade Shadow Pokémon?

No, Shadow Pokémon cannot be traded.

9. How rare is a 0% Shadow Pokémon?

Extremely rare. As stated previously, 0% pokemon are even rarer than 100% pokemon, since the former can never come from raids, eggs, research tasks or trades.

10. Can Shadow Pokémon Mega Evolve?

No, Shadow Pokémon cannot Mega Evolve.

11. What are the best Shadow Pokémon to have?

Shadow Mewtwo is considered the best, due to its amazing attack stats. But, remember, any Shadow Pokémon that is a good attacker for Raids is often worth having.

12. Should I power up before evolving?

If you plan to do both, the order doesn’t matter in terms of cost. However, it’s generally recommended to evolve first to see if the evolved form learns the desired moveset before investing in power-ups.

13. What happens when you purify a 4-star Shadow Pokémon?

A 4-star Shadow Pokémon doesn’t exist (you cannot see the IVs before you catch it). If you purify a Shadow Pokémon that has 13, 14, or 15 IVs in each category, the purification will raise each of those stats by 2. If a stat is at 13, 14, or 15, and it is purified, it becomes a perfect 100% IV Pokemon.

14. Is purifying Pokemon worth it?

That is a personal choice. Remember that Purifying a Shadow Pokémon will improve their appraisal and reduce the amount of Stardust and Candy required for them to Power Up, Evolve, or learn a new attack. When Purified, a Shadow Pokémon will forget Frustration and learn Return, a Charged Attack that’s exclusive to Purified Pokémon.

15. Should I purify Dratini?

The only reason you would purify that thing is if you’re into PvP and want to use it in Great League as a Dragonair (best IV’s for Great League is low attack with high defense & HP). Attack inflates the CP more than the other 2 stats.

Conclusion: Embrace the Shadows!

While the often-lower IVs of Shadow Pokémon can be frustrating, remember that the Shadow bonus offers a significant advantage in many situations. Don’t be discouraged by less-than-perfect IVs. Embrace the power of the shadows and use these creatures to dominate raids and challenge your opponents. Understand the trade-offs, consider your specific needs, and make informed decisions about purification. And remember, Pokémon GO is more than just numbers; it’s about the thrill of the catch, the strategy of battle, and the joy of collecting. For educators looking to incorporate gaming principles into their teaching, exploring resources like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) can provide valuable insights. Happy hunting, trainers!