Can You Hyper Train Legendary Pokémon? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you absolutely can Hyper Train Legendary Pokémon! This is a huge boon for competitive players and collectors alike. In the Pokémon world, Hyper Training provides a pathway to competitive viability, regardless of a Pokémon’s initial Individual Values (IVs). Let’s delve into the details of how this works and why it matters for Legendary Pokémon, Mythical Pokémon, and Ultra Beasts.
Understanding Hyper Training
Hyper Training is a mechanic introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon and has been a staple in subsequent games like Sword and Shield, and Scarlet and Violet. It essentially allows you to maximize a Pokémon’s stats as if they had perfect IVs, even if their original IVs were less than ideal. This is particularly useful for Pokémon that are difficult or impossible to breed, such as Legendaries, Mythicals, and Ultra Beasts.
The Level Requirement
To Hyper Train a Pokémon, it must be at least level 50. This requirement prevents players from immediately perfecting their Pokémon upon capture. This encourages the leveling up process, which is an integral part of the Pokémon experience.
Where to Hyper Train
The location for Hyper Training varies depending on the game. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you can find an NPC with an Abomasnow near the Pokémon Center in Montenevera. Speak to this NPC, and they will offer Hyper Training services.
The Cost: Bottle Caps
Hyper Training isn’t free. It requires Bottle Caps as payment. A single stat can be Hyper Trained using one standard Bottle Cap. If you want to max out all six stats at once, you’ll need a Gold Bottle Cap.
How Hyper Training Affects Stats
When you Hyper Train a stat, it increases the stat as if the Pokémon had a perfect IV of 31 in that stat. However, it’s crucial to understand that Hyper Training doesn’t actually change the underlying IVs. It creates a modifier that the game uses for battle calculations.
Breeding Considerations
This distinction is particularly important when it comes to breeding. While Hyper Trained stats will function as perfect IVs in battle, they will not be passed down during breeding. Only the original, unaltered IVs are inherited. This is why Hyper Training a Ditto to use it as a perfect breeding partner won’t work.
Why Hyper Train Legendaries?
Legendary Pokémon are often highly sought after for their power and rarity. However, they are notoriously difficult to obtain with perfect IVs through conventional methods like breeding. Hyper Training provides a reliable way to make your Legendary Pokémon competitively viable, regardless of their initial IVs. It’s especially crucial because these Pokémon are often central to competitive team compositions.
Hyper Training and the Competitive Scene
Hyper Training has revolutionized the competitive Pokémon scene. It’s no longer necessary to spend hours, or even days, breeding to get a competitive Pokémon. Now, players can focus on training, strategizing, and battling. The Games Learning Society explores how gaming mechanics like these can be used to teach and engage players. You can find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Hyper Training Permanently Alter My Pokémon?
Yes, Hyper Training is permanent. Once you Hyper Train a stat, it cannot be undone. Be sure you’re certain about which stats you want to max out before committing.
2. Can I Hyper Train All Six Stats at Once?
Yes, you can Hyper Train all six stats at once by using a Gold Bottle Cap. This is more efficient than using individual Bottle Caps for each stat.
3. What Level Does My Pokémon Need to Be for Hyper Training?
Your Pokémon must be at least level 50 to undergo Hyper Training.
4. Does Hyper Training Change the Actual IVs of My Pokémon?
No, Hyper Training does not change the underlying IVs. It only modifies how the game treats the stat during calculations. The original IVs are still present.
5. Can Hyper Trained IVs Be Passed Down During Breeding?
No, only the original IVs are passed down during breeding. Hyper Trained stats are not inherited.
6. Does Hyper Training Work on Ditto for Breeding?
No, Hyper Training a Ditto will not make it a better breeding partner. Only its original IVs are passed down.
7. Are Hyper Trained Stats as Good as Perfect IVs in Battle?
Yes, in battle, Hyper Trained stats are effectively the same as having perfect IVs (31). There is no functional difference in combat.
8. Where Can I Find Bottle Caps?
Bottle Caps can be found in various ways, including:
- Purchasing them at certain shops.
- Obtaining them as rewards for completing battles.
- Finding them in the overworld.
- Participating in raids.
Gold Bottle Caps are typically rarer and often obtained through higher-level challenges or special events.
9. Can I Evolve a Level 100 Pokémon?
In most Pokémon games, evolving a Pokémon at level 100 is not possible through traditional leveling up. However, in games like Sword and Shield, you can evolve a level 100 Pokémon by using a Rare Candy.
10. Is Hyper Training Available in All Pokémon Games?
No, Hyper Training was first introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon and has been featured in subsequent games like Sword and Shield and Scarlet and Violet. It is not available in older generations.
11. Does Nature Matter if I Hyper Train My Pokémon?
Yes, Nature still matters. While Hyper Training maximizes IVs, Nature affects the growth rate of specific stats. You can change a Pokémon’s Nature using Mints, which are also available in the more recent games.
12. Can I Hyper Train Mythical Pokémon?
Yes, just like Legendary Pokémon, you can Hyper Train Mythical Pokémon. This is especially valuable since Mythical Pokémon cannot be bred.
13. Is Hyper Training a Good Strategy for Competitive Play?
Absolutely! Hyper Training is a crucial strategy for competitive play. It allows you to perfect your Pokémon’s stats without relying on the often time-consuming process of breeding for perfect IVs.
14. How Does Hyper Training Compare to EV Training?
Hyper Training and EV (Effort Value) Training are different. Hyper Training maximizes IVs, while EV Training distributes bonus points to specific stats based on the Pokémon you battle. Both are essential for competitive play. You can EV train Pokémon at level 100 in Sword and Shield using vitamin items.
15. Do Wild Legendary Pokémon Have Guaranteed Perfect IVs?
Wild Legendary Pokémon will have minimum 3 perfect IVs.
In conclusion, Hyper Training Legendary Pokémon is not only possible but also a vital aspect of competitive Pokémon training. It empowers players to make their favorite Legendary Pokémon viable contenders in the Pokémon arena. The system of IVs, EVs, and Natures is a part of a deep game design that gives players a lot to think about, but, luckily, also provides options for players that don’t want to grind forever!