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Unlocking Potential: A Comprehensive Guide to Appraising Pokémon in Pokémon GO

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Want to build the ultimate Pokémon dream team in Pokémon GO? It all starts with knowing which Pokémon are truly worth your investment of stardust and candy. The key? Appraising your Pokémon. This feature, introduced to replace the older, less informative appraisal system, is your direct line to understanding a Pokémon’s hidden potential, its Individual Values (IVs). Understanding your Pokémon’s IV’s gives you the advantage in trainer battles. Let’s dive deep into how to appraise your Pokémon and what those appraisals really mean.

The Core Appraisal Process

Appraising a Pokémon is a straightforward process, but understanding the nuances of what you’re seeing is where the real power lies. Here’s the step-by-step:

Access the Main Menu: In Map View, tap the Main Menu icon (the Poké Ball at the bottom of the screen).
Navigate to Your Pokémon: Tap Pokémon. This will bring up your collection of captured creatures.
Select the Pokémon You Want to Appraise: Scroll through your Pokémon and tap the one you want to evaluate.
Open the Pokémon’s Menu: On the Pokémon’s individual screen, look for a Menu button (usually three horizontal lines or dots). Tap it.
Initiate the Appraisal: Select Appraise from the menu options. Your chosen Team Leader (Candela for Valor, Blanche for Mystic, or Spark for Instinct) will then give you feedback on the Pokémon’s strengths.

Understanding the Appraisal Report

The appraisal isn’t just a random thumbs up or down. Your Team Leader will provide key insights into your Pokémon’s potential through star ratings and descriptive phrases. Here’s what to look for:

Overall Potential: This is represented by stars.
- 0 Stars: Lower potential (generally, Pokémon with IVs totaling less than 50%).
- 1 Star: Decent potential (IVs around 50-65%).
- 2 Stars: Good potential (IVs around 66-80%).
- 3 Stars: Great potential (IVs around 82-100%).
- 4 Stars (3 Stars with a Red Background): Perfect potential (100% IVs – a “Hundo”).
Individual Stats: After the star rating, your Team Leader will highlight the Pokémon’s best stat.
- They might say something like, “Its best stat is Attack.” This indicates the Pokémon has a high IV in that particular stat.
- If your Pokémon has a perfect IV in that stat, they will say something like, “It’s best quality is its attack” Followed by “It’s stats are the best I’ve ever seen!”
Overall IV Sum: Your Team Leader will tell you the total value of the IVs of the Pokémon. This can be the best indicator of where it lies from the start.

Decoding the Descriptive Phrases

While the star ratings are clear indicators, the descriptive phrases your Team Leader uses provide more nuanced information. It’s a great way to get to know your leader! Learn to recognize patterns in their feedback. For example, a phrase like “Its stats exceed my calculations” is often a great sign. Conversely, “It’s not likely to make much headway in battle” is a clear sign of a weaker Pokémon.

Why Appraisals Matter

Appraisals are crucial for several reasons:

Resource Management: Stardust and candy are valuable. Appraising helps you decide which Pokémon are worth powering up and evolving.
Battle Prowess: High IV Pokémon have the potential to become formidable fighters in Gyms, Raids, and Trainer Battles.
Collection Goals: Many players strive to collect Pokémon with perfect IVs (Hundos) as a testament to their dedication.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s delve into some of the most frequently asked questions about Pokémon appraisals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What do the stars mean in Pokémon GO appraisals?

The stars represent the Pokémon’s overall potential, based on its IVs (Individual Values). More stars indicate higher potential and better stats. 3 stars with a red background is a Pokémon with perfect 100% IVs.

2. Can you tell if a Pokémon is 100% IV before catching it?

No, you cannot determine a Pokémon’s IVs before catching it in Pokémon GO. The appraisal feature and IV calculations are only available after you’ve caught a Pokémon.

3. Do Pokémon GO appraisals matter?

Yes, appraisals are very important! They allow you to assess a Pokémon’s potential for battle by revealing its IVs. This helps you make informed decisions about which Pokémon to invest in.

4. Are 0-star Pokémon worth keeping?

Generally, 0-star Pokémon are not worth investing in for serious battling. However, they might have niche uses in certain situations, such as low CP leagues, or for specific research tasks.

5. Should I keep Pokémon with high CP or appraisal?

It’s best to consider both CP (Combat Power) and appraisal. Higher CP gives you a better starting place, while appraisal reveals its potential for growth. You want a combination of both for optimal performance.

6. Can you increase a Pokémon’s IV in Pokémon GO?

No, with a few very limited exceptions, you cannot directly increase a Pokémon’s IVs after it has been caught. The only way to improve the overall IVs is to purify Shadow Pokémon, which adds +2 to each of the IVs.

7. Should I purify Shadow Pokémon?

Purifying Shadow Pokémon increases their IVs but removes the Shadow bonus (a 20% attack boost). Whether to purify depends on your goals. If you want a stronger attacker, keep it as a Shadow. If you want a higher IV Pokémon, purify it.

8. How do I make my Pokémon appraise higher?

You cannot directly change a Pokémon’s appraisal rating except in one specific instance, by purifying a Shadow Pokémon. Evolving or powering up does not improve its underlying IVs.

9. Is CP or stars more important?

Stars (appraisal) are more important for long-term investment. CP indicates current strength, but a Pokémon with high stars has greater potential to surpass a higher CP, lower-star Pokémon when powered up.

10. Should you evolve a 3-star Pokémon?

Yes, definitely! Evolving a 3-star Pokémon (especially one with a red background indicating 100% IVs) is generally a very wise decision, as it will maximize its stat growth as it powers up and evolves.

11. Can you make a Pokémon perfect?

While you cannot directly create a perfect Pokémon in Pokémon GO beyond the methods already mentioned, using methods like Lucky Friends which guarantee a high-IV trade, or focusing on events with boosted perfect IV chances will increase your odds.

12. Should I purify or evolve first?

Purify first if you plan to purify at all. Purifying before evolving gives a significant CP boost and lowers the evolution costs.

13. Are purified Pokémon stronger?

Purified Pokémon are not inherently stronger. They gain a CP boost upon purification, but they lose the Shadow bonus. Whether they become stronger depends on whether you prioritize IVs or raw attack power.

14. How rare is a 100% IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

The base chance of catching a 100% IV Pokémon in the wild is approximately 1 in 4096 (0.0244%). However, certain scenarios like research tasks, raids, and egg hatches significantly increase those odds.

15. Which Pokémon should I evolve?

Evolve Pokémon with a combination of high CP and good appraisal (2 or 3 stars). Prioritize 3-star Pokémon, especially those with a red background. A decent CP to start with is just an added bonus.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the art of Pokémon appraisal is essential for any serious Pokémon GO player. By understanding the star ratings, descriptive phrases, and underlying IVs, you can make informed decisions about which Pokémon to invest in, build a powerful battle team, and achieve your collection goals. So get out there, catch ’em all, and start appraising!

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