Purifying a Maxed Out Shadow Pokémon: The Ultimate Guide

So, you’ve poured your Stardust and Candy into a Shadow Pokémon, maxing it out for optimal performance, and now you’re wondering what happens if you decide to purify it. Here’s the deal: purifying a maxed-out Shadow Pokémon will essentially reverse the power-up process to a certain extent. While it won’t undo all the leveling, it will bring it down to level 25, change its charged attack, and adjust its IVs. Keep reading to delve deeper into the mechanics and consequences of this decision.

Understanding the Purification Process

Purification is a core mechanic in Pokémon GO, offering a way to transform powerful but costly Shadow Pokémon into more accessible and arguably ‘friendlier’ versions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what happens when you purify a Shadow Pokémon, even one that’s already been maxed out:

• Level Reset: The most immediate and noticeable change is the reduction of the Pokémon’s level. Purified Pokémon are automatically set to level 25, regardless of their previous level as a Shadow. This means all the Stardust and Candy you invested to power it up beyond level 25 is, in effect, ‘lost’.

• IV Boost: Each Individual Value (IV) – Attack, Defense, and HP – receives a +2 boost. If any of these IVs were already at 13 or higher, they will be capped at 15. If your Shadow Pokémon already had 13/13/13 IVs before being maxed out, purifying it will result in a 100% IV (perfect) Purified Pokémon.

• Move Change: The Shadow Pokémon will forget the exclusive Shadow move, Frustration, and learn the exclusive Purified move, Return. This may or may not be an upgrade, depending on the Pokémon and your intended use.

• Reduced Costs: Post-purification, powering up, evolving, and teaching new moves to the Pokémon will require less Stardust and Candy. This is a significant long-term benefit.

• CP Change: Naturally, the Combat Power (CP) of the Pokémon will decrease due to the level reduction.

Is Purifying a Maxed-Out Shadow Worth It?

This is where things get subjective. Purifying a maxed-out Shadow Pokémon can be a viable strategy for some players, but it’s a decision that should be made after careful consideration of the pros and cons.

• If you prioritize accessibility and long-term cost savings, purifying might be beneficial. The reduced resource requirements can make the Pokémon easier to use and upgrade in the future.

• However, if you value the raw power of Shadow Pokémon, particularly for raiding, purifying is generally not recommended. Shadow Pokémon deal significantly more damage than their normal or purified counterparts.

• Another factor to consider is the rarity of the Pokémon. If it’s a very rare Shadow Pokémon, such as a Shadow Mewtwo, the decision becomes more difficult.

FAQs: Purifying Shadow Pokémon

Here are fifteen frequently asked questions about purifying Shadow Pokémon to give you a complete picture:

Can you get a 100% Shadow Pokémon?

No, Shadow Pokémon obtained through Team GO Rocket encounters have specific IV floors. Weather boosted Shadow Pokémon have minimum IVs of 4/4/4. They can be purified to become a 100% Pokemon.

Are 0 star Pokemon worth keeping?

It depends on the Pokémon and your goals. A 0-star Shadow Pokémon can still be powerful due to the Shadow bonus.

Is a 0 star Shadow Pokémon good?

Yes, even with low IVs, the Shadow bonus often makes them stronger than high-IV normal or purified Pokémon in raids and battles.

What happens if you purify a 4 star Shadow Pokémon?

If your Shadow Pokémon already has perfect 15/15/15 IVs, purifying it won’t change the IVs. However, it will still undergo the other effects of purification, like changing the move, reducing the Pokemon to level 25 and reducing the cost to level up further.

What is the most powerful Shadow Pokémon?

Shadow Mewtwo is widely considered the most powerful Shadow Pokémon due to its incredible Attack stat and diverse movepool.

How rare is a 100% Pokemon?

The chance of catching a perfect (100% IV) Pokémon in the wild is 1/4096. The chance of a shadow pokemon turning into a perfect purified Pokemon, is very high!

Should I purify shadow shiny?

Generally, no. Shadow shinies are rare and powerful due to the Shadow bonus. The increased attack outweighs the IV benefits of purification.

Is it better to evolve a Pokemon then purify it?

Purify before evolving. Purifying reduces the Candy cost for evolution.

Should I purify a perfect Pokemon?

It depends on the specific Pokémon. Purifying a perfect Shadow Pokémon will not improve its IVs, so you will lose the Shadow bonus.

Is it worth keeping return Pokemon go?

In some PvP scenarios, Return can be useful. Its main appeal is quickly chipping away at an opponent’s shield.

Should you purify high IV Pokemon?

This is situational. Consider the specific Pokémon, its role, and whether the Shadow bonus is more valuable than slightly improved IVs.

What is the best shadow Pokemon to purify?

If you’re looking to level up your Purifier Medal, choose low-cost Pokémon like Rattata or Zubat.

How rare is a perfect Shadow Pokémon?

Very rare! Considering the low odds of finding a shiny Shadow Pokémon and the even lower odds of it having high IVs, a perfect Shadow shiny is incredibly rare.

Is Shadow Regice worth it?

Shadow Regice is not considered meta-relevant.

Can you mega evolve Shadow Pokémon?

No, Shadow Pokémon cannot be Mega Evolved. However, Purified Pokemon can mega evolve, but they won’t have a swirly white aura when mega evolved.

Final Thoughts

The decision to purify a maxed-out Shadow Pokémon depends on your personal play style and priorities. If you are interested in learning more about the theories behind gaming, including how it can be used for social good, consider visiting the GamesLearningSociety.org. Consider the long-term resource costs, the immediate power reduction, and the specific Pokémon in question before making the final call. Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer; it’s all about what’s best for your team and your gameplay style!