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The Elusive Hundo: Decoding the Rarity of 100% IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO

The quest for the perfect Pokémon in Pokémon GO, often called a “hundo” (short for 100% IV), is a pursuit that drives many trainers. But how rare are these elusive creatures, boasting perfect Attack, Defense, and Stamina stats? In the wild, the base chance of encountering a Pokémon with 100% IV (15/15/15) is approximately 1 in 4096, or 0.0244%. This baseline probability shifts dramatically depending on the method of encounter, such as through research tasks, raids, eggs, or lucky trades. Understanding these nuances is key to maximizing your chances of adding a perfect specimen to your collection.

Understanding Individual Values (IVs)

Before diving into the specifics of hundo rarity, it’s crucial to understand what IVs (Individual Values) are. Each Pokémon possesses hidden stats that determine its potential strength. These IVs range from 0 to 15 in Attack, Defense, and Stamina. A Pokémon with perfect IVs has 15 in all three categories, making it the strongest possible version of that species at a given level.

Base Catch Rates and Hundo Hunting

As mentioned, wild Pokémon have a 1 in 4096 chance of being a hundo. This rate is a consequence of each IV stat being randomly assigned a value between 0 and 15. The odds of getting a specific IV combination, including 15/15/15, are statistically equal. However, these base odds rarely apply due to the various encounter methods available in Pokémon GO.

Boosted Odds: Eggs, Raids, Research, and Lucky Friends

Certain methods of encountering Pokémon significantly increase your chances of finding a hundo:

Eggs: Pokémon hatched from eggs have a higher IV floor than wild Pokémon. This means that the lowest possible IV stat is higher, increasing the probability of a hundo. The odds of hatching a hundo are approximately 1 in 216.
Raids: Similar to eggs, raid bosses have an IV floor, granting better chances for high IVs. The odds of encountering a hundo raid boss are also approximately 1 in 216.
Research Tasks: Pokémon obtained through research tasks, such as Field Research or Special Research, also benefit from an IV floor, aligning their hundo chance with eggs and raids at 1 in 216.
Lucky Friends: Becoming Lucky Friends with another trainer guarantees that your next trade will result in Lucky Pokémon. Lucky Pokémon have a significantly higher IV floor of 12/12/12. This dramatically increases your chance of trading for a hundo to roughly 1 in 64, or 1.56%. This is by far the most reliable method for hundo hunting.

Weather Boost

Weather Boosted wild catches offer another slight advantage. With weather boost, the odds increase to approximately 1 in 1,728 chance.

FAQs: Demystifying Hundo Hunting

1. What exactly does “100% IV” mean?

A 100% IV Pokémon has the maximum possible values (15) for each of its three Individual Values: Attack, Defense, and Stamina. This means it has the highest potential stats for its species.

2. Are 100% IV Pokémon stronger in battle?

Yes, 100% IV Pokémon are technically the strongest versions of their kind at a given level. While the difference might not always be noticeable in casual play, it can be significant in competitive scenarios like raids, Gym battles, and PvP (Trainer Battles).

3. Is it possible to get a 0% IV Pokémon?

Yes, but they are rarer than hundos. 0% IV Pokémon are extremely rare due to the IV floors associated with eggs, raids, research tasks, and trades. The only reliable way to get one is through a wild catch or a trade with a low friendship level. The chance of getting a 0% IV is also 1 in 4096, or 0.0244%.

4. Are 0% IV Pokémon more rare than 100% IV?

Generally, yes. Because 0% IV Pokemon cannot be obtained via raids, eggs, research tasks or trades, they are considered rarer than a 100% IV Pokemon.

5. Should I trade my perfect IV Pokémon?

Never trade perfect IV Pokémon! Pokémon GO recalculates the IVs of traded Pokémon, and the resulting IVs will almost certainly be lower than the original Pokémon’s stats.

6. Is a shiny Pokémon with 100% IVs even rarer?

Absolutely! The odds of finding a shiny Pokémon are already low (typically around 1 in 500 for common Pokémon, though rates vary during events). To then have that shiny also possess perfect IVs is incredibly rare, making it one of the most coveted prizes in Pokémon GO.

7. Is Hundo or Shiny rarer in legendary raids?

Hundo is much rarer than shiny in legendary raids. The odds for a perfect is much worse. Shiny rate is somewhere around 1/25.

8. What are Lucky Pokémon, and how do they affect IVs?

Lucky Pokémon are obtained through trading and have guaranteed high IVs. The minimum IVs for Lucky Pokémon are 12/12/12. This significantly increases your odds of getting a hundo to roughly 1 in 64 (1.56%).

9. What is the lowest possible IV a Lucky Pokemon can have?

The lowest IV a Lucky Pokemon can have is 12 / 12 / 12.

10. What is weather boost and how does it affect IVs?

Weather Boost occurs when the in-game weather matches the type of Pokémon you are encountering (e.g., finding a Water-type Pokémon during rainy weather). Weather Boosted Pokémon are at a higher level (typically 5 levels higher), and their minimum IVs are increased. This gives you a slight increased odds of getting a 100% IV (approximately 1 in 1,728).

11. Does evolving a Pokémon affect its IVs?

No, evolving a Pokémon does not change its IVs. The Attack, Defense, and Stamina values remain the same after evolution. Therefore, it is always best to appraise a Pokémon before evolving it to ensure it has good IVs.

12. Should I keep a 0-star Pokemon?

This largely depends on your storage space and personal preferences. While they are rare, their lack of battle effectiveness makes them generally less desirable. It might be best to just release the 0-stars and keep the 1/2/3/4-stars.

13. What does 3* 4 * mean in Pokemon go?

3* = 3 Stars and 4* = 3 Stars with a red background / 100% Pokémon.

14. Do IVs matter if a Pokemon is shiny?

IVs are independent of whether a Pokemon is shiny. The two factors are separate and you want to find the highest IVs on a shiny Pokemon.

15. Are apps like PokeGenie allowed?

Apps that access the game’s data violate the ToS and can subject you to being banned. PokeGenie uses screenshots and therefore does not access the game’s data.

Hundo Hunting Strategies

While the odds of finding a hundo can seem daunting, there are strategies you can employ to improve your chances:

Maximize Encounters: The more Pokémon you encounter, the higher your chances of finding a hundo. Participate in events, use Incense and Lure Modules, and actively explore areas with high Pokémon spawn rates.
Prioritize Eggs, Raids, and Research: Focus on completing research tasks, battling in raids, and hatching eggs whenever possible. These methods offer significantly better odds than wild encounters.
Become Lucky Friends: Work towards becoming Lucky Friends with other trainers. The increased IV floor of Lucky Pokémon makes trading the most efficient way to hunt for hundos.
Utilize IV Checking Tools: Use appraisal systems like the in-game appraisal or third-party apps such as PokeGenie to quickly assess the IVs of Pokémon you encounter.
Pay Attention to Weather: Look for weather boosted Pokémon, which have a slightly higher chance of having better IVs.

The Enduring Appeal of the Hundo

The rarity of 100% IV Pokémon is a significant part of their appeal. These creatures represent the pinnacle of what a Pokémon can be, and the satisfaction of finally obtaining one is immense. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor seeking an edge in battle or a collector driven by completion, the quest for the hundo is a central element of the Pokémon GO experience. The passion for understanding game dynamics and mechanics, like those in Pokémon GO, is also evident in academic fields. You can further explore the intersection of games and learning at the Games Learning Society website: GamesLearningSociety.org.

How rare are 100% IV?