Are Low IV Pokémon Bad? The Definitive Guide

Yes, generally, low IV Pokémon are considered less desirable compared to those with high or perfect Individual Values (IVs). However, the degree to which this matters depends heavily on the context, your play style, and the specific game mechanics involved. While striving for high IV Pokémon is a common goal, especially for competitive play, low IVs don’t automatically render a Pokémon useless. There are niche situations where they can even be beneficial, or where their impact is minimal enough to be disregarded. Let’s dive into the details.

Understanding Individual Values (IVs)

Before we delve into the good, the bad, and the ugly of low IVs, let’s establish a clear understanding of what IVs are. IVs, or Individual Values, are essentially hidden stats that determine a Pokémon’s potential. Each Pokémon possesses six IVs, corresponding to its six primary stats: HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.

These IVs range from 0 to a maximum of 31 in the main series Pokémon games. In Pokémon GO, the IV range is 0 to 15. Each IV point adds one point to that specific stat when the Pokémon reaches level 100 (in main series games). Therefore, a Pokémon with perfect IVs (31 in all stats, or 15 in Pokémon GO) will have significantly higher stats at maximum level than a Pokémon with low IVs.

The Impact of IVs

While IVs contribute to a Pokémon’s overall stats, it’s important to remember that they are just one factor. A Pokémon’s base stats, Nature (in the main series games), and Effort Values (EVs, or training points) all play crucial roles. In Pokémon GO, base stats and IVs are the primary factors. Therefore, even a Pokémon with perfect IVs might be outclassed by a Pokémon with better base stats, a more favorable Nature, or optimized EV training. In Pokémon GO, the difference in stats conferred by perfect IVs is real, but sometimes, a Pokémon with good moves and high CP is still better than a higher IV Pokémon with worse moves.

When Low IVs Can Be Okay (or Even Good!)

Despite the general preference for high IVs, there are some situations where low IVs are not a deal-breaker, or even desirable:

• Trick Room Teams: In the main series games, the move Trick Room reverses the turn order, making slower Pokémon move first. Therefore, Pokémon designed for Trick Room teams benefit from having a 0 IV in Speed to ensure they move last under Trick Room.

• Special Attackers and Foul Play: The move Foul Play calculates damage based on the target’s Attack stat. Therefore, Special Attackers often benefit from having a 0 IV in Attack to minimize the damage they take from Foul Play. This also applies to damage taken when confused.

• Casual Play: If you’re not a competitive player and primarily enjoy the single-player aspect of the games, low IVs are often negligible. A well-balanced team and effective strategy can compensate for slightly lower stats.

• Shiny Pokémon: Many players prioritize collecting Shiny Pokémon regardless of their IVs. The rarity and aesthetic appeal of a Shiny often outweigh the statistical disadvantage of low IVs.

• Early Game: During the early stages of the game, it’s often more practical to use Pokémon with decent CP/stats that are readily available than to spend hours searching for Pokémon with perfect IVs.

• Rarity: Sometimes, a Pokémon with 0% IVs can be interesting to keep just because of the novelty and rarity of the situation.

The Case Against Low IVs

For the majority of players, particularly those who engage in competitive battling or endgame content, high IVs are a significant advantage. Here’s why low IVs are generally considered undesirable:

• Lower Stats: As mentioned earlier, low IVs result in lower overall stats, making your Pokémon weaker and less durable.

• Competitive Disadvantage: In competitive battles, even a small stat difference can be the difference between victory and defeat. High IVs provide a crucial edge against opponents.

• Raid Battles: In Pokémon GO, higher IVs allow you to deal slightly more damage, and survive slightly longer in Raid battles. That little bit of extra damage can be essential to taking down a raid boss.

Pokémon GO Considerations

In Pokémon GO, the impact of IVs is somewhat less pronounced than in the main series games, but still important. A perfect IV Pokémon is generally better than one with a low IV. While it is useful to strive for high IV Pokémon for your battle team and for attacking gyms, a low IV Pokémon is not completely useless. Also, many times in Pokémon GO, the CP level of a Pokémon is more important than the IV levels.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How rare is a 0% IV Pokémon?

A fully 0% IV Pokémon is extremely rare, even rarer than finding a perfect 4-star/Perfect IV counterpart. Many players choose to keep these simply for the rarity factor.

2. Should I get rid of all 0-star Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

While they might clog up your Pokémon Storage, it depends on your goals. If storage is limited and you’re focused on efficiency, transferring them is a good idea. However, some players collect them for novelty.

3. Is it worth keeping a 0-star Shiny Pokémon?

Absolutely! A Shiny Pokémon is rare regardless of its IVs. Unless you have another Shiny of the same species with better IVs, it’s worth holding onto. You can always trade it later.

4. What is considered a perfect IV Pokémon?

A perfect IV Pokémon has the maximum possible IV value in all stats. In the main series games, this is 31 in each stat. In Pokémon GO, it’s 15 in each stat.

5. Do Pokémon IVs actually matter?

Yes, IVs do matter. Higher IVs translate to higher stats, which can provide a noticeable advantage in battles and other activities. The extent to which they matter depends on the game and your play style.

6. Should I only evolve 3-star Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Not necessarily. Consider the Pokémon’s CP, the moves it might learn upon evolution, and your available resources. A 2-star Pokémon with a high CP might be a better choice than a low-CP 3-star.

7. Is it better to evolve a higher CP or IV Pokémon?

IVs cannot be changed, so higher IVs always have priority over high CP. The most ideal situation would be both, of course. Higher IVs will naturally give you a higher CP Pokémon once it’s fully evolved and powered up.

8. What is a bad IV Pokémon?

In Pokémon GO, Pokémon with IVs below 8 are considered “bad”, although there are some cases where you would want a 0 in a stat for reasons previously discussed.

9. Are 1-star Shadow Pokémon worth keeping?

Yes! Shadow Pokémon deal significantly more damage than regular Pokémon, even with lower IVs. The attack boost often outweighs the IV disadvantage.

10. Is it worth not purifying Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Yes, generally. Shadow Pokémon have a significant attack boost that is lost upon purification.

11. Should I transfer all my low CP Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

In the early stages of the game, this is a good strategy to free up storage. As you level up, you’ll encounter Pokémon with higher CP values.

12. How do you tell if a Pokémon is 100% IV before catching it in Pokémon GO?

The in-game appraisal system can give you a good indication. A Pokémon with three stars and a red stamp has perfect IVs. Apps that interface with the game can also give you a precise analysis.

13. Do Legendaries have perfect IVs?

Wild Legendaries will have minimum 3 perfect IVs. Wild encounters are the only Legendaries in Sword and Shield that can have Marks.

14. What’s the max EV for a Pokémon?

Every Pokémon can attain up to 510 EVs, with a max of 252 in any one stat. You’ll want to decide what the two most important stats are for your Pokémon and train in those.

15. How much do IVs really matter?

The difference that 100% IVs make compared to 0% IVs is around 10%, i.e. they will last around 10% longer, deal around 10% more damage, and resist around 10% more damage.

Conclusion: It Depends

Ultimately, the question of whether low IV Pokémon are “bad” is nuanced. For competitive players, high IVs are essential. But for casual players, collectors, or those experimenting with niche strategies like Trick Room, low IVs can be perfectly acceptable or even advantageous. Don’t be afraid to use Pokémon with lower IVs if they fill a specific role on your team, or if you simply enjoy using them. After all, the most important thing is to have fun!

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