Are Purified Pokémon Better? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer? It depends on your goals and play style. Purified Pokémon offer distinct advantages in terms of cost reduction and accessibility, while Shadow Pokémon excel in damage output for Player vs. Environment (PvE) content like raids. Deciding whether to purify a Pokémon is a complex decision that hinges on its IVs, the specific Pokémon species, and your personal preferences.
Purifying transforms a Shadow Pokémon, removing the “Shadow” bonus and replacing its exclusive move, Frustration, with Return. It also provides a +2 boost to each Individual Value (IV), reduces the Stardust and Candy cost for powering up and evolving, and significantly increases its Combat Power (CP). While these benefits sound appealing, they come at the cost of the Shadow Pokémon’s 20% damage boost, making it crucial to weigh your options carefully.
Here’s a deeper dive into the factors to consider when deciding whether to purify:
- PvE vs. PvP: For raids and Team GO Rocket battles, Shadow Pokémon are generally superior due to their higher Damage Per Second (DPS). The 20% attack buff outweighs the defensive debuff in most scenarios. However, in Player vs. Player (PvP) battles, the decision is more nuanced. Purified Pokémon can be valuable in certain PvP formats, especially if the IV boost turns them into a contender for Great League or Ultra League, or helps to make them a Hundo for Master League. Consider if you are a member of the Games Learning Society or similar organizations, you can find guides for your specific playstyle.
- IVs: If a Shadow Pokémon has low IVs, purification can turn it into a usable Pokémon for PvP or even a perfect (100% IV) Pokémon. A Shadow Pokémon with 13/13/13 IVs will always become a 100% IV Pokémon upon purification.
- Cost: Purifying significantly reduces the cost of powering up and evolving. This makes purified Pokémon more accessible for players with limited resources.
- Move Set: Purified Pokémon learn the move Return. This Normal-type Charged Attack can be useful in PvP for shield baiting or delivering unexpected damage.
- Shiny Shadow Pokémon: These are rare and valuable. Consider carefully whether you want to sacrifice the unique Shadow aesthetic and the attack bonus for improved IVs.
- Specific Pokémon Species: Some Pokémon benefit more from being Shadow than others. Top-tier attackers like Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Machamp, and Shadow Tyranitar are almost always worth keeping as Shadow Pokémon.
- Purifier Medal: If you’re focused on leveling up your Purifier Medal, purifying cheap Shadow Pokémon like Rattata or Zubat is an efficient way to do so.
- Mega Evolution: You can Mega Evolve Purified Pokémon, they do not have a swirling white aura. You cannot Mega Evolve Shadow or Clone Pokemon.
Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Evaluate each Pokémon individually based on its stats, moveset, and your intended use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it better to keep shadow or purify Pokémon?
In most cases, if you plan to use the Pokémon for raiding or battling Team GO Rocket, keeping it as a Shadow Pokémon is generally better due to the 20% attack boost. However, if you are looking for a PvP Pokémon or need to use it, purify.
Do purified Pokémon get better IVs?
Yes, purified Pokémon receive a +2 increase to each of their IVs (Attack, Defense, and HP). This can significantly improve their overall stats and make them more competitive.
Is a 0-star Shadow Pokémon good?
A 0-star Shadow Pokémon can still be valuable if it’s a strong attacker. The 20% Shadow boost makes it deal significantly more damage than a regular or purified version, even with low IVs. Prioritize strong attackers instead of IVs.
Should I purify a 2-star Shadow Pokémon?
Whether to purify a 2-star Shadow Pokémon depends on its current IV values and the specific Pokémon. If purifying would bring it close to a 100% IV Pokémon, it might be worth considering. However, keep in mind that the Shadow bonus is often more valuable than slightly improved IVs, especially for raid attackers.
Should I purify a 1-star Shadow Pokémon?
Generally, it’s not recommended to purify a 1-star Shadow Pokémon if it is a valuable attacker for PvE. The 20% Shadow attack bonus outweighs the benefits of improved IVs. However, if the Pokémon is weak, purifying might be a good option, but be sure to consider if you want a normal version of the Pokémon or not.
Should I purify a 3-star Shadow Pokémon?
This is a tricky decision. Purifying a 3-star Shadow Pokémon will give it perfect IVs (100%), but you will lose the Shadow bonus. This trade-off is only worth it if you specifically need a hundo for Mega Evolution, Master League, or collection purposes and don’t mind the reduction in damage output.
Should I evolve a bad IV shiny?
If your main goal is to have the shiny Dex entry, then yes, you should evolve it, even with bad IVs. The rarity of a shiny often outweighs the significance of IVs, especially if the Pokémon isn’t particularly useful in battle.
Should I power up before evolving?
It’s generally recommended to evolve your Pokémon to its final stage before investing Stardust and Candies to power it up. This way, you can see its final moveset and ensure it’s the moveset you desire before committing resources.
What kills Shadow Pokémon?
Shadow Pokémon don’t have specific weaknesses. The best way to defeat them depends on their type. Some examples include:
- Shadow Snorlax: Fighting-type Pokémon like Lucario or Machamp
- Shadow Tyranitar: Fighting or Bug-type Pokémon
- Shadow Gardevoir: Poison or Steel type Pokemon
Is Return worth keeping on purified Pokémon?
Return can be surprisingly useful in PvP. It’s a relatively fast-charging Normal-type move that can be used to bait shields or deliver neutral damage to opponents. However, for PvE, there are often better Charged Attacks.
Can a 2-star Pokémon become a 3-star?
No, a 2-star Pokémon cannot naturally become a 3-star Pokémon. But, a shadow pokemon can. When you purify a Shadow Pokémon, it will gain +2 IV in each stat, potentially making it a 3-star Pokémon.
Should I purify or evolve first?
Always purify before evolving. Purifying reduces the Candy cost for evolving. This can save you a significant amount of resources, especially for rare Pokémon.
Should I purify a Shadow Shiny?
The decision to purify a Shadow Shiny depends on your priorities. Purifying gives better IVs but gets rid of the shadow aura, so you will need to prioritize what you want. Purifying it makes it potentially more usable in certain situations, but keeping it as a Shadow preserves its rarity and unique visual appeal.
Which Shadow Pokémon are good?
Some of the best Shadow Pokémon include:
- Shadow Mewtwo
- Shadow Mamoswine
- Shadow Machamp
- Shadow Tyranitar
- Shadow Weavile
- Shadow Dragonite
- Shadow Moltres
These Pokémon have high attack stats and benefit greatly from the Shadow bonus.
Are low IV Shadow Pokémon worth keeping?
Yes, low IV Shadow Pokémon are often worth keeping if they are strong attackers. The 20% attack boost from being a Shadow Pokémon often outweighs the disadvantage of lower IVs, especially in raids.
The question of whether Purified Pokémon are “better” has no single answer. Understand your goals, assess the specific Pokémon, and make informed decisions. Happy training, and remember to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights on gaming and learning!