Can a Pokémon Become Perfect After Purifying? The Definitive Guide
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The burning question on every Pokémon GO trainer’s mind: Can a Pokémon become perfect after purifying it? The short answer is a resounding YES! Purifying a Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO adds a guaranteed +2 IVs to each stat (Attack, Defense, and HP), up to a maximum of 15 in each stat. Therefore, if a Shadow Pokémon has IVs close to perfect (e.g., 13/13/13), purifying it will indeed result in a 100% IV, or “hundo,” Pokémon. But the path to Pokémon perfection through purification is paved with nuance, and understanding those nuances is key to becoming a true Pokémon Master.
The Mechanics of Purification: A Deeper Dive
Purification isn’t just about turning your menacing Shadow Pokémon into their brighter, cuddlier forms. It’s a strategic decision that impacts your Pokémon’s stats, moves, and overall viability. Here’s a more detailed look at the process:
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IV Enhancement: As mentioned, each stat gets a minimum +2 IV boost. This is crucial for understanding the potential of your Shadow Pokémon. A 0-star Shadow Pokémon might not seem appealing initially, but if its IVs are relatively high (even around 10 in each stat), purification can transform it into a valuable asset.
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Move Changes: A purified Pokémon always learns the move “Return,” a Normal-type Charged Attack. It also forgets its Shadow-specific Charged Attack, “Frustration.” This move swap can be either beneficial or detrimental, depending on your desired use for the Pokémon.
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Reduced Costs: Purification significantly reduces the Stardust and Candy costs required to power up, evolve, and unlock new moves. This makes purified Pokémon much more accessible to trainers who are managing their resources carefully.
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Visual Changes: Purified Pokémon have a distinct aura and a special badge in their profile. It’s a mark of redemption and a visual indicator of their transformation.
Shadow vs. Purified: The Great Debate
The decision to purify a Shadow Pokémon shouldn’t be taken lightly. Shadow Pokémon have a significant advantage: a 20% damage boost to their attacks. This makes them powerful attackers in raids and against Team GO Rocket. Purifying them removes this bonus, which can drastically impact their performance in certain situations.
So, how do you decide whether to purify or not?
- High IV Shadow Pokémon: If you have a Shadow Pokémon with already high IVs (close to perfect), the damage boost might be worth keeping, making it an absolute beast in battle.
- Low IV Shadow Pokémon: If the IVs are low, purification is a viable option, especially if you need a more budget-friendly Pokémon for general use.
- Specific Pokémon: Some Pokémon benefit more from the Shadow bonus than others. Research which Pokémon are best kept as Shadows and which ones are good candidates for purification.
Understanding IVs, Appraisal and Perfect Pokémon
Before diving further, let’s recap some core concepts related to Individual Values (IVs) and appraisals:
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IVs: Every Pokémon has three IVs: Attack, Defense, and HP. These values range from 0 to 15 and are hidden. They contribute significantly to a Pokémon’s overall stats and potential.
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Appraisal: The in-game appraisal system, using team leaders (Candela, Blanche, and Spark), gives you an idea of your Pokémon’s IVs. The more stars a Pokémon has, the higher its IVs. A 4* Pokémon is a 100% IV Pokémon
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Perfect Pokémon (Hundos): A Pokémon with all IVs at 15/15/15 is considered a perfect Pokémon, or a “hundo.” These are highly sought after due to their maximum potential in battles.
The Rarity Factor: Shadow, Shiny, and Perfect
The allure of rare Pokémon adds another layer of complexity to the purification decision.
- Perfect Shadow Pokémon: Obtaining a Shadow Pokémon with already perfect IVs is incredibly rare. These are often considered the holy grail of Pokémon GO, and most players would strongly advise against purifying them.
- Shiny Shadow Pokémon: Shiny Shadow Pokémon are also rare. Purifying a shiny Shadow Pokémon is a personal choice, but be aware that once purified, it loses the Shadow bonus.
- Shiny Perfect Shadow Pokémon (ShaShundo): Finding a Shiny Shadow Pokémon with perfect IVs (often referred to as “ShaShundo”) is astronomically rare. Many trainers consider this the ultimate prize in the game.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
Let’s address some common questions surrounding purification:
1. What happens if you purify a perfect Pokémon?
If you purify a Pokémon that is already a 100% IV (Individual Value) Pokémon, its IVs will remain unchanged. It will still be a perfect Pokémon, but it will lose the Shadow bonus and gain the purified status.
2. Can you get a 100% IV Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, it is possible, but the odds are very low. The chance of encountering a Shadow Pokémon with perfect IVs is significantly lower than finding a perfect Pokémon in other scenarios like raids or eggs.
3. What happens if you purify a 4-star Pokémon?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon that is a 4-star will still make it a 4-star, but it’ll lose the Shadow bonus. In this case, it’s crucial to consider whether you’re okay with losing the bonus attack power. If you need a great generalist, then purifying the 4-star is a good choice, but If you want the strongest version of that pokemon, you may want to keep it as a Shadow Pokemon.
4. Is a 0-star Shadow Pokémon good?
A 0-star Shadow Pokémon can still be valuable due to the Shadow bonus. If it has decent CP and attacks, it might be better to keep it unpurified, especially if you need a strong attacker. However, if you purify it, it may raise its appraisal.
5. Should I purify a 1-star Shadow Pokémon?
The decision to purify a 1-star Shadow Pokémon depends on your needs and resources. Purifying it can potentially increase its IVs and make it more usable. This is a viable option, especially if you need a generalist Pokémon and it is rare.
6. How rare is a 6 IV Pokémon?
The information about 6 IV Pokémon is more relevant to the main series games, not Pokémon GO. In Pokémon GO, we focus on the three IVs: Attack, Defense, and HP.
7. How rare is a 1 IV Pokémon?
The concept of a “1 IV” Pokémon is less relevant. In Pokémon GO, wild encounters have a 1 in 4,096 chance of being perfect (15/15/15). Weather-boosted encounters increase this to a 1 in 1,728 chance.
8. Should I keep Return on purified Pokémon?
Return can be useful in PvP battles, as it deals decent damage and can be effective for breaking Protect Shields. However, its utility is often less impactful than other Charged Attacks that are more effective for Raids.
9. Is there a downside to purifying Pokémon?
The main downside is the loss of the 20% damage bonus that Shadow Pokémon have. This bonus can significantly increase their damage output in raids and other battles.
10. How rare is a perfect Shadow Pokémon?
The odds of finding a Shiny Shadow Pokémon are around 1.6% according to Bulbapedia. So getting a perfect Shadow Pokémon (a ShaShundo) is an extremely rare find. The exact odds are difficult to calculate, as it involves multiple layers of probability.
11. Can a purified Pokémon be shiny?
Purified Pokémon can be shiny if the original Shadow Pokémon was shiny. However, the method to obtain shiny pokemon can be different in the core series.
12. Is it worth keeping Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, Shadow Pokémon are generally worth keeping due to their 20% damage bonus. This makes them powerful attackers, especially in raids and against Team GO Rocket.
13. Is it better to evolve a purified Pokémon?
It is generally better to purify a Pokémon before evolving it, as this reduces the Candy costs to evolve and power up.
14. How rare is a 0 IV Pokémon?
0% IV Pokémon are very rare because they cannot be obtained from raids, eggs, research tasks, or trades. The only way to find them is through wild encounters. This makes 0% pokemon rarer than perfect pokemon.
15. Is there a 99 IV Pokémon GO?
The appraisal system indicates the range of IVs. Three stars with an orange stamp indicate around 80-99% perfect IVs. Three stars with a red background indicate 100% perfect IVs.
Making the Right Choice: A Summary
The decision to purify a Shadow Pokémon is multifaceted. Consider these factors:
- IVs: How close are the Shadow Pokémon’s IVs to perfect?
- The 20% Shadow Bonus: Is the Pokémon more valuable with the Shadow bonus for raiding or PvP?
- Resources: Do you need to reduce the costs of powering up and evolving?
- Rarity: Is it a rare shiny or a potentially perfect Shadow?
By carefully evaluating these factors, you can make informed decisions about whether to purify your Shadow Pokémon and maximize their potential. Good luck, Trainer! You can learn more about the intersection of games and learning at Games Learning Society. Check out their website at GamesLearningSociety.org.