Can Purified Pokémon Become Lucky in Pokémon GO? The Definitive Guide
Yes, purified Pokémon can absolutely become lucky through trading. In fact, the combination of purification and luck can lead to some of the most potent and cost-effective Pokémon in your arsenal. Understanding the intricacies of this process is vital for any serious Pokémon GO player looking to optimize their teams. This article dives deep into the mechanics behind purified Pokémon, luckiness, and how the two can intertwine to create powerful allies.
Understanding Purified Pokémon
What are Purified Pokémon?
Purified Pokémon are Shadow Pokémon that have been rescued from Team GO Rocket’s influence. By using Stardust and Candy, you can purify these corrupted creatures, restoring them to their former selves. Purification provides several benefits, including:
- IV Boosts: Each IV (Attack, Defense, HP) increases by +2 upon purification.
- Lower Power-Up Costs: Purified Pokémon require less Stardust and Candy to power up.
- Exclusive Move: They learn the Charged Attack Return, a Normal-type move.
- Improved Appraisal: Their appraisal increases.
The Significance of IVs in Purified Pokémon
The IV boost is arguably the most significant aspect of purification. A Shadow Pokémon with decent, but not perfect, IVs can be transformed into a near-perfect or even a perfect (100% IV) specimen. This makes purification a strategic tool for obtaining high-IV Pokémon without relying solely on random encounters or raids.
The Magic of Lucky Pokémon
What Makes a Pokémon Lucky?
Lucky Pokémon are the result of trading with friends. When a trade results in a Lucky Pokémon, both trainers receive a Pokémon with the following characteristics:
- Guaranteed High IVs: Lucky Pokémon have a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12.
- Reduced Power-Up Costs: They require 50% less Stardust to power up.
- Shiny Appearance: They are visually distinguished by a shimmering, golden aura.
Why Lucky Pokémon Matter
The reduced Stardust cost is the primary draw of Lucky Pokémon. Powering up Pokémon to higher levels can be an expensive endeavor, particularly for newer players or those with limited resources. Lucky Pokémon mitigate this cost, allowing players to build strong teams more quickly.
The Intersection: Purified and Lucky
Can a Purified Pokémon Become Lucky?
Yes! This is where things get interesting. Trading a purified Pokémon can result in a Lucky Pokémon, inheriting all the benefits of both states. A Lucky Purified Pokémon offers a unique blend of advantages:
- Potentially High IVs: Start with a Shadow Pokémon with decent IVs, purify it for a boost, and then trade it for a chance at luckiness, further guaranteeing high stats.
- Drastically Reduced Power-Up Costs: The combined cost reduction from being both purified and lucky makes these Pokémon exceptionally cheap to power up.
- Exclusive Move: They retain the exclusive Return move, if purified before trading.
The Strategy Behind Lucky Purified Pokémon
The key strategy involves carefully selecting which Shadow Pokémon to purify and trade. Consider these points:
- IV Screening: Use appraisal tools to identify Shadow Pokémon with potentially high IVs after purification. A Shadow Pokémon with at least 13/13/13 IVs is guaranteed to become a perfect 100% IV Pokémon when purified and then traded as lucky.
- Candy Availability: Prioritize Pokémon for which you have ample Candy.
- Trading Partners: Coordinate with friends to trade the purified Pokémon for a chance at luckiness.
- Stardust Considerations: Purifying requires Stardust, so balance the purification cost against the potential benefits.
- Purifier Medal Progress: To level up their Purifier Medal, trainers should choose Pokémon such as Shadow Rattata, Patrat, Zubat, Magikarp, Starly, Purrloin, and more have a very low cost of 1,000 Stardust to purify.
FAQs: All Your Purified and Lucky Pokémon Questions Answered
1. What are the exact IV benefits of purifying a Shadow Pokémon?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases each of its individual stats (Attack, Defense, and HP) by +2.
2. Is it always better to purify a Shadow Pokémon before trading it?
Not necessarily. If your primary goal is to obtain a Lucky Pokémon, the order doesn’t strictly matter. However, purifying beforehand allows you to assess the resulting IVs and decide if the Pokémon is worth trading at all.
3. Does purifying a Pokémon change its level?
Purifying a Pokémon changes its level to level 25 (or level 30 if the Pokémon is weather-boosted).
4. What is the exclusive move that Purified Pokémon get?
Purified Pokémon learn the Charged Attack Return, a Normal-type move.
5. Are there any downsides to purifying a Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, purifying a Pokémon removes the 20% damage boost that Shadow Pokémon receive in battle. For some Pokémon, this damage boost is more valuable than the improved IVs and reduced power-up costs.
6. Can I mega evolve a Purified Pokémon?
Yes, you can mega evolve a Purified Pokémon, but they won’t have a swirly white aura when mega evolved. Clone or Shadow Pokémon cannot be Mega Evolved.
7. What is the minimum IV floor for a Lucky Pokémon?
Lucky Pokémon have a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12.
8. How do I increase my chances of getting a Lucky Pokémon?
Being Lucky Friends with another trainer guarantees that your next trade will result in a Lucky Pokémon.
9. Can I purify a Shadow Pokémon that I have already evolved?
Yes, you can purify a Shadow Pokémon even if it has already been evolved.
10. Is it worth keeping a Shadow Pokémon with low IVs?
It depends. Some Shadow Pokémon are valuable for their rarity or potential utility in specific battles, even with low IVs. The Games Learning Society delves into the strategic aspects of Pokémon GO, exploring how various game mechanics influence decision-making and engagement. If you are unsure, keeping them to trade is a great option.
11. What Shadow Pokémon are generally considered the best to keep unpurified?
Pokémon with high attack stats, such as Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Tyranitar, and Shadow Machamp, are often best left unpurified due to their significant damage output.
12. Do weather boosts affect the IVs of Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, weather-boosted Shadow Pokémon have a minimum IV of 4/4/4.
13. How much does it cost to purify a Shadow Pokémon?
The Stardust and Candy cost to purify a Shadow Pokémon varies depending on the species. Some Pokémon, like Rattata, are very cheap to purify, while others are much more expensive.
14. Can I trade Shiny Pokémon?
Yes, you can trade Shiny Pokémon, but it can be costly. The cost depends on whether both trainers have the Shiny Pokémon in their Pokédex.
15. Are Shadow Pokémon always better than their normal counterparts?
While Shadow Pokémon have a 20% attack boost, they also have reduced defense. Whether they are “better” depends on the specific Pokémon, the battle situation, and your overall strategy. If a Shadow Pokemon is 0-stars but has decent Attacks and CP, it’s better to leave it unpurified for future battles.
Conclusion
Purified Pokémon can indeed become lucky, and understanding how to leverage this combination can significantly enhance your Pokémon GO experience. By carefully selecting Shadow Pokémon, purifying them strategically, and trading with friends, you can acquire potent and cost-effective team members. Keep these tips in mind as you continue your Pokémon GO journey, and remember to explore resources like GamesLearningSociety.org for more in-depth analyses of game mechanics and strategies.