Can You Boost IV in Pokemon GO? A Deep Dive into Pokemon Perfection
The burning question on every serious Pokemon GO trainer’s mind: Can you boost IVs in Pokemon GO? The short answer is no, not directly. You cannot, through any in-game mechanic, directly increase the Individual Values (IVs) of a Pokemon you’ve already caught. However, that’s not the end of the story. While you can’t magically transform a zero-star Pokemon into a four-star beast, there are ways to acquire Pokemon with better IVs and even improve their battle performance through other means. Let’s explore this in detail.
Understanding IVs and Their Importance
First, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page. Individual Values (IVs) are hidden stats that each Pokemon possesses in addition to its base stats. These IVs range from 0 to 15 in each of three categories: Attack, Defense, and HP (Hit Points). They are permanent and determined when the Pokemon is generated, either through catching it in the wild, hatching it from an egg, or encountering it through research.
Why are IVs important? Because they directly impact a Pokemon’s combat power. A Pokemon with perfect IVs (15/15/15, often referred to as “hundo”) will have slightly higher stats than the same Pokemon with lower IVs. While the difference might seem small at first glance, it can be significant in raids, Gym battles, and especially in the competitive world of GO Battle League. That small boost can be the difference between victory and defeat.
The Limitations: What You Can’t Do
It’s crucial to understand what’s off-limits. As mentioned before, there is no item, feature, or exploit that allows you to directly manipulate the IVs of a caught Pokemon. Attempts to use third-party apps or hacks claiming to do so are almost certainly scams and could result in account bans. Niantic, the developers of Pokemon GO, take a hard stance against cheating and modifying game data.
Trying to change IVs through unofficial means is not worth the risk. Stick to legitimate strategies to find and acquire Pokemon with desirable IVs.
The Strategies: Acquiring Pokemon with Better IVs
While direct IV boosting is impossible, here are several strategies for increasing your chances of getting Pokemon with good IVs:
1. Trading with Friends
Trading is one of the most reliable methods for potentially improving a Pokemon’s IVs. When you trade a Pokemon, its IVs are randomized. The higher your friendship level with the trainer you’re trading with, the higher the minimum IV floor will be. Best Friends have the highest chance of receiving a Pokemon with good IVs. Keep in mind, however, that the IVs can also get worse through trading, so it’s always a gamble.
2. Lucky Pokemon
Lucky Pokemon are guaranteed to have a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12 in Attack, Defense, and HP. They also cost less Stardust to power up. You can increase your chances of getting Lucky Pokemon by trading older Pokemon (Pokemon that have been in your storage for a long time have a higher chance of becoming Lucky).
3. Raids and Research Encounters
Pokemon encountered through Raids and Research tasks have a minimum IV floor of 10/10/10. This is a significant advantage over catching Pokemon in the wild, which have no guaranteed minimum IVs. Participating in Raids and completing Research is a great way to build a collection of Pokemon with decent IVs.
4. Shadow Pokemon
Shadow Pokemon, obtained by defeating Team GO Rocket grunts and leaders, initially have poor IVs. However, purifying them raises each IV stat by +2, up to a maximum of 15. This means a Shadow Pokemon with a 13/13/13 stat line will become a perfect 15/15/15 “hundo” after purification. It’s important to remember that purified Pokemon lose the Shadow bonus (20% damage increase but also take 20% more damage), so consider whether purification is truly beneficial before proceeding. Shadow Pokemon hit harder but are also glass cannons.
5. Weather Boost
Pokemon caught in weather that boosts their type have a level boost. Although not directly tied to IVs, a higher level means that a lower IV Pokemon will still be relatively strong compared to its non-weather boosted counterparts.
6. Community Days and Events
Keep an eye out for Community Days and special events that may offer increased spawn rates for specific Pokemon. This gives you more opportunities to encounter and catch Pokemon, increasing your chances of finding one with desirable IVs.
Alternatives to IV Optimization: Powering Up and Move Sets
While you can’t change a Pokemon’s IVs, you can invest in powering it up and optimizing its move set. A high-level Pokemon with a good move set can often outperform a perfect IV Pokemon with a bad move set or low level. Don’t get so fixated on IVs that you neglect these other important aspects of Pokemon training.
Powering Up
Investing Stardust and Candy to power up your Pokemon is essential for increasing its CP (Combat Power) and overall stats. Focus on powering up Pokemon with good move sets and decent IVs (even if they aren’t perfect).
Move Sets
A Pokemon’s move set can significantly impact its performance in battle. Some moves are simply better than others in terms of damage output, energy generation, and coverage. Use TMs (Technical Machines) to change a Pokemon’s moves and experiment with different combinations to find the optimal move set for each Pokemon. Resources like PvPoke can help determine ideal movesets for Pokemon in various leagues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to IVs in Pokemon GO:
1. What are IVs in Pokemon GO?
IVs (Individual Values) are hidden stats that determine a Pokemon’s potential. They range from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and HP.
2. How do I check a Pokemon’s IVs?
You can use the in-game appraisal feature (accessed via the Pokemon’s profile page) to get a general idea of its IVs. For more precise IV readings, you can use third-party apps that overlay on the Pokemon GO screen, or import screenshots into specialized IV checkers. Be careful when choosing third-party apps and ensure that they don’t violate Niantic’s terms of service.
3. What is a “hundo” Pokemon?
A “hundo” Pokemon is a Pokemon with perfect IVs: 15/15/15 in Attack, Defense, and HP.
4. Are perfect IVs necessary for success in Pokemon GO?
No, perfect IVs are not strictly necessary, but they provide a slight advantage. Skill, strategy, team composition, and move sets are often more important factors.
5. Can I change a Pokemon’s IVs after I catch it?
No, you cannot directly change a Pokemon’s IVs after you catch it.
6. Does evolving a Pokemon change its IVs?
No, evolving a Pokemon does not change its IVs. The IVs are determined when the Pokemon is initially generated.
7. How does trading affect IVs?
When you trade a Pokemon, its IVs are re-rolled randomly. The higher your friendship level with the other trainer, the higher the minimum IV floor will be.
8. What are Lucky Pokemon, and how do they relate to IVs?
Lucky Pokemon are guaranteed to have a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12. They also cost less Stardust to power up.
9. Do Raid and Research Pokemon have better IVs?
Yes, Pokemon encountered through Raids and Research tasks have a minimum IV floor of 10/10/10.
10. What happens to a Shadow Pokemon’s IVs when I purify it?
Purifying a Shadow Pokemon raises each of its IVs by +2, up to a maximum of 15.
11. Is it always better to purify a Shadow Pokemon?
Not necessarily. Shadow Pokemon deal 20% more damage but also take 20% more damage. Consider whether the increased damage output outweighs the benefits of purification. Some Shadow Pokemon are highly valuable in raids and PvP, even with less-than-perfect IVs.
12. How does weather boost affect IVs?
Weather boost doesn’t directly affect IVs but increases the level of the Pokemon you encounter. This can make a Pokemon with lower IVs more powerful than a non-weather-boosted Pokemon with higher IVs.
13. Are certain Pokemon guaranteed to have high IVs?
No Pokemon is guaranteed to have high IVs, but some encounter methods (like Raids, Research, and Lucky Trades) offer better chances of getting Pokemon with decent IVs.
14. What is more important: high IVs or a good move set?
Both are important, but a good move set is generally considered more crucial. A Pokemon with a powerful move set can often outperform a Pokemon with perfect IVs but a subpar move set.
15. Where can I learn more about Pokemon GO strategies?
There are many online resources available, including websites like PvPoke and communities on Reddit and Discord. Learning from experienced players and staying up-to-date on the latest strategies can significantly improve your gameplay. Furthermore, exploring how games like Pokemon GO create learning opportunities is a fascinating avenue of research. Check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to delve deeper into the intersection of games and education.
Conclusion: Focus on What You Can Control
While you can’t directly boost IVs in Pokemon GO, you can influence your chances of acquiring Pokemon with better stats through trading, Raids, Research tasks, and purifying Shadow Pokemon. Ultimately, focus on what you can control: powering up your Pokemon, optimizing their move sets, and developing your battle strategies. A well-trained and strategic player can often overcome the slight advantage offered by perfect IVs. Happy hunting, trainers!