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Can You Raise a Pokémon’s IVs in Pokémon GO?

The short answer is: mostly no, but with some very specific exceptions. Unlike some other Pokémon games where Individual Values (IVs) can be meticulously influenced through breeding or other in-game mechanics, Pokémon GO presents a more static system. Once a Pokémon is caught, hatched, or obtained through other means, its IVs are largely set in stone. However, there are nuances and exceptions that every dedicated trainer should be aware of, and we’ll explore these in detail.

Understanding IVs in Pokémon GO

Before diving into the specifics of changing IVs, it’s crucial to understand what they are and why they matter. In Pokémon GO, IVs are hidden stats that determine a Pokémon’s potential in battle. There are three main IVs: Attack, Defense, and Stamina (HP). Each IV ranges from 0 to 15, resulting in a possible total IV value from 0 to 45. These values directly impact the Combat Power (CP) and overall performance of your Pokémon. A Pokémon with higher IVs will generally be stronger and reach a higher CP ceiling when powered up.

The Challenge of Static IVs

The core challenge lies in the fact that, for the vast majority of Pokémon in Pokémon GO, their IVs are fixed upon acquisition. This means that a wild-caught Pokémon with poor IVs will continue to have those same poor IVs throughout its life, regardless of evolution or powering up. This can be frustrating for trainers aiming for the most competitive Pokémon, but it also encourages players to actively seek out high-IV specimens through different avenues.

Exceptions to the Rule

While generally static, there are a few notable ways in which IVs can be influenced:

1. Trading

The most significant way that IVs will change is through trading with other players. When you trade a Pokémon, its IVs are completely rerolled. The new IVs are generated randomly within certain parameters and are not related to the original IVs of the traded Pokémon. This means that a perfect IV (100%) Pokémon could become a zero-star, and vice versa. It is never advised to trade a high IV Pokémon for this reason. The trading screen shows you the range of stats that the Pokémon might end up with before you confirm.

2. Shadow Pokémon Purification

Another method for indirectly influencing IVs is through purifying Shadow Pokémon. When a Shadow Pokémon is purified, its IVs receive a +2 bonus to each stat. If your shadow Pokémon had a 10/10/10 in IVs, it would become a 12/12/12 after purification. While this doesn’t guarantee a perfect Pokémon, it does substantially increase the likelihood of achieving a better-performing creature. This boost can also impact the Pokémon’s appraisal, potentially pushing it into a higher star ranking.

3. Lucky Trades

Lucky Pokémon, obtained through trading, have a higher floor for IVs. Each stat of a Lucky Pokémon will always have an IV of at least 12, making the minimum IV combination 12/12/12. This results in a minimum IV percentage of roughly 80%. This increased IV floor makes it much more likely that you’ll get high-IV or even 100% perfect IV Pokémon from Lucky Trades. While these trades don’t directly change existing IVs, they improve the average quality of the Pokémon that you obtain.

Ways to Acquire High-IV Pokémon

Given the difficulty in changing IVs after obtaining a Pokémon, the best approach is to focus on acquiring high-IV Pokémon from the outset. Here are some methods to do so:

Raids: Pokémon caught from raids have a higher chance of having good IVs.
Field Research: Pokémon obtained through field research often have enhanced IVs compared to wild encounters.
Hatching Eggs: Pokémon hatched from eggs also benefit from an increased likelihood of higher IVs.
Lucky Pokémon: By becoming Lucky Friends with other trainers, you are given the ability to do a guaranteed Lucky Trade which always includes a higher floor for IVs.
Purified Shadow Pokémon: As mentioned, purifying a Shadow Pokémon will increase its IVs.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into IVs in Pokémon GO

1. Can you evolve or power up a Pokémon to improve its IVs?

No, evolving or powering up a Pokémon will not change its IVs. These actions only affect the Pokémon’s CP and overall strength. If a Pokémon has poor IVs before evolving, it will have the same poor IVs after evolving.

2. Is it possible to make a 2-star Pokémon into a 3-star Pokémon?

No, you cannot directly increase the star rating of a Pokémon after it’s been caught or hatched. The star rating is based on the Pokémon’s IVs and remains constant. The only exception is through purification which can sometimes push a Pokémon into a higher star ranking.

3. How can you identify a 100% IV Pokémon before catching it?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to see a Pokémon’s exact IVs before catching it. However, you can use in-game appraisal features (or third-party apps) to quickly determine the IV range after you have caught the Pokémon. A Pokémon with three stars and a red stamp in the appraisal means it’s a 100% IV perfect Pokémon.

4. What is the IV floor for Lucky Friend trades?

The IV floor for Lucky Friend trades is 12 for each stat, meaning that the minimum IV combination you could get is 12/12/12 which is an 80% IV Pokémon.

5. How rare is a perfect IV (100%) Pokémon?

The odds of finding a perfect IV Pokémon in the wild are approximately 1 in 4,096 or 0.0244%. Weather boosts can slightly improve these odds. However, Pokémon from raids, eggs, research, and lucky trades have higher chances of good IVs.

6. Are 0-star Pokémon worth keeping?

Generally, 0-star Pokémon are not worth keeping due to their low performance potential. They also take up valuable storage space. However, some trainers may keep one as a rarity, as they are less common than 100% Pokemon.

7. Is it better to evolve a 3-star Pokémon or a Pokémon with high CP?

It’s typically better to evolve a 3-star Pokémon, as its IVs will provide a stronger foundation for its overall power. Although a high CP 0-star Pokémon may be stronger at first, its max potential will be less than the same Pokémon with better IVs.

8. How rare are shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

On average, there’s a 1 in 500 chance (0.2%) of encountering a shiny Pokémon in the wild. This rate can be higher for certain events or specific Pokémon.

9. Are low IV Pokémon inherently bad?

Low IV Pokémon are not always “bad” but they will have less potential than higher IV counterparts. If a 0% Pokemon has a CP of 1000+ it may be worth evolving over a low CP Pokemon with higher IVs. It is important to weigh your options carefully before discarding any Pokémon.

10. Should you purify a Shadow Pokémon?

Whether to purify a Shadow Pokémon is a decision that depends on your goals. Purifying adds +2 to all IVs, but it also reduces its shadow-specific damage boost. If the Pokémon does not have good IVs and you are not using it for shadow damage, purification will improve its value.

11. Are Lucky Trades cheaper?

Yes, Lucky Pokémon cost half the amount of Stardust to power up, making them highly valuable for long-term investments. This is the primary reason that players try to Lucky Trade high CP Pokémon.

12. What are some of the best Pokémon to aim for Lucky Trades?

Some of the best Pokémon to get as lucky include high-meta Pokémon such as Mewtwo, Metagross, Rayquaza, Togekiss, and Giratina, among others. Lucky high-tier meta Pokémon are some of the most efficient Pokémon to invest resources into.

13. Is it safe to use third-party apps like Poké Genie?

Third-party apps like Poké Genie do not access your Pokémon GO account and are safe to use. They help you identify and measure IVs, but it is important to check them against any rule changes as they could become unsafe without warning.

14. Should you evolve a 100% IV Pokémon?

Evolving a 100% IV Pokémon is usually a very good idea, since this would provide the maximum potential for the Pokemon. You should also consider evolving Pokemon with high, but less than 100%, IVs as they are still very close to the 100% stat.

15. Can IVs be improved through breeding in Pokémon GO?

Breeding is not a feature in Pokémon GO. Therefore, you will not be able to transfer IVs from parent Pokemon to child Pokemon. The best way to obtain high-IV Pokémon is through the methods mentioned throughout this article.

Conclusion

While you can’t generally directly change the IVs of most Pokémon in Pokémon GO, there are key methods to acquire better stats. Trading, purifying Shadow Pokémon, and Lucky Trades are the primary methods of influencing a Pokémon’s IVs. Knowing these mechanics and focusing on obtaining high-IV Pokémon through raids, research tasks, eggs, and events will give you a significant advantage. Remember to use appraisals and third-party tools to help you assess the potential of your Pokémon, and happy hunting, trainer!

Can you raise a Pokemons IV?