Can You Turn a 1-Star Pokémon into a 3-Star Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
The short answer is yes, but with a very specific caveat: you can potentially turn a 1-star Shadow Pokémon into a 3-star Pokémon by purifying it. This is not a universal transformation available to all 1-star Pokémon; it only applies to Shadow Pokémon. Let’s delve deeper into how this works and explore the intricacies of Pokémon appraisals and IVs (Individual Values).
Understanding Pokémon Appraisal and IVs
In Pokémon GO, each Pokémon has hidden stats called Individual Values (IVs), which determine how strong a Pokémon can become. These IVs are graded across three categories: Attack, Defense, and HP. Each category has a value between 0 and 15, making a perfect Pokémon have a score of 15/15/15. These IVs are then translated into a star rating system for ease of understanding.
- 0-Star Pokémon: These have very low IVs (total IV score below 23), making them the weakest overall. These are also the rarest, as they cannot come from raids, eggs, research or trades.
- 1-Star Pokémon: These have IVs within a certain range, but are still not ideal (total IV score between 23-30).
- 2-Star Pokémon: These Pokémon have a better set of IVs (total IV score between 30-37), indicating good potential.
- 3-Star Pokémon: These are considered strong Pokémon with good-to-great IVs (total IV score between 37-45), offering excellent battling potential.
- 4-Star Pokémon (Perfect): These are extremely rare and have perfect IVs in all three categories (15/15/15), maximizing their potential.
The Role of Purification
Purification is a unique mechanic tied to Shadow Pokémon. These are Pokémon that have been corrupted by Team Rocket. When you rescue and purify a Shadow Pokémon, its IVs get a bump of +2 to each stat. This means that a 1-star Shadow Pokémon might have the potential to increase to a 3-star if its IVs improve enough.
Let’s consider an example: if a 1-star Shadow Pokémon has IVs of 7/8/9, with a total score of 24, after purification, its IVs become 9/10/11 with a total of 30, still in the 1 star range. However, a different 1-star Shadow Pokémon might have IVs closer to the higher end of the 1 star rating like 11/10/8, giving it a total IV of 29. When purified, the IVs will increase to 13/12/10 which is a total score of 35. As you can see, this brings the total IV much closer to a 3 star rating, and depending on the original IVs and the increase, a purification can boost a 1 star to a 3 star Pokemon.
Why Purify?
Purifying provides several benefits:
- Improved Appraisal: As mentioned, it increases the IVs by +2 in each category, potentially moving it up a star rating.
- CP Boost: Purified Pokémon receive a significant boost in Combat Power (CP), making them immediately stronger.
- New Charge Move: Shadow Pokemon know Frustration, but purification replaces this with the move Return.
- Reduced Costs: Purified Pokémon require less Stardust and Candy to Power Up, Evolve, or learn new Charged Moves.
The Downside of Purifying
While purification can upgrade your Pokemon rating and provide beneficial perks, it is worth noting that Shadow Pokemon do more damage than their normal counterparts. Shadow Pokemon get a 1.2x attack boost and a reduction in defense, which can make them more powerful in raids and battles. It is worth understanding the differences between a purified and shadow version before choosing which to power up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify various aspects of Pokémon appraisal, IVs, and purification:
1. Can Evolving or Powering Up a Pokémon Improve its Appraisal?
No, neither evolving nor powering up a Pokémon will improve its appraisal or IVs. The only way to change the underlying IVs and appraisal is by purifying a Shadow Pokémon.
2. How Rare is a 3-Star Pokémon in the Wild?
The chance of finding a 3-star Pokémon in the wild is relatively low. It is approximately 4.028% for a standard wild Pokémon. This increases to about 9.549% for weather-boosted spawns.
3. Is it Worth Evolving 2-Star Pokémon?
Yes, it can be worth evolving 2-star Pokémon, especially if they have high CP or if they’re Pokémon that hatch from eggs or are obtained from special research, as they tend to have better IV floors. It’s generally recommended to evolve the Pokémon with the better stats.
4. Are 1-Star Shadow Pokémon Worth Keeping?
Yes, it’s generally recommended to keep Shadow Pokémon unpurified. Shadow Pokémon deal significantly more damage than regular or purified ones due to a 20% attack boost. This can make them valuable assets in battles and raids, despite having lower IVs compared to a max IV purified Pokemon.
5. How Rare is a 4-Star Pokémon?
A 4-star, or perfect, Pokémon has a very low probability of appearing in the wild with a 0.0244% (1 in 4096) chance. Weather boosts can slightly improve these odds.
6. Which is More Important: CP or Stars?
Stars represent a Pokémon’s potential, and CP (Combat Power) reflects its current strength. Higher star ratings mean a Pokémon can reach a higher CP when powered up. Usually, CP is a good indicator of a Pokemon’s immediate battling capabilities, but IVs are the determining factor in its ultimate potential.
7. Does Evolving a 4-Star Pokémon Change Its IVs?
No, evolving a Pokémon does not change its IVs. A 4-star Pokémon will remain a 4-star Pokémon after evolving.
8. Are Lucky Pokémon Always 3 Stars?
No, Lucky Pokémon are not always 3-star Pokémon. Lucky Pokémon have an IV floor of 12/12/12. A 12/12/12 Pokémon will be on the very end of the 2-star rating, a 13/12/12 or higher is a 3 star.
9. Should I Evolve 4-Star Pokémon?
Yes, you should evolve 4-star Pokémon, as their stats will remain perfect upon evolving, giving them the best overall stats to power up and use.
10. What Does 4* Mean in Pokémon GO?
4* means the Pokémon has perfect IVs (15/15/15) across all three categories. It is the highest possible rating a Pokémon can achieve.
11. How Much Better is a 4-Star Pokémon?
A 4-star Pokémon has the highest possible IVs and will always be at the highest potential CP possible.
12. How Rare are 0-Star Pokémon?
0-star Pokémon are actually rarer than 4-star Pokémon. This is because 0-star pokemon cannot come from raids, research, eggs, or trades.
13. Should I Get Rid of 2-Star Pokémon?
Not necessarily. Some 2-star Pokemon may be rare, have special moves, or be your best version of that specific species.
14. Can You Get a 3-Star Shadow Pokémon?
No, you cannot get a 3-star Shadow Pokémon directly when you encounter one. Shadow Pokémon have a lower IV floor than regular Pokémon, making it impossible for them to have high enough IVs to be 3 stars. You can however, turn a 2-star Shadow Pokémon into a 3-star Purified Pokémon through the purification mechanic, as long as its base IVs are high enough when purified.
15. Is it Worth Raising CP Before Evolving?
No, CP is determined by the base stats, level, and IVs. Since evolving only changes the base stats of a Pokémon, powering up before or after evolving will not affect its final CP.
Conclusion
In summary, while you can’t turn just any 1-star Pokémon into a 3-star one, purifying a Shadow Pokémon is the key. This mechanic, combined with understanding IVs and appraisals, is crucial for maximizing your Pokémon’s potential in Pokémon GO. Be strategic in your choices, considering both the potential benefits of purification and the unique value that Shadow Pokémon can offer.