Do Pokémon IVs Change When Purified? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, Pokémon IVs (Individual Values) do change when purified in Pokémon GO. Specifically, each of the three IV stats—Attack, Defense, and HP (Stamina)—increases by two points upon purification. This is a crucial mechanic to understand when deciding whether or not to purify your Shadow Pokémon.
Understanding IVs, Shadow Pokémon, and Purification
Before diving deeper, let’s briefly define these key concepts:
- IVs: Individual Values are hidden stats that range from 0 to 15 for each of the three stats (Attack, Defense, and HP). They contribute to a Pokémon’s overall Combat Power (CP) and performance in battles. A perfect Pokémon has IVs of 15/15/15.
- Shadow Pokémon: These are Pokémon that have been corrupted by Team GO Rocket. They have a distinctive red aura and a significant attack boost but take more damage. They are also caught with the move Frustration.
- Purification: This process removes the Shadow corruption from a Pokémon, returning it to its normal state. Purifying changes the move Frustration to Return.
The Mechanics of IV Changes Upon Purification
As mentioned, the core mechanic is that each IV stat gets a +2 bonus when a Shadow Pokémon is purified. This means:
- A Shadow Pokémon with 13 Attack, 13 Defense, and 13 HP will become a perfect 15/15/15 Pokémon upon purification.
- Even Pokémon with low IVs can become significantly better, potentially even reaching 3-star or 4-star appraisal levels.
However, it’s essential to understand the trade-offs involved, which we’ll cover later.
Why This Matters: Strategic Purification Decisions
The IV change mechanic has significant implications for how you approach Shadow Pokémon. It can be tempting to immediately purify every Shadow Pokémon, hoping to get a perfect IV specimen. However, this isn’t always the best strategy. The 20% attack boost that a Shadow Pokémon gets is often worth more than a small IV increase.
- PvP (Player vs. Player) Battles: In PvP, the impact of a perfect IV Pokémon is usually less significant compared to the raw power of a Shadow Pokémon’s attack bonus.
- Raids: Shadow Pokémon with good attack IVs become potent attackers due to the damage boost, making them valuable assets in raids.
- Candy and Stardust Costs: Purification requires Candy and Stardust, so the cost of purifying multiple Pokémon can add up quickly. Especially for Legendary Pokémon, these resources are precious.
When to Purify: A Few Scenarios
Here are scenarios where purifying a Pokémon might make sense:
- Completing Research Tasks: Some research tasks require purifying Pokémon.
- Reducing Evolution Costs: Purified Pokémon require less Stardust and Candy to evolve, potentially saving you resources in the long run.
- Pokémon with Low Attack IVs: If a Shadow Pokémon has very low attack IVs, the purification might be worth it to improve its overall stats.
- If You Prefer Regular Pokémon: Some players prefer to collect and battle with regular Pokémon rather than Shadow Pokémon.
When NOT to Purify: Keeping the Shadows
Consider not purifying in these cases:
- High Attack IV Shadows: Keep Shadow Pokémon with already high attack IVs, as the attack boost is significant.
- Rare or Meta-Relevant Pokémon: Shadow versions of Pokémon such as Mewtwo, Mamoswine, and Machamp are highly valued.
- Shiny Shadow Pokémon: Purifying Shiny Shadow Pokemon removes their Shadow attack boost.
- You are on a Stardust Budget: Purifying costs Stardust.
Beyond IVs: Other Purification Benefits
Besides IV changes, purification also offers these advantages:
- Reduced Costs: Purified Pokémon require less Stardust and Candy to power up, evolve, and learn new moves.
- Return: They learn the Charged Attack Return, which can be useful for some Normal-type Pokémon.
- Improved Appraisal: Purification always improves a Pokémon’s appraisal rating.
The Purified Aura
Purified Pokemon have a distinct white aura that surrounds them in the Pokemon storage section of the game. This is a permanent mark that lets other players know that the Pokemon has been purified.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About IVs and Purification
1. Does purifying a Pokémon make it stronger?
Purifying a Pokémon does increase its CP (Combat Power) because it raises the IV stats. However, whether it makes it better overall depends on your specific needs and the Pokémon in question.
2. Should I purify a 0-star Shadow Pokémon?
This depends on its species and usefulness. Shadow Pokemon deals more damage than its normal form. If it’s a generally weaker Pokemon that won’t be useful in raids or PvP, then it’s recommended that you purify it.
3. What happens if I purify a 4-star Shadow Pokémon?
Purifying a 4-star Shadow Pokémon (meaning it was already 15/15/15) is generally not recommended. You lose the Shadow attack bonus for no gain in IVs.
4. Is it better to purify or evolve a Pokémon first?
There is no difference in CP or Stats if you evolve your Pokemon before or after purification. Purifying before will reduce the cost of evolution.
5. Can a 2-star Shadow Pokémon become a 3-star after purification?
Yes, since each IV increases by 2, a 2-star Shadow Pokémon can become a 3-star or even a 4-star (perfect) Pokémon after purification.
6. What is the best IV for a Shadow Pokémon?
The best IV for a Shadow Pokémon is subjective, but generally, higher attack IVs are preferred. This is because the attack bonus is the most significant advantage of Shadow Pokémon.
7. How many levels does a Pokémon go up when purified?
A Purified Pokemon’s level will increase – the cap on this increase is level 25.
8. Why are Shadow Pokémon so powerful?
Shadow Pokémon are powerful because they receive a 20% damage bonus to their attacks.
9. Is it worth purifying Legendary Shadow Pokémon?
This is usually not recommended, as it’s extremely rare to obtain a Shadow Legendary Pokémon. However, if you really need to purify it, consider the IVs first.
10. What is the exclusive move that Purified Pokémon learn?
Purified Pokémon learn the move Return, a Normal-type Charged Attack.
11. What is a 3 * 4 * in Pokemon Go?
3 * is equivalent to a three star appraisal. A 4* rating is equivalent to a four star rating with a red background, and refers to a 100% Pokémon (15/15/15 IVs).
12. Can you change a Pokémon’s star rating after it’s caught?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to change a Pokemon’s IV or Star Rating after you catch them. The main method of increasing IVs is exclusive to Shadow Pokemon through purification.
13. Are Shadow Pokémon with bad IVs still good?
Generally, yes. The damage bonus outweighs the disadvantage of low IVs in many cases. A Shadow Pokémon with 0 Attack IVs will still deal more damage than a regular Pokémon with perfect IVs.
14. How rare are 100% IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
The probability of finding a 100% IV Pokémon in the wild is approximately 1/4096.
15. Where can I learn more about the strategies behind Pokemon Go and related topics?
You can learn more about the theory of games and the strategies used to develop games at the Games Learning Society website at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion: Purify with Purpose
Purifying Shadow Pokémon can be a rewarding process, especially when it results in higher IV stats and reduced costs. However, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits against the loss of the powerful Shadow attack bonus. By understanding the mechanics and considering your specific needs, you can make informed decisions and build a truly formidable Pokémon team. Consider that Shadow Pokemon deal more damage than their purified counterparts.