Level Up Your Pokémon: A Deep Dive into Appraisal in Pokémon GO
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So, you want to make your Pokémon the best they can be in Pokémon GO? Let’s get straight to the point: You cannot directly raise a Pokémon’s appraisal after you’ve caught it, with one exception: purifying a Shadow Pokémon. Appraisal, in Pokémon GO terms, refers to the assessment of a Pokémon’s Individual Values (IVs), which are hidden stats that determine its potential. Think of them as your Pokémon’s genetic makeup, influencing how strong it can ultimately become.
Understanding Appraisal: IVs, Stars, and Potential
Before we dive deeper, it’s crucial to understand what appraisal actually means in Pokémon GO. When you appraise a Pokémon, your team leader (Candela, Blanche, or Spark) gives you feedback on its Attack, Defense, and HP (Hit Points) stats. Each stat is rated out of 15, and the combination of these stats determines the Pokémon’s overall potential.
- Stars: These are a quick visual representation of the Pokémon’s IVs.
- 0 Stars: IV total of 0-31 (0-66.7%)
- 1 Star: IV total of 32-48 (68.9-79.9%)
- 2 Stars: IV total of 49-63 (82.2-93.2%)
- 3 Stars: IV total of 64-81 (95.6-100%)
- 4 Stars (Red): The Holy Grail! A perfect Pokémon with 15/15/15 IVs (100%).
Your team leader will also provide specific phrases describing the Pokémon’s best stat and its overall potential. These phrases can vary slightly depending on the team you’ve chosen, but they all convey the same basic information.
Powering Up and Evolving: Not Appraisal Boosters
It’s important to dispel a common misconception: Powering up or evolving a Pokémon will NOT improve its appraisal (IVs). These actions increase the Pokémon’s Combat Power (CP) and sometimes add new moves, but they don’t change the underlying IVs. Think of it this way: powering up is like training, and evolving is like growing up – they make the Pokémon stronger, but they don’t change its inherent potential.
The Shadow Pokémon Exception: Purification and Appraisal
The one exception to the rule that you can’t raise appraisal is with Shadow Pokémon. When you catch a Shadow Pokémon, it typically has lower IVs. However, purifying a Shadow Pokémon adds +2 to each of its IV stats. This can potentially bump a 2-star Shadow Pokémon up to a 3-star, or even push a near-perfect Shadow into 4-star territory. Purifying also significantly increases the Pokémon’s CP.
Maximizing Your Chances for High Appraisal Pokémon
While you can’t directly change a Pokémon’s appraisal (except with purification), you can take steps to increase your chances of finding Pokémon with high IVs. Here are some key strategies:
- Raids, Eggs, and Research: Pokémon obtained from raids, eggs, and research tasks have a guaranteed minimum IV of 10/10/10. This significantly increases your odds of finding a 3-star or even a 4-star Pokémon.
- Weather Boost: Wild Pokémon that are weather-boosted have a higher IV floor of 4/4/4.
- Trading: Trading Pokémon rerolls their IVs. While you can’t control the outcome, trading can be a gamble that pays off with a higher-appraisal Pokémon.
- Reach Level 30: After you reach Trainer Level 30, the IV ranges of Pokémon you encounter in the wild will become fixed, meaning you’ll have a better chance of finding high-IV specimens.
Deciding Which Pokémon to Keep: CP vs. IVs
A common dilemma for Pokémon GO players is whether to prioritize CP (Combat Power) or IVs when deciding which Pokémon to keep and invest in. While high CP is essential for battling, IVs represent long-term potential. A Pokémon with high IVs might have a lower CP initially, but it has the potential to become much stronger than a high-CP, low-IV Pokémon of the same species when fully powered up.
Generally, it’s wise to focus on high-IV Pokémon for long-term investments, especially for powerful attackers and defenders you plan to use in raids and Gym battles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I change a Pokémon’s star rating in Pokémon GO?
No, except for purifying Shadow Pokémon, you can’t directly change a Pokémon’s IVs or star rating once it has been caught.
2. Are 0-star Pokémon worth keeping in Pokémon GO?
Generally, no. 0-star Pokémon have low IVs and limited potential. However, there might be niche situations where you’d want to keep one, such as for specific PvP (Player vs. Player) leagues with CP limitations, or if it has a rare or legacy move.
3. Is a 0 IV Pokémon rare in Pokémon GO?
Yes, extremely rare! 0% IV Pokémon are statistically rarer than 100% IV Pokémon because they can’t be obtained from raids, eggs, research tasks, or trades, which have minimum IV floors.
4. Should I evolve a 3-star Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Generally, yes! Evolving a 3-star Pokémon is a good idea because it indicates high IVs and strong potential. However, consider the Pokémon’s moveset and whether it has any special or legacy moves you want to preserve.
5. Is it worth keeping 2-star Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
It depends. Some 2-star Pokémon can be worth keeping, especially if they are rare, have desirable moves, or are needed for specific tasks or challenges. Always evaluate their moves, rarity, and your team’s needs before transferring them.
6. Can Purified Pokémon become 3-star?
Yes! Purifying a Shadow Pokémon adds +2 to each of its IV stats, which can potentially bring a 2-star Shadow Pokemon to a 3-star or even a 4-star.
7. Does IV or CP matter more in Pokémon GO?
IVs represent a Pokémon’s long-term potential, while CP indicates its current strength. IVs matter more for long-term investments, especially for powerful attackers and defenders you plan to use in raids and Gym battles. CP is more relevant for immediate battle readiness.
8. What does 4* mean in Pokémon GO?
4* signifies that a Pokémon has perfect IVs, meaning 15/15/15 across Attack, Defense, and HP.
9. How rare are perfect appraisal (4*) Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Finding a Pokémon with perfect IVs is very rare. Players may catch thousands of Pokémon before encountering one with 100% IVs.
10. Should I appraise Pokémon before evolving them?
Yes, always appraise Pokémon before evolving them to ensure they have good IVs and potential. However, be aware that some Pokémon with event-exclusive moves will lose those moves upon evolution, so consider this before proceeding.
11. What are the best ways to get perfect Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Participating in raids and hatching eggs are good ways to obtain Pokémon with higher IV floors. Trading with friends can also be a viable strategy.
12. Should I power up a Pokémon before evolving it?
Never power up a Pokémon before evolving it! Evolve first, then assess the resulting moveset and CP before investing Stardust and Candies.
13. Are there any moves in Pokémon GO that raise a Pokémon’s appraisal?
No, there are no moves that directly raise a Pokémon’s appraisal (IVs) in Pokémon GO. Some moves can raise a Pokémon’s stats during battle, but these are temporary effects and do not affect the underlying IVs.
14. What does a 100 IV Pokémon look like in the appraisal system?
When you appraise a 100 IV Pokémon, your team leader will use the highest star rating (3 stars with a red stamp) and descriptive phrases indicating that the Pokémon’s stats are exceptional.
15. Are secret rare Pokémon rare in the Pokémon TCG?
While this article is focused on Pokemon Go, yes, secret rare Pokémon cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) are rare and highly sought after by collectors. Some of the rarest are the Gold Star Pokémon. You can also find valuable insights and resources related to gaming and education at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society explores how games can be used to enhance learning.