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Mastering the Art of Perfect IVs: Your Guide to 100% IV Pokémon

Getting a 100% IV Pokémon, often referred to as a perfect Pokémon, is the holy grail for many trainers. In essence, you achieve this when all of a Pokémon’s Individual Values (IVs) are maximized. These IVs determine a Pokémon’s potential in battle, influencing its stats like Attack, Defense, and HP. While luck certainly plays a part, there are strategies you can employ to significantly increase your chances of acquiring these coveted creatures. This article dives into the methods, from understanding the core mechanics to utilizing specific game features and external tools.

Understanding Individual Values (IVs)

Before diving into how to obtain perfect IVs, it’s crucial to understand what IVs actually are. Each Pokémon possesses three IVs, one for each of its core stats: Attack, Defense, and HP. These values range from 0 to 15. A 100% IV Pokémon has an IV of 15 in all three categories, maximizing its potential in battles, raids, and gym defense. While IVs aren’t the be-all and end-all (movesets, typing, and strategy also matter), they provide a significant edge.

Methods for Obtaining 100% IV Pokémon

While completely manipulating IVs is impossible, certain methods greatly increase your odds:

Raids: Pokémon encountered after successfully completing a raid have a higher floor for their IVs. This means the lowest possible IV they can have is higher than wild encounters, increasing your chances of a near-perfect or perfect Pokémon. Specifically, raid bosses have a 1 in 216 chance of being 100% IV. Focus on completing higher-level raids for Pokémon you desire.
Research Tasks: Similar to raids, Pokémon obtained from completing research tasks also benefit from an IV floor. This makes them more likely to have higher IVs than wild Pokémon. Look out for research tasks that reward encounters with sought-after Pokémon. The IV floor is the same as raids: a 1 in 216 chance of being 100% IV.
Hatching Eggs: Eggs also offer a boosted IV floor for the Pokémon that hatch from them. Similar to Raids and Research Tasks, the 1 in 216 chance of hatching a perfect IV Pokémon is significantly better than wild encounters. The specific Pokémon you can hatch depends on the egg type and the current event, so research which eggs contain your desired species.
Lucky Pokémon: Trading can result in Pokémon becoming “Lucky,” indicated by a shimmering effect. Lucky Pokémon require less Stardust to power up, but more importantly, they have a higher minimum IV floor than regular traded Pokémon. While not a guaranteed 100% IV, the increased floor significantly improves your chances. Maximize your friendship level with other players to further increase the likelihood of a Lucky trade. Best Friends have the highest chance of triggering a Lucky Trade.
Trading with High Friendship Levels: Even if a trade doesn’t result in a Lucky Pokémon, increasing your friendship level with the trading partner improves the IV floor. “Best Friends” have the highest possible IV floor when trading. This is a consistent way to improve the overall quality of traded Pokémon.
Purified Shadow Pokémon: Purifying Shadow Pokémon from Team GO Rocket encounters grants them a +2 boost to each IV stat. While you can’t control the initial IVs of a Shadow Pokémon, if you happen to catch one with already decent stats, purification can push those IVs closer to perfect. It’s not a reliable method for guaranteed perfect IVs, but it can be a strategic way to improve good Shadow Pokémon.

Utilizing IV Checking Tools

The in-game appraisal system, accessed through a Pokémon’s page, provides a general idea of its IVs. However, for precise values, you’ll need to rely on third-party apps or websites.

PokeGenie and Calcy IV: These are the most popular IV checking tools. They use screenshot analysis to determine a Pokémon’s exact IVs without violating the game’s Terms of Service. PokeGenie is available on iOS and Android, while Calcy IV is Android exclusive. These apps provide detailed information about your Pokémon’s potential, including its IV percentage and potential CP at various levels. PokeGenie and Calcy IV are crucial tools for serious players as they calculate a range of the IV of the Pokémon and narrow it down with each power up.

Other Considerations

Weather Boost: Weather Boosted Pokemon that spawn in the wild are level 5 higher than regular spawns. While Weather Boost doesn’t directly affect IVs, you’re encountering a higher level Pokémon and potentially saving stardust powering them up.
Community Days and Events: During these events, shiny rates are increased. Community days don’t impact the IVs of Pokémon, but provide more opportunities to encounter a greater amount of the specific Pokémon featured in the community day.
Patience is Key: Finding a 100% IV Pokémon takes time and dedication. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find one immediately. Keep participating in raids, research tasks, and trading with friends, and eventually, your persistence will pay off.

FAQs: All Your Perfect IV Questions Answered

1. What is the base chance of encountering a 100% IV Pokémon in the wild?

The base chance of encountering a 100% IV Pokémon in the wild is 1 in 4096 (0.0244%). This makes it a relatively rare occurrence.

2. Does weather boost affect the IVs of Pokémon?

No, weather boost does not directly affect the IVs of Pokémon. However, it does increase their level, meaning you encounter them at a higher CP, potentially saving Stardust.

3. How does trading influence the IVs of a Pokémon?

When you trade a Pokémon, its IVs are re-rolled. The higher your friendship level with the trading partner, the higher the minimum IV values are.

4. What is a “Lucky Pokémon” and how does it relate to IVs?

A Lucky Pokémon is a Pokémon that requires less Stardust to power up. Lucky Pokémon are acquired through trading and have an increased IV floor, improving your chances of higher IVs.

5. Can I change a Pokémon’s IVs after catching it?

No, you cannot directly change a Pokémon’s IVs after catching it. The only exception is purifying Shadow Pokémon, which gives a +2 to all IV stats.

6. Is it worth evolving a Pokémon with high, but not perfect, IVs?

Yes, absolutely. Waiting for a 100% IV Pokémon can be time-consuming. A Pokémon with IVs in the 90s is generally considered excellent and worth evolving.

7. How can I check a Pokémon’s IVs?

You can use the in-game appraisal system for a general idea, but apps like PokeGenie and Calcy IV provide more precise IV calculations.

8. What is the significance of a Pokémon with 0% IVs?

A 0% IV Pokémon is incredibly rare, even rarer than a 100% IV Pokémon. Some trainers collect them as novelty items.

9. What do the star ratings in Pokémon GO signify regarding IVs?

0 Stars: Low IVs (generally below 50%)
1 Star: 50-65% IVs
2 Stars: 66-80% IVs
3 Stars: 81-99% IVs
3 Stars with Red Stamp (4 Stars): 100% IVs

10. What are the chances of finding a Shiny Pokémon?

On average, the chance of finding a Shiny Pokémon in the wild is approximately 1 in 500. Community Days often feature greatly increased Shiny rates for the featured Pokémon.

11. Should I always purify Shadow Pokémon?

Not necessarily. Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage but take 20% more damage. A powerful Shadow Pokémon is often more valuable than a purified one, even if its IVs aren’t perfect.

12. What is the maximum IV value for each stat?

The maximum IV value for each stat (Attack, Defense, and HP) is 15.

13. How do Research Tasks and Raids influence IVs?

Pokémon encountered from Research Tasks and Raids have an IV floor. Each stat is guaranteed to be above a minimum value. The encounter becomes a 1 in 216 chance of being 100% IV.

14. Is there a guaranteed method to get a perfect IV Pokémon?

No, there is no guaranteed method. However, utilizing the strategies outlined above significantly improves your odds.

15. Why are IVs important?

IVs contribute to a Pokémon’s overall potential in battle. While not the only factor, they provide a significant advantage, especially in competitive scenarios. The Games Learning Society recognizes the educational potential of games like Pokémon GO in understanding statistics and probability.

Conclusion

Obtaining a 100% IV Pokémon requires a combination of understanding the mechanics, utilizing game features strategically, and perhaps a little bit of luck. While there’s no guaranteed method, by focusing on Raids, Research Tasks, Eggs, Lucky Trades, and high friendship levels, you can dramatically increase your chances of adding these prized specimens to your collection. Remember that IVs aren’t everything, and having fun is the most important aspect of playing Pokémon GO. As highlighted by the GamesLearningSociety.org, games like Pokémon GO can teach valuable lessons about strategy, resource management, and even statistics!

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