Unlocking the Secrets: How to Know If Your Pokémon Has Active Pokérus
So, you’re diving into the world of Pokémon, eager to maximize your team’s potential. You’ve heard whispers of a mysterious, beneficial infection called Pokérus, but how do you know if your Pokémon actually has it and, more importantly, if it’s still active? The answer lies in a specific visual cue within the game’s interface, and a bit of understanding how this unique mechanic works. An active Pokérus infection is indicated by a PKRS icon on the Pokémon’s summary screen, similar to a status condition like paralysis or poison. This icon signifies that the Pokémon is currently contagious and spreading the love, or rather, the enhanced EV gains!
Identifying the Active Pokérus Status
The Tell-Tale Sign: The PKRS Icon
The most reliable way to determine if a Pokémon has active Pokérus is to check its summary screen. Navigate to the Pokémon in your party or PC box, and select “Summary”. Look for a purple block (the color might vary slightly depending on the game generation) displaying the acronym “PKRS”. This is the definitive symbol of an active, contagious Pokérus infection.
Beyond the Icon: Time Sensitivity
Keep in mind that the PKRS icon only appears during the active phase of the infection, which typically lasts between one to four days (in-game time). After this period, the virus is cured, and the PKRS icon disappears. However, the beneficial effects of Pokérus, namely doubled Effort Values (EVs) gained in battle, remain permanently.
The Post-Infection Mark: A Subtle Indicator
Even after the active phase, a Pokémon that has had Pokérus will often display a small dot or symbol near its HP meter on the status screen. This serves as a visual reminder that the Pokémon has previously been infected and continues to benefit from the doubled EV gains, even though it is no longer contagious. The exact appearance and location of this dot can vary between different Pokémon games.
Pokérus FAQs: Everything You Need to Know
Navigating the intricacies of Pokérus can be tricky, so let’s address some of the most frequently asked questions:
1. What exactly is Pokérus?
Pokérus is a rare, beneficial status effect in the Pokémon games that doubles the Effort Values (EVs) a Pokémon earns in battle. EVs are crucial for stat growth, making Pokérus a highly desirable “infection”. Think of it as a super-vitamin for your team.
2. How rare is it to encounter Pokérus in the wild?
Encountering Pokérus in the wild is incredibly rare, much rarer than encountering a shiny Pokémon. The exact odds vary between games, but the general consensus is that it’s a minuscule chance. Some sources estimate it as approximately a 1 in 21,845 chance. It’s more likely to spread from an already infected Pokémon than to find it randomly on a wild encounter.
3. How long does the active Pokérus infection last?
The active, contagious phase of Pokérus typically lasts between one and four in-game days. After this period, the Pokémon is cured, and the PKRS icon disappears.
4. Does Pokérus affect my Pokémon’s stats permanently?
While the contagious phase is temporary, the beneficial effects of Pokérus are permanent. Once a Pokémon has been infected with Pokérus, it will continue to gain double EVs from battles for the rest of its life, even after it’s cured and can no longer spread the virus.
5. How do I spread Pokérus to other Pokémon in my party?
To spread Pokérus, keep the infected Pokémon in your active party while battling. After a battle, there is a chance that the virus will spread to adjacent Pokémon in your party. The more battles you fight, the higher the chance of spreading the infection. Place the infected Pokémon first in your party, and the Pokémon you want to have Pokérus in your second slot.
6. Can Pokérus be spread through breeding?
No, Pokérus cannot be spread through breeding. The only way to transmit Pokérus is through battling with an infected Pokémon in your party.
7. Can a Pokémon catch Pokérus more than once?
No, a Pokémon can only contract Pokérus once in its lifetime. After it’s cured, it becomes immune to the virus, although it continues to benefit from the doubled EV gains.
8. How can I prevent Pokérus from being cured?
The easiest way to preserve an active Pokérus infection is to store the infected Pokémon in the PC box. Time does not pass for Pokémon in the PC, so the virus will remain active indefinitely as long as the Pokémon stays there. This allows you to have a “source” of Pokérus to reinfect other Pokémon in the future.
9. What happens if I leave a Pokémon with active Pokérus in my party too long?
If you leave a Pokémon with active Pokérus in your party for too long (beyond the one-to-four day period), it will be cured. The PKRS icon will disappear, and the Pokémon will no longer be contagious, but it will still gain double EVs.
10. Is Pokérus in every Pokémon game?
Pokérus is not present in every Pokémon game. For example, it does not appear in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. If you transfer a Pokémon with the post-infection dot from an older game to Scarlet or Violet, the dot will remain, but you cannot contract or spread the virus within those games.
11. How can I maximize the benefits of Pokérus for EV training?
To maximize the benefits of Pokérus, combine it with items that further boost EV gains, such as Power Items (Power Anklet, Power Bracer, etc.). This will allow you to quickly and efficiently train your Pokémon’s stats to their maximum potential.
12. If a wild Pokémon has Pokerus can I catch it?
You can’t get it from wild pokemon. When you heal your pokemon sometimes Nurse Joy will tell you about little things that infect your pokemon and cause pokerus.
13. Why was Pokerus removed?
The point is though, Pokerus is a virus, and was likely removed if only because it might hit too close to home for a lot of people. Especially since Poker’s is a positive thing in these games. They’re basically non-existent though.
14. What is the active Pokerus symbol?
Infection. When a Pokémon is first infected with Pokérus, it will show a PKRS icon on its summary page, similar to a status effect such as paralysis or sleep. During this time, it is considered to be an “active” infection.
15. Is Pokerus Canon?
Canon-wise, Pokérus is not a disease and Pokémon are not animals. It is a virus that infects a living thing, ergo, it is a disease. They don’t have to explicitly call it a disease in order for it to be one. Just as long as they don’t explicitly say that it isn’t a disease, then it is one.
Understanding how to identify active Pokérus and leveraging its benefits can significantly enhance your Pokémon training efforts. It’s a rare and valuable asset that every aspiring trainer should strive to obtain!
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