How Much Does a Pokémon Improve When Purified in Pokémon GO?

Purifying a Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO delivers a multi-faceted improvement. The most significant changes include a +2 increase to each Individual Value (IV) – Attack, Defense, and HP – up to a maximum of 15. Purified Pokémon also learn the exclusive Charged Attack Return, receive a level boost to level 25, and benefit from reduced Stardust and Candy costs for powering up, evolving, and unlocking a second Charged Attack. Essentially, purification makes a Pokémon stronger, more accessible to power up, and gives it a unique move, but potentially at the cost of raw damage output.

Understanding the Mechanics of Purification

Before diving deep, let’s break down exactly how purification impacts your Pokémon. A Shadow Pokémon is essentially a corrupted version of its normal counterpart, identifiable by its red eyes and shadowy aura. These Shadow Pokémon possess a 20% damage boost, but also take 20% more damage, making them glass cannons in battle. Purification reverses this corruption, bringing the Pokémon back to its “normal” state with several key enhancements.

The IV Boost: From Zero to Hero?

The +2 IV boost is perhaps the most directly impactful benefit. IVs, short for Individual Values, are hidden stats ranging from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and HP. These values are fixed upon encounter and influence a Pokémon’s overall potential. By adding 2 to each IV, you can significantly improve a Pokémon’s stats.

• A Shadow Pokémon with 13/13/13 IVs becomes a perfect 15/15/15 IV (“hundo”) Purified Pokémon.
• Even a Shadow Pokémon with abysmal IVs can become moderately usable after purification.
• It’s important to note that if a stat is already at 15, the boost will have no effect for that specific IV.

This IV improvement makes purification appealing for Pokémon with already decent stats, potentially turning a good Shadow into a perfect Purified beast.

Return: A Unique Charged Attack

Every Purified Pokémon learns the Normal-type Charged Attack Return. This move is exclusive to Purified Pokémon and has a three-bar charge, making it relatively spammable. While Return can be a decent move for Normal-type attackers, its overall utility is situational. Its value depends on your team composition and the specific Pokémon you are purifying.

Level Boost and Reduced Costs: Accessibility is Key

Purification automatically boosts a Pokémon’s level to level 25, which can be extremely helpful, especially for players who haven’t invested heavily in leveling up Shadow Pokémon. This level boost comes with a CP (Combat Power) increase, making the Pokémon immediately more viable in battles and raids.

Furthermore, Purified Pokémon benefit from a 10% reduction in Stardust and Candy costs for powering up, evolving, and unlocking a second Charged Attack. This cost reduction can save you significant resources in the long run, particularly if you plan on heavily investing in the Pokémon. This aspect is also a key principle of the Games Learning Society, allowing you to more efficiently allocate resources and make strategic decisions. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information on game mechanics and resource management.

Shadow vs. Purified: Which is Better?

The million-dollar question is whether to purify a Shadow Pokémon or not. The answer is nuanced and depends entirely on your goals.

Keep as Shadow if:

• You prioritize raw damage output in raids and PvE content. The 20% damage boost is significant and often outweighs the IV improvements from purification.
• The Pokémon has decent Attack IVs. Even a low-IV Shadow Pokémon with high Attack can outperform a high-IV Purified counterpart in raids.
• You are willing to invest the considerable Stardust and Candy required to power up a Shadow Pokémon.

Purify if:

• You want a more accessible and cost-effective Pokémon to power up. The reduced Stardust and Candy costs are a major advantage.
• You are aiming for high IVs for PvP (Player vs. Player) battles. In PvP, a Pokémon’s overall stats and move pool are often more important than raw damage output.
• The Pokémon has poor IVs as a Shadow Pokémon. Purification can improve its stats and make it more usable.
• You want the exclusive move Return or simply like the aesthetic of a Purified Pokémon.

Ultimately, the decision hinges on your play style and the specific Pokémon in question. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

FAQs: Your Burning Purification Questions Answered

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of Pokémon purification:

1. Is it always worth purifying a Shadow Pokémon?

No. It depends on the Pokémon’s current IVs, your Stardust and Candy resources, and your intended use for the Pokémon (PvE or PvP). High-Attack Shadow Pokémon are generally better left unpurified for raids.

2. Will a 0-star Shadow Pokémon become a hundo if I purify it?

Not necessarily. A 0-star Shadow Pokémon has IVs ranging from 0-2 in each stat. Purifying it will add +2 to each, potentially resulting in IVs ranging from 2-4, which is far from a hundo.

3. Should I purify a Shadow Shiny Pokémon?

This is a personal choice. Purifying a Shadow Shiny will improve its stats and make it easier to power up, but it will lose the Shadow bonus. Many players prefer to keep Shadow Shinies for their rarity and aesthetic appeal.

4. Is a Purified Pokémon better than a Lucky Pokémon?

They serve different purposes. Purified Pokémon get IV boosts and reduced costs. Lucky Pokémon have reduced Stardust costs for powering up. A Lucky Purified Pokémon combines both benefits.

5. Can you purify a Pokémon multiple times?

No, you can only purify a Shadow Pokémon once. Once purified, it becomes a regular Pokémon and cannot be returned to its Shadow form.

6. What happens if a Shadow Pokémon already has perfect IVs?

If a Shadow Pokémon already has 15/15/15 IVs, purifying it will not further improve its IVs. It will still learn Return and benefit from the level boost and reduced costs.

7. Is Return a good Charged Attack?

Return is a decent Normal-type move, but it’s not always the best option. Its utility depends on the Pokémon and the specific battle situation.

8. Does purifying a Pokémon change its type?

No, purifying a Pokémon does not change its type. It only affects its stats, move, level, and costs.

9. Can I TM away Frustration before purifying?

No, you must wait for a special event to TM away Frustration from Shadow Pokémon. This makes purifying even more appealing during those events.

10. Should I evolve a Pokémon before or after purifying?

You can evolve a Pokémon before or after purifying. Purifying first will reduce the Candy cost of evolving.

11. Does purifying a Pokémon affect its CP?

Yes, purifying a Pokémon increases its CP due to the IV boost and level boost.

12. Can purified Pokémon be traded?

Yes, Purified Pokémon can be traded like regular Pokémon. However, trading restrictions apply to Special Trades (Legendary, Shiny, etc.).

13. How do I find Shadow Pokémon?

Shadow Pokémon are encountered by battling Team GO Rocket Grunts at PokéStops and Team GO Rocket Leaders (Arlo, Cliff, Sierra) after assembling a Rocket Radar.

14. Is it worth purifying a Shadow Legendary Pokémon?

This is a highly debated topic. Shadow Legendary Pokémon are extremely powerful in raids, so purifying them is generally not recommended unless they have very poor IVs or you prioritize accessibility.

15. Can purifying a Pokémon change its appraisal?

Yes, purifying a Shadow Pokémon will improve its appraisal rating, reflecting the increase in its IVs.