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How Rare are 100% IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

The pursuit of the perfect Pokémon in Pokémon GO, a “hundo” boasting 100% Individual Values (IVs), is a challenge embraced by dedicated trainers worldwide. The odds of encountering a 100% IV Pokémon, particularly in the wild, are remarkably slim. Typically, your chance of finding a perfect IV creature in the wild stands at approximately 1 in 4096 (0.0244%). However, various factors influence these odds, making the hunt both exhilarating and complex. Understanding these mechanics is crucial for any serious Pokémon GO player aiming to build a team of truly exceptional specimens. Let’s dive into the details.

Understanding IVs and Their Significance

Before we delve deeper into the rarity, it’s essential to understand what IVs actually are. Individual Values (IVs) are hidden stats that each Pokémon possesses, determining its potential in battle. There are three IVs: Attack, Defense, and Stamina, each ranging from 0 to 15. A 100% IV Pokémon, or “hundo,” has all three stats maxed out at 15/15/15.

These IVs contribute to a Pokémon’s Combat Power (CP) and overall strength. While a Pokémon’s species, level, and moveset also significantly impact its performance, high IVs can provide a crucial edge, especially in challenging battles like raids and player-versus-player (PvP) encounters in the GO Battle League. Therefore, collectors and competitive players alike desire 100% IV Pokémon.

Factors Influencing Hundo Rarity

While the base rate of 1 in 4096 seems straightforward, several in-game mechanics alter the chances of encountering a hundo:

Wild Encounters: As mentioned, wild Pokémon have a base chance of 1/4096 of being a 100% IV. Weather boost gives a higher level boost when catching wild Pokemon.
Weather Boost: Pokémon that are weather-boosted in the wild have a minimum IV floor of 5 for each stat. This slightly improves your chances of finding a hundo, bringing the odds to approximately 1 in 1728.
Research Tasks: Completing certain research tasks often rewards players with Pokémon encounters. These encounters have a higher IV floor, typically at least 10 for each stat. This drastically increases the likelihood of getting a 100% IV Pokémon, bringing the odds down to 1 in 216.
Raids: Pokémon encountered after defeating them in raids also have a minimum IV floor of 10. This means the chance of finding a hundo from a raid is also 1 in 216.
Eggs: Hatching Pokémon from eggs follows the same IV floor as research tasks and raids, meaning you have a 1 in 216 chance of hatching a 100% IV.
Lucky Pokémon: When trading with a friend, Pokémon can become Lucky Pokémon. These Pokémon have reduced stardust costs to power up and a minimum IV floor, making them more likely to have high IVs, but it does not guarantee a hundo.
Purified Pokémon: Shadow Pokemon can be purified and this can give a boost to their IVs.
Guaranteed Hundo Events: Occasionally, Niantic introduces events that guarantee specific Pokémon encounters will have 100% IVs. These are rare but provide a reliable way to obtain a hundo.

It’s important to note that Shiny Pokémon do not influence IVs. The shiny status and IVs are determined independently. You can absolutely find a shiny hundo, but the odds are incredibly low due to the compounding probabilities.

The Psychology of the Hunt

The quest for hundo Pokémon taps into several psychological factors that keep players engaged:

Completionism: Many players are driven by the desire to complete their collection and obtain the “best” version of each Pokémon.
Scarcity: The rarity of hundo Pokémon makes them highly desirable and valuable, increasing their perceived worth.
Randomness and Reward: The element of chance associated with finding a hundo creates a sense of excitement and anticipation. The reward of finding a perfect IV Pokémon feels especially satisfying after a long search.

These elements, combined with the core gameplay loop of catching, battling, and evolving Pokémon, contribute to the enduring popularity of Pokémon GO. The game also offers an opportunity to explore Games Learning Society, which is dedicated to advancing the learning sciences by forging alliances between researchers, educators, game developers, and policymakers. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about 100% IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO:

1. What does 100% IV mean in Pokémon GO?

A 100% IV Pokémon means that its Attack, Defense, and Stamina stats are all at the maximum value of 15. It’s the best possible IV combination for that Pokémon.

2. What are the odds of getting a hundo in Pokémon GO from raids, research, or egg hatches?

The odds of obtaining a hundo from raids, research tasks, or egg hatches is 1 in 216. This is significantly better than wild encounters due to the guaranteed IV floor.

3. How rare are 90% IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Pokémon with 90% or better IVs are relatively rare, although much more common than hundo Pokémon. The exact probability varies, but it’s estimated to be around 0.5%.

4. Is a hundo or a shiny Pokémon rarer?

Generally, a hundo is rarer than a regular shiny in most situations. While shiny rates can vary, the standard rate is around 1 in 500.

5. Should I keep 0 star Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Generally, it’s not recommended to keep 0-star Pokémon unless you have a specific reason (such as a unique move combination or sentimental value). They take up storage space and are generally weaker than higher IV Pokémon.

6. How rare is a legendary hundo?

The odds of finding a hundo from a legendary raid are the same as other raids, research and egg hatches which are 1 in 216.

7. What is a 3-star Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

A 3-star Pokémon has IVs that fall within the range of 82.2% to 98%.

8. Should I evolve a 3-star Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Generally, yes. Evolving a 3-star Pokémon is usually a good idea, as they have the potential to become powerful in battle.

9. How rare is a shiny in Pokémon GO?

The standard shiny rate in Pokémon GO is approximately 1 in 500 for most Pokémon. However, some Pokémon have boosted shiny rates during events or as permaboosts.

10. What are Max IVs in Pokémon GO?

Max IVs in Pokémon GO are 15 for Attack, 15 for Defense, and 15 for Stamina, resulting in a 100% IV Pokémon.

11. Should I purify Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs, but it also reduces its damage output. Whether or not to purify depends on your goals. For purely competitive reasons, it may be better to keep the Shadow Pokemon since they deal more damage.

12. What is the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Larvesta and Volcarona are considered to be two of the rarest in the game because they are in the rarest egg tier.

13. How rare is a 6 IV shiny Pokémon?

This question refers to the main series Pokémon games, not Pokémon GO. In those games, the odds of hatching a 6 IV shiny Pokémon are incredibly low, considering the combination of probabilities.

14. Is a 0% IV Pokémon rare?

Yes, a 0% IV Pokémon (also known as a “nundo”) is quite rare. The odds of encountering one in the wild are the same as finding a hundo: 1 in 4096.

15. How rare is a 1 IV Pokémon?

The question most likely refers to a combination of low IVs across all stats, such as having all stats at 1 IV, which is equally rare as the opposite end of the spectrum where they are all at 15 IVs.

Conclusion

The rarity of 100% IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO is a carefully balanced aspect of the game. While finding a hundo in the wild is a long shot, there are numerous ways to improve your odds through gameplay mechanics like research tasks, raids, and egg hatches. The thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of obtaining a perfect IV Pokémon are key elements that contribute to the game’s continued appeal. So, keep catching, keep battling, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll encounter that elusive hundo you’ve been searching for.

How rare are 100% Pokemon Go?