Is a Perfect IV Pokémon Better Than a Shiny?
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The age-old debate amongst Pokémon trainers: is a perfect Individual Value (IV) Pokémon superior to a Shiny Pokémon? The short answer is: it depends on what you value more. Competitively, a perfect IV Pokémon is undeniably more powerful. Aesthetically and for collection purposes, a shiny is much more sought after. Let’s break down why this is the case. If you are purely focused on battling and winning, then a perfect IV Pokémon, also known as a “Hundo,” is absolutely better. However, if you’re a collector or appreciate the rarity and uniqueness of a shiny, then it’s more of a personal preference. Both are highly desirable, but for fundamentally different reasons.
IVs vs. Shinies: Understanding the Differences
What are IVs?
Individual Values (IVs) are essentially a Pokémon’s genes. Each Pokémon has IVs in six different stats: HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed. Each of these stats has an IV ranging from 0 to 31 in the core games, while in Pokémon GO, it ranges from 0 to 15. These IVs are permanent and contribute to the Pokémon’s overall stats, meaning they affect its battle potential significantly. The closer your IVs are to the maximum, the stronger the Pokémon is in battle. A Pokémon with all perfect IVs (31 or 15 in each stat depending on the game) is known as a perfect IV or Hundo Pokémon.
What are Shinies?
Shiny Pokémon are, in essence, color variants. They’re Pokémon that have a different color palette than their standard counterparts. These are extraordinarily rare and were originally introduced for aesthetic purposes; however, they have now become a popular aspect of the entire franchise. The odds of encountering a shiny Pokémon are much lower than finding a standard Pokémon of the same species, making them highly prized by collectors. However, a Shiny’s stats are determined the same way a standard pokemon is determined and the color has no impact on its battle capabilities.
The Competitive Advantage of Perfect IVs
From a competitive standpoint, IVs are crucial. The difference between a Pokémon with 0 IVs and a perfect IV Pokémon can be as much as a 10% difference in battle performance, including health, damage output and damage resistance. In crucial situations, that 10% can be the difference between victory and defeat. This difference is more pronounced at higher levels. While a Pokémon with high but not perfect IVs will still be quite strong, min-maxing IVs with a Hundo will give you the competitive edge necessary to win against the toughest opponents.
The Rarity Factor: Hundos vs. Shinies
Although both are rare, their rarity stems from different reasons.
Shiny Rarity
The base odds of encountering a shiny in Pokémon GO are approximately 1 in 500 for regular spawns. During events, those odds are often boosted to around 1 in 25 or lower. This is still rare, but it pales in comparison to the odds of obtaining a perfect IV Pokemon.
Hundo Rarity
The odds of finding a perfect IV (15/15/15 in Pokémon GO or 31/31/31 in core games) Pokémon, sometimes called “hundo” is astronomically low. In Pokémon GO, the base odds of encountering a Hundo from a wild encounter are 1 in 4096 (0.0244%). The odds can improve with event bonuses or egg hatching, but remain extremely low. Even with trade bonuses or being best friends, you’re unlikely to obtain a perfect IV with consistent frequency.
Which is Rarer: Hundo or Shiny?
Despite the popularity of shiny Pokemon, the odds of getting a perfect IV are far worse in many cases, especially with non-boosted wild encounters. For example, in legendary raids, the shiny rate might be around 1/20, while the odds of a hundo are significantly lower, around 1/216. The odds vary by game and spawn method, but a hundo is statistically rarer in general.
Deciding Between a Shiny and a Hundo
The question of which is “better” comes down to your priorities:
- Competitive Players: A perfect IV Pokémon is almost always more valuable for competitive battles, raids, and gym fights. The guaranteed stat max will greatly improve your battling capabilities.
- Collectors: Shiny Pokémon are often more coveted due to their aesthetic appeal and rarity. For many, they are a great source of pride and a goal of the game.
- Casual Players: The decision largely relies on personal preference. Some players might prefer the satisfaction of having a powerful perfect IV Pokémon, while others prefer the unique look of a shiny.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are IVs important in Pokémon battles?
Yes, IVs are crucial for competitive battling. They provide a permanent stat boost that can make a significant difference in battles, especially when dealing with high-level opponents.
2. Can shiny Pokémon have perfect IVs?
Yes, absolutely. A shiny Pokémon can have any IV combination, including perfect IVs. The two properties are entirely unrelated and determined by different random number generators. A perfect IV shiny is one of the rarest combinations.
3. How can I check the IVs of my Pokémon?
In Pokémon GO, you can check the IVs by using the appraisal system that is provided in the app. In core games, it’s done using the Judge function after beating the game and making your way to the Battle Tower or equivalent.
4. Is a 0 IV Pokémon rare?
Yes, a fully 0% IV Pokémon is extremely rare, even rarer than a 4-star or perfect IV Pokémon. Collectors often value these “Nundos” for their uniqueness.
5. Should I evolve a 0-star Pokémon?
If you don’t have a better option of the same species, it may be worth evolving a 0-star Pokémon, especially if it has high CP. However, it’s best to replace it with one with better IVs if you are able. If you are a collector, then you might consider keeping it for its rarity.
6. What is the chance of hatching a shiny Pokemon with 6 perfect IVs?
The chance of a Pokémon hatching shiny is approximately 1/512. The chance of it having 6 perfect IVs is approximately 1/31. These probabilities are then multiplied giving us 1 in 15872 odds of a 6 IV shiny.
7. Do all Legendary Pokémon have perfect IVs?
No. In most games, legendary Pokémon can have varying IVs. However, some games, like Pokémon Sword and Shield, guarantee wild legendaries to have a minimum of 3 perfect IVs.
8. Is it better to evolve higher CP or higher stars?
It’s generally recommended to evolve the Pokémon with the higher CP or better appraisal (higher stars). High CP may be more immediately valuable, but better appraisal will be more impactful long term.
9. Are 4-Star Pokémon the best?
In Pokémon GO, 4-star Pokémon have perfect IVs, meaning they are maximized. They are the best you can obtain for battling.
10. What are the odds of finding a hundo legendary?
The odds of finding a hundo legendary in raids are approximately 1 in 216. It’s much less likely than finding a shiny legendary, which often ranges from 1 in 20-25.
11. Is a shiny Celebi rare?
Yes, Shiny Mythical Pokémon are very rare. Mythical Pokémon like Celebi are typically encountered once in the main games and can be very difficult to obtain a shiny form. They are sometimes only available from special events.
12. How rare is a shiny Pikachu?
Standard Pokémon in Pokémon GO, including Pikachu, have about a 1 in 500 chance of being shiny. During events, the odds are often boosted to be lower.
13. What is the rarest shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Some of the rarest shiny Pokémon include Shiny Alolan Grimer, Shiny Alolan Vulpix, and certain regionals or event exclusives, like Shiny Darkrai. Rarity changes as events happen.
14. Should I evolve a 100 IV Pokémon?
Yes, you absolutely should evolve a 100 IV Pokémon. It represents the peak of that pokemon’s potential, and you should be maximizing that capability.
15. What is the optimal IV for Pokémon?
In terms of core battling in other Pokemon games, the most optimal IV spread is typically 5 Perfect IVs, and one that doesn’t matter, typically the stat you are not using, such as a special attack focused pokemon using its attack stat at 0. You can also use 0 in Speed, to be slower in a Trick Room team.
Conclusion
In the debate of perfect IVs versus shinies, the winner really depends on what the trainer is looking for. Perfect IVs offer undeniable benefits in battle, while shinies offer a unique aesthetic and collector’s value. Both are rare and prized, but for different reasons. Ultimately, whether you prefer the power of a perfect IV or the unique look of a shiny is a matter of personal choice. Regardless, both are valuable assets to any Pokémon trainer’s collection!