Table of Contents

Is It Worth Purifying Regirock in Pokémon GO? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer? Generally, no. Purifying Regirock, particularly its Shadow form, is typically not recommended for most players. Shadow Regirock’s boosted attack stat offers more value in raids and battles despite the increased resource cost. However, there are specific circumstances where purification might be considered. Let’s dive deep into the nuances of Regirock, Shadow Pokémon, and purification to provide a comprehensive answer and address some common concerns.

Understanding Shadow Pokémon and Purification

Before deciding whether to purify Regirock, it’s crucial to understand the core mechanics at play. Shadow Pokémon receive a significant 20% boost to their attack stat, but they also suffer a defense reduction. This makes them glass cannons – powerful offensive attackers but more vulnerable to taking damage.

Purification, on the other hand, reverses these effects. It removes the Shadow bonus, increases the Pokémon’s IVs by +2 in each stat (Attack, Defense, HP), reduces the Stardust and Candy cost for powering up and evolving, and replaces the move Frustration with the move Return.

Regirock: A Rock-Solid Foundation (But Not a Game-Changer)

Regirock, as a Rock-type Pokémon, possesses a naturally high defense. However, its attack stat is relatively low compared to other Rock-type attackers like Rampardos or Tyranitar. This means that even with purification, Regirock won’t suddenly become a top-tier attacker. Its main strength lies in its bulk and resistance to Normal, Fire, Poison, and Flying-type attacks.

Why Shadow Regirock is Usually Better

The 20% attack boost provided by the Shadow bonus significantly impacts Regirock’s performance. While it doesn’t elevate it to the top of the Rock-type attacker rankings, it makes it noticeably better than its purified counterpart. The defensive reduction is less of a concern in many raid scenarios where maximizing damage output is the primary goal.

Scenarios Where Purification Might Be Considered

Despite the general advice against purification, there are a few scenarios where it might be worth considering:

Improving IVs for PvP: If you have a Shadow Regirock with extremely low IVs, purification can provide a significant boost, potentially making it more viable in PvP battles, particularly in Great League or Ultra League.
Collecting Hundos: If your sole objective is to obtain a “hundo” (a Pokémon with perfect 15/15/15 IVs), purification can be a gamble that might pay off. However, it’s important to remember that even a hundo Regirock won’t be a top-tier attacker.
Reducing Resource Costs: If you are extremely low on Stardust and Candy, purifying Regirock will drastically reduce the costs associated with powering it up.
Completing the Purifier Medal: If you’re focused on increasing your Purifier Medal, then purifying many Pokemon is what you need to do. If you purify enough Pokemon, you can level up your Purifier Medal, which increases as purifications occur.
Regirock with Frustration: If you cannot remove Frustration on a Shadow Regirock then purifying it is the only way to get rid of Frustration and get a better move.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Purifying Regirock

Here are 15 common questions and detailed answers to help you further evaluate whether purifying Regirock is the right decision for you:

Is Shadow Regirock better than a normal Regirock with perfect IVs? Yes, in most cases. The Shadow bonus provides a significant attack boost that outweighs the benefits of perfect IVs for a normal Regirock.
How much does purifying a Shadow Regirock increase its IVs? Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases each of its IVs (Attack, Defense, HP) by +2. The maximum IV for each stat is still 15.
What move does Regirock learn when purified? When purified, Regirock will forget the move Frustration and learn the move Return, a Normal-type charged attack exclusive to Purified Pokémon.
How much Stardust and Candy does it cost to purify Regirock? Purifying a Shadow Legendary Pokémon like Regirock is more expensive than purifying common Pokémon. The cost is generally around 20,000 Stardust and 20 Candy.
Can I mega evolve a purified Regirock? Yes, you can Mega Evolve a purified Regirock, provided Mega Evolution is available for Regirock (currently, it is not). However, purified Pokémon do not have a special aura when Mega Evolved.
Is Regirock good in PvP? Regirock can be viable in PvP, especially in the Great League and Ultra League due to its bulk. However, it’s not a top-tier pick and requires specific team compositions to be effective. Shadow Regirock can be good in PvP.
What are Regirock’s weaknesses? Regirock is weak to Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, and Grass-type attacks.
How can I remove Frustration from a Shadow Regirock? The move Frustration can only be removed during special Team GO Rocket events. During these events, you can use a Charged TM to replace Frustration with another move.
Should I power up Regirock before or after purifying it? It’s generally recommended to purify Regirock before powering it up to take advantage of the reduced Stardust and Candy costs associated with purified Pokémon.
What are the best moves for Regirock? Rock Throw (Fast Move) and Stone Edge (Charged Move) are typically the best moves for Regirock in both PvE (raids) and PvP.
Can a 0-star Shadow Regirock be good? Yes, despite the low IVs, the Shadow bonus can still make a 0-star Shadow Regirock more useful than a high-IV regular Regirock, particularly in raids.
What other Rock-type Pokémon are better than Regirock? Rampardos, Tyranitar, Rhyperior, and Terrakion are generally considered superior Rock-type attackers to Regirock.
Is it worth waiting for a Shadow Regirock with better IVs? If you’re not in a rush and have the storage space, it’s worth waiting for a Shadow Regirock with higher IVs. However, remember that even a low-IV Shadow Regirock is typically better than a purified one.
Where can I learn more about the best strategies for Pokémon GO? Websites like GamePress and PvPoke provide in-depth analysis and rankings of Pokémon for raids and PvP battles. You can also find valuable resources and community discussions on Reddit and other online forums.
Are there educational resources related to gaming and learning? Absolutely! Organizations like the Games Learning Society are dedicated to exploring the intersection of games, learning, and education. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for research, resources, and community engagement opportunities.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision to purify Regirock depends on your individual goals and resources. If you prioritize maximizing damage output in raids and are willing to invest the necessary Stardust and Candy, keeping Shadow Regirock is generally the better option. If you’re primarily focused on PvP, need to reduce resource costs, or are simply striving for a hundo, then purification might be worth considering.

Remember to carefully weigh the pros and cons based on your specific circumstances and playstyle before making a final decision. Happy battling, trainers!

Is it worth purifying Regirock?