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Is a Low IV Shadow Pokémon Better Than a High IV Normal Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

In most cases, yes, a Shadow Pokémon with low IVs is typically better than a normal Pokémon with high IVs, especially for Raids. This is primarily due to the significant 20% attack boost that Shadow Pokémon receive, which outweighs the benefits of higher IVs in raw damage output. However, the answer is more nuanced for PvP, and depends on the specific Pokémon and its role on your team. Let’s delve deeper into why this is, and explore the various factors that influence this decision.

Understanding the Core Mechanics

Before we proceed, it’s essential to grasp what IVs (Individual Values) and Shadow Bonuses mean in Pokémon GO. IVs are hidden stats that range from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and HP. A Pokémon with perfect IVs (15/15/15) is often referred to as a “hundo”. Shadow Pokémon, on the other hand, are corrupted versions of Pokémon that have a 20% attack boost but also take 20% more damage.

The Shadow Attack Advantage

The 20% attack boost that Shadow Pokémon get is a multiplicative boost applied to the base Attack stat of the Pokemon. This boost dramatically increases the damage output in Raids and Gym Battles. In many cases, the DPS (Damage Per Second) increase from this boost more than compensates for the slightly lower base stats resulting from low IVs.

Consider a hypothetical scenario:

Shadow Pokémon (0/0/0 IVs): Has a slightly lower base Attack stat due to 0 IVs but benefits from the 20% Shadow Attack boost.
Normal Pokémon (15/15/15 IVs): Has a higher base Attack stat due to perfect IVs but lacks the Shadow Attack boost.

In many cases, the Shadow Pokémon will deal more damage overall because of the attack bonus even with its lower IVs.

The PvP Nuance: Bulk Over Raw Power

In PvP, things get more interesting. While the attack boost is still valuable, bulk (Defense and HP) becomes much more important. The goal is to outlast your opponent and deal consistent damage.

A lower Attack IV allows a Pokémon to reach a higher level before hitting the CP (Combat Power) limit for Great League (1500 CP) or Ultra League (2500 CP). The lower Attack stat means you can invest more into HP and Defense, making the Pokemon bulkier and able to survive longer. This is crucial in mirror matches or against Pokemon with high damage output. A study of optimal strategies can be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.

For specific Pokémon renowned for their bulkiness, like Umbreon or Registeel, maximizing Defense and HP, even at the expense of Attack, can be a significant advantage.

When to Prioritize IVs

There are, however, situations where IVs become more important:

Master League: With no CP cap, the stat increases from IVs are not hampered by any cap. In the Master League, a normal Pokémon with perfect IVs will almost always be more useful than a Shadow Pokémon with low IVs.
Mega Evolution: Shadow Pokémon cannot be Mega Evolved. If you need a powerful Mega Evolution for Raids, a high-IV normal Pokémon is essential.
Specific PvP Pokémon: Some Pokémon, due to their move sets or typings, may benefit more from a balanced stat distribution provided by higher IVs, regardless of the Shadow bonus.

Purifying Considerations

Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs by +2 to all its individual values which can make a shadow Pokémon more palatable and viable for PvP or Raids. However, you lose the shadow bonus (20% attack boost).

Purifying for Hundos: If you have a Shadow Pokémon with 13/13/13 IVs, purifying it will guarantee a hundo (100% IVs). This might be desirable for collectors or if you plan to use the Pokémon for Mega Evolution in the future.
Cost Reduction: Purifying also reduces the Stardust and Candy cost for powering up and evolving the Pokémon, making it more accessible to use.

Summary: Making the Right Decision

In summary, consider these factors when deciding between a low-IV Shadow Pokémon and a high-IV normal Pokémon:

Raids: Shadow Bonus > IVs
PvP (Great & Ultra League): Bulk > IVs > Shadow Bonus (depends on the specific Pokémon)
Master League: IVs > Shadow Bonus
Mega Evolution: IVs (Shadows cannot Mega Evolve)

Ultimately, evaluating your specific needs and resources will help you determine which Pokémon is best for your team and playstyle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is a Shadow 0% IV Pokémon good?

Yes, a Shadow Pokémon with 0% IVs can still be valuable, particularly for Raids. The 20% attack boost often outweighs the lower base stats from the poor IVs, resulting in higher damage output.

2. How rare is a Shadow 0% IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

A 0% IV Shadow Pokémon is extremely rare, just as rare as a 100% IV Pokémon. The odds of encountering one are 1 in 4096.

3. Does higher IV mean better Pokémon?

Generally, yes, higher IVs contribute to a stronger Pokémon, but it’s not the only factor. For Shadow Pokémon in raids, the Shadow bonus often outweighs the advantage of high IVs. However, in Master League PvP, IVs are essential.

4. Is a 0-star Shadow Pokémon better than normal?

Yes, keep your Shadow Pokemon unpurified in most cases. Shadow Pokémon will deal more damage faster than Normal or Purified Pokémon due to the 20% attack boost.

5. 0% IV SHADOW vs 100% IV NON – WHAT IS BETTER?

For Raids, a 0% IV Shadow Pokémon is often better than a 100% IV normal Pokémon due to the Shadow attack boost. For Master League PvP, a 100% IV normal Pokémon is generally better.

6. Is a 0 IV Shadow Pokémon better than a 100 IV Pokémon?

In many cases, yes, a 0 IV Shadow Pokémon will have a higher Damage Per Second (DPS) than a 100% IV normal Pokémon, especially in Raids.

7. Should I get rid of all 0 * Pokemon?

No, not necessarily. A 0-star Shadow Pokémon with a useful type and move set can still be valuable for Raids. Consider its utility before transferring it.

8. Should I keep low IV Pokémon?

It depends. Low IV Shadow Pokémon can be useful for Raids. However, for Gym defense and attacking, high IVs are more important.

9. Should I evolve a 0 star Pokémon?

If a 0-star Pokémon has a high enough CP (Combat Power) to begin with (e.g., 1000+), it may be worth evolving if it is a good shadow Pokemon.

10. Can you get a 100% IV Shadow Pokémon?

Yes, you can catch a 100% IV Shadow Pokémon. The odds are the same as finding a 100% IV Pokémon in the wild: 1 in 4096.

11. How rare is a 100% IV Pokémon?

The chance to get a 100% IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO is 1 in 4096, or 0.0244%.

12. Should I purify low IV Pokemon?

If your Shadow Pokémon has low IVs and you want a strong Pokemon for Raids, probably not. However, purifying a Shadow Pokémon will improve their appraisal and reduce the amount of Stardust and Candy required for them to Power Up, Evolve, or learn a new attack. If you have 13/13/13 or higher stats, purifying guarantees a hundo.

13. What IV is good for Shadow Pokémon?

For raids, IVs are less critical than the 20% attack boost. For PvP, look for lower attack IVs and higher HP and Defense.

14. What are 0 IV Pokemon good for?

A 0 Attack IV can be beneficial in certain PvP scenarios, especially if your opponent uses the move Foul Play.

15. Should I evolve a 0 star shiny Pokemon?

A Shiny is not worth transferring even if it has a poor Appraisal. If players don’t have another Pokemon of the same species, it may be worth holding onto the 0-star until it can be replaced by one with a better Appraisal.

In conclusion, deciding between a low-IV Shadow Pokémon and a high-IV normal Pokémon requires careful consideration. The 20% attack boost of Shadow Pokémon often outweighs the benefits of high IVs in Raids, while bulk becomes crucial for PvP. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each option allows you to make informed decisions and optimize your team for various challenges in Pokémon GO.

To dive deeper into the intersection of gaming and education, explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Is low IV shadow better than high IV normal?