Should You Evolve 100 IV Pokemon in Pokémon GO? A Definitive Guide
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The short answer? Absolutely, yes! Evolving a 100 IV Pokémon, often referred to as a “perfect” or “hundo,” is generally an excellent idea in Pokémon GO. These Pokémon possess the maximum possible Individual Values (IVs)—15 in Attack, 15 in Defense, and 15 in Stamina—making them statistically the strongest of their species. While it might seem tempting to hoard them, their true potential is unlocked through evolution and powering up. However, there are nuances to consider, and this article will guide you through everything you need to know to make the best decisions.
The Significance of 100 IV Pokemon
What are IVs, and Why Do They Matter?
Individual Values (IVs) are hidden stats that determine how strong a Pokémon can become. Unlike Combat Power (CP), which is a visible representation of a Pokémon’s strength, IVs are fixed and cannot be changed through training or leveling up. They’re like a Pokémon’s inherent DNA for battle capabilities. 100 IV Pokémon have the maximum possible IVs, making them stand out in terms of their maximum potential CP and overall battle prowess compared to lower IV counterparts.
Why Evolve a Hundo?
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Peak Performance: A 100 IV Pokémon, once fully evolved and powered up, will have the highest possible CP and best stats for its species, making it the best possible version. This advantage translates to higher DPS (Damage Per Second) in raids, more effective gym battles, and an edge in trainer battles.
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Long-Term Investment: If you’re planning to invest Stardust and Candy in a specific Pokémon, a hundo is the best candidate. Your resources are used more efficiently and effectively.
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Rarity Factor: Finding a 100 IV Pokémon is incredibly rare; the odds are 1 in 4096. Evolving one means you have something truly special and a top performer for the long term.
When Might You Hesitate to Evolve a 100 IV?
While evolving a 100 IV is generally recommended, there are a few, very specific scenarios where you might pause:
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Shadow or Purified Pokémon: Shadow Pokémon have an attack bonus, making them powerful, even with lower IVs. A Shadow Hundo is incredibly rare and powerful so evolving it would be extremely beneficial. Purifying a 100 IV Shadow may not always be the optimal choice as they have higher attack power as Shadow Pokémon.
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Community Day Moves: If you’re waiting for a specific Community Day to get a special move for the evolved form, you might delay the evolution to ensure you obtain it, but the high IV is still beneficial for any move.
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Resource Constraints: If you are extremely short on resources, you might want to wait and be selective about evolving a hundo into the right form with the right move set.
Prioritizing IVs Over CP
Remember, IVs are permanent, while CP can be increased. A high CP Pokémon with low IVs might seem appealing initially, but it will never reach the potential of a high IV Pokémon. Always prioritize high IVs over CP when deciding which Pokémon to invest in and evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Evolving 100 IV Pokemon
1. How do I know if my Pokémon is 100 IV?
In Pokémon GO, you can identify a 100 IV Pokémon by its appraisal. It will have three stars and a red stamp. Additionally, the appraisal comments will state that the Pokémon is “a wonder” or something similar and that it has the best possible stats.
2. What happens to IVs when a Pokémon is traded?
Traded IVs are randomized. A perfect IV Pokémon will not stay perfect when traded. This is why it is usually not a good idea to trade away or trade for a 100 IV Pokémon.
3. What is the probability of catching a 100 IV Pokémon?
The probability of catching a 100 IV Pokémon from a wild encounter is 1 in 4096 (0.0244%). Weather boosts slightly improve the odds to 1 in 1728.
4. Should I evolve a 3-star Pokémon?
Evolving a 3-star Pokémon (80-99% IV) is generally a good idea, but the perfect 100 IV are the best.
5. Is it worth powering up a low IV Pokémon?
For your defenders and attack teams, high IVs are much more important. It’s generally not recommended to power up low IV Pokémon, especially if you plan to use them in serious battles.
6. What IVs should I aim for when choosing Pokémon to keep and evolve?
Generally, you should aim for Pokémon with IVs of 80% or higher. When resources are scarce, prioritize evolving 100 IV and high 90%+ Pokemon.
7. Does evolving a Pokémon change its IVs?
No, evolving a Pokémon does not change its IVs. IVs are fixed at the time you catch the Pokémon.
8. Should I raise the CP of my Pokémon before or after evolving?
It makes no difference whether you power up before or after evolving. The CP will be the same in either case because IVs are not altered during evolution.
9. How do I become Lucky Friends to guarantee a Lucky Trade?
To become Lucky Friends, you first need to reach the Best Friends level with another trainer. Then, there’s a random chance that you will become Lucky Friends, guaranteeing your next trade will be a Lucky Pokémon.
10. Should I delete 0-star Pokémon?
0-star Pokémon can be useful for lower leagues like the Great League (capped at 1500 CP), so don’t delete all of them. Just be aware, in general, they are weaker and not worth investing in long term.
11. What are the highest CP gains when evolving Pokémon?
Some Pokémon gain much more CP when evolving. Notable examples include Feebas to Milotic, Vigoroth to Slaking, Kirlia to Gardevoir/Gallade, Eevee to Espeon, Gabite to Garchomp, and Metang to Metagross.
12. Can you solo a 3-star raid?
Yes, with the right preparation and strong Pokémon, you can solo 3-star raids.
13. What happens when you purify a shadow Pokémon?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon improves its IVs and reduces the Stardust and Candy cost to power it up, and it will learn the move Return.
14. How rare is a 3-star Pokémon?
The chance of catching a 3-star Pokémon in the wild is approximately 4.028%. Weather boosts increase the chances to around 9.549%.
15. What are the best IV spreads for PvP (Player vs Player) battles?
For PvP, especially in the Great and Ultra Leagues, Pokémon with a high Attack stat is usually not beneficial as it lowers the max amount of HP that can be reached in the lower CP leagues. 100 IVs are not always best for PvP. 0/15/15 is ideal in many cases for PvP.
Conclusion
Evolving a 100 IV Pokémon is almost always the best path, granting you access to the most powerful version of that Pokémon. While it’s understandable to feel protective of these rare finds, they are best used as high-performing battlers. By understanding the nuances of IVs, CP, and evolution, you’ll make better decisions in Pokémon GO and maximize your gameplay experience.