Should I Evolve Shiny or Lucky Pokémon? A Pokémon GO Conundrum
The question plaguing Pokémon GO trainers worldwide: Should you evolve that Shiny or Lucky Pokémon? The answer, as with many things in Pokémon GO, is: it depends. There’s no single, universally correct answer. It hinges on your priorities, play style, and individual Pokémon. Ultimately, a blend of considerations needs to be adopted to determine the best course of action.
Let’s break down the key factors to consider when making this crucial decision. Both Shiny and Lucky Pokémon offer unique advantages, but those advantages are different, and understanding those differences is key.
Understanding Shiny Pokémon: Aesthetic Rarity
The Allure of the Alternate Palette
Shiny Pokémon are primarily about aesthetics and rarity. They possess a different color scheme than their standard counterparts, making them highly sought-after by collectors. Their stats aren’t any better or worse than a non-shiny, it’s all about bragging rights and personal preference.
Evolving Shiny Pokémon: Preserving the Sparkle
If you evolve a Shiny Pokémon, the evolution will also be Shiny. This ensures the unique coloration is maintained throughout the evolutionary line. So, if you have a Shiny Pokémon that evolves into an even more striking Shiny form, evolving is a clear win for visual appeal. It’s worthwhile to keep it even if it is a weak shiny Pokémon because another player could give you a good trade.
When to Hold Back on Evolving a Shiny
Consider the final form. Some Shiny forms are simply less appealing than the original. A Shiny Magikarp, with its golden hue, is far more iconic than a Shiny Gyarados, which is a somewhat underwhelming green. The same is true of certain others too. Consider the final result before hitting the evolve button.
Understanding Lucky Pokémon: Power-Up Potential
Stardust Savings: A Trainer’s Best Friend
Lucky Pokémon have a much more tangible benefit: they require 50% less Stardust to power up. Stardust is a precious resource in Pokémon GO, essential for increasing a Pokémon’s CP (Combat Power) and making it battle-ready. This significant Stardust reduction makes Lucky Pokémon incredibly valuable for trainers looking to build strong teams without breaking the bank.
IV Floors: Guaranteed Decent Stats
Another perk of Lucky Pokémon is their minimum IVs (Individual Values) of 12/12/12. Since IVs range from 0 to 15, this means that Lucky Pokémon are guaranteed to be at least moderately strong, falling within the top 20% of all Pokemon in terms of stats.
Evolving Lucky Pokémon: Retaining the Benefits
The Lucky status of a Pokémon remains after it evolves. Therefore, if you evolve a Lucky Pokémon, the resulting evolution will also be Lucky and retain the Stardust discount.
When to Prioritize Evolving a Lucky Pokémon
If you have a Lucky Pokémon that is particularly useful in battles (raids, gyms, or PvP), evolving it is generally a good idea. The Stardust savings will allow you to quickly power it up and make it a valuable asset to your team. Popular Pokemon like Mewtwo, Metagross, or Lucario are great Lucky choices to prioritize.
The Decision-Making Process: Combining Factors
Assessing Individual Value
Before making a decision, consider the individual value of both the Shiny and Lucky Pokémon. Ask yourself these questions:
- How much do I like the Shiny form? Is it a particularly striking Shiny, or is it barely noticeable?
- How useful is this Pokémon in battle? Is it a strong attacker, a reliable defender, or a valuable asset in PvP?
- How much Stardust do I need to power it up? Does it require a significant investment, or can I easily max it out with the Lucky discount?
- What are the IVs? Although Lucky Pokemon have a minimum IV of 12/12/12, they are not guaranteed to be 4-star, so appraisal remains valuable.
Prioritizing Based on Needs
Your personal needs and goals in Pokémon GO should also influence your decision.
- Collectors: If you prioritize collecting Shiny Pokémon, evolving a Shiny is likely the best choice, regardless of its stats or usefulness in battle.
- Battlers: If you focus on battles, evolving a Lucky Pokémon with good IVs and a useful moveset is the smarter move.
- Stardust Savers: If you’re short on Stardust, a Lucky Pokémon can be invaluable, even if it’s not a top-tier battler.
The Hybrid Approach
In some cases, you might consider a hybrid approach. For example, if you have a Shiny Pokémon that is also Lucky, and you find its Shiny evolution appealing, it’s almost always worth evolving. You get the best of both worlds: a rare and visually unique Pokémon that is also cheaper to power up.
Final Verdict
There is no singular “correct” choice. However, prioritizing a Lucky Pokemon to make it battle-ready can be a strategic move for all trainers, but the emotional value of evolving a Shiny should not be discounted. Evaluate the individual Pokémon, your personal preferences, and your goals in Pokémon GO to make the best decision for you.
And remember, the Games Learning Society is a valuable resource for learning more about the science and strategy behind games like Pokémon GO. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a Pokémon be both Shiny and Lucky?
Yes, a Pokémon can absolutely be both Shiny and Lucky! This is a rare occurrence, but it offers the best of both worlds: a visually unique Pokémon with reduced Stardust costs.
2. Does evolving a Shiny Pokémon make the evolution Shiny?
Yes, if you evolve a Shiny Pokémon, the resulting evolution will also be Shiny.
3. Does evolving a Lucky Pokémon make the evolution Lucky?
Yes, the Lucky status is retained when you evolve a Lucky Pokémon.
4. Is it better to power up a Lucky Pokémon before evolving?
Whether you power up before or after evolving makes no difference to the total cost. However, evolving first can be smart to see if you like the evolved form and its moveset before investing Stardust.
5. How do I increase my chances of getting a Lucky Pokémon?
Trading Pokémon with friends increases the chances of receiving a Lucky Pokémon. The longer a Pokémon has been in your storage, the higher the chance it will become Lucky when traded.
6. What are the odds of getting a Lucky Shiny?
The odds of getting a Lucky Shiny are extremely low, as they combine the already rare chances of finding a Shiny with the chance of a Pokémon becoming Lucky during a trade.
7. Should I use a Lucky Egg when evolving Pokémon?
Yes, using a Lucky Egg when evolving Pokémon will double the XP you earn for each evolution, making it a great way to level up quickly. You want to get as many Pokemon evolving with a Lucky Egg as you can.
8. Should I only evolve 3-star Pokémon?
Evolving a 3-star Pokémon is generally recommended, but there are exceptions. If a 0-star Pokémon has very high CP, it might be worth evolving instead, due to the lower Candy and Stardust costs in comparison to finding the same Pokemon later.
9. Which Pokémon are the best to make Lucky?
Some of the most sought-after Lucky Pokémon include powerful attackers like Mewtwo, Metagross, Rayquaza, and Lucario.
10. How rare is a perfect Lucky Pokémon (4-star)?
The odds of getting a perfect (4-star) Lucky Pokémon are very low. Getting a Lucky Pokémon is already a rare occurrence, and then it needs to have perfect IVs (15/15/15).
11. Is the Lucky status permanent?
The Lucky status of a Pokémon is permanent once it is received. However, your Lucky Friend status with a specific friend is reset after each Lucky Trade.
12. Should I keep weak Shiny Pokémon?
Yes, even weak Shiny Pokémon are worth keeping due to their rarity and collectability. You can also trade them with other players for potentially valuable Pokémon.
13. Do Shiny Pokémon have any advantage in battle?
No, Shiny Pokémon do not have any inherent advantage in battle. They are purely cosmetic variations.
14. Should I get rid of 0-star Pokémon?
0-star Pokémon are usually better transferred for Candy, but if you’re short on Candy or there is a special event that doubles the candy, they are a great option.
15. How do I maximize the benefits of a Lucky Egg?
To maximize the benefits of a Lucky Egg, evolve as many Pokémon as possible within the 30-minute duration. Aim to evolve around 60 Pokémon to make the most of the doubled XP.