Should I Purify a Perfect Shadow Pokemon in Pokémon GO?
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The short answer is a resounding NO. Do not purify a perfect (100% IV) Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO. While the allure of a perfect purified Pokémon might seem tempting, you’d be sacrificing significant power and rarity for a marginal cosmetic change and a minor convenience. Let’s delve into why.
The Power of Shadows: Why They Reign Supreme
Shadow Pokémon have a unique edge in Pokémon GO: a 20% attack boost. This comes at the cost of reduced defense, but in most battles, especially raids, offense is king. This 20% attack boost makes Shadow Pokémon deal significantly more damage than their regular or purified counterparts, even those with perfect IVs.
Consider a Shadow Lugia. It deals 20% more damage than a regular or purified Lugia. A 20% increase in damage is massive, and will make a huge difference in a raid. Trading that for having a perfect IV purified Lugia is a steep price to pay.
Rarity Matters: A Symbol of Dedication
Perfect Shadow Pokémon are incredibly rare. Obtaining a Shadow Pokémon with excellent IVs, let alone perfect IVs, requires considerable effort and luck. They are not tradable. They represent a significant investment of time and resources. Purifying a perfect Shadow Pokémon erases that rarity, turning it into something far more common.
The Misconception of Perfection
Many players chase perfect IV Pokémon, believing they are the ultimate prize. While 100% IVs are desirable, the actual difference in performance between a Pokémon with high IVs (e.g., 13/14/15) and a perfect IV Pokémon is minimal – often less than a few percentage points. The 20% damage boost from being a Shadow Pokémon far outweighs any marginal benefit from a perfect purified Pokémon.
Purifying: When It Might Be Considered (But Still Usually Isn’t)
There are very few scenarios where purifying a Pokémon makes sense from a purely competitive standpoint. One potential case might be if you’re a brand new player with low level and resources and want to get the most power as you can at that time. You may also want to purify a Pokemon with poor IVs for Research tasks. But in almost all cases it’s not worth it.
The Bottom Line
Keep your perfect Shadow Pokémon as they are. They are rare, powerful, and a testament to your dedication. Don’t fall for the allure of a perfect purified Pokémon. The power and rarity you’d be sacrificing are simply not worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify any lingering doubts about purifying Pokémon in Pokémon GO:
1. What exactly happens when you purify a Pokémon?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon changes its appearance, adds a “Purified” tag to its name, and reduces the Stardust and Candy cost for powering it up and learning new moves. It also replaces the Frustration Charged Attack with Return. Most importantly, it increases each IV stat by 2, up to a maximum of 15.
2. Does purifying a Pokémon make it stronger?
While purifying increases the IVs, ultimately, it makes the Pokemon weaker. It removes the valuable 20% attack boost that Shadow Pokémon possess. For most players, the lower Stardust and Candy costs don’t outweigh the loss of damage output.
3. How much does purifying a Pokémon increase its IVs?
Each IV stat (Attack, Defense, HP) is increased by 2 when you purify a Pokémon. This means a Shadow Pokémon with 13/13/13 IVs will become a perfect 15/15/15 Pokémon upon purification.
4. Is it easier to get a perfect Pokémon by purifying a Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, it is easier. The chance of getting a perfect Pokémon through normal encounters, raids, or trades is low. However, if you catch a Shadow Pokémon with at least 13 in each IV stat, purifying it guarantees a perfect Pokémon.
5. Can you get a 100% IV Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, it is possible to catch a 100% IV Shadow Pokémon, but it is extremely rare. It requires a tremendous amount of luck.
6. Are Shadow Pokémon always better than regular or purified Pokémon?
In most cases, yes. The 20% attack boost makes Shadow Pokémon deal significantly more damage, especially in raids and against Team GO Rocket leaders. However, there might be specific situations or team compositions where a regular or purified Pokémon is slightly more beneficial, but these are niche cases.
7. Is it worth it to keep the move Return on a purified Pokémon?
Return is a decent move, particularly for PvP, where it can effectively bait out shields. However, there are often better Charged Attack options available. Whether or not you keep Return depends on the specific Pokémon and its role in your team.
8. What is the best IV to purify a Pokémon to get a perfect IV?
As mentioned before, the minimum IV to get is 13/13/13.
9. Can purified Pokémon be traded?
No, purified Pokémon cannot be traded.
10. Are there any benefits to purifying a Pokémon besides the IV boost?
Yes, purifying reduces the Stardust and Candy cost for powering up and learning new moves. This can be helpful for players with limited resources. Purifying also gives the Pokémon a new look.
11. How rare is a perfect purified Pokémon compared to a perfect Shadow Pokémon?
Perfect purified Pokémon are easier to obtain than perfect Shadow Pokémon. A perfect Shadow Pokémon requires catching one with 15/15/15 IVs, which is incredibly rare. A perfect purified Pokémon only requires catching a Shadow Pokémon with 13/13/13 IVs.
12. Should I evolve a Shadow Pokémon before or after purifying it?
Always evolve a Shadow Pokémon before purifying it, if you decide to do so. Once purified, the Pokémon has an animation which can’t be reverted to the original form.
13. Are there any Pokémon that are better purified than as Shadow Pokémon?
There are few exceptions, but in general, Shadow Pokémon are almost always better. Certain Pokémon with specific movesets might be slightly more useful as purified Pokémon in very niche PvP scenarios, but these situations are rare and highly dependent on the meta.
14. If I accidentally purify a good Shadow Pokémon, can I reverse it?
No, purifying a Pokémon is permanent. Once you purify a Shadow Pokémon, you cannot revert it back to its Shadow form.
15. Where can I learn more about Pokémon GO strategies and community insights?
Stay updated with the latest Pokémon GO strategies, community discussions, and educational resources through the Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization focuses on leveraging games for learning and offers valuable insights for players of all levels.