Should You Purify Lugia in Pokémon GO? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of whether to purify a Shadow Lugia in Pokémon GO is a complex one, and the answer isn’t always straightforward. It depends heavily on your goals as a trainer and your preferred playstyle. Let’s cut to the chase: Generally, it’s not recommended to purify a Shadow Lugia, especially if you are focused on maximizing its combat potential in raids and Master League PvP. The raw power of a Shadow Lugia, fueled by its 20% damage bonus, often outweighs the benefits of purification. However, there are nuances and specific scenarios where purifying might be considered. This article will explore these scenarios, providing a clear and detailed answer.
The Power of Shadow Lugia
Shadow Bonus: A Significant Advantage
The primary reason to keep a Lugia in its shadow form is the 20% damage bonus that Shadow Pokémon receive. While this comes with a trade-off of reduced defense, in many combat situations, especially against raid bosses and in Master League, the increased offensive output is far more valuable. This extra damage output can be the difference between winning and losing.
Shadow Lugia in Master League
While Shadow Lugia isn’t always a top-tier pick, it remains a powerful option, boasting a strong moveset and formidable stats that benefit greatly from the shadow damage boost. It’s used primarily in Master League and, in its shadow form, can overcome the defensive disadvantage through sheer damage output.
PvE Performance
In player-versus-environment (PvE) battles, like raids and Gym battles, Shadow Lugia excels thanks to the damage boost. However, it’s not considered a top-tier raid attacker. Still, the consistent increase in attack performance due to the shadow boost usually surpasses that of a purified one.
The Purified Lugia
IV Improvement
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon grants it +2 IV points in each stat (attack, defense, and HP). This can lead to a higher total IV value, potentially bringing a low-star Shadow Pokémon into 2 or 3-star territory. While this might seem appealing, IVs alone do not compensate for the 20% damage loss.
Reduced Resource Costs
Purified Pokémon require less Stardust and Candy to power up, evolve, and learn new moves. This is a practical benefit for trainers who are short on resources.
Access to “Return”
Purified Pokémon learn the move “Return,” a Normal-type Charged Attack. While Return is not generally a top-tier move in most battle scenarios, there are some niche situations where it can be useful.
Apex Forms and Purification Boosts
Apex Shadow Lugia receives a signature move, which is further boosted upon purification. However, the shadow bonus still leads to an overall stronger Pokemon in combat. The Apex form’s purification buff does not compensate for the power of the shadow boost.
When Purification Might be Considered
- Low IV Shadow Lugia: If you have a very low-IV Shadow Lugia and you primarily use it for collection or casual play, purification might be worthwhile. The increase in IVs and reduced resource costs can be attractive.
- Lack of Resources: If you are severely limited on Stardust and Candy, purifying a Shadow Lugia can make it easier to power up and use.
- Specific PvP Goals: Though not typically recommended, some very niche PvP teams might benefit from purified Lugia, though usually not for Master League.
- Collection Goals: Some players are primarily motivated by completing their Pokedex or collecting hundos (perfect IV Pokemon). If you like hundos, the purification is an option to get you closer.
The Verdict
For most players who are focused on maximizing battle prowess, keeping Lugia as a Shadow Pokemon is the better option. The 20% damage bonus is crucial for performance in raids and the Master League. While purification offers some advantages, they generally don’t outweigh the raw power of the Shadow bonus. Purify only if you are specifically driven by collection goals, resource limitations, or very specific niche PvP strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Shadow Lugia a good Pokémon?
Yes, Shadow Lugia is a good Pokémon, particularly in Master League battles, where its high stats and powerful moveset make it a formidable opponent. It is also serviceable in raids, though not a top-tier attacker.
2. Is Shadow Lugia better than Purified Lugia?
Generally, yes. The 20% damage boost from being a Shadow Pokémon typically makes Shadow Lugia more powerful than its purified counterpart in most combat scenarios.
3. What happens if you purify a Shadow Lugia?
Purifying a Shadow Lugia will remove the shadow bonus, increase its IVs by +2 in each stat, teach it the move “Return,” and reduce the cost to power it up.
4. Should I purify a 0-star Shadow Lugia?
Even a 0-star Shadow Lugia is generally better than a purified one because of the damage boost. Unless you are driven by collection goals or need to conserve resources, it’s best to keep it as a shadow.
5. Is it worth keeping purified Pokemon?
There are specific situations where purified Pokémon can be useful. However, for most players focused on optimizing combat, the damage boost of Shadow Pokemon is usually more valuable.
6. What are the benefits of purifying a Shadow Pokémon?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs, reduces the Stardust and Candy costs for powering up, evolving, and unlocking attacks, and allows them to learn the move “Return”.
7. Will purifying a maxed Pokémon change its IVs?
No. A maxed Pokémon already has 15/15/15 IVs. Purifying it will not increase its IVs beyond this already perfect combination.
8. Is it better to purify a Shadow Pokémon before evolving it?
Yes. Purifying a Pokemon will lower the candies required for evolution, so it’s more efficient to purify first before evolving if you choose to purify at all.
9. Is Shadow Tyranitar worth it?
Absolutely. Shadow Tyranitar is one of the best investments a player can make due to its significant damage output, making it a top-tier attacker.
10. Should I purify a Shadow Shiny Pokémon?
The decision to purify a Shadow Shiny Pokemon is largely a matter of personal preference. If you value its power for battles, keep it shadow. If you value having a shiny hundo, purify it, but don’t expect that to make it better for most battles.
11. Are Shadow Pokémon better than 100% IV Pokémon?
In most cases, yes. The 20% damage boost of Shadow Pokemon allows them to output more damage than a standard 100% IV Pokemon.
12. What happens if I purify an Apex Lugia?
If you purify Apex Lugia, it receives its signature move. However, the shadow bonus from its Shadow form will generally be more potent.
13. What is the difference between a Shadow and a Purified Pokémon?
A Shadow Pokémon has a 20% damage boost and 20% less defense. A Purified Pokémon has improved IVs, reduced cost to power up, and learns the move “Return.”
14. What are Lugia’s weaknesses?
Lugia, being a Psychic- and Flying-type, is weak to Electric-, Ice-, Rock-, Ghost-, and Dark-type attacks.
15. Why is Lugia not a Water/Flying type?
Lugia is not a Water-type because the developers wanted to emphasize its powerful nature by giving it a Psychic-type, as opposed to Water, and its appearance was more in line with a Flying-type Pokemon.
In conclusion, the decision to purify your Lugia comes down to your unique priorities as a trainer. If you are striving for maximum battle performance, especially in Master League and raids, the raw power of Shadow Lugia is often superior. However, if you prioritize resource management, IV perfection or have collection goals, purification is an option.