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Should I Purify My Pokemon to Make It Perfect? A Deep Dive

The question of whether to purify a Pokémon to achieve perfect IVs (Individual Values) is a complex one in Pokémon GO, fraught with trade-offs and dependent on individual player preferences. The short answer is: it depends. There’s no universally correct answer. While purification can indeed elevate a Pokémon’s IVs to perfection, it comes at the cost of the potent Shadow bonus. Before you hit that purify button, let’s break down the nuances and help you make an informed decision.

Understanding the Basics: Shadow vs. Purified

The first and most crucial thing to grasp is the fundamental difference between Shadow Pokémon and Purified Pokémon. Shadow Pokémon, identifiable by their red eyes and dark aura, possess a significant offensive advantage, dealing 20% more damage with their fast attacks. This bonus comes at the cost of taking more damage themselves, but in many combat scenarios, the increased damage output makes them superior attackers.

Purified Pokémon, on the other hand, lose this Shadow bonus. They receive a CP boost and, most importantly for this discussion, an increase of +2 IVs in each stat (Attack, Defense, HP). They also cost less to power up and evolve.

So, the dilemma: do you prioritize maximizing raw power with a Shadow Pokémon or achieving perfection on paper with a Purified one?

The IV Math: Can You Get a Perfect Pokémon?

Yes, you absolutely can purify a Shadow Pokémon into a 100% IV (perfect) Pokémon. The key is to assess the Shadow Pokémon’s existing IVs. Since purification adds +2 to each stat, a Shadow Pokémon with at least 13 Attack, 13 Defense, and 13 HP will become a perfect 15/15/15 IV Pokémon upon purification.

This is a critical consideration. If you have a Shadow Pokémon with, say, 10 Attack, 15 Defense, and 12 HP, purifying it won’t result in a hundo (slang for a 100% IV Pokémon). Instead, it will become a 12/15/14 IV Purified Pokémon.

When to Purify (and When NOT To)

Here’s a breakdown of scenarios where purification might be beneficial and situations where it’s best to leave your Pokémon in the shadows:

Purify If:

You prioritize collection over combat. If you’re a completionist aiming for a perfect living dex (a collection of every Pokémon species with perfect IVs), purifying a near-perfect Shadow Pokémon is a viable strategy.
The Shadow Pokémon’s IVs are already close to perfect. As mentioned above, if a Shadow Pokémon boasts 13/13/13 or higher IVs across the board, purification guarantees a hundo.
You’re severely resource-constrained. Purified Pokémon are cheaper to power up and evolve. If you’re short on Stardust and Candy, purifying can provide a more budget-friendly option, especially for Pokémon you intend to use casually.
The Pokémon is mostly useless in battle. Certain Pokémon simply aren’t viable in raids or PvP, regardless of their Shadow or Purified status. In these cases, purifying for a hundo might be a justifiable decision.
You have a duplicate of a powerful Shadow Pokémon If you already have a great Shadow Metagross but catch a second one that could be purified for a hundo, purifying may be the best option since you still have the shadow to use.

DON’T Purify If:

The Pokémon is a top-tier attacker. Shadow Pokémon like Metagross, Mewtwo, Machamp, and Tyranitar are absolute monsters in raids and Team GO Rocket battles. Sacrificing their Shadow bonus for perfect IVs is generally a bad trade.
The Pokémon has valuable PvP potential as a Shadow. Some Pokémon, like Shadow Skarmory or Shadow Nidoqueen, perform exceptionally well in PvP due to their increased damage output.
The Shadow Pokémon has legacy moves. If your Shadow Pokémon possesses a move that’s no longer obtainable (a legacy move), think very carefully before purifying. Legacy moves can significantly increase a Pokémon’s value.
You don’t have a strong alternative Shadow option If you only have one Shadow Dragonite, purify it for a hundo and you’ll have one less powerful attacker on the field.

The “Hundo or Shadow” Debate: Community Perspectives

The debate over whether hundos or Shadows are superior rages on within the Pokémon GO community. There’s no single consensus, and preferences often come down to personal playstyles and goals.

Many competitive players staunchly advocate for keeping Shadow Pokémon due to their unmatched offensive power. They argue that the 20% damage boost far outweighs the appeal of perfect IVs, particularly in time-sensitive raid battles where every second counts.

Others prioritize hundos for their collection value and aesthetic appeal. They may find satisfaction in owning a perfect version of a beloved Pokémon, even if it’s not the absolute best performer in combat.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. Consider your own priorities and resources, and weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully.

Understanding IVs and Appraisal

It’s important to understand how IVs work and how they are presented in the game. IVs are hidden stats that range from 0 to 15 in each category (Attack, Defense, and HP). These stats are added to a Pokemon’s base stats to determine its overall strength.

The in-game appraisal system, accessed through the Pokémon’s information screen, provides hints about a Pokémon’s IVs. The team leader’s appraisal comments and the graphical representation of the IV bars can help you estimate the IV range. However, for precise IV calculations, you can use third-party apps or websites (check their legitimacy first) that overlay on your screen and analyze your Pokemon.

A Pokemon with perfect IVs, or “hundo,” will have all three IV bars fully filled and will be noted as the best your team leader has ever seen.

FAQs: Your Burning Purification Questions Answered

1. Will purifying a Shadow Pokémon automatically make it a 4-star?

No. Purification adds +2 IVs to each stat. A Pokémon needs to have at least 13 IVs in Attack, Defense, and HP before purification to become a 4-star (perfect) Pokémon.

2. Is a 0-star Shadow Pokémon worth keeping?

Potentially, yes. Even with low IVs, the Shadow bonus can make a Pokémon surprisingly effective in combat. Assess the Pokémon’s species and its potential as a Shadow attacker before dismissing it.

3. Should I purify before powering up or evolving?

Purifying before powering up or evolving is generally recommended. Purifying gives the Pokémon a significant increase in CP (Combat Power), and it will cost less Stardust and Candy to power up and evolve after purification.

4. How many IVs do you get for purifying a Pokémon?

By purifying a Shadow Pokémon, it gains at least 2 IVs in every stat. It does not have a chance of getting 3 IVs. With stats being 15-13-13 that means the ones with 13 would reach 15 as well since it goes up by at least 2.

5. Are Purified Pokémon better than regular Pokémon?

When you purify a Shadow Pokémon, they do less damage than Shadow Pokémon but still do more damage than regular Pokémon. The IVs go higher when you purify a Shadow Pokémon but Shadow Pokémon are more stronger.

6. Is it worth purifying Pokémon if I don’t use them in battle?

If you prefer a hundo for your collection, purify. It depends on what you value more, hundos or good shadows. There is no right answer to this, since it will depend on the players.

7. How rare is a 100% IV Pokémon?

The chance to get a 100% IV (15/15/15) Pokémon in Pokémon GO is 1/4096, or in percentage, 0.0244%.

8. What is rarer, a hundo or a shiny?

Hundo is much more rare than shiny as far as legendary raids. Shiny rate is somewhere around 1/25. But the odds for a perfect is much worse.

9. Can you get a perfect IV shiny Pokémon?

While technically possible, the odds are really not in your favor.

10. Does weather boost affect IVs?

Yes, Weather Boosted wild catch increases your odds to a 1 in 1,728 chance of having perfect IVs.

11. Are 2-star Pokémon worth keeping?

Some are rare, and your best stuff might be 2-stars. For instance, if you only did 2 Palkia raids, and both were 2-stars, you probably don’t want to delete them. Some have special moves.

12. How hard is it to get a perfect IV shiny?

At best (regardless of parents IVs, lets assume five 31 IVs get passed down to the child), there’s a 1/32 chance to get six perfect IVs, since the last one that doesnt get passed down will be a random number between 0-31, on top of the 1/500 or so chance of masuda+shiny charm.

13. Are perfect IV Pokémon harder to catch?

No, only species and level affect the chance of catching.

14. Is it worth keeping Shadow Pokémon?

Yes keep your shadow Pokemon unpurified. Shadow Pokemon works as angry Pokemon and will deal damage more faster then Normal or Purified Pokemon.

15. Can you get 0 IV legendary Pokémon?

The only way to get a 0% legendary is through trading, probably only with strangers (if minimum IVs go up with friendship), and there’s only a 1/4096 chance of rolling it.

Conclusion: The Choice is Yours

Deciding whether to purify a Pokémon to make it perfect is a nuanced decision that hinges on your personal priorities. While achieving a hundo is undeniably satisfying, it often comes at the expense of raw power. Carefully weigh the pros and cons, consider your playstyle, and make the choice that best aligns with your Pokémon GO goals. Whether you choose to embrace the shadows or pursue perfection, happy hunting!

For more insights into the intersection of games and learning, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Should I purify my Pokemon to make it perfect?