Should I Purify Shadow to Perfect in Pokémon GO? The Definitive Guide
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The question of whether to purify a Shadow Pokémon to achieve perfect IVs is a complex one in Pokémon GO, debated fiercely within the community. The short answer is: it depends! There is no universal “right” answer, and the decision hinges entirely on your personal goals, playstyle, and the specific Pokémon in question. Understanding the trade-offs between Shadow bonuses and perfect IVs is crucial to making an informed choice.
Understanding the Core Mechanics
Before diving into the specifics, let’s review the fundamental aspects of Shadow and Purified Pokémon:
- Shadow Pokémon: Possess a significant 20% damage bonus to their fast and charged attacks, making them powerhouses in raids and battles. However, they also take 20% more damage. They cost significantly more Stardust and Candy to power up and unlock a second Charged Attack. They also have access to Frustration, a generally useless Charged Attack.
- Purified Pokémon: Receive a +2 IV boost to each stat (Attack, Defense, HP), along with a reduction in Stardust and Candy costs for powering up and learning new attacks. They also learn the exclusive Charged Attack Return.
- Individual Values (IVs): These are hidden stats that range from 0 to 15 for each category. A perfect IV Pokémon has 15/15/15, representing its maximum potential.
The Crucial Trade-Off: Shadow Bonus vs. Perfect IVs
The heart of the debate lies in the trade-off between the Shadow damage bonus and the potential for a “hundo” (a Pokémon with perfect IVs). A Shadow Pokémon, even with low IVs, often outperforms a non-Shadow Pokémon, even one with perfect IVs, due to the substantial damage increase.
However, a Purified Pokémon can be more cost-effective to power up and may be desirable for players who prioritize collecting perfect IV Pokémon or need a specific move like Return for PvP (Player vs. Player) battles. Also, purifying a Shadow Pokemon with 13/13/13 IVs gives you a perfect “hundo”.
Factors to Consider Before Purifying
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The Pokémon’s Potential: Some Pokémon are more valuable as Shadow Pokémon than others. For example, Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Machamp, and Shadow Tyranitar are top-tier raid attackers. Purifying them would significantly decrease their overall performance. Conversely, Pokémon that are less powerful in their Shadow form might benefit more from being Purified.
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Your Battle Style: If you’re a hardcore raider who prioritizes maximizing damage output, keeping powerful Pokémon as Shadow is generally the better option. If you prefer a balanced approach or enjoy PvP, a Purified Pokémon might be more suitable.
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Availability and Rarity: Consider how easy it is to obtain the Pokémon. If it’s a common spawn, you might be willing to hold out for a Shadow with good IVs. If it’s a rare or legendary Pokémon, you might be more inclined to Purify a decent one to get a usable Pokémon sooner.
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Candy and Stardust Costs: Shadow Pokémon are expensive to power up. Purifying significantly reduces these costs, making it easier to bring the Pokémon up to a competitive level.
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PvP Viability: Certain Pokémon become more viable in PvP after purification because of the move Return. However, this is a niche case and depends heavily on the specific Pokémon and the PvP meta.
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Shadow Shiny Pokemon: The decision to purify shadow shiny is yours, but unless you have a lot of stardust to unlock their 2nd charged attacks, the shiny shadow may not have any use.
When Should You Purify?
Here are some scenarios where purifying might be a good idea:
- You have a Shadow Pokémon with 13/13/13 IVs: Purifying will guarantee a perfect IV Pokémon, which is highly valued by many collectors.
- The Pokémon is weak in its Shadow form: Pokémon that are not particularly powerful in their Shadow form may benefit more from the IV boost and reduced costs associated with purification.
- You need Return for PvP: Some Pokémon, like Sableye, benefit greatly from having Return as a Charged Attack in PvP battles.
- You are a collector: Many players enjoy collecting perfect IV Pokémon, and purifying a Shadow Pokémon is a guaranteed way to obtain one if it meets the IV criteria.
When Should You NOT Purify?
- The Pokémon is a top-tier Shadow attacker: Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Machamp, Shadow Tyranitar, and similar powerhouses should generally be kept as Shadow Pokémon due to their superior damage output.
- You value damage output above all else: The 20% damage bonus of Shadow Pokémon is significant. If you prioritize maximizing damage in raids and battles, keeping them as Shadow is the best option.
- You are working towards best buddying for raids: Shadow Pokemon deal more damage, so it’s more advantageous to Best Buddy a powerful Shadow, because you’re going to use it for raids.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the decision to purify a Shadow Pokémon to achieve perfect IVs is a personal one. There is no single “correct” answer. Carefully consider the factors outlined above, weigh the trade-offs, and make the choice that best aligns with your goals and playstyle in Pokémon GO. A game as complex as Pokémon GO offers a rich, deep experience that enhances GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will purifying a Shadow Pokémon guarantee perfect IVs?
No, purifying only guarantees perfect IVs if the Shadow Pokémon has at least 13 in each IV stat. Purifying adds +2 to each IV. Thus, a Shadow Pokémon with 13/13/13 IVs becomes a 15/15/15 (perfect) Pokémon upon purification.
2. Is a Shadow Pokémon always better than a regular Pokémon?
Not always. While Shadow Pokémon have a 20% damage boost, they also take 20% more damage. Additionally, the increased Stardust and Candy costs can be a deterrent. A well-trained and powered-up regular Pokémon with good IVs can often be a more practical choice.
3. What is the best way to check a Shadow Pokémon’s IVs?
Use the in-game appraisal system. While it doesn’t give exact numbers, it provides a general indication of the Pokémon’s IV range. Third-party apps and websites can provide more precise IV calculations.
4. Can you TM away Frustration?
Frustration can only be TM’d away during special Team GO Rocket events. Make sure to take advantage of these opportunities if you want to change Frustration to a more useful Charged Attack.
5. What is the best Charged Attack for a Purified Pokémon?
The best Charged Attack depends on the Pokémon. Return is exclusive to Purified Pokémon and can be useful in certain situations, particularly in PvP. However, other Charged Attacks might be more effective depending on the Pokémon’s type and role.
6. Should I evolve a Shadow Pokémon before or after purifying it?
The order doesn’t matter in terms of final stats. Evolving a Shadow Pokémon will keep it in Shadow form, and purifying before or after evolving will result in the same Purified Pokémon.
7. How rare is a perfect Shadow Pokémon?
A perfect Shadow Pokémon is exceptionally rare. The odds of encountering one are significantly lower than encountering a perfect non-Shadow Pokémon due to the limited availability of Shadow encounters.
8. Does weather boost affect Shadow Pokémon IVs?
Yes, weather boost can affect Shadow Pokémon IVs. Weather-boosted Pokémon have a minimum IV floor, increasing the chances of encountering Pokémon with higher IVs. Weather boosted Shadow Pokémon are at level 13.
9. Can you get a shiny Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, you can encounter shiny Shadow Pokémon during special events or through specific Team GO Rocket encounters.
10. Is it worth powering up a Shadow Pokémon with low IVs?
It depends on the Pokémon and your goals. If it’s a top-tier Shadow attacker, the 20% damage boost might outweigh the low IVs. However, for less powerful Pokémon, it might be better to wait for one with better IVs.
11. How do purified Pokemon change IVs?
Purifying Pokemon always adds +2 to each IV, to a max of 15.
12. Can I change Return to another move using a TM?
No, Return is a legacy move that is only available when you purify a Shadow Pokemon. You cannot TM away this move.
13. Will shadow Pokemon always deal more damage than non-shadow Pokemon?
Yes, shadow Pokemon will always deal more damage than non-shadow Pokemon due to the 20% damage boost.
14. Are shadow raids worth it?
Shadow raids can be worth it. Keep in mind that shadow raids deal more damage than regular raids.
15. Should I purify shadow to perfect to use it for Mega evolutions?
Yes, you should purify your shadow to perfect to use it for Mega evolutions.