Should You Evolve All Shiny Pokémon? A Comprehensive Guide
The burning question on every trainer’s mind who’s stumbled upon a shiny Pokémon: should you evolve it? The short answer is: it depends. There’s no single right answer, as the decision hinges on a combination of factors, including personal preference, strategic gameplay considerations, and the specific Pokémon in question. Understanding these factors is crucial before hitting that “Evolve” button. Think about aesthetics, competitive strength, rarity, and future potential.
Factors to Consider Before Evolving Your Shiny
Before you impulsively evolve that sparkly treasure, let’s dive into the key considerations.
1. Aesthetic Preference: The Most Important Factor
Ultimately, Pokémon is a game meant to be enjoyed. Do you prefer the shiny form of the base Pokémon or its evolved form? Some shiny evolutions are stunning, while others are… less so. For instance, many trainers adore shiny Charizard, but might not be as fond of shiny Charmeleon. Consider this carefully: once evolved, there’s no going back!
2. Competitive Viability: Stats and Movesets
If you’re a competitive player, the shiny’s IVs (Individual Values) and potential moveset matter. A shiny with poor IVs might be better kept as a trophy, while a shiny with high IVs could become a powerful battler once evolved. Research the evolved form’s optimal movesets and compare its stats to other Pokémon in your team. Remember, shiny status has no direct impact on stats, but finding a shiny with good IVs is the holy grail.
3. Rarity and Future Value: Trading Potential
Some shiny Pokémon are rarer than others. Community Day shinies, for example, are often less valuable than full-odds shinies (Pokémon that have a low chance of being shiny in the wild). Consider if keeping the unevolved shiny might hold more trading value. A rare, unevolved shiny could fetch a high price (or a valuable trade) from another collector.
4. Completing the Shiny Family: Gotta Catch ‘Em All!
For some collectors, the goal is to complete the entire shiny family. This means evolving the shiny to obtain each stage of its evolutionary line. If this is your aim, then evolving is a must. However, consider the rarity of each stage. Is it easier to find another shiny of the evolved form, or should you preserve your original find?
5. Future Game Updates: Moves and Abilities
Pokémon GO is constantly evolving. New moves, abilities, and even forms are sometimes introduced. A Pokémon that’s currently underwhelming might become powerful with a future update. Consider holding onto your shiny in case its evolved form receives a buff.
6. Double Check Appraisal
It’s a good idea to check your shiny’s stats, because it might have perfect IVs – making it even better for battle!
Evolving Shiny Eevee: A Special Case
Shiny Eevee and its evolutions warrant a separate discussion due to the sheer number of possible outcomes.
- Umbreon, Espeon, Sylveon: These are often highly sought after due to their distinct shiny forms and competitive viability.
- Glaceon, Leafeon: While decent, they might not be as universally desired as the above.
- Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon: These original Eeveelutions can be a mixed bag aesthetically.
Before evolving your shiny Eevee, research each evolution’s shiny form and competitive use. Make sure you’re happy with the outcome!
FAQs About Evolving Shiny Pokémon
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the topic.
1. What happens when I evolve a shiny Pokémon?
It becomes another shiny Pokémon! The shiny status is retained throughout the evolutionary line. For example, a shiny Bulbasaur will evolve into a shiny Ivysaur and then a shiny Venusaur.
2. Are shiny Pokémon stronger than regular Pokémon?
No. Shiny Pokémon have the same stats as their non-shiny counterparts. The only difference is their appearance.
3. Does evolving a shiny Pokémon change its IVs?
No. Evolving doesn’t affect a Pokémon’s IVs. The IVs are determined when the Pokémon is initially caught or hatched.
4. Should I power up my shiny Pokémon?
The cost to power up depends on the Pokemon’s current CP level. A lower or higher evolution tier makes no difference to the cost to power up. Power up only if you intend to use the Pokémon for battles.
5. Is it worth keeping a 0-star shiny Pokémon?
Yes! A Shiny is not worth transferring even if it has a poor Appraisal. The rarity alone makes it a valuable collector’s item. You can always hold onto it until you find a better one to replace it.
6. Can I trade shiny Pokémon?
Yes, you can trade shiny Pokémon with other trainers, trading legendaries and shinies you both own, the cost is the same as a Standard Pokémon you don’t own. However, be aware that trades can alter IVs, so trade with caution.
7. Are some shiny Pokémon rarer than others?
Yes. Full-odds shinies are rarer than Community Day shinies or event-boosted shinies. Some specific Pokémon, like shiny Authentic Sinistea, are incredibly rare.
8. Should I purify a shiny Shadow Pokémon?
Generally, no. Purified Pokémon have no defense penalties, can learn new moves any time you want, and are easier to level up. However, higher attack power is generally a more desired trait, so you shouldn’t purify your shiny Shadow Pokémon. Shiny Shadow Pokémon are highly coveted and often more valuable than purified ones.
9. How do I increase my chances of finding shiny Pokémon?
Use a sandwich to increase shiny odds. For instance, if players combine an avocado with a Salty Herba Mythica and a Spicy Herba Mythica, they will have a sandwich that increases their chance of encountering a dragon type Pokemon, as well as increasing the chance that the encountered Pokemon will be a shiny Pokemon.
10. What are Lucky Pokémon, and are they better than shiny Pokémon?
Lucky Pokemon cost 50% less stardust to power up, making them easy to boost the CP of and ready for battle. Lucky Pokémon have a cooler, more useful benefit: they cost less Stardust to power-up. Shiny Pokémon are differentiated by their unique appearance.
11. Do all Shiny Pokemon have perfect IVs?
No, shiny status has nothing to do with IVs or how well a particular pokemon will function in battle. Being shiny is entirely independent of your stats. Max IVs are better for battles.
12. Should I evolve a 3-star Pokémon?
If your Pokémon has three stars and a red stamp, it means that it has 100% perfect IVs. If it has three star with an orange stamp, it has around 80-99% perfect IVs. Evolve if you need to have a strong and reliable pokemon for battles.
13. Are Lucky Pokémon always 3 stars?
I reviewed my lucky pokemon and they all come up at 3 stars even tho none have perfect stats. IV Floor for Luckies is 12/12/12, which would be on the very end of 2. Anything 82% or higher (13/12/12+) will be 3.
14. What’s the point of shiny Pokémon?
The point of shiny Pokemon is that they’re rare. That’s literally it. They don’t do anything special besides have a different color scheme and sparkle. It’s purely cosmetic.
15. Should I keep duplicate Shinies in Pokémon go?
Keeping a couple of each makes sense for future evolutions (such as unreleased eeveelutions) and trades.
Making the Final Decision
Ultimately, the decision to evolve a shiny Pokémon is a personal one. Weigh the factors discussed above, consider your priorities as a trainer, and trust your gut feeling. There’s no right or wrong answer, only the answer that’s right for you. Happy hunting, trainers!
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