Should You Purify High IV Pokémon? A Master Trainer’s Perspective
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Absolutely not! As a seasoned Pokémon Go player, I can tell you that purifying high IV Shadow Pokémon is almost always a mistake. While the allure of a potentially perfect IV Pokémon is strong, you’re sacrificing something far more valuable: the Shadow bonus. Let’s delve deeper into why keeping those high IV Shadows is the strategic play and explore the nuances of purification in Pokémon Go.
The Allure and the Pitfalls of Purification
The Pokémon Go landscape is filled with choices, none more debated than the decision to purify a Shadow Pokémon. The prospect of transforming a grimy, angry Shadow into a gleaming, “pure” creature with boosted IVs is certainly tempting. Purification increases each Individual Value (IV) stat – Attack, Defense, and HP – by two points. This can push a Pokémon with already decent IVs into the coveted “perfect” 15/15/15 range. But here’s the crucial point: that IV boost comes at a significant cost.
Understanding the Shadow Bonus
The true power of Shadow Pokémon lies in their massive damage output. Shadow Pokémon receive a 20% damage bonus in both Player vs. Environment (PvE) – Raids and Gym battles – and Player vs. Player (PvP) combat. This translates to significantly faster clear times in Raids, the ability to deal more damage to Gym defenders, and a competitive edge in Trainer Battles. The trade-off? A 20% decrease in Defense.
Why the Shadow Bonus Reigns Supreme
While the reduced Defense might seem like a major drawback, the increased Attack more than compensates for it. In most scenarios, especially Raids and Gyms, dealing damage quickly is more effective than having slightly higher survivability. The Shadow bonus allows you to output damage at a blistering rate, often allowing you to take down opponents before they can inflict significant damage on you.
Consider this: a Shadow Pokémon with, say, 10/10/10 IVs will likely outperform a purified Pokémon with 15/15/15 IVs in a damage-dealing role. The Shadow bonus is that powerful.
When Purification Might Be Considered
There are a few niche scenarios where purification might be justifiable:
- Completing Research Tasks: Some Special Research or Timed Research tasks require you to purify a certain number of Pokémon. In these cases, any low-IV Shadow Pokémon will do.
- Budget Concerns: Powering up Shadow Pokémon is more expensive in terms of Stardust and Candy. If you’re severely limited on resources, a purified Pokémon might be easier to invest in.
- Sentimentality/Collection: Some players simply prefer the aesthetic of purified Pokémon or want to complete their collection. This is a perfectly valid reason, though not the most strategically sound.
Specific Cases to Note
- Legendary Shadow Pokémon: These are among the most powerful Pokémon in the game. Never purify them!
- Pokémon with Limited Use: If you have a Shadow Pokémon of a species that isn’t particularly strong or useful in battles, purification is less of a loss. Still, consider if you’ll ever need it for a specific purpose.
In essence, the general rule of thumb is: if you have a Shadow Pokémon with decent IVs, especially for a species that’s strong in Raids or PvP, keep it as a Shadow. The damage bonus is simply too valuable to give up. Don’t fall for the lure of that perfect IV – embrace the power of the shadows!
Remember to always research and analyze Pokémon Go strategies. For valuable insights into gaming and learning visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Purifying Pokémon
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of purification in Pokémon Go:
1. What exactly are IVs, and why are they important?
IVs (Individual Values) are hidden stats that determine a Pokémon’s potential. They range from 0 to 15 for each of the three stats: Attack, Defense, and HP. Higher IVs translate to higher stats when you power up your Pokémon. They are essential for determining the maximum potential of each Pokemon.
2. How much do IVs increase when purifying a Shadow Pokémon?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases each IV stat by 2 points. For example, a Pokémon with 10/12/14 IVs will become 12/14/15 after purification.
3. What is the “Shadow Bonus,” and why is it so good?
The Shadow Bonus is a 20% increase in Attack at the cost of a 20% decrease in Defense. This bonus drastically increases a Pokémon’s damage output, making Shadow Pokémon incredibly powerful in both Raids and PvP.
4. Should I purify a 0-star Shadow Pokémon?
It depends. If you need to purify Pokémon for a research task, then yes. If you have other 0-star Pokémon that you need for research tasks, then do not purify it. Some 0-star Shadow Pokémon can be good raid attackers.
5. Is it better to have a high CP or a high IV Pokémon?
IVs are generally more important than CP. CP (Combat Power) is an overall measure of a Pokémon’s strength, but it’s based on a combination of IVs, base stats, and level. A Pokémon with high IVs has the potential to reach a higher CP than a Pokémon with low IVs.
6. Does purifying a Pokémon change its moves?
Yes. Purified Pokémon learn the move “Return,” a Normal-type Charged Attack. Shadow Pokémon know the move “Frustration,” which can only be removed during special events using a Charged TM.
7. Are purified Pokémon cheaper to power up?
Yes. Purified Pokémon require less Stardust and Candy to power up, evolve, and learn new attacks.
8. Should I purify a legendary Shadow Pokémon?
Absolutely not! Legendary Shadow Pokémon are among the most powerful Pokémon in the game. Purifying them would be a massive waste of their potential.
9. Can you get a 100% IV Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, but it’s rare. The IV floor for Shadow Pokémon encounters is generally low, making perfect IVs uncommon.
10. If I trade a Shadow Pokémon, will it lose its Shadow status?
You cannot trade Shadow Pokémon.
11. Is it worth using Elite TMs on Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, in many cases. If you have a Shadow Pokémon that’s a top-tier attacker, using an Elite TM to give it a powerful move is a worthwhile investment.
12. Does weather boost affect Shadow Pokémon?
Yes, weather boost affects Shadow Pokémon in the same way it affects regular Pokémon.
13. How do I know if a Shadow Pokémon is worth keeping?
Check its IVs using the in-game appraisal system or a third-party IV checker. Research the Pokémon’s usefulness in Raids, Gyms, and PvP. If it has decent IVs and is a strong attacker, keep it as a Shadow.
14. Does the 20% Attack boost apply to both Fast Attacks and Charged Attacks?
Yes, the 20% Attack boost applies to both Fast Attacks and Charged Attacks.
15. Is it better to have a team of Shadow Pokémon or a mix of Shadow and regular Pokémon?
A team of Shadow Pokémon will generally deal more damage overall. However, it’s good to have a diverse team with different types and move sets to handle various challenges.