Table of Contents

Decoding Pokémon GO Appraisal: Unleash Your Pokémon Potential

The appraisal feature in Pokémon GO is your key to understanding a Pokémon’s hidden strengths. It allows you to gauge its potential for battle based on its Individual Values (IVs), which are essentially hidden stats determining how powerful a Pokémon can become. Your team leader (Candela, Blanche, or Spark) provides feedback on the Pokémon’s Attack, Defense, and HP (Hit Points) through a star rating and specific phrases. Higher star ratings reflect greater overall potential and a higher likelihood of success in raids, gyms, and trainer battles. This makes appraisal a critical step in deciding which Pokémon to invest your precious resources in.

Understanding the Appraisal System

The Pokémon GO appraisal system visually represents a Pokémon’s IVs through a star rating system and descriptive phrases from your team leader. Here’s a breakdown:

Star Rating: This provides an overview of the Pokémon’s IV range. A 4-star Pokémon (sometimes referred to as a “hundo”) possesses perfect IVs (15/15/15). 3-star Pokemon have excellent IVs, ranging around 80-99%. Two stars denote good IVs, and one star shows that it may be below average IVs. Zero stars should generally be released unless you are trying to fill up your storage!
Team Leader Appraisal: Your team leader will comment on the Pokémon’s overall potential. This appraisal, along with the star rating, gives you a sense of how close to perfect the Pokémon is. These phrases can vary slightly, but they generally indicate how much they “like” the Pokémon and how impressed they are by its stats.
Individual Stats: Following the overall appraisal, your team leader will comment on the Pokémon’s strongest stat (or stats if multiple stats are tied for highest). They will use phrases to indicate how high that stat is. A comment indicating the stat is the “best I’ve ever seen!” means that specific IV is perfect (15).

What Affects Appraisal Value in Pokémon GO?

The appraisal value is primarily affected by the Pokémon’s Individual Values (IVs). These are three hidden stats:

Attack IV: Determines the Pokémon’s attacking power.
Defense IV: Determines the Pokémon’s defensive capabilities.
Stamina IV (HP): Determines the Pokémon’s health and ability to withstand damage.

Each IV is a value between 0 and 15. A Pokémon with perfect IVs (15/15/15) will have the highest possible appraisal, indicated by the 4-star rating and positive comments from your team leader. The combination of these IVs directly influences the appraisal, telling you how much potential the Pokémon has relative to others of the same species. Factors such as size and weight, or the Pokémon being shiny, do not affect appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pokémon GO Appraisal

1. How Do I Check a Pokémon’s Appraisal?

To check a Pokémon’s appraisal, tap on the Pokémon in your storage, then tap the menu button (three horizontal lines). Select “Appraise” from the options. Your team leader will then provide their assessment.

2. Is It Possible to Change a Pokémon’s IVs?

Generally, no. Once a Pokémon is caught, its IVs are fixed. The primary exceptions are:

Trading: IVs are re-rolled when Pokémon are traded, meaning they will change.
Purification: Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases each of its IVs by 2 points.

3. Should I Evolve a High-CP Pokémon Even with a Low Appraisal?

Not necessarily. While CP (Combat Power) indicates a Pokémon’s current strength, appraisal reveals its potential. A low-appraisal, high-CP Pokémon might be strong now, but a high-appraisal, lower-CP Pokémon could become much stronger after evolution and powering up. Consider investing in Pokémon with high appraisal for long-term gains.

4. How Can I Tell If a Pokémon Has Perfect IVs Before Catching It?

Without external tools or knowing the Pokémon’s level and CP, it’s impossible to know the IVs with certainty before catching it. However, research tasks and raids often guarantee Pokémon with minimum IVs, improving your chances of finding a perfect one. Additionally, the weather boost feature can increase the CP and level of wild Pokémon, making them potentially stronger.

5. Should I Keep 0-Star Pokémon?

Generally, it’s best to transfer 0-star Pokémon unless you are limited with storage space and are trying to increase storage size. These Pokémon have very low IVs and are unlikely to be useful in battles. Focus on keeping Pokémon with higher appraisal values. Prioritize expanding your Pokémon Storage in the Shop if needed.

6. What’s Considered a Perfect Appraisal in Pokémon GO?

A perfect appraisal means the Pokémon has IVs of 15/15/15 in Attack, Defense, and Stamina. This is represented by the 4-star rating and your team leader indicating that all stats are the “best I’ve ever seen!”

7. Is It Worth Evolving a 3-Star Pokémon?

Absolutely! A 3-star Pokémon has the potential to be very strong, especially those with high IVs in crucial stats for their role (e.g., Attack for attackers, Defense for defenders). Evolving and powering up a 3-star Pokémon is often a worthwhile investment.

8. What Are the Benefits of Purifying Shadow Pokémon?

Purifying a Shadow Pokémon offers several benefits:

Increased Appraisal: Each IV increases by 2 points.
Reduced Costs: Lower Stardust and Candy costs for powering up, evolving, and learning new moves.
Exclusive Move: Learn the Charged Attack “Return.”
Improved Stats: Potentially transform a 2-star Shadow into a 3-star or even a 4-star Pokémon.

However, Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage but take 20% more damage. This makes them glass cannons. Consider if you value that damage output more than the increased stats.

9. Should I Power Up a Pokémon Before Evolving It?

It’s generally recommended to evolve a Pokémon first before investing heavily in powering it up. This allows you to see the evolved form’s moveset. If the moveset is undesirable, you can avoid wasting Stardust and Candy. Only power up Pokémon with excellent appraisal and a desirable moveset.

10. How Important Are IVs in Pokémon GO?

IVs play a significant role in determining a Pokémon’s potential. While they aren’t the only factor (CP, moveset, and the Pokémon’s species also matter), high IVs can make a noticeable difference in battles, especially in high-level raids and PvP.

11. What’s More Important: CP or Appraisal?

Both are important, but appraisal gives a better sense of the Pokémon’s long-term potential. CP reflects the current strength, but a higher CP doesn’t guarantee a better Pokémon in the long run. Focus on high appraisal for maximizing potential.

12. Does Appraisal Change When You Trade a Pokémon?

Yes, appraisal always changes when you trade a Pokémon. The IVs are re-rolled, and the resulting appraisal will reflect the new IV distribution. Therefore, trading is not a reliable way to improve a Pokémon’s appraisal.

13. What Does 4* Mean in Pokémon GO?

4* is shorthand for a perfect Pokémon. It signifies that the Pokémon has maximum IVs in all three stats (15/15/15) and represents the highest possible appraisal value.

14. Are Shiny Pokémon Stronger Than Non-Shiny Pokémon?

No. Being shiny is purely cosmetic and has no effect on a Pokémon’s stats or appraisal. A shiny Pokémon can have any IV combination, just like a non-shiny Pokémon.

15. Are Lucky Pokémon Always 3 Stars?

Lucky Pokémon are guaranteed to have a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12. While not always 3 stars, they have a high chance of being 3 stars or higher. This makes them a desirable find.

The Games Learning Society: Exploring the Educational Aspects of Gaming

The world of Pokémon GO extends beyond simple entertainment. It encourages exploration, strategic thinking, and community engagement. Resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org offer insight into the educational potential of games and how they can be used to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. Whether you’re mastering the appraisal system or working with others to complete raids, Pokémon GO encourages real-world connections and continuous learning.

By understanding the appraisal system and its nuances, you’ll be well-equipped to build a powerful team and dominate the world of Pokémon GO. Happy training!

What affects appraisal Pokemon go?