Unleash the Power: Understanding the Benefits of Weather Boosted Pokémon in Pokémon GO
Weather conditions in Pokémon GO aren’t just for aesthetics; they significantly impact your gameplay, especially when it comes to encountering weather-boosted Pokémon. But what exactly are the benefits of these climate-affected creatures? In short, catching weather-boosted Pokémon can give you a significant advantage, providing stronger Pokémon, boosted combat performance, higher CP, and extra Stardust. Let’s dive deeper into the many advantages you gain by embracing the weather in Pokémon GO.
Enhanced IVs and Level
Higher Individual Values (IVs)
One of the most significant benefits of weather-boosted Pokémon lies in their superior Individual Values (IVs). While a standard Pokémon caught in the wild can have an IV as low as 0/0/0 (Attack/Defense/HP), a weather-boosted Pokémon will always have a minimum IV of 5/5/5. This means a weather boosted Pokémon is immediately stronger and has a greater potential to become a top-tier competitor. The higher minimum IVs dramatically increase the chances of finding a Pokémon with near-perfect or perfect IVs (a coveted 15/15/15), which translates to better stats and combat potential.
Increased Level
In addition to improved IVs, weather-boosted Pokémon typically spawn at a higher level than their non-boosted counterparts. This means you’ll find them with a higher Combat Power (CP) right off the bat. Consequently, you’ll spend less precious Stardust and Candy powering them up to their full potential. This can save you valuable resources and time when assembling a strong team for battles and raids.
Battle Performance and CP Boost
Improved Combat Performance
Weather-boosted Pokémon are not just stat sticks; they also perform better in battle when the weather conditions match their type. For instance, a Water-type Pokémon will have its moves boosted in rainy conditions. Specifically, during the correct weather conditions, a Pokémon’s move damage can increase significantly, providing a crucial edge in Gym battles, raids, and trainer battles. This weather-boost makes it easier to deal super-effective damage against opposing Pokémon, improving your overall combat effectiveness.
Higher Combat Power (CP)
As mentioned before, weather-boosted Pokémon appear with higher CP, reducing the need to invest heavily in powering them up. This means you can quickly deploy a stronger Pokémon in battles. This also gives you access to more powerful evolutions sooner, provided you have the required Candy. For new players or those with limited resources, finding and using weather-boosted Pokémon is an ideal way to strengthen their team quickly.
Increased Stardust Rewards
Extra Stardust for Catching
Perhaps one of the most universally loved benefits of weather-boosted Pokémon is the extra Stardust you receive when catching them. Stardust is essential for powering up Pokémon, trading, and purifying Shadow Pokémon. The additional Stardust rewards from weather-boosted Pokémon help you replenish your reserves faster, allowing you to invest more in your favorite Pokémon. This benefit is especially helpful during events that require substantial stardust usage, helping you maximize your gains.
Strategic Advantages and Targeted Hunting
Increased Spawn Rate
Specific Pokémon types appear more frequently during the corresponding weather conditions. For example, Water-type Pokémon like Squirtle and Magikarp are more common when it rains, while Fire-type Pokémon are more common during sunny weather. By understanding these patterns, you can strategically target specific types of Pokémon for catching, allowing you to assemble the team you need more efficiently. If you’re hunting for a specific weather-boosted Pokemon, observing the current weather will definitely improve your odds of finding one.
Shiny Hunting
While the weather boost itself doesn’t directly increase shiny odds, it can indirectly improve your chances. The increased spawn rate of specific types in their corresponding weather makes shiny hunting more productive. By targeting Mega Raid locations in the correct weather, you can find specific mega-evolved pokemon and maximize the chance of encountering shinies.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Weather Boosted Pokémon
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you better understand weather boosted Pokémon and how they work within Pokémon GO:
1. What exactly is a weather boost in Pokémon GO?
A weather boost in Pokémon GO is a game mechanic where certain Pokémon types are more prevalent, have improved stats, and provide extra Stardust when caught, depending on the current weather conditions in your real-world location.
2. How can I tell if a Pokémon is weather boosted?
Weather-boosted Pokémon will have a weather icon next to their name on the encounter screen and in your Pokémon storage. The icon will match the current weather conditions (e.g., rain icon for rainy weather boosts).
3. Which weather conditions boost which Pokémon types?
- Clear/Sunny: Grass, Ground, and Fire
- Rain: Water, Electric, and Bug
- Partly Cloudy: Normal and Rock
- Cloudy: Fairy, Fighting, and Poison
- Windy: Dragon, Psychic, and Flying
- Snowy: Ice and Steel
- Foggy: Dark and Ghost
4. Do weather boosts affect Raid Bosses?
Yes, Raid Bosses are also affected by weather. When the weather condition aligns with their type, Raid Bosses will appear at a higher level, making them more challenging to defeat, but also more rewarding to capture.
5. Can a weather boosted Pokémon be a Ditto?
No, a weather-boosted Pokémon will not be a Ditto. Ditto disguises will never show a weather icon on the encounter screen. The disguised form will show the appropriate weather boost for its type.
6. Does weather boost affect shadow or purified Pokémon?
Weather boosts do not affect the base stats of shadow or purified Pokémon, but it does affect their level at encounter. Shadow legendaries have a minimum IV floor, and weather boost will not change that. Purified pokemon have improved IVs and CP, and weather boost does not alter that.
7. Does weather boost increase shiny odds?
No, weather boost does not directly increase the chances of encountering a shiny Pokémon. However, the increased spawn rates for specific types can make shiny hunting more effective when focusing on the weather-boosted type.
8. How much do weather boosts affect move power in Pokémon GO?
When a Pokémon uses a move of a type that matches the weather conditions, its damage output is boosted by 20%. For example, in rainy conditions, Water-type moves will be 20% stronger.
9. Does weather boost affect egg hatches?
No, weather boosts do not affect egg hatches in Pokémon GO. The IVs, level, and type of a hatched Pokémon are not influenced by weather conditions.
10. What is the best weather for Pokémon GO?
While all weather conditions are useful for catching specific Pokémon, many players find Rainy weather to be beneficial due to the common appearance of many useful Water-type Pokémon, as well as being a highly competitive weather boost.
11. Are weather-boosted Pokémon in raids better?
A weather-boosted Pokémon in raids will have boosted stats, level, and CP and will be more challenging to defeat, but will also be more rewarding to capture. A weather boost for the raid boss can also impact the types of pokemon you bring to battle.
12. How does weather boost affect Mega Raids?
Mega Raid Bosses are affected by weather boosts the same way as other raid bosses. The mega raid boss will have increased level and power under the right weather conditions.
13. Can a weather boosted pokemon be 100% IV?
Yes, a weather-boosted Pokémon can have 100% IVs (15/15/15). In fact, due to their higher minimum IV floors, they are more likely to be 100% than their non-boosted counterparts. A three-star rating with a red stamp on the appraisal screen indicates a 100% IV Pokémon.
14. Is it always better to catch weather-boosted Pokémon?
Yes, it is generally beneficial to catch weather-boosted Pokémon, as they will have better IVs, higher CP, and will give extra Stardust. If you are limited on resources, it can still be helpful to prioritize weather-boosted Pokemon over non boosted.
15. Do weather boosts change movesets of pokemon?
No, a weather boost does not change a Pokémon’s moveset, only the power of a move when it is of the same type as the current weather.
Understanding the mechanics of weather in Pokémon GO can drastically improve your gameplay. By utilizing the benefits of weather-boosted Pokémon, you’ll acquire stronger Pokémon, receive more Stardust, and perform better in battles. So, next time you’re out and about playing Pokémon GO, be sure to take note of the weather conditions and make the most of these boosted encounters!