Unlocking the Rarity: What Are the Chances of Getting a 0 IV Pokemon?

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In the fascinating world of Pokémon GO, Individual Values (IVs) play a crucial role in determining a Pokémon’s potential. While many trainers strive for perfect 100% IV Pokémon, a peculiar allure surrounds those with 0 IVs, often called “Nundos”. So, what are the odds of landing one of these seemingly undesirable, yet remarkably rare creatures? In the wild, each IV (Attack, Defense, and HP) has an equal chance of rolling any value between 0 and 31. This means you have a 1 in 32 (or 3.125%) chance of getting a 0 for each individual stat. Therefore, the odds of encountering a Pokémon with 0 IVs in all three stats are (1/32) * (1/32) * (1/32), resulting in a 1 in 32,768 (or 0.00305%) chance.

Decoding IVs and Rarity

Understanding IVs is the first step to appreciating the rarity of a 0 IV Pokémon. Each Pokémon has three IVs: Attack, Defense, and HP. These values, ranging from 0 to 31, are hidden stats that influence how high a Pokémon’s Combat Power (CP) and hit points can ultimately reach when powered up. A Pokémon with perfect 31 IVs in all three stats represents the pinnacle of its species’ potential.

Why Are 0 IV Pokemon Rare?

The inherent rarity of a “Nundo” stems from several factors:

• RNG (Random Number Generation): As mentioned, the game randomly assigns IVs upon encountering a Pokémon. The odds are stacked against all three IVs being zero.
• Encounter Limitations: Certain encounter methods, such as raids, eggs, research tasks, and guaranteed trades, have IV floors. This means that a Pokémon obtained through these methods cannot have 0 IVs.
• Trading Complications: While trading can yield a 0 IV Pokémon, the IVs are re-rolled during the trade. Furthermore, Friendship levels increase the minimum IVs guaranteed in a trade, making it more difficult to obtain a Nundo through trading with higher-level friends. Trading with strangers and hoping for a 0/0/0 re-roll has a mere 1/4096 chance.

Debunking Myths About 0 IV Pokémon

There is a misconception that 0 IV Pokémon are entirely useless. However, they hold a unique appeal for collectors and can even have niche uses:

• Collector’s Items: The sheer rarity of a Nundo makes it a prized possession for collectors who appreciate the challenge of finding one.
• Low-CP PvP: Some trainers use 0 IV Pokémon in specific Player vs. Player (PvP) scenarios where a lower CP is advantageous, such as in the Great League or Little Cup.
• Foul Play Mitigation: In the main series Pokémon games, a low Attack IV could be beneficial to minimize damage from the move “Foul Play” or self-inflicted damage from confusion. (This benefit does not directly translate to Pokémon GO)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide additional valuable information about 0 IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO:

1. Are 0 IV Pokémon good for anything in Pokémon GO? While not ideal for general battling or gym defense, 0 IV Pokémon can be valuable collector’s items and might have niche uses in certain PvP formats where a lower CP is beneficial.

2. Can I get a 0 IV Pokémon from raids? No, Pokémon obtained from raids have a minimum IV floor of 10/10/10, making it impossible to get a 0 IV Pokémon from this source.

3. Do eggs hatch 0 IV Pokémon? Similar to raids, Pokémon hatched from eggs have a minimum IV floor, preventing them from having 0 IVs.

4. Is it possible to get a 0 IV Legendary Pokémon? The only way to get a 0% legendary is through trading, probably only with strangers, since IV floors go up with Friendship level. There is a 1/4096 chance of rolling it through trading.

5. Does my friendship level affect the chances of getting a 0 IV Pokémon in a trade? Yes, higher Friendship levels guarantee higher minimum IVs during trades, making it harder to obtain a 0 IV Pokémon. You are more likely to get one when trading with acquaintances and friends.

6. Are 0 IV Pokémon rarer than 100 IV Pokémon? Yes, 0 IV Pokémon are significantly rarer than 100 IV Pokémon because of the IV floors in raids, eggs, and research tasks. There’s no realistic way to check every single Pokemon.

7. Should I keep 0 star Pokémon? Whether you keep a 0-star Pokémon depends on your priorities. If you are a collector or find value in their rarity, you may want to keep them. However, if you are limited by Pokémon Storage space, releasing them might be a better option.

8. What does a 0* appraisal mean? A 0* appraisal indicates that the Pokémon has relatively low IVs, but not necessarily all 0 IVs. A 0* rating generally indicates a Pokémon with IV totals ranging from 0 to 14 out of a possible 45.

9. Can all IVs be 0? Yes, all three IVs (Attack, Defense, and HP) can be 0.

10. Why would someone want a 0 Attack IV? In the main series games, a low Attack IV minimizes damage from the move Foul Play and reduces self-inflicted damage from confusion. These benefits do not directly transfer to Pokemon GO.

11. What are the chances of getting a 6 IV Pokemon? If you have a 6 IV Ditto and a five IV parent your odds for a 6IV pokemon are: 1.8229% of the time or 1 out of every 54.8571 eggs.

12. Is Ditto rare in Pokemon GO? Yes, Ditto can be considered rare. Ditto only has a 3% encounter rate.

13. What are IVs? IVs show a Pokemon’s potential within their own species. A perfect IV Pokemon, when fully levelled up, will be as powerful as that particular species can be.

14. Did IVs exist in Gen 1? In Generation I and II, only four IVs are stored for each individual Pokémon: Attack, Defense, Speed, and Special. Each of these is used to determine their associated stat, with the HP IV determined from the IVs stored for the other four. IVs range from 0-15 (in binary 0000-1111).

15. What is my rarest Pokémon GO? At the time of writing, Larvesta and Volcarona are two of the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon Go. This is because, even though Larvesta can be obtained from 2km, 5km and 10km eggs, it sits on the highest rarity tier. Due to this, it may take you a very long time to hatch a Larvesta.

Conclusion

Hunting for 0 IV Pokémon is a test of patience and dedication, a pursuit driven by the thrill of the chase and the allure of the unconventional. While they may not be powerhouses in battle, their rarity makes them valuable trophies for dedicated collectors. Whether you are a seasoned trainer or a curious newcomer, understanding the odds and nuances of IVs adds another layer of depth to the engaging world of Pokémon GO. The Games Learning Society explores how games influence learning. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more! So keep exploring, keep catching, and perhaps one day you’ll stumble upon the elusive Nundo, a testament to the unpredictable nature of Pokémon GO. The rarity of a Nundo makes it a valuable trophy for dedicated collectors.