Unlocking the Secrets of Pokémon GO Appraisals: A Trainer’s Guide to IV Percentages
The Pokémon GO appraisal system is designed to give players an easy way to assess a Pokémon’s potential in battle. Appraisals, delivered by your team leader, boil down to a star rating that corresponds to a range of Individual Values (IVs), expressed as a percentage. Here’s a breakdown:
- Zero Stars: 0% – 48.9% IVs
- One Star: 51.1% – 64.4% IVs
- Two Stars: 66.7% – 80% IVs
- Three Stars: 82.2% – 97.8% IVs
- Three Stars with a Red Background (often referred to as 4-star Pokémon): 100% IVs
Understanding these percentages is crucial for any trainer looking to build a strong team and dominate in raids, gyms, and PvP battles. Now, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions to further clarify the appraisal system and its implications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pokémon GO Appraisals
Here are 15 FAQs designed to help you understand the appraisal system better and make informed decisions about your Pokémon.
1. What exactly are IVs, and why do they matter?
IVs, or Individual Values, are hidden stats that each Pokémon possesses in addition to their base stats. These values range from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and HP. They directly impact a Pokémon’s Combat Power (CP) and performance in battles. A Pokémon with high IVs will always be stronger than one with lower IVs of the same species and at the same CP level. In essence, they represent a Pokémon’s genetic potential.
2. How rare is a perfect (100% IV) Pokémon?
Finding a Pokémon with perfect IVs (100%) is quite rare. While catch rates vary, many trainers report catching thousands of Pokémon before encountering a single one with perfect IVs. The rarity also depends on the method of encounter. Pokémon obtained from raids, research tasks, eggs, and trades have a minimum IV floor, making a 0% IV Pokémon impossible to obtain through those methods. Wild catches provide the only opportunity to catch Pokemon with the lowest IVs.
3. Does the appraisal system replace manual IV checkers?
The appraisal system is a simplified method for gauging a Pokémon’s IVs. While it provides a general range, it doesn’t give the exact IV values for each stat. Third-party IV checkers can still provide more precise information, but their use may violate the game’s terms of service and is not advised. The in-game appraisal system is designed to give players an easy, and approved, method of understanding a Pokémon’s potential.
4. Are 0-star Pokémon completely useless?
Not necessarily. 0-star Pokémon can still be useful, especially in leagues with CP caps like the Great League (max 1500 CP) or the Ultra League (max 2500 CP). If a 0-star Pokémon has high enough CP to be viable in these leagues, it might be worth keeping. However, if its CP exceeds the league’s limit, it will be ineligible for battles. Additionally, they can be used for trading.
5. Is CP or the star rating more important?
Both CP and the star rating (IV range) are important, but they serve different purposes. CP represents a Pokémon’s current strength, while the star rating represents its potential. A 3-star Pokémon with lower CP can be powered up to exceed the CP of a 0-star Pokémon of the same species. Generally, CP is the best indicator of immediate fighting strength, but IVs dictate long-term potential.
6. How does weather boost affect appraisal?
Weather boost increases the CP and level of wild Pokémon, but it does not directly affect their IVs. A weather-boosted Pokémon can have any IV combination, just like any other wild encounter.
7. Should I evolve a Pokémon before appraising it?
It doesn’t matter if you evolve a Pokemon before appraising. Evolving a Pokémon only changes the base stats, not the level or IVs. The CP a Pokemon gets won’t change whether you appraise and power up before evolving or not.
8. Should I evolve a 3-star Pokémon with low CP or a 0-star Pokémon with high CP?
This depends on your resources and goals. If you have limited Candy and Stardust, evolving the 0-star Pokémon with high CP might be more practical, at least for immediate use. However, if both Pokémon have low CP and you plan to invest in powering up, the 3-star Pokémon is the better long-term investment because of its superior potential.
9. What is the significance of the red stamp on a 3-star appraisal?
The red stamp on a 3-star appraisal signifies that the Pokémon has perfect IVs (100%). This is the highest possible appraisal and indicates that the Pokémon has maximized stat growth potential.
10. Are Lucky Pokémon always 3 stars?
While Lucky Pokémon are not always 3 stars, they are guaranteed to have high IVs. Lucky Pokémon have an IV floor of 12/12/12 for Attack, Defense, and HP, respectively. These Pokémon will typically have a 3 star appraisal, but not always 100% IVs.
11. Should I purify Shadow Pokémon for better appraisals?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs, potentially raising its appraisal rating. However, Shadow Pokémon often deal more damage than their purified counterparts, making them more valuable in raids. Consider your goals and resources before purifying, as it is a costly process. Also, certain shadow pokemon are incredibly rare, and should not be purified.
12. Do appraisals matter for PvP battles?
Yes, appraisals matter significantly for PvP battles. In formats like the Great League and Ultra League, where CP is capped, IVs can make a crucial difference. A Pokémon with optimized IVs for a specific league can outperform one with less desirable IVs. The Games Learning Society researches the ways that games teach us, and in Pokemon Go, it is IVs that teach us the hidden statistics of the monsters we capture. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
13. Why can’t I appraise some Pokémon?
There could be several reasons why you can’t appraise a Pokémon. One common reason is that the Pokémon is currently assigned as your buddy. You must remove it as your buddy before you can appraise it. There may also be temporary glitches within the game that prevent appraisals. Restarting the app or waiting a short time can often resolve these issues.
14. How do appraisals relate to a Pokémon’s moveset?
A Pokémon’s appraisal (IVs) is entirely independent of its moveset. A Pokémon can have excellent IVs but a poor moveset, or vice versa. While IVs determine a Pokémon’s stat potential, the moveset determines its effectiveness in battle. Ideally, you want a Pokémon with both high IVs and a good moveset.
15. Should I transfer Pokémon with low IVs?
Generally, transferring Pokémon with low IVs is a good practice, especially if you’re short on storage space. Keeping only high-IV Pokémon allows you to focus your resources on those with the greatest potential. However, you might consider keeping some low-IV Pokémon for trading or completing specific research tasks. Additionally, it is worth noting that 0% IV Pokemon are rarer than 100% IV pokemon, and may be worth keeping, to some players, for that reason.
Understanding the nuances of Pokémon GO’s appraisal system is essential for any trainer aiming to optimize their gameplay. By leveraging this knowledge and making informed decisions about which Pokémon to invest in, you can build a formidable team and excel in all aspects of the game. Happy catching!