Deciphering the Stars: Understanding Appraisal Ratings in Pokémon GO

In the world of Pokémon GO, catching ‘em all is just the beginning. To truly excel, you need to understand the hidden potential of your Pokémon. That’s where the appraisal system and its star ratings come in. These stars (0* to 4*) provide a quick and easy way to gauge the Individual Values (IVs) of your Pokémon, effectively measuring how close they are to being statistically perfect.

• 0 Stars (0*): Indicates a Pokémon with very low IVs, ranging from 0% to approximately 48.9%.
• 1 Star (1*): Represents a Pokémon with slightly better IVs, falling between approximately 51.1% and 64.4%.
• 2 Stars (2*): Signifies a Pokémon with reasonably good IVs, ranging from approximately 66.7% to 80%.
• 3 Stars (3*): Denotes a Pokémon with excellent IVs, typically ranging from approximately 82.2% to 97.8%.
• 4 Stars (4*): This is the holy grail! A 4-star Pokémon boasts perfect IVs (100%), meaning all its stats (Attack, Defense, and HP) are maxed out. The appraisal screen will also have a red background to easily differentiate it from a normal 3-star.

These stars make it much easier to decide which Pokémon to invest in. You can quickly filter through your collection, keeping the powerful ones and transferring the weaker ones to Professor Willow for candy. Understanding this system is crucial for success in raids, Gym battles, and Trainer Battles.

Diving Deeper: Individual Values (IVs) and Their Impact

IVs, though invisible, play a crucial role in determining a Pokémon’s maximum Combat Power (CP) and overall battle prowess. Each Pokémon possesses three IVs: Attack, Defense, and HP (Hit Points), each ranging from 0 to 15. These values are added to the Pokémon’s base stats, influencing its performance in battle.

A Pokémon with perfect IVs (15/15/15) will always be stronger than a Pokémon of the same species and level with lower IVs. While the difference might seem small at lower levels, it becomes increasingly significant as you power up your Pokémon. The closer your Pokémon’s IVs are to perfect, the stronger it will ultimately be. Keep in mind that even though a Pokémon may have great IVs, its CP is also important. A Pokémon’s level affects its CP, and ultimately its battle effectiveness.

Using the Appraisal System Effectively

The in-game appraisal system is your primary tool for assessing IVs. By tapping on a Pokémon and selecting “Appraise,” you’ll hear your team leader (Candela, Blanche, or Spark) provide insights into the Pokémon’s strengths. Pay close attention to their comments, as they offer clues about which stats are the highest.

However, the appraisal system doesn’t reveal the exact IV values. The star ratings give you a broad overview of the Pokémon’s IV range. For more precise IV calculations, you can use third-party IV calculators or apps. These tools require you to input your Pokémon’s CP, HP, Stardust cost to power up, and the appraisal comments from your team leader. These calculators then provide a range of possible IV combinations, allowing you to narrow down the exact values. Keep in mind that using third-party apps might violate the terms of service for Pokémon GO, so proceed with caution and use them at your own risk.

Beyond IVs: Other Factors to Consider

While IVs are important, they aren’t the only factors that determine a Pokémon’s usefulness. Other considerations include:

• Moveset: A Pokémon’s moveset (the attacks it uses) significantly impacts its effectiveness in battle. Some moves are simply more powerful or have better type coverage than others.
• Type: A Pokémon’s type and weaknesses are also important. A Pokémon with excellent IVs but a poor type matchup might still struggle against certain opponents.
• Availability: Some Pokémon are rarer than others. If you have a rare Pokémon with decent IVs, it might be worth investing in, even if it’s not perfect.
• Shiny Status: A Shiny Pokémon is a rare, color-variant of a particular species. If a Shiny has terrible stats, it can still be worth keeping, purely for the rarity and flex value!

The Rarity of Perfect IVs

Finding a 4-star Pokémon (a “hundo”) is a cause for celebration. The odds of encountering one in the wild are relatively low. However, certain methods increase your chances:

• Raids: Pokémon caught from raids have a higher IV floor, meaning they’re guaranteed to have at least decent IVs.
• Eggs: Hatching Pokémon from eggs also guarantees a higher IV floor than wild encounters.
• Research Tasks: Some research tasks reward encounters with Pokémon that have boosted IVs.
• Trades: Lucky Pokémon acquired through trades always have great IVs.
• Weather Boost: Wild catches will get a significant odds boost when weather-boosted.

The pursuit of perfect IV Pokémon can be an engaging long-term goal for dedicated players.

FAQs: Appraisal Stars in Pokémon GO

Here are some frequently asked questions about appraisal stars in Pokémon GO:

What is the actual range of IV% for the stars?

• 0 Stars: 0% – 48.9%
• 1 Star: 51.1% – 64.4%
• 2 Stars: 66.7% – 80%
• 3 Stars: 82.2% – 97.8%
• 4 Stars: 100%

Are 0* Pokémon always useless?

Not necessarily. While they have low IVs, they can still be useful in some situations, such as:

• Leaving them in Gyms to deter casual attackers.
• Filling out your Pokédex if you don’t have a better specimen.
• Trading with friends in hopes of getting a Lucky Pokémon.
• If it’s Shiny!

Should I always transfer Pokémon with 0* or 1*?

Generally, yes. However, consider the Pokémon’s rarity, moveset, and your specific needs before transferring. If you’re short on a particular Pokémon for a raid or Gym battle, even a low-IV specimen might be helpful temporarily. Also, remember the Shiny Pokémon caveat!

How can I improve my chances of finding 4* Pokémon?

Participate in raids, hatch eggs, complete research tasks, and trade with friends to increase your chances of encountering Pokémon with higher IVs.

Is it worth powering up a 3* Pokémon that isn’t 100%?

Absolutely! A 3* Pokémon with high IVs (80-99%) is still a very strong contender and well worth the investment, especially if you need it for raids or Gym battles.

What’s more important: IVs or CP?

Both are important. CP reflects a Pokémon’s overall strength, while IVs represent its potential. A high-CP Pokémon with low IVs might be stronger in the short term, but a lower-CP Pokémon with high IVs will eventually surpass it with enough power-ups.

Can I change a Pokémon’s IVs?

No, IVs are fixed at the time of encounter or hatching and cannot be changed.

Are IVs the same for all Pokémon of the same species?

No, IVs are randomly generated for each individual Pokémon.

Do weather boosts affect IVs?

Yes and no. Weather boosts don’t directly affect IVs, but they increase the level of wild Pokémon you encounter, which can indirectly lead to higher CP and potentially better IVs. Weather boosts ensure the Pokémon is at least level 6 if it is un-boosted.

How do Lucky Pokémon affect IVs?

Lucky Pokémon are guaranteed to have higher IVs than regular Pokémon, with a minimum of 12 in each stat (Attack, Defense, and HP).

Is it possible to find a 0% IV Pokémon?

Yes, it’s rare but possible to find a Pokémon with all 0 IVs. These are often referred to as “nundos.”

Are Nundos rarer than Hundos?

Yes, the likelihood of catching a Nundo is considered lower than catching a Hundo, because the IV floor is raised in many encounter methods (trades, raids, etc.)

What is the highest possible CP in Pokémon GO?

The highest possible CP varies depending on the Pokémon and the current game version. Strong contenders include Mewtwo, Slaking, and Kyogre.

Does Team Rocket affect IVs?

No. Team Rocket battles increase the level that a Pokemon spawns at when you defeat a member, but don’t affect the individual IVs.

Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?

You can explore the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to discover how games can be powerful tools for education and learning. This organization investigates the intersection of games and learning. You can also check out a local gaming convention!

Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Appraisal

Understanding appraisal ratings and IVs is a key step towards becoming a truly skilled Pokémon GO trainer. By carefully evaluating your Pokémon and strategically investing in the best specimens, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer raids, dominate Gyms, and rise to the top of the Trainer Battle leaderboard. Happy hunting, and may your catches be ever in your favor!