What Happens When You Evolve a Perfect Pokemon? A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’ve snagged yourself a perfect Pokemon – a creature with 100% IVs (Individual Values), boasting the absolute best possible stats for its species. Congratulations! This is a rare and exciting moment for any Pokemon Go trainer. Now, the big question: what happens when you evolve this prized possession? The short answer: absolutely nothing bad! Evolving a perfect Pokemon simply transforms it into a perfect version of its evolved form. Its IVs remain unchanged, ensuring it continues to be a top-tier contender. You essentially get a perfect Charizard from a perfect Charmander, a perfect Blastoise from a perfect Squirtle, and so on. Let’s delve deeper into the implications and considerations surrounding evolving your perfect Pokemon, along with some frequently asked questions.
Understanding IVs and Evolution
Individual Values (IVs): The Genetic Code
IVs are like a Pokemon’s genetic code. These hidden stats, ranging from 0 to 15 in Attack, Defense, and HP, are inherent and do not change when you power up, evolve, or trade (though trading has its own IV re-roll mechanic). A perfect Pokemon has 15/15/15 in all three categories.
The Evolution Process: Metamorphosis, Not Mutation
Evolution is a fundamental mechanic in Pokemon Go, transforming a Pokemon into a stronger form. However, this transformation primarily affects the base stats of the Pokemon, its movepool, and its CP (Combat Power). It does not alter the underlying IVs. Therefore, the perfect IVs of your initial Pokemon are preserved throughout its evolutionary line.
Should You Evolve Your Perfect Pokemon?
The answer is almost always a resounding yes! A perfect Pokemon represents the pinnacle of potential. Evolving it unlocks that potential, leading to a significantly more powerful creature that can excel in raids, Gym battles, and even PvP (Player vs. Player) combat. Holding back on evolution due to concerns about losing its perfect status is unfounded. Embrace the metamorphosis and unleash its full power.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Evolving Perfect Pokemon
1. Will my 100% IVs disappear if I evolve?
No. IVs are permanent and unaffected by evolution. Your perfect Pokemon will evolve into a perfect version of its next form.
2. Should I power up my perfect Pokemon before or after evolving?
It doesn’t matter. Powering up increases a Pokemon’s level, which affects its CP. Evolution only changes the base stats, not the level or IVs. The final CP will be the same regardless of when you power up.
3. What if my evolved perfect Pokemon gets a bad moveset?
This is a valid concern. The moves a Pokemon learns upon evolution are random. If you get an undesirable moveset, you can use Charged TMs and Fast TMs to re-roll them. Elite TMs can even grant access to exclusive or legacy moves.
4. Are perfect Shadow Pokemon more valuable than perfect regular Pokemon?
This is a complex question. Shadow Pokemon deal more damage (20% boost) but take more damage (20% reduction in defense). A 0 IV Shadow Pokemon can often outperform a 100% IV regular Pokemon in damage output. However, the fragility of Shadow Pokemon is something to consider. Whether a perfect Shadow is more valuable depends on the specific Pokemon, its role in your team, and your playstyle.
5. Should I purify a perfect Shadow Pokemon?
Generally, no. Purifying a Shadow Pokemon converts it into a regular Pokemon, removing the damage boost. While purification does increase IVs, it’s not worth sacrificing the Shadow bonus for a perfect regular Pokemon if the shadow is a decent attacker to begin with. However, there can be exceptions. If the purified form gains access to a Mega Evolution, it may be worth considering due to the powerful stats a Mega Evolved Pokémon offers.
6. Can I make a non-perfect Pokemon perfect through purification or other means?
Purifying a Shadow Pokemon adds +2 to each of its IV stats. However, this cannot make a non-perfect Pokemon perfect unless it was very close to perfection to begin with. No other methods exist within Pokemon Go to change existing IVs (except the IV re-roll upon trading).
7. Are there any Pokemon that I shouldn’t evolve, even if they are perfect?
Certain Pokemon may be useful in their pre-evolved forms for specific PvP leagues where lower CP is beneficial. In such cases, even a perfect IV Pokemon might be best left unevolved, though this is situational. However, in most cases, evolving a perfect Pokemon is generally the best course of action.
8. How rare are perfect Pokemon?
Perfect Pokemon are relatively rare. The odds of encountering a wild Pokemon with perfect IVs are approximately 1 in 4096. Research tasks, raids, and eggs offer improved odds, but they still remain scarce. Lucky trades can also help re-roll IV’s and improve odds.
9. What happens if I evolve a lucky Pokemon with perfect IVs?
Just like any other Pokemon, the evolution will preserve the 100% IVs and the Lucky status remains. The resulting evolved form will also require less Stardust to power up.
10. Is it worth evolving a Shiny Pokemon with bad IVs?
This depends on your priorities. If you want the shiny Dex entry or simply like the shiny form, yes. IVs are less important for casual collectors. However, if you are a competitive player, you might consider trading the shiny to re-roll the IVs or focus on finding a shiny with better stats.
11. Should I evolve a Pokemon with a Community Day exclusive move before or after the event ends?
Evolve during the Community Day hours (or the designated extended time) to guarantee the Community Day exclusive move. Evolving after the event may result in a random, non-exclusive move, requiring an Elite TM to obtain the desired Community Day move later.
12. Does evolving a perfect Pokemon change its size (XS or XL)?
No, the size of a Pokemon (XS or XL) is a separate attribute and does not change during evolution.
13. Does evolving a Pokemon change its Appraisal?
The Appraisal will remain at the highest tier if the Pokemon is a perfect IV before evolving. The appraisal system will continue to indicate that it’s a standout Pokemon with the best stats.
14. If I have two perfect Pokemon, should I evolve both?
If resources allow, absolutely! Having multiple perfect Pokemon of the same species is a boon for raids and Gym battles. Having a diverse team of strong attackers is key to success.
15. Are there resources to help me understand more about Pokemon Go IVs and Stats?
Yes! Learning about IVs, EVs, and stats can be a fun part of understanding Pokémon Go. Many players enjoy collaborating on ways to improve games like Pokémon Go, and you can learn more about this type of learning through games at the Games Learning Society website.
Conclusion
Evolving a perfect Pokemon in Pokemon Go is a cause for celebration, not trepidation. Embrace the evolution, unlock its full potential, and watch your prized possession dominate the battlefield. Just remember to consider the moveset, Community Day events, and the Shadow/purification aspect for optimal results. Happy training! For more information and insights into the world of gaming and learning, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.