Unveiling the Mysteries: What Happens When You Purify a 3-Star Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
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Purifying a 3-star Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO transforms it into a powerful, purified Pokémon with significantly enhanced stats. Specifically, each of its Individual Values (IVs) – Attack, Defense, and HP – will increase by +2. This means that a 3-star Shadow Pokémon, already boasting impressive IVs, will become a perfect 4-star Pokémon (also known as a “hundo”) with all IVs at 15, the maximum possible value. Additionally, the Pokémon will forget the Shadow-exclusive move “Frustration” and learn “Return,” a Charged Attack unique to purified Pokémon. The stardust and candy costs for powering up and evolving your purified Pokémon are also significantly reduced.
The Allure and Dilemma of Purifying a 3-Star Shadow
The decision to purify a 3-star Shadow Pokémon is one of the most agonizing in Pokémon GO. On one hand, you’re guaranteed to obtain a perfect IV Pokémon, a prized possession for any serious trainer. Perfect IVs translate to maximum Combat Power (CP) and optimal performance in battles. On the other hand, you are sacrificing the potent Shadow bonus, which increases attack damage by 20%. This bonus can be devastating, making Shadow Pokémon some of the most formidable attackers in the game.
The trade-off between a perfect IV Pokémon and the Shadow bonus creates a compelling dilemma. The ideal choice depends on the specific Pokémon, its role in your team, and your personal preferences.
The Immediate Transformation: From Shadow to Pure
When you purify a 3-star Shadow Pokémon, the following immediate changes occur:
- IV Increase: Each of the three IV stats (Attack, Defense, HP) gets a bonus of +2. A 3-star Shadow Pokémon already has at least 13 in each IV stat. This change brings each stat to the maximum 15, creating a perfect or “hundo” Pokemon.
- Move Change: It forgets the Shadow-exclusive Charged Attack “Frustration” (which cannot be TM’d away during special events) and learns the Purified-exclusive Charged Attack “Return.”
- Cosmetic Change: Its visual appearance changes, the red eyes and shadowy aura replaced by a bright, normal aesthetic.
- Reduced Costs: The Stardust and Candy costs for powering up, evolving, and teaching new moves are significantly reduced.
- Appraisal Increase: The in-game appraisal will reflect its new, perfect status, with all three bars filled and a 3-star rating highlighted.
Understanding the Shadow Bonus
The 20% damage bonus for Shadow Pokémon is a substantial advantage in raids and battles against Team GO Rocket Grunts and Leaders. While purified Pokémon gain a boost in their stats by increasing their IVs, they lose this powerful damage multiplier.
The key consideration is whether the increase in raw stats from purification outweighs the loss of the damage bonus. For some Pokémon, particularly those that are already exceptionally strong attackers in their Shadow form, the damage bonus is more valuable.
Return: The Purified Pokémon’s Signature Move
Return is a Charged Attack exclusive to purified Pokémon. It is a Normal-type move with decent damage output and is often considered a situational move. While it can be useful for chipping away at Protect Shields in PvP battles, it is generally not as powerful as other Charged Attacks that the Pokémon might learn through TMs.
However, there might be certain research tasks, or events that make Return useful or even necessary for progression.
When Should You Purify a 3-Star Shadow?
Purifying a 3-star Shadow Pokémon is most advantageous in the following scenarios:
- Completing a Perfect Pokédex: If you are striving to collect a perfect IV version of every Pokémon, purifying a 3-star Shadow is the easiest way to obtain a guaranteed perfect.
- Mega Evolution Potential: Some Pokémon have Mega Evolutions that benefit greatly from perfect IVs. If the 3-star Shadow Pokémon has a Mega Evolution, purifying it can create a powerful Mega for raids and battles.
- Resource Constraints: If you are low on Stardust and Candy, the reduced costs associated with purified Pokémon can make it easier to power up and evolve the Pokémon.
- Lack of Viable Shadow Attackers: If you already have a strong team of Shadow attackers and do not need another one, purifying the 3-star Shadow Pokémon might be a worthwhile investment.
When Should You Keep it Shadow?
The reasons to keep a 3-star Shadow Pokémon include:
- Meta-Relevant Attackers: Pokémon like Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Tyranitar, and Shadow Metagross are among the best attackers in the game, and their Shadow forms significantly outperform their purified counterparts.
- Maximizing Raid Damage: If your primary goal is to maximize damage output in raids, keeping the Pokémon as a Shadow is generally the best option.
- Preserving Rarity: A high IV Shadow Pokémon is relatively rare and can be a prized possession for collectors.
Ultimately, the decision rests on your specific goals and play style. There is no universally “right” or “wrong” answer.
Understanding the Purifying Process
To purify a Shadow Pokémon, you must select it from your Pokémon storage, and then press the “Purify” button. The amount of Candy and Stardust required for purification depends on the Pokémon’s species and rarity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Purifying Shadow Pokémon
1. Can you reverse the purification process?
No, once a Shadow Pokémon has been purified, the process cannot be reversed. It’s a one-way transformation. So, it is vital to be certain of the decision before going forward.
2. Does purifying a Shadow Pokémon change its type?
No, purifying a Shadow Pokémon does not alter its type. It retains its original elemental typing.
3. Does purifying a Shadow Pokémon affect its moveset beyond Frustration/Return?
Purifying only changes the Charged Attack. Frustration is replaced by Return. You can still use TMs to change its other attacks.
4. Can I purify a Shadow Legendary Pokémon?
Yes, you can purify Shadow Legendary Pokémon. However, purifying Legendaries is a more complex decision due to their rarity and high Stardust costs. Always weigh the pros and cons.
5. Is Return a good move for PvP?
Return can have its niche uses in PvP due to its high damage output for its energy cost. However, generally, there are better Charged Attack options available that offer coverage against different types.
6. Does purifying a Shadow Pokémon increase its CP?
Yes, purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its CP because its IVs increase.
7. Are purified Pokémon stronger than regular Pokémon with the same IVs?
A purified Pokemon with perfect IVs would be statistically the same as a regular Pokemon with perfect IVs. The only differences are the move Return and the purified aesthetic, along with the stardust discount.
8. Can you trade purified Pokémon?
Yes, purified Pokémon can be traded. However, trading a perfect IV Pokémon is generally not recommended, as the IVs are re-rolled during the trade.
9. Does purifying a Shadow Pokémon affect its eligibility for certain events or tasks?
Yes, some Special Research Tasks or events may require purifying a certain number of Shadow Pokémon.
10. Is it worth purifying a Shadow Pokémon with low IVs?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon with low IVs will give it a small stat boost, but it won’t make it a powerhouse. If it’s a common Pokémon, it is generally better to transfer it.
11. How do I remove Frustration from a Shadow Pokémon?
Frustration can only be removed during special Team GO Rocket events. During these events, you can use a Charged TM to replace Frustration with a different Charged Attack.
12. What happens if I evolve a Shadow Pokémon before purifying it?
Evolving a Shadow Pokémon before purifying it does not change the purification process. It will still gain the +2 IV boost to each stat upon purification.
13. Can Shadow Pokémon be shiny?
Yes, Shadow Pokémon can be shiny. Finding a shiny Shadow Pokémon is very rare, making them highly coveted by collectors.
14. How do I find Shadow Pokémon?
Shadow Pokémon are obtained by defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts at invaded PokéStops.
15. Are there any resources for learning more about Pokemon GO strategy?
Yes, there are many online resources for learning more about Pokémon GO strategy, including websites like GamePress, Pokémon GO Hub, and communities like Reddit’s r/PokemonGO. Furthermore, understanding the dynamics of gameplay and learning can be enhanced through resources available at Games Learning Society or by visiting GamesLearningSociety.org.
Choosing to purify a 3-star Shadow Pokémon is a pivotal decision in Pokémon GO. By understanding the mechanics, the trade-offs, and the potential benefits, you can make the most informed choice for your team and your play style. Good luck, Trainer!