What is 100 IV Pokémon GO? A Comprehensive Guide
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Understanding Individual Values (IVs) in Pokémon GO
In Pokémon GO, Individual Values (IVs) are hidden stats that affect a Pokémon’s overall potential and strength. Unlike Combat Power (CP), which is visible and increases with powering up, IVs are fixed when you catch a Pokémon and represent its inherent quality. A 100 IV Pokémon, also known as a perfect IV Pokémon, is a Pokémon that has the maximum possible values for its three base stats: Attack, Defense, and Stamina. Each of these stats can range from 0 to 15. Therefore, a 100 IV Pokémon has an Attack stat of 15, a Defense stat of 15, and a Stamina stat of 15. This totals 45, which is the maximum possible sum of IVs. Everything below that works out to being a percentage of the maximum possible stat of 45. For example, a Pokémon with 10 Attack, 10 Defense, and 12 Stamina has a total of 32, and would have an IV of approximately 71% (32/45).
Why are IVs important? They determine how high a Pokémon’s CP can ultimately go when it’s fully powered up. Even two Pokémon of the same species with the same CP level can perform differently in battles due to their IVs. A Pokémon with higher IVs will reach higher CP at its max level than a Pokémon with lower IVs. This makes 100 IV Pokémon highly desirable for trainers aiming to have the strongest possible teams.
How to Identify a 100 IV Pokémon
Appraisal System
The in-game appraisal system is your first tool for gauging IVs. When you appraise a Pokémon using your team leader (Spark, Candela, or Blanche), they will provide feedback on its best stat, and overall potential. A 3-star rating with a red background and a red three-star stamp is the indication of a perfect IV Pokémon. A gold three star rating indicates IVs that are around 82% to 98% perfect. However, the in-game appraisal system is vague in providing exact values.
Third-Party Apps
For precise IV readings, many trainers use third-party apps like PokeGenie (available for iOS and Android). These apps use screenshots to provide a detailed analysis of a Pokémon’s IVs. The iOS version requires you just to take a screenshot of your Pokémon and upload it, while the Android version will let you check IVs from within the app with the tap of a button. These apps are much more accurate in determining if a Pokémon is perfect and show its exact stat numbers.
The Rarity of 100 IV Pokémon
Wild Encounters
Finding a 100 IV Pokémon in the wild is rare. The base chance of encountering a perfect IV Pokémon is 1 in 4,096, which translates to roughly 0.0244% portability.
Weather Boosted Encounters
The odds of encountering a 100 IV Pokémon improve when you encounter a Pokémon during weather boost. A weather-boosted wild catch boosts your odds to 1 in 1,728. Although a higher odds rate, it is still quite rare to find a perfect IV during this condition.
Is a 100 IV Pokémon Always the Best?
While having a 100 IV Pokémon is excellent for maximizing its CP, it’s not always the deciding factor. In the majority of cases, the benefits of a 100 IV are not significant to the point that the difference between a maxed out Dragonite with 0% IVs and 100% IVs is 3,141 and 3,581 respectively. For many trainers, having a Pokémon with good or higher IVs is sufficient. However, those who aim for perfection and competitive battling may always choose to seek out 100 IV Pokémon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do IVs affect a Pokémon’s CP?
IVs determine the potential of a Pokémon. Two Pokémon of the same species and level may have different CP if their IVs differ. Higher IVs means a higher max CP. CP is a combination of IV and level of a Pokémon. So, same level higher IVs Pokemon will have higher CP.
2. Is it better to power up or evolve first in Pokémon GO?
Generally, it’s recommended to **evolve first, then power up**. Evolving changes base stats but not the level or IVs. It is more efficient in the long run to power up Pokemon after you evolve them that will be used in battles often.
3. Should I keep or release 0-star Pokémon?
It’s generally better to **release 0-star Pokémon** as storage space is limited. However, if you lack another of that species, keep it until a better IV version appears. A fully 0% IV Pokémon is extremely rare and some players may want to keep it just for the rarity.
4. How often can you get a 100 IV Pokémon?
The chance of finding a **100 IV Pokémon in the wild is 1 in 4,096 (0.0244%)** and 1 in 1,728 when weather-boosted. This makes them incredibly rare.
5. Can you change a Pokémon’s IVs?
Unfortunately, you **cannot change IVs** after catching a Pokémon. Some IVs may change slightly after trading with another player. Purification is the only way to increase IVs through shadow pokemon.
6. Are shiny Pokémon more likely to have good IVs?
**No**, shiny Pokémon are not statistically more likely to have good IVs. Shiny status is separate from IVs. There is a 1 in 500 chance of encountering a shiny in the wild. There is a 1 in 62.5 chance for very rare wild spawns.
7. Is CP or star rating more important?
**Star rating represents potential** while **CP represents the current state**. A 3 star pokemon with higher CP means its overall potential is higher. Generally, CP is your best indicator of your strongest fighters (but there are many more factors).
8. How do I use the Appraisal system in Pokémon GO?
To use the Appraisal system, tap a Pokémon, then the menu button, and select “Appraise”. Your team leader will assess your Pokémon’s stats and provide feedback on its best stat.
9. Is it worth keeping 1-star shadow Pokémon?
Yes, it is worth keeping shadow pokemon because they have boosted attack power, making their fast attack hit harder.
10. Should I purify Shadow Pokémon?
Generally, it is better to **keep Shadow Pokemon unpurified** due to their 20% attack boost.
11. Can 0 IV Pokémon have a use?
A **0 IV is only good for speed**. It may be advantageous for some Pokémon in certain formats to have a zero speed IV.
12. Are low IV Pokémon bad?
**No**, low IV Pokémon are not useless. While higher IVs are important for top-tier defenders and attackers, low IV Pokémon can still be useful. The difference in CP is usually negligble.
13. Should I only evolve 3-star Pokémon?
Not necessarily. A higher CP 0-star may be worth evolving over a low CP 3-star. Choose based on a combination of CP and stars.
14. What is the meaning of 3* and 4* in Pokemon GO?
**3* = 3 Stars**. **4* = 3 Stars with a red background / 100% Pokémon**.
15. What are storage expansions and how to get them?
Storage Expansions can be bought for 200 Coins at the Shop. This will add 50 slots to the storage if purchased. Players can have up to 6250 Pokemon at max storage.
Conclusion
Understanding and appreciating 100 IV Pokémon is a crucial part of mastering Pokémon GO. While they are rare, their potential makes them highly sought after for serious players. By using the in-game appraisal system and third-party apps, trainers can identify these valuable specimens and make informed decisions when building their teams. Remember, having high IV Pokémon is just one part of the equation; strategic team composition, move sets, and smart battling are all key to success in the world of Pokémon GO.