Unlocking the Secrets of 4* Pokémon in Pokémon GO: Your Ultimate Guide
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In Pokémon GO, a 4* Pokémon represents the pinnacle of potential. It signifies a Pokémon with perfect Individual Values (IVs) across all its stats: Attack, Defense, and HP. This means each stat has a maximum value of 15, resulting in a Pokémon with a 100% IV rating. Finding a 4* Pokémon is a significant achievement for any trainer, as these Pokémon boast the highest possible Combat Power (CP) potential when fully powered up. This makes them highly desirable for raids, Gym battles, and Player vs. Player (PvP) combat.
Understanding IVs and Appraisal
Before diving deeper, let’s quickly recap what IVs are and how to identify them. IVs are hidden stats that each Pokémon possesses, contributing to its overall strength. They are fixed and do not change unless you trade the Pokémon.
The game provides a feature called Appraisal to help you evaluate a Pokémon’s IVs. When you appraise a Pokémon, your team leader (Candela, Blanche, or Spark) will give you feedback on its strengths, ultimately leading to a star rating.
- 0 Stars: 0-48.9% IVs
- 1 Star: 51.1-64.4% IVs
- 2 Stars: 66.7-80% IVs
- 3 Stars: 82.2-97.8% IVs
- 4 Stars: 100% IVs (Perfect IVs)
The 4-star rating is easily identifiable by its red background, clearly indicating a Pokémon with perfect stats. However, simply having a 4* Pokémon doesn’t automatically make it the best choice. The Pokémon’s type, moveset, and role in your team are equally important considerations.
Why 4* Pokémon Matter
The main reason trainers covet 4* Pokémon is their superior potential CP. A 4* Pokémon, when powered up to its maximum level, will always have a higher CP than a Pokémon of the same species with lower IVs. This translates to stronger attacks, better defense, and overall improved performance in battles.
While the difference in CP between a 4* and a lower-IV Pokémon may seem small initially, it becomes more significant at higher levels. In the endgame, those extra few hundred CP points can make the difference between winning and losing a raid or Gym battle.
Are 4* Pokémon Always the Best Choice?
While 4* Pokémon are undeniably valuable, it’s essential to remember that they’re not always the absolute best option in every situation. Here’s why:
- Moveset: A Pokémon’s moveset (the combination of its fast and charged attacks) significantly impacts its performance. A 4* Pokémon with a suboptimal moveset might be less effective than a lower-IV Pokémon with an ideal moveset.
- Type Matchups: Understanding type matchups is crucial in Pokémon GO. A 4* Pokémon might be less effective against certain opponents due to its type vulnerabilities.
- Resource Investment: Powering up a Pokémon to its maximum level requires a significant investment of Stardust and Candy. Before committing to powering up a 4* Pokémon, consider its long-term utility and whether you have the resources to max it out.
- Specific League Restrictions: Certain PvP leagues in Pokémon GO (Great League, Ultra League) have CP restrictions. In these leagues, Pokémon with lower Attack IVs and higher Defense and HP IVs can sometimes perform better, as they can reach a higher level within the CP limit.
- Shadow Pokémon: Shadow Pokemon get a 20% attack boost, but take 20% more damage. Shadow Pokémon with good (but not perfect) IVs can sometimes be more powerful than regular 4* Pokemon.
Finding 4* Pokémon
The hunt for 4* Pokémon can be a thrilling, albeit sometimes frustrating, experience. Here are some methods to increase your chances:
- Raids: Pokémon caught from raids have a higher IV floor, increasing your chances of finding a 4* Pokémon. Legendary and Mythical Pokémon from raids are particularly desirable.
- Research Tasks: Certain research tasks reward encounters with Pokémon that also have an increased IV floor.
- Eggs: Hatching Pokémon from eggs also provides an increased IV floor compared to wild encounters.
- Trades: While trading rerolls IVs, Lucky Trades guarantee a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12, significantly increasing your chances of getting a 4* Pokémon.
- Weather Boost: Catching Pokémon in weather-boosted conditions can also slightly increase their IVs.
- Purified Pokémon: Purifying a Shadow Pokémon will increase each of its IVs by 2 points. A Shadow Pokemon close to perfect IV can be purified to achieve 4 stars!
Keep in mind that regardless of the method you choose, finding a 4* Pokémon requires a significant amount of luck and persistence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to 4* Pokémon in Pokémon GO:
What is the exact probability of finding a 4* Pokémon in the wild?
The base probability of finding a 4* Pokémon in the wild is 1 in 4,096 (approximately 0.0244%). However, this probability increases with encounters from raids, research tasks, eggs, and Lucky Trades.
Are weather-boosted Pokémon more likely to be 4*?
While weather boost does not guarantee a 4* Pokémon, it does affect the minimum level of Pokémon you encounter in the wild. Boosted wild catches give you a significant odds boost.
Should I always evolve a 4* Pokémon as soon as I get it?
It is generally a good idea to evolve a 4* Pokémon, but not always immediately. Check the potential moveset of the evolved form before investing Candy. You can use online resources to compare movesets and determine the optimal evolution path.
Is it worth using a TM to change a 4* Pokémon’s move if it has a bad moveset?
Yes, if you have a 4* Pokémon with a poor moveset, it is generally worth using a TM (Technical Machine) to change its moves. However, keep in mind that TMs are a valuable resource, so use them judiciously.
How do Lucky Trades affect the chances of getting a 4* Pokémon?
Lucky Trades guarantee a minimum IV of 12/12/12. This significantly increases your chances of getting a 4* Pokémon to approximately 1 in 64.
Can Shadow Pokémon be 4*?
Yes, Shadow Pokémon can be 4. Finding a 4 Shadow Pokémon is even rarer than finding a regular 4* Pokémon.
Should I purify a 3* Shadow Pokémon to make it a 4*?
This depends on your preferences. Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs by 2 in each stat. However, Shadow Pokémon have a 20% damage bonus, which can make them more powerful than their purified counterparts, even with slightly lower IVs. Consider the specific Pokémon and its role in your team before deciding.
What is more important, CP or IVs?
Both CP and IVs are important, but they represent different things. CP is a measure of a Pokémon’s current strength, while IVs represent its potential. In the long run, IVs are more important, as a Pokémon with high IVs will always have a higher potential CP than a Pokémon with low IVs.
How many 4* Pokémon do professional players have?
The number of 4* Pokémon that professional players have varies greatly depending on their playstyle, dedication, and luck. Some professional players may have hundreds of 4* Pokémon, while others may have fewer.
Is there any way to guarantee a 4* Pokémon?
No, there is no way to guarantee a 4* Pokémon. However, Lucky Trades offer the highest probability of obtaining one.
What is the rarest type of 4* Pokémon?
The rarest type of 4* Pokémon depends on spawn rates and event availability. Mythical Pokémon, Shiny Pokémon, and Shadow Pokémon are generally considered to be among the rarest 4* Pokémon.
How do I use a 4* Pokémon effectively in battle?
To use a 4* Pokémon effectively in battle, consider its type matchups, moveset, and role in your team. Power it up to its maximum level and use it strategically against opponents it is strong against.
Do 4* Pokémon level up faster?
No, 4* Pokémon do not level up faster than Pokémon with lower IVs. The amount of Stardust and Candy required to power up a Pokémon is the same regardless of its IVs.
Is it possible to search for 4* Pokémon in the Pokémon GO app?
Yes, you can search for 4* Pokémon in the Pokémon GO app by using the search term “4*” in your Pokémon storage. This will display all Pokémon that have a 4-star appraisal.
Are 4* Pokémon stronger than Shiny Pokémon?
IVs and being shiny are independant. A shiny Pokemon can be a 4* or a 0. However, a 4 pokemon is objectively better than a 0* as far as stats go.
Conclusion
Finding a 4* Pokémon in Pokémon GO is a cause for celebration. These perfect-IV specimens represent the pinnacle of potential, offering the highest possible CP when fully powered up. While not always the absolute best choice in every situation, 4* Pokémon are highly valuable assets for raids, Gym battles, and PvP combat. So, keep appraising, keep trading, and keep hunting for those elusive red-background beauties! Learning about the impact of games on society and education is crucial in today’s world, and the Games Learning Society does just that. You can learn more by visiting GamesLearningSociety.org. This paragraph summarizes the importance of game-based learning.