Decoding the Perfect Larvitar: A Comprehensive Guide to 100% IV CP
The quest for the perfect Pokémon in Pokémon GO is a relentless pursuit for many trainers. For Larvitar, that means finding one with 100% Individual Values (IVs) – the holy grail of stats. So, what CP are we talking about for a perfect Larvitar? At Level 30 (wild CP maximum), a 100% IV Larvitar will have 891 CP. When weather boosted (Partly Cloudy or Sunny) at Level 35, it boasts 966 CP. Let’s dig into the nuances of what makes a 100% IV Larvitar so special, and explore everything you need to know to snag one for yourself.
The Allure of the Hundo: Why 100% IV Matters
Why all the fuss about perfect IVs? In Pokémon GO, IVs are hidden stats that determine a Pokémon’s potential in battle. These stats are Attack, Defense, and Stamina, and each can range from 0 to 15. A 100% IV Pokémon, often called a “hundo,” has all three stats maxed out at 15/15/15.
While IVs aren’t everything – move sets and trainer level also play crucial roles – they provide a significant edge in raids, Gym battles, and especially in Player vs. Player (PvP) combat in the GO Battle League. A hundo Larvitar promises the highest possible CP when fully evolved into the formidable Tyranitar, making it a prized asset for any serious trainer.
Finding Your Perfect Larvitar: Strategies and Luck
Acquiring a hundo Larvitar requires a combination of luck and strategic play. Here’s a breakdown of the most common methods:
- Wild Encounters: Catching Larvitar in the wild is the most basic approach, but also the most random. The IVs are completely randomized, meaning the chances of finding a hundo are relatively low – around 1 in 4096.
- Research Tasks: Some Special Research or Field Research tasks reward Pokémon encounters. These encounters often have improved IV floors, increasing your chances compared to wild catches, though still no guarantee.
- Raids: While Larvitar isn’t currently a common raid boss, keep an eye out for special events! Raid encounters guarantee a minimum IV floor of 10/10/10, significantly boosting your odds of finding a near-perfect or perfect specimen.
- Eggs: Hatching eggs also provides a higher IV floor than wild encounters. Again, the minimum is usually 10/10/10, making eggs a better source for potentially high-IV Larvitar than simply running around and hoping.
- Trading: Trading Pokémon rerolls their IVs. While this sounds detrimental, it can actually be advantageous with “Lucky Friends.” When you become Lucky Friends with another player, your next trade is guaranteed to result in both Pokémon becoming Lucky. Lucky Pokémon require less Stardust to power up and have a higher chance of having good IVs.
- Community Days: Keep an eye out for Larvitar Community Days! These events drastically increase Larvitar’s spawn rate and often provide bonuses like increased shiny odds. While a shiny doesn’t guarantee high IVs, more spawns mean more chances to find that elusive hundo.
The Evolution Path: From Larvitar to Tyranitar
Once you’ve secured your perfect Larvitar, the journey isn’t over. You’ll need to evolve it through two stages to reach its final form, Tyranitar.
- Larvitar to Pupitar: This requires 25 Larvitar Candy.
- Pupitar to Tyranitar: This requires 100 Larvitar Candy.
Candy is obtained by catching Larvitar, hatching Larvitar from eggs, transferring Larvitar to Professor Willow, and using Rare Candies. Walking with Larvitar as your buddy Pokémon also earns you candy over time.
Powering Up Your Hundo Tyranitar: Maximizing Its Potential
After evolving your hundo Larvitar, the next step is powering it up. Powering up increases a Pokémon’s CP and HP, making it stronger in battle. You’ll need Stardust and Larvitar Candy to power up your Tyranitar. Prioritize powering up your hundo over Pokémon with lower IVs, as the investment will yield the greatest returns in the long run.
Remember that Tyranitar has a Max CP of 4335 at Level 50. Reaching that point with a hundo requires significant resources, but the resulting powerhouse is well worth the effort.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly are IVs in Pokémon GO?
Individual Values (IVs) are hidden stats that determine a Pokémon’s battle potential. They consist of Attack, Defense, and Stamina, each ranging from 0 to 15. A perfect IV Pokémon has 15 in all three stats.
2. How do I check a Pokémon’s IVs?
You can use appraisal tools within the Pokémon GO app (team leader appraisal) or third-party apps and websites to calculate a Pokémon’s IVs. Remember that using third-party apps might violate the game’s Terms of Service, so proceed with caution.
3. Is a 0% IV Pokémon rare?
Yes, a 0% IV Pokémon is as rare as a 100% IV Pokémon (hundo). Both have a probability of roughly 1 in 4096 in wild encounters.
4. Does weather boost affect a Pokémon’s IVs?
No, weather boost doesn’t directly affect a Pokémon’s IVs. However, it increases the Pokémon’s level in the wild, which can indirectly lead to encountering higher CP Pokémon with potentially better IVs.
5. What weather boosts Larvitar?
Larvitar is weather boosted by Partly Cloudy and Sunny weather.
6. What are Tyranitar’s weaknesses?
Tyranitar is weak to Water, Grass, Fighting (4x), Ground, Bug, Steel, and Fairy-type moves.
7. What are the best movesets for Tyranitar?
The best movesets for Tyranitar depend on its intended use. For Dark-type damage, Bite and Brutal Swing are ideal. For Rock-type damage, Smack Down and Stone Edge are the top choices.
8. Is Tyranitar a good attacker in raids?
Yes, Tyranitar is a respectable attacker in raids, especially as a Dark-type. Mega Tyranitar and Shadow Tyranitar are even more powerful, making them top-tier choices.
9. What is a “shundo”?
A “shundo” is a shiny Pokémon with 100% IVs. It’s the ultimate trophy for many Pokémon GO players due to its rarity and power.
10. How can I increase my chances of finding a shiny Larvitar?
Participate in Community Days or events that feature increased shiny rates for Larvitar. Using Incense and Lure Modules can also increase the number of Larvitar encounters.
11. How many Larvitar candies do I need to fully evolve one to Tyranitar?
You’ll need a total of 125 Larvitar candies to fully evolve one into Tyranitar (25 for the first evolution into Pupitar, and 100 for the second evolution into Tyranitar).
12. What are the best counters to Tyranitar in raids?
The best counters to Tyranitar include Mega Blaziken, Terrakion, Shadow Machamp, Keldeo, Shadow Hariyama, and Conkeldurr.
13. Is Tyranitar V a rare card?
Yes, the Tyranitar V card (097/163) from certain Pokémon Trading Card Game sets is considered an Ultra Rare.
14. Can I solo a Tyranitar raid?
Regular Tyranitar raids can often be soloed by high-level players with strong Fighting-type Pokémon. However, raids with higher CP bosses (like Legendary raids) typically require multiple players. A 50,000 CP raid can’t be done solo.
15. What is GamesLearningSociety.org?
Games Learning Society is a great resource to learn more about the intersection of gaming and education. Check out their website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Conclusion: The Worth of the Hunt
Finding a 100% IV Larvitar and evolving it into a maxed-out Tyranitar is a significant achievement in Pokémon GO. It requires dedication, strategic gameplay, and a healthy dose of luck. While IVs aren’t the only factor determining a Pokémon’s strength, a hundo Tyranitar offers a substantial advantage in battles and raids. So, keep searching, keep hatching, and keep trading – that perfect Larvitar is out there waiting to be discovered!