Unveiling the Secrets of 0 IV Pokémon: A Deep Dive into the World of ‘Nundos’
The lowest possible Individual Value (IV) in Pokémon GO is 0. This means a Pokémon can have an Attack IV of 0, a Defense IV of 0, and a Stamina (HP) IV of 0. These Pokémon, affectionately known as “nundos” by the community, are significantly rarer than their perfect IV counterparts, the coveted “hundos”.
The Allure of the Imperfect: Why Nundos Matter
While most trainers strive for Pokémon with maximized stats, the allure of a nundo lies in its sheer scarcity. Imagine finding a four-leaf clover when everyone else is searching for gold – that’s the nundo experience. They represent the extreme end of the probability spectrum, making them a curious and sought-after prize for dedicated collectors.
Understanding IVs: The Building Blocks of Pokémon Power
Before diving deeper, let’s recap what IVs actually are. Individual Values are hidden stats that each Pokémon possesses in addition to their base stats. They range from 0 to 15 for each of the three main stats: Attack, Defense, and Stamina (HP). These IVs are a crucial component in determining a Pokémon’s overall combat power and performance in battles.
When calculating a Pokemon’s stats, the IVs are added onto the Base Stats of that species, giving each individual Pokemon its own unique stat total. Thus, when two of the same species of Pokemon are the same level, the Pokemon with higher IVs will be more powerful.
A Pokémon with perfect IVs (15/15/15) will always be stronger than an identical Pokémon of the same species and level with lower IVs. Therefore, higher IVs are crucial for Pokemon that are used for raiding, battling, or challenging gyms.
The Rarity Factor: How Difficult is it to Obtain a Nundo?
The base chance of encountering a Pokémon with any specific IV combination is 1/4096 (0.0244%). This includes perfect IVs (15/15/15) and, crucially, 0/0/0. However, certain game mechanics alter these odds. For example, Pokémon obtained from Research Tasks, Raids, or hatched from Eggs have an IV floor of at least 10 in each stat. This means they cannot be nundos.
Furthermore, weather boost, friend bonuses, and other events can affect IV floors, making encountering wild nundos even rarer. The Games Learning Society explores how these mechanics can make your encounter more valuable. You can also find more on this topic at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Beyond Rarity: Nundo Utility in Pokémon GO
While primarily collected for their scarcity, nundos can have niche uses in specific battle strategies. For instance, in the main series Pokémon games, moves like Gyro Ball deal more damage based on how much slower the user is compared to the target. A 0 IV Speed stat is ideal for maximizing Gyro Ball’s damage output.
In Pokémon GO, these strategic advantages are less pronounced due to the game’s simplified battle system. However, some trainers still seek nundos for moves like Gyro Ball or in specific PvP (Trainer Battle) scenarios where minimizing certain stats might provide a marginal edge. One such example is minimizing confusion damage for special attackers. Another case would be minimizing the damage from the move, Foul Play.
Nundo vs. Hundo: A Tale of Two Extremes
The hunt for nundos is a mirrored reflection of the pursuit of hundos (perfect IV Pokémon). Where hundos represent the pinnacle of a Pokémon’s potential, nundos embody the very bottom. Both are statistically rare and highly sought after by different segments of the Pokémon GO community.
Nundo Appraisal
A Nundo Pokemon, or 0 IV Pokemon, will always appraise at 0 stars. However, an appraise can be a range, meaning that other Pokemon with low IVs will also appraise at 0 stars. The only sure-fire way to check a Pokemon’s IVs is to use a 3rd party source like an IV calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about 0 IV Pokémon
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of nundos:
1. Can any Pokémon in Pokémon GO have a 0 IV?
Yes, a Pokemon caught in the wild can have a 0 IV. However, Pokemon obtained from Research Tasks, Raids, or hatched from Eggs all have an IV floor of at least 10 in each stat, meaning they cannot be nundos.
2. What is the probability of finding a 0 IV Pokémon in the wild?
The base chance is 1 in 4096 (0.0244%), the same as finding a perfect IV Pokémon. However, this chance is impacted by factors like weather boost and event-related IV floors.
3. Are 0 IV Pokémon useful in battles?
Their utility is limited in Pokémon GO due to the simplified battle system. However, they might have niche applications in specific Trainer Battle scenarios where minimizing certain stats offers a tactical advantage.
4. Is a 0 IV Pokémon rarer than a 100% IV Pokémon?
Statistically, they are equally rare under base conditions. However, mechanics that raise IV floors make nundos harder to obtain in certain scenarios.
5. Should I keep a 0 IV Pokémon?
This is a matter of personal preference. If you are a collector of rare Pokémon, it’s worth holding onto for its uniqueness. If you are a competitive player, a better Pokemon would be far more valuable.
6. Can Shadow Pokémon have 0 IVs?
Yes, if caught in the wild as a Shadow Pokémon, it can potentially have 0 IVs, as long as its encounter isn’t influenced by an IV floor mechanic. Shadow Pokemon are known to be competitively viable, so a Nundo shadow Pokemon is likely not worth using in battle.
7. Can Purified Pokémon have 0 IVs?
No. Purifying a Pokémon increases each of its IVs by 2. Therefore, a 0 IV Pokemon, if it could be purified, would then have a 2/2/2 IV.
8. Do 0 IV Pokémon have any value in trading?
Their value is subjective and depends on the collector’s interest and the Pokémon species. Some collectors may pay a premium for rare nundos.
9. How do I identify a 0 IV Pokémon?
The only sure way to do it is to use an IV calculator app. It will appraise at 0 stars, but other Pokemon with slightly higher IVs will also appraise at 0 stars.
10. Are 0 IV Shiny Pokémon even rarer?
Yes! Shiny Pokémon are already rare, and combining that with the 0 IV constraint makes them exceptionally rare.
11. Does weather boost affect the chances of finding a 0 IV Pokémon?
Weather boost increases the minimum IVs of wild Pokémon, making it impossible to find a nundo in weather-boosted conditions.
12. Can a 0 IV Pokémon be obtained from a Special Research task?
No, because special research always guarantees the 10 IV floor.
13. Does the level of a Pokémon affect its IVs?
No, the level of a Pokemon does not affect its IVs. IVs are determined when the Pokemon is first generated in the game. You can increase the level of your Pokemon, but you cannot change its IVs.
14. Are nundos worth powering up?
For most players, the answer is no. Powering up a nundo is generally not recommended due to their low stats and limited combat potential. This is only suggested for a collector who is willing to pour resources into a very unique Pokemon.
15. Are 0 IV Legendaries Possible?
No. The vast majority of Legendary Pokemon are only obtained through Raids or Research Tasks, which both have an IV floor of at least 10 in each stat. Thus, a 0 IV Legendary Pokemon is extremely unlikely to be possible.
Conclusion: Embrace the Rarity
In the world of Pokémon GO, where optimization and maxing out stats are often the goals, the 0 IV Pokémon serves as a reminder that value can be found in the unexpected. Whether you’re a dedicated collector or a strategic battler, the allure of the nundo is undeniable. So, keep an eye out – you might just stumble upon one of these rarities on your next Pokémon GO adventure!