Why Do Pokémon Lose IVs When Traded?
The seemingly disheartening answer to why Pokémon lose their Individual Values (IVs) when traded in most Pokémon games is relatively simple: to prevent exploitation and maintain game balance. If IVs remained static after a trade, players could easily manipulate the system to acquire perfect or near-perfect Pokémon, circumventing the intended difficulty of breeding, catching, or using items like Bottle Caps. This would significantly undermine the core mechanics designed to encourage long-term engagement and reward dedicated players.
Understanding Individual Values (IVs)
Before delving deeper into the reasoning behind IV rerolling on trades, it’s essential to understand what IVs actually are. IVs are hidden stats that contribute to a Pokémon’s overall stats, such as Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, HP, and Speed. Each IV ranges from 0 to 31, with 31 being considered “perfect.” These values are determined randomly at the time of generation, whether you encounter the Pokémon in the wild, hatch it from an egg, or receive it as a gift.
IVs play a crucial role in competitive battling and end-game content. A Pokémon with higher IVs will inherently have better stats than another Pokémon of the same species, level, and nature with lower IVs. This difference, while seemingly small at lower levels, becomes significantly more pronounced as the Pokémon levels up.
The Mechanics of Trading and IV Rerolling
When a Pokémon is traded in the mainline Pokémon games (excluding spin-off titles), the game typically rerolls a significant portion, or even all, of its IVs. The precise mechanics of this rerolling vary from generation to generation and even within individual games. However, the underlying principle remains the same: to randomize the IVs and prevent abuse.
Prevention of Exploitation
The primary purpose of IV rerolling during trades is to prevent players from easily obtaining perfect Pokémon. Imagine a scenario where IVs remained static after trades. Players could simply trade Pokémon back and forth between different accounts or with friends until they randomly obtained a perfect Pokémon. Then, they could mass-produce copies of that perfect Pokémon through breeding, effectively breaking the game’s economy and competitive scene.
IV rerolling introduces an element of risk and uncertainty. Players are less likely to trade away a Pokémon with good IVs if they know those IVs will be lost in the trade. This incentivizes players to invest time and effort into breeding or catching Pokémon with desirable IVs, rather than relying on trading as a shortcut.
Maintaining Game Balance
Another important reason for IV rerolling is to maintain game balance. If players could easily acquire perfect Pokémon through trading, it would create a significant power imbalance between those who engage in the practice and those who don’t. This could lead to a decline in player engagement and frustration among those who prefer to play the game more traditionally.
By rerolling IVs on trades, the game ensures that obtaining perfect Pokémon remains a challenging but rewarding endeavor. It encourages players to explore different aspects of the game, such as breeding, catching, and using items like Bottle Caps, to improve their Pokémon’s stats.
Variations in Rerolling Mechanics
As mentioned earlier, the specific mechanics of IV rerolling can vary depending on the game. In some games, only a certain number of IVs are rerolled, while in others, all IVs are rerolled. Some games might also have mechanics that slightly increase the chance of obtaining better IVs after a trade, but these bonuses are usually not significant enough to completely negate the randomness of the process.
It’s important to consult specific game guides and resources to understand the exact IV rerolling mechanics in each Pokémon game. This knowledge can help players make more informed decisions about whether to trade a Pokémon or not.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does trading always guarantee a change in IVs?
In most core Pokémon games, trading typically leads to a reroll of IVs, but the exact mechanics and extent can vary. It’s generally safe to assume that traded Pokémon will have different IVs than before the trade.
2. Are there any Pokémon games where IVs don’t change when traded?
Yes, there are exceptions! For example, Pokémon GO generally maintains IVs when trading. The specific behavior depends heavily on the individual game’s design and economy.
3. How do I know if my Pokémon’s IVs have changed after a trade?
You can use an IV calculator or judge function (available in many recent Pokémon games) to assess the IVs of your Pokémon before and after a trade. This will reveal any changes that have occurred.
4. Does the Pokémon’s level or evolution stage affect the IV reroll on trades?
No, the Pokémon’s level or evolution stage does not affect the IV reroll. The IV reroll is generally applied regardless of these factors.
5. Are there any items that prevent IVs from changing when trading?
No, there are no items in the core Pokémon games that prevent IVs from changing during a trade. The rerolling mechanic is generally hard-coded into the game.
6. Can I still get a “perfect” Pokémon (all IVs at 31) through trading?
Yes, it’s possible to get a perfect Pokémon through trading, but it’s largely based on luck. The IVs are rerolled randomly, so you have a chance, albeit a small one, of getting perfect IVs.
7. Does breeding affect the IVs of the offspring?
Yes, breeding is a key method for influencing IVs. Items like the Destiny Knot allow parents to pass down a certain number of IVs to their offspring, making it easier to breed Pokémon with good IVs.
8. What is Bottle Cap training, and how does it relate to IVs?
Bottle Cap training, introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon, allows you to artificially max out a Pokémon’s IVs. While it doesn’t actually change the underlying IV, it boosts the stat as if the IV were 31, effectively making it “perfect” for battling purposes.
9. Do natures also change when a Pokémon is traded?
No, a Pokémon’s nature generally does not change when it is traded. The nature is determined at the time of generation and remains constant throughout the game.
10. Is there a way to manipulate the IV reroll during trades?
Generally, no, there is no legitimate way to manipulate the IV reroll. The process is designed to be random to prevent exploitation.
11. Does trading back and forth repeatedly increase my chances of getting good IVs?
While theoretically possible, trading back and forth is not an efficient strategy for getting good IVs. The randomness of the reroll means you’re just as likely to get worse IVs as you are to get better ones. Breeding and Bottle Cap training are generally more reliable methods.
12. Are IVs the only factor determining a Pokémon’s stats?
No, IVs are just one factor. A Pokémon’s stats are also influenced by its base stats (species-specific), EVs (Effort Values), nature, and level.
13. Does the Pokémon’s origin affect the IV reroll on trades (e.g., Pokémon from a different game region)?
The Pokémon’s origin does not typically affect the IV reroll. The reroll is applied regardless of where the Pokémon was originally obtained.
14. How important are IVs for casual gameplay versus competitive battling?
IVs are more crucial for competitive battling where even slight stat advantages can make a significant difference. For casual gameplay, the impact of IVs is less noticeable, and you can often succeed with Pokémon that don’t have perfect IVs.
15. Will IV trading mechanics ever be different in future games?
It is difficult to predict the future, but the Pokémon Company consistently evolves game mechanics. There might be changes in future titles to the ways IVs are handled in trades, but the underlying principle of preventing easy access to perfect Pokémon will likely remain.