Why Don’t Purified Gems Work? A Comprehensive Guide to Shadow Raids
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The frustration of a Purified Gem failing to subdue an enraged Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO is a common experience for many trainers. While the game mechanics may seem straightforward, the timing and understanding of the system are crucial for successful Shadow Raids. The simple answer to the question of why Purified Gems might seem not to work is this: trainers are often using them too early or without fully understanding the mechanic. You cannot just spam Purified Gems and expect success. Let’s delve into the nuances of Purified Gem usage to ensure you’re making the most of them in your battles against enraged Shadow Raid bosses.
How Purified Gems Actually Function
The core issue behind perceived Purified Gem failures stems from their specific timing requirements. Purified Gems are designed to be used only after a Shadow Raid Boss has become enraged, a state indicated by the Pokémon glowing purple and having the word “enraged” appear over its health bar. The moment the Pokémon becomes enraged, a Purified Gem activation button will appear in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. However, even at this point, the gem is not guaranteed to subdue the raid boss instantly.
There’s a common misconception that Purified Gems act as an immediate “cure-all” for enraged raid bosses. However, these gems are primarily meant to neutralize the boss’s enraged state temporarily and make them easier to defeat. The key is to use them strategically, paying attention to the health bar of the enraged Pokémon and allowing your attacks to “connect” before activating the next one. It’s also important to understand that each trainer can use a maximum of 5 Purified Gems per raid battle, and there’s a 5-second cooldown between each gem use.
Furthermore, it takes a total of 8 Purified Gems from all trainers combined in a raid to fully subdue the Shadow Raid Boss and bring them back to their non-enraged state. This means teamwork is paramount to make effective use of Purified Gems. Just using your gems randomly will not guarantee success.
Common Misconceptions and Mistakes
Many trainers make a few key mistakes when using Purified Gems, leading to the impression that they are ineffective. One common error is using gems too early, before the Pokémon has fully entered the enraged state. Another is the tendency to spam the Purified Gem button, without allowing the initial gem’s effect to take hold. This wastes gems and does not effectively contribute to subduing the raid boss.
Understanding the 5-second cooldown between gem uses is vital, as clicking too rapidly will simply waste gems. Lastly, trainers must remember that Purified Gems alone do not guarantee success. They must still apply the best Pokémon counters for the raid and work as a team to deal enough damage and subdue the Shadow Raid boss.
Maximizing Purified Gem Effectiveness
To get the most out of Purified Gems, there are a few best practices to follow. Firstly, always wait until the Pokémon is visibly enraged (purple glow and “enraged” over health bar) before activating the Purified Gem. Secondly, be aware of the 5-second cooldown and do not spam gems. Instead, synchronize your gem usage with other trainers in the raid. Third, understand that a total of 8 Purified Gems is needed from all trainers to fully subdue the raid boss which should be the team’s primary objective.
Also, ensure that all trainers use their strongest counters against the raid boss. This is because Purified Gems don’t act as an attack boost, but rather as a mechanism to help stop the boss from being enraged, making it much easier for everyone to inflict damage. Effective communication is important.
FAQs: Purified Gems and Shadow Raids
1. What are Purified Gems used for?
Purified Gems are used to calm enraged Shadow Pokémon during 3-star and 5-star Shadow Raids. They temporarily neutralize the enraged state and make the raid boss easier to defeat.
2. How do I know when to use a Purified Gem?
A Purified Gem can only be used when the Shadow Raid Boss becomes enraged, indicated by a purple glow and the word “enraged” appearing over its health bar.
3. How many Purified Gems can I use per raid battle?
Each trainer can use a maximum of 5 Purified Gems per Shadow Raid Battle.
4. How long is the cooldown between using Purified Gems?
There is a 5-second cooldown between each Purified Gem use.
5. How many Purified Gems does it take to subdue a Shadow Raid Boss?
It takes a total of 8 Purified Gems across all trainers participating in the raid to fully subdue the Shadow Raid Boss.
6. Are Purified Gems refunded if the raid is failed?
No, Purified Gems are not refunded if the raid is failed.
7. What happens when a Shadow Pokémon is subdued?
When subdued, the Shadow Pokémon reverts to its non-enraged state, making it easier to defeat.
8. Do Purified Gem effects stack?
Yes, the effects of Purified Gems will stack if multiple trainers use them in the same raid battle. This further helps subdue the raid boss faster.
9. Should I purify a Shadow Pokémon?
It is generally not recommended to purify Shadow Pokémon. They lose the 20% damage bonus, and the IV increase is less valuable than the increased damage output. Keep them as Shadows.
10. Are Shadow Pokémon better than regular Pokémon?
**Shadow Pokémon generally deal more damage, making them better than their normal and purified counterparts in many scenarios**. They have a 20% damage boost that is very beneficial.
11. Is a 0-star Shadow Pokémon good?
**Yes, a 0-star Shadow Pokémon can still be very valuable because of its Shadow damage bonus**. It's often better to keep them unpurified for future battles.
12. Can Shadow Raids be soloed?
Most 3-star Shadow Raids can be soloed except for some exceptions like Shuckle. However, 5-star raids typically require a team.
13. What are Shadow Raids?
**Shadow Raids are a type of Raid Battle organized by Team GO Rocket at occupied Gyms**. They have different rewards and challenges compared to regular raids.
14. Is Shadow Zapdos in Raids?
**Yes, Shadow Zapdos is featured in Shadow Raids as a powerful opponent.**
15. Why are some players confused by purified gems?
Many players are confused by purified gems **because they use them too early or without understanding the 5 second cooldown and the total 8 gems needed to subdue the raid boss**. They might also spam the button, thinking it will make it work faster, but this is not the case.
Conclusion
The key to effectively using Purified Gems lies in understanding their specific timing requirements and how they work in conjunction with teamwork. By waiting for the enraged state, respecting the cooldown, and coordinating with other trainers, you can significantly enhance your chances of defeating Shadow Raid Bosses. Avoid common mistakes like spamming gems and remember that strategic application, combined with the best Pokémon counters, is crucial for raid success. With a solid understanding of the mechanics, you can transform these frustrating situations into victorious battles.