Welcome to our handy tool for all Pokémon GO trainers! Understanding the true potential of your Shadow Pokémon after purification can be a game-changer. Our Purify Calculator helps you quickly determine the exact IVs (Individual Values) your Shadow Pokémon will gain once purified, along with the associated costs.
Purification IV & Cost Calculator
Understanding Shadow Pokémon and Purification
In Pokémon GO, Shadow Pokémon are unique variants captured from Team GO Rocket. They possess a distinct aura, glowing red eyes, and a powerful 20% attack boost in battle. However, they also suffer from a 20% defense reduction and cost more Stardust and Candy to power up and teach new moves.
Purification is a process that removes the shadow status from your Pokémon, transforming it into a purified form. This process comes with several significant benefits, but also trade-offs that trainers must consider.
Benefits of Purification:
- IV Boost: Each Individual Value (Attack, Defense, HP) of a Shadow Pokémon receives a +2 boost upon purification, up to a maximum of 15. This means a 13/13/13 Shadow Pokémon becomes a perfect 15/15/15!
- CP Boost: The Pokémon's Combat Power (CP) is instantly increased, often by several hundred points, making it more battle-ready.
- Stardust & Candy Discount: Powering up, evolving, and teaching purified Pokémon new moves costs 10% less Stardust and Candy.
- Return Move: Purified Pokémon automatically learn the Normal-type Charged Attack "Return," which can be replaced with a standard Charged TM.
- Mega Evolution Eligibility: While Shadow Pokémon cannot Mega Evolve, their purified counterparts can, opening up more strategic options.
When to Purify vs. When to Keep Shadow
The decision to purify or not is one of the most debated topics among Pokémon GO players. There's no single right answer, as it depends heavily on the Pokémon, its IVs, and your strategic goals.
Arguments for Keeping Shadow:
- Superior Damage Output: The 20% attack bonus makes Shadow Pokémon, especially those with high attack IVs, often outperform their purified or regular counterparts in raids and gym battles, despite the defense reduction.
- Unique Challenge: Many trainers enjoy the challenge and prestige of using powerful Shadow Pokémon.
- Rarity: Good IV Shadow Pokémon are much rarer than good IV purified or regular Pokémon.
Arguments for Purifying:
- Achieving Perfect IVs (Hundos): If a Shadow Pokémon has IVs of 13/13/13 or higher, purifying it guarantees a perfect 15/15/15 Pokémon, which is highly sought after for collection or specific Master League PvP matchups.
- Cost Reduction: For rare or legendary Pokémon that are expensive to power up, the 10% discount can save significant Stardust and Candy, making them more accessible for general use.
- Specific PvP Breakpoints/Bulkpoints: In some niche PvP scenarios, the increased bulk from purification might be more valuable than the shadow attack boost, or achieving specific IVs for a particular league.
- "Return" Move: While often replaced, "Return" can be a decent move for some Pokémon, or a placeholder until a better move is acquired.
- Removing Frustration: Purification is one way to remove the exclusive Shadow Charged Attack "Frustration" outside of specific events. However, using a Charged TM during a "Remove Frustration" event is often preferred if keeping it Shadow.
How Our Purify Calculator Works
Our calculator simplifies the purification process by allowing you to input the current Individual Values (IVs) of your Shadow Pokémon. Based on the game's mechanics, it then projects the exact IVs your Pokémon will have after purification.
The core mechanic is simple: each IV stat (Attack, Defense, HP) gets a +2 boost. For example, a Shadow Pokémon with 10 Attack, 8 Defense, and 12 HP will become 12 Attack, 10 Defense, and 14 HP after purification.
The calculator also reminds you of the standard purification costs: 1,000 Stardust and 1 Candy, making it easy to plan your resources.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Calculator:
- Inspect Your Shadow Pokémon: In Pokémon GO, go to the Pokémon you want to check. Tap the three lines menu, then "Appraise" to see its current IVs.
- Enter Shadow IVs: Input the Attack, Defense, and HP IVs into the respective fields in the calculator.
- Click "Calculate": Press the "Calculate Purified Stats" button.
- View Results: The calculator will instantly display the predicted purified IVs and the total purification cost. It will also highlight if your Pokémon will become a perfect 100% IV!
Maximizing Your Pokémon's Potential
Ultimately, the "best" choice for your Shadow Pokémon depends on your personal playstyle and goals. Do you prioritize raw damage output for raids, or do you seek perfect IVs for collection and specific PvP leagues? Use this calculator as a tool to make informed decisions and build the strongest team possible.
Happy training, and may your purified Pokémon shine brightly!