Understanding IVs in Pokémon GO
IVs, or Individual Values, are hidden stats in Pokémon GO that determine a Pokémon’s overall potential. They range from 0 to 15 for each of the three stats: Attack, Defense, and HP (Hit Points). Higher IVs mean a stronger Pokémon. Unlike CP (Combat Power), which can be increased with Stardust and Candy, IVs are fixed when you catch a Pokémon, with a few exceptions like purifying Shadow Pokémon. Understanding and identifying good IVs is crucial for building a powerful team for raids, gym battles, and PvP.
How IVs Affect a Pokémon’s Performance
IVs directly contribute to a Pokémon’s stats. A perfect IV Pokémon (15/15/15) will have higher Attack, Defense, and HP than one with lower IVs, even if they have the same CP. This difference becomes more significant as you power up a Pokémon. While CP is a good indicator of general strength, IVs represent the fine-tuning that separates a good Pokémon from a great one. For example, two Pokémon with identical CP but differing IVs will have noticeably different performance in battle. The one with higher Attack IVs will deal more damage, while the one with higher Defense and HP IVs will be more durable.
Judging IVs in Pokémon GO
Thankfully, you don’t need external tools to get a general idea of your Pokémon’s IVs. The in-game appraisal system provides valuable hints. When you appraise a Pokémon, your team leader will offer a general assessment and highlight its strongest stat. Here’s how to interpret the appraisal:
Understanding Appraisal Phrases
- Overall: Phrases like « Blown Away, » « Best I’ve seen, » or « Exceeds my calculations » indicate near-perfect IVs (15/15/15 or close). « Wonder! » suggests IVs in the 80-90% range. Lower tier phrases signify progressively lower IVs.
- Individual Stats: Your team leader will also comment on the Pokémon’s best stat. Phrases like « Its stats exceed my calculations. It’s incredible! » point to a 15 IV in that specific stat. Less enthusiastic remarks indicate lower IVs.
- Stat Bars: Three bars visually represent the sum of the IVs. Full bars indicate a total IV percentage closer to 100%. However, this is less precise than the phrases.
Using the IV Appraisal System
Let’s go through an example. Suppose you appraise a Pikachu, and your team leader says, « Its stats exceed my calculations. It’s incredible! Its Attack is its best quality. Maybe even the best I’ve ever seen! » and shows almost full bars. This strongly suggests near-perfect IVs, with a perfect 15 Attack IV. You can learn more about improving your battle strategy with optimal Pokémon movesets.
Refining IV Estimates
While the in-game appraisal system is useful, it doesn’t provide exact IV values. For more precise information, you can use IV calculators. These tools require you to input the Pokémon’s CP, HP, and Stardust cost for powering up. They then calculate the possible IV combinations. This can be helpful for deciding which Pokémon are worth investing in. If you’re interested in battling, knowing the best IVs for Great League can give you an edge.
Why IVs Matter
Focusing on high-IV Pokémon can significantly impact your gameplay experience:
- Stronger Attackers: High Attack IVs translate to more damage output in raids and gym battles.
- Increased Durability: High Defense and HP IVs allow your Pokémon to withstand more damage, leading to longer survival times.
- Competitive Advantage in PvP: In PvP battles, even small differences in IVs can make a difference between winning and losing.
- Bragging Rights: Owning a perfect IV Pokémon is a significant accomplishment for many players.
Finding High-IV Pokémon
While there’s no guaranteed way to find perfect IV Pokémon, certain methods increase your chances:
- Raids: Raid bosses have a higher chance of having good IVs.
- Research Tasks: Some research tasks reward Pokémon encounters with guaranteed minimum IVs.
- Trading: Trading can improve IVs, especially with Lucky Trades. Find out more about shiny trade costs.
- Weather Boost: Pokémon boosted by weather have a higher minimum IV floor.
- Community Days: Community Day Pokémon often have better IV odds.
Conclusion
Understanding and utilizing the IV system is an essential aspect of becoming a skilled Pokémon GO trainer. While catching a perfect IV Pokémon is exciting, remember that even Pokémon with slightly lower IVs can be valuable team members. Focus on building a diverse team with Pokémon that complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Happy hunting!