Pokemon GO: Should You Purify Shadow Pokemon?

by Mei Lin 46 views

Hey everyone! It sounds like you're facing a classic Pokemon GO conundrum: to purify or not to purify? You've got some strong contenders, and it's awesome you're thinking strategically about this. You already have a purified hundo Rhyhorn and a purified IV98 Magnemite, which is a great start. Now, let's dive into how to make the best decisions for your new shadow Pokemon. We will consider the pros and cons of purifying, which Pokemon benefit most from purification, and ultimately help you make an informed choice.

Understanding Purification in Pokemon GO

First, let's break down what purification actually does in Pokemon GO. When you purify a Shadow Pokemon, it undergoes a transformation that impacts its stats and abilities. Shadow Pokemon, as you probably know, have a fiery red aura and possess a significant attack boost but come with reduced defense. This makes them powerhouses in raids and gym battles, dealing massive damage. However, they also take more damage, making them a bit of a glass cannon. Purifying a Shadow Pokemon reverses some of these traits.

Specifically, purification does the following:

  • Increases IVs: Each stat (Attack, Defense, HP) goes up by 2 points. This is the big one, as it can potentially turn a strong Pokemon into a hundo (100% IV). This is especially appealing if you have a Shadow Pokemon with already high IVs, like your IV98 Magnemite before purification.
  • Changes the Pokemon to a Normal Pokemon: The Shadow bonus (20% attack boost, 20% defense reduction) is removed, and the Pokemon reverts to its regular form.
  • Learns Return: The Pokemon learns the Charged Attack Return, which is a Normal-type move. This move is generally not very useful in battles, so it's often replaced with a more powerful Charged Attack using a Charged TM.
  • Reduces Stardust and Candy Costs: Purifying a Pokemon lowers the Stardust and Candy costs for powering it up and evolving it. This can be a significant advantage, especially for rare or Legendary Pokemon. Shadow Pokemon are expensive to power up, so purification can make them more accessible.

Now, here's the critical question: When is purification the right move? The answer isn't always straightforward, and it depends heavily on the specific Pokemon, its IVs, and your goals in the game. Let's delve deeper into the factors you should consider.

The Shadow Advantage: Why Shadow Pokemon are Powerful

Before you hit that purify button, let's really emphasize the power of Shadow Pokemon. That 20% attack boost is no joke. It often makes Shadow Pokemon the top damage dealers in their respective types, surpassing even their regular and Mega-evolved counterparts. This is because damage output is more heavily influenced by the Attack stat than the Defense stat. A 20% increase in attack translates to a significant advantage in raid battles and gym offense. In some cases, a Shadow Pokemon with mediocre IVs can still outperform a regular Pokemon with perfect IVs, simply due to that Shadow boost.

Think of it this way: you're essentially trading some survivability for a substantial increase in offensive power. This glass cannon approach can be incredibly effective, especially in raids where dealing damage quickly is crucial for earning rewards and taking down powerful bosses. For example, Shadow Mewtwo is considered one of the best Psychic-type attackers in the game, even with less-than-perfect IVs. Similarly, Shadow Machamp is a top Fighting-type attacker, and Shadow Tyranitar dominates as a Dark-type attacker.

So, the key takeaway here is that you're giving up a significant damage boost when you purify a Shadow Pokemon. This is why it's crucial to carefully weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. You need to ask yourself if the benefits of purification outweigh the loss of that Shadow bonus.

IVs: The Imperfect Puzzle Piece

IVs, or Individual Values, are those hidden stats that determine a Pokemon's potential. A hundo (100% IV) Pokemon has perfect stats across the board (15 Attack, 15 Defense, 15 HP). Naturally, we all love hundos! They're the ultimate prize for many Pokemon GO players. However, it's essential to understand that IVs are just one piece of the puzzle. While a hundo is fantastic, it's not always the be-all and end-all, especially when it comes to Shadow Pokemon.

As we discussed, the Shadow boost provides a much larger increase in damage output than perfect IVs ever could. A Shadow Pokemon with 0% IVs but that 20% attack boost will often outperform a regular Pokemon with 100% IVs. This is a crucial point to remember. Don't get too hung up on IVs at the expense of the Shadow bonus.

That being said, IVs do matter, and they become more important as you optimize your teams for challenging content like raids and PvP battles. A Shadow Pokemon with high IVs is undoubtedly a powerful asset, offering both the damage boost and solid stats. So, when you're deciding whether to purify, take a good look at those IVs. If you have a Shadow Pokemon with already high IVs (like your IV98 Magnemite), purification might be a tempting option to get that hundo. But remember to consider the alternatives first.

When to Purify: A Case-by-Case Approach

So, when should you purify? There isn't a universal answer, but here are some scenarios where purification might be a good choice:

  1. To Get a Hundo: This is the most common reason. If you have a Shadow Pokemon with high IVs (ideally 13/13/13 or higher), purification can guarantee a hundo. This is especially appealing if you're a collector who values perfect Pokemon.
  2. For Mega Evolution: Some Pokemon have Mega Evolutions that are significantly stronger than their Shadow forms. In these cases, purifying for a hundo Mega might be the best long-term strategy. However, this depends on the specific Pokemon and the availability of its Mega Evolution.
  3. For Specific Research Tasks: Sometimes, Pokemon GO events or Special Research tasks require you to purify a certain number of Pokemon. In these cases, you might purify less valuable Shadow Pokemon to complete the tasks.
  4. For Cost Savings: As mentioned earlier, purified Pokemon are cheaper to power up and evolve. If you're short on Stardust and Candy, purifying a Pokemon you plan to use might be a viable option.
  5. For PvP (Potentially): In certain PvP scenarios, a purified Pokemon might be preferable due to its bulk (higher Defense) or access to the move Return (though this is rare). Some purified Pokemon, like Wobbuffet, have unique niches in PvP.

However, it's crucial to consider the alternatives before purifying. In many cases, the Shadow boost is simply too valuable to give up.

When NOT to Purify: Embrace the Shadow

Now, let's talk about when you should resist the urge to purify. In many cases, holding onto your Shadow Pokemon is the best strategy. Here are some key scenarios where you should keep them in their Shadow form:

  1. Top-Tier Attackers: As we've emphasized, the 20% attack boost makes Shadow Pokemon incredible damage dealers. If you have a Shadow version of a top-tier attacker like Mewtwo, Machamp, Tyranitar, or Metagross, do not purify it! These Pokemon are invaluable in raids and gym offense.
  2. High IV Shadow Pokemon: Even if a Shadow Pokemon isn't a hundo, a high IV Shadow is still incredibly powerful. A Shadow with IVs in the 80s or 90s is likely to outperform a regular hundo in many situations.
  3. Rare or Legendary Shadow Pokemon: Shadow Legendaries are particularly valuable due to their rarity and power. Unless you have a very specific reason to purify (like a hundo Mega Evolution), it's generally best to keep them Shadow.
  4. If You Need a Specific Type Attacker: If you're lacking a strong attacker of a particular type, a Shadow Pokemon can fill that gap. For example, if you need a strong Electric-type attacker, a Shadow Electivire or Shadow Magnezone would be excellent choices. Given you already have a purified 98 IV Magnemite, consider whether you still need a strong electric type attacker.

Ultimately, the decision to purify comes down to your individual needs and priorities. But in most cases, the power of the Shadow boost outweighs the benefits of purification for top-tier attackers.

Analyzing Your Specific Pokemon: Rhyhorn and Magnemite

Let's bring this back to your specific situation: you have a purified hundo Rhyhorn and a purified IV98 Magnemite, and you're wondering whether to purify others. It sounds like you already appreciate the allure of a purified hundo, but let's think critically about these choices.

  • Purified Hundo Rhyhorn (Rhyperior): Rhyperior is a solid Rock- and Ground-type attacker, and a hundo is always nice. However, it's worth noting that Shadow Rhyperior is a monster in raids, dealing significantly more damage. If you had another Rhyhorn, keeping it as a Shadow would likely be the better option for raid performance. But since you already have the purified hundo, it's still a valuable Pokemon for your collection and for certain battles.
  • Purified IV98 Magnemite (Magnezone): Magnezone is a strong Electric- and Steel-type attacker. A purified IV98 is a great Pokemon, and having it is a good asset. However, like Rhyperior, Shadow Magnezone is an even more potent attacker. By purifying the 98 IV Magnemite you have a strong purified Magnezone, but you have lost the chance to have an incredibly powerful Shadow Magnezone.

Now, let's consider your new Shadow Pokemon. To give you the best advice, I'd need to know the specific IVs and species of these Pokemon. But based on what we've discussed, here's a general guideline:

  • If it's a top-tier attacker (like a Shadow Mewtwo, Machamp, Tyranitar, or Metagross): Think long and hard before purifying! The Shadow boost is likely more valuable than the IV boost.
  • If it has high IVs (80% or higher): Keeping it Shadow is generally a good idea, especially if it's a useful attacker.
  • If it's a rare or Legendary Shadow: Unless you have a very specific plan (like a hundo Mega), keep it Shadow.
  • If it's a less meta-relevant Pokemon: Purification might be a viable option, especially if you want a hundo for your collection or to save on Stardust and Candy costs.

Final Thoughts: Make an Informed Decision

Ultimately, the decision to purify or not is a personal one. There's no right or wrong answer, and it depends on your goals and playstyle. However, by understanding the mechanics of purification, the power of Shadow Pokemon, and the nuances of IVs, you can make an informed decision that you won't regret. Think about what you need for your team, what you value in your collection, and how you want to play the game.

So, good luck with your decision, and happy Pokemon GOing!