Pokémon Go has captivated millions of players around the globe since its launch in July 2016. With its unique blend of augmented reality, social interaction, and the beloved Pokémon franchise, players of all ages find themselves wandering in search of Pokémon, battling gyms, and participating in raids. However, as players progress, they begin to encounter more complex features that can enhance their gameplay experience. One such feature is the "Appraise" function. In this article, we will delve into the Appraise feature in Pokémon Go, exploring its mechanics, benefits, and how players can maximize its use.
Understanding the Appraise Feature
The Appraise feature in Pokémon Go is a tool that allows players to receive an evaluation of their Pokémon’s stats by their team leader. There are three team leaders in the game: Candela (Team Valor), Blanche (Team Mystic), and Spark (Team Instinct). When you appraise a Pokémon, the team leader provides insights into its strengths, weaknesses, and overall potential, which can guide your decisions about which Pokémon to keep or evolve.
Why Use Appraise? The Benefits
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Assessing IVs (Individual Values): The primary use of the Appraise feature is to gauge a Pokémon's IVs, which are hidden stats that determine how strong a Pokémon can become. Each Pokémon has three individual stats: Attack, Defense, and Stamina, and each can have a value between 0 and 15. When you appraise a Pokémon, the team leader will provide information that helps you understand how well-rounded your Pokémon is. Higher IVs generally indicate stronger Pokémon, particularly in competitive play.
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Strategic Decisions: Knowing the potential of your Pokémon allows you to make informed choices about which ones to evolve or power up. For instance, if you find a Pokémon with high IVs, it may be worth investing your resources into powering it up for gym battles or raids. Conversely, if you appraise a Pokémon and find that its IVs are low, you might decide to transfer it to make room for better specimens.
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Building a Balanced Team: The Appraise feature helps players build a more diverse and effective team for battles. By evaluating Pokémon based on their stats, trainers can ensure they have the right mix of attackers and defenders, ultimately enhancing their chances of success in PvP battles and raids.
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Personal Connection: Engaging with your team leader’s appraisals creates a personal bond between you and the game. The varied commentary from each leader brings personality and flair, making the appraisals feel less like a mundane task and more like a unique part of your Pokémon journey.
How to Use the Appraise Feature
Using the Appraise feature in Pokémon Go is straightforward and user-friendly. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:
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Access Your Pokémon: Open the Pokémon Go app and tap on the Pokéball icon located at the bottom of the screen. From there, navigate to your Pokémon list by tapping on "Pokémon."
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Select a Pokémon: Scroll through your Pokémon collection and choose the one you want to appraise. Tap on the Pokémon to open its summary screen.
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Appraise the Pokémon: Once you’re on the Pokémon’s summary screen, look for the three dots (•••) in the upper right corner. Tap on it, and then select "Appraise."
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Receive the Evaluation: Your team leader will provide a detailed evaluation. This typically includes comments about the Pokémon's overall potential as well as individual assessments of its Attack, Defense, and Stamina IVs. The team leader may use colorful phrases to describe your Pokémon's strengths and weaknesses.
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Analyze the Information: Pay close attention to the appraisal. The team leader might use terms like "outstanding" or "weak," which can help you gauge the effectiveness of your Pokémon. Note the specific values mentioned; for example, if your Pokémon has excellent Attack but mediocre Defense, it might excel in offensive roles but struggle in defensive situations.
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Make Your Decisions: Based on the appraisal, decide whether to keep, power up, evolve, or transfer your Pokémon. Keep in mind that some trainers prefer to keep Pokémon with high IVs even if they aren’t currently useful, while others focus solely on competitive viability.
Interpreting Appraisal Results
Understanding what your team leader says during an appraisal can seem daunting at first, especially with the varied ways they express the quality of a Pokémon. Here’s a breakdown of common phrases used in appraisals and what they indicate about your Pokémon's IVs:
- "It’s definitely not great in battle": Suggests that the Pokémon has low overall IVs.
- "Its stats are all above average!": Indicates that the Pokémon has decent IVs and is a viable option for battles.
- "Outstanding!": This typically means the Pokémon has high IVs, making it an excellent candidate for powering up and evolving.
- "Its best quality is its Stamina": This points out which specific stat is the highest, helping you to strategize in team composition.
The appraisal is not just about numbers; it's also about how to play the game. Understanding the nuances of these evaluations can give you an edge over other players, particularly in competitive formats like Gym battles and Pokémon Go Battle League (GBL).
Case Study: Using Appraise to Build a Strong Team
Let’s take the example of a player named Alex, who has just returned to Pokémon Go after a year away. After going through his Pokémon collection, Alex uses the Appraise feature on several Pokémon, revealing mixed results.
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High IV Pokémon: Alex finds a Machamp with high Attack and Defense stats, leading to his decision to power it up for raids and Gym battles.
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Medium IV Pokémon: An Ampharos reveals average stats. Alex decides to evolve it, as it could serve as a solid option in certain raid scenarios while not being prioritized for the Power-Up resources.
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Low IV Pokémon: Discovering a Pidgey with low stats, Alex decides to transfer it and keeps only his highest potential Pokémon.
This systematic approach, aided by the Appraise feature, allows Alex to build a more effective team tailored for various battles.
Maximizing the Appraise Feature
To maximize the benefits of the Appraise feature, consider the following strategies:
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Regular Appraisals: Regularly appraise your Pokémon, especially after significant catches or events. This will keep your team updated and ensure you're always making informed decisions.
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Community Insights: Join online communities or forums where other players discuss their appraisals and strategies. Sharing insights and learning from others can enhance your understanding of how to interpret appraisals.
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Use During Events: Pokémon Go frequently hosts events that change the spawning rates of certain Pokémon or introduce limited-time Pokémon. Use the Appraise feature during these events to identify high-IV Pokémon that could strengthen your team.
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Personal Records: Consider maintaining a personal record of your Pokémon’s appraisal results. This can help track which Pokémon have shown potential over time and allow you to strategize for future battles.
Conclusion
The Appraise feature in Pokémon Go is more than just a tool; it is a strategic ally that can significantly impact your gameplay experience. By providing crucial insights into your Pokémon's potential, the appraisals can enhance your decision-making process, help you build a stronger team, and ultimately improve your success in battles.
As you continue to explore the world of Pokémon Go, don't underestimate the value of the Appraise feature. Engage with your team leaders, take their evaluations seriously, and let them guide you on your Pokémon journey. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore trainer, mastering the use of this feature can lead to more successful raids, battles, and, most importantly, a richer gaming experience.
FAQs
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What does Appraise do in Pokémon Go?
- The Appraise feature provides insights into a Pokémon's individual values (IVs), helping trainers assess their potential and make informed decisions about which Pokémon to keep or evolve.
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Who delivers the appraisal?
- The appraisal is delivered by one of the three team leaders: Candela (Team Valor), Blanche (Team Mystic), or Spark (Team Instinct).
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How do I access the Appraise feature?
- You can access the Appraise feature by going to your Pokémon collection, selecting a Pokémon, tapping the three dots in the corner of the screen, and then selecting "Appraise."
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Can I appraise multiple Pokémon at once?
- No, you must appraise each Pokémon individually; however, this can be beneficial for focused evaluation.
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How can I interpret appraisal phrases?
- Each appraisal phrase indicates the Pokémon's potential. Terms like "outstanding" indicate high IVs, while "not great" suggests low IVs. Understanding these phrases can aid your battle strategy.