Welcome, trainers, to the exciting world of Pokemon GO! As you journey through the world catching and training Pokemon, you'll encounter a crucial decision: which Pokemon should you evolve? With various Pokemon available, knowing which ones hold the most potential can significantly impact your success in battles and raids. While catching a Pokemon with high CP might seem appealing, the true measure of a Pokemon's power lies in its IV stats.
Understanding IV Stats
IV stats, or Individual Values, are hidden attributes that determine a Pokemon's base stats, influencing its overall strength and performance. Every Pokemon has three IV stats:
- Attack: Determines the strength of the Pokemon's attacks.
- Defense: Determines the Pokemon's ability to withstand attacks.
- Stamina: Determines the Pokemon's maximum HP (Hit Points).
These IV stats range from 0 to 15, with 15 being the highest possible value.
Why IV Stats Matter
Imagine two Pikachu with identical CP. However, one Pikachu has high IV stats in Attack, Defense, and Stamina, while the other has low IV stats. The Pikachu with high IVs will be significantly stronger and more resilient in battles.
IV stats play a crucial role in:
- Battle Performance: Higher IVs lead to stronger attacks, increased survivability, and overall better performance in battles and raids.
- Gym Defense: Pokemon with high IVs are better suited for defending gyms due to their increased strength and stamina.
- Raids: High IV Pokemon are invaluable assets in raids as they can withstand powerful attacks and dish out significant damage.
How To Check Your Pokemon's IVs
You can determine your Pokemon's IV stats using various methods:
- Third-Party Apps: Numerous apps like "Calcy IV" and "Poke Genie" can calculate your Pokemon's IVs by analyzing your Pokemon's stats and CP.
- In-Game Appraisal: While not as precise as apps, the in-game appraisal feature gives you a general idea of your Pokemon's IVs. You'll receive feedback on your Pokemon's Attack, Defense, and Stamina, categorized as "Poor," "Okay," "Good," "Great," or "Amazing."
The Value of Perfect IVs
A perfect IV Pokemon has all three IV stats at 15, indicating the highest potential for growth and performance. While perfect IVs are highly sought after, they're not always necessary for achieving success in Pokemon GO.
The Importance of Balancing IVs
The key to finding the best Pokemon to evolve lies in understanding the importance of balanced IVs. A Pokemon might have perfect Attack IVs, but if its Defense and Stamina are low, it might not be suitable for battles or raids.
Consider a Charizard with the following IV stats:
- Attack: 15
- Defense: 7
- Stamina: 3
This Charizard may have high Attack power but will likely struggle in battles due to its low Defense and Stamina. This demonstrates the importance of considering all three IVs before evolving a Pokemon.
The IV Stat Rule Of Thumb
A good rule of thumb is to aim for Pokemon with IVs above 80% for each stat. This generally provides a solid foundation for growth and performance. However, depending on the specific Pokemon and its intended use, you might adjust this threshold.
Prioritizing IVs for Different Roles
Here's a breakdown of how IVs can be prioritized depending on the intended role of your Pokemon:
Attackers
- Primary Focus: Attack
- Secondary Focus: Stamina
Attackers primarily deal damage, so prioritizing Attack IVs is crucial. Stamina is also important to ensure they can withstand some attacks.
Defenders
- Primary Focus: Defense
- Secondary Focus: Stamina
Defenders are meant to resist attacks, so Defense IVs should be maximized. Stamina is crucial to stay in the gym for a longer duration.
Raiders
- Primary Focus: Attack
- Secondary Focus: Stamina
Raiders need to be strong and durable to withstand powerful attacks and inflict significant damage.
Understanding the Impact of IVs on CP
CP (Combat Power) is a measure of a Pokemon's overall strength, calculated based on its base stats, IVs, and level.
- IVs and CP: Higher IVs contribute to a higher CP for a given level.
- Leveling Up: As a Pokemon levels up, its CP increases.
Keep in mind that the impact of IVs on CP diminishes as your Pokemon levels up. For example, a small difference in IVs might be negligible at lower levels but become more significant at higher levels.
Evolution Considerations
While the IVs of your Pokemon play a significant role in deciding which Pokemon to evolve, remember that other factors also contribute to the overall power of your Pokemon. These factors include:
- Move Pool: Your Pokemon's moveset influences its attack power and effectiveness against different types.
- Type Effectiveness: Certain types of Pokemon are stronger against others, making a Pokemon's type a crucial factor.
- Rarity: Some Pokemon are rarer than others, potentially making them more valuable to evolve.
Examples of Pokemon With High IVs
Here are some examples of Pokemon with high IVs and their potential impact:
- Dragonite: A powerful Dragon and Flying-type Pokemon with high Attack and Stamina, making it an excellent attacker and raider.
- Gyarados: A Water and Flying-type Pokemon with high Defense and Stamina, making it an effective gym defender.
- Metagross: A Steel and Psychic-type Pokemon with high Attack and Defense, making it a formidable attacker and defender.
Case Study: Finding the Best Vaporeon
Let's analyze a case study to illustrate the importance of IVs in choosing the best Pokemon to evolve. Imagine you have three Eevee with the following IVs:
| Eevee | Attack | Defense | Stamina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eevee 1 | 10 | 12 | 15 |
| Eevee 2 | 13 | 8 | 10 |
| Eevee 3 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
You want to evolve one of them into Vaporeon, a strong Water-type Pokemon.
- Eevee 1: Has decent Stamina but low Attack, which could limit its offensive potential.
- Eevee 2: Has high Attack but low Stamina, which could lead to it being knocked out easily.
- Eevee 3: Has perfect IVs, making it the best option for evolving into a strong and durable Vaporeon.
In this case, while Eevee 1 and Eevee 2 might have some redeeming qualities, Eevee 3 offers the best overall potential for growth and performance, making it the clear choice for evolution.
Conclusion
Understanding IVs is crucial for maximizing your Pokemon's potential in Pokemon GO. By prioritizing IVs, you can identify Pokemon with high growth potential and enhance your overall success in battles, raids, and gym defense. While achieving perfect IVs might be challenging, focusing on Pokemon with balanced IVs above 80% for each stat will significantly increase your chances of acquiring powerful and effective Pokemon. Remember, a Pokemon with high IVs can evolve into a truly formidable force in the world of Pokemon GO.
FAQs
Q: What is the best way to get Pokemon with high IVs?
A: While luck plays a role, you can increase your chances of getting Pokemon with high IVs by focusing on:
- Catching Pokemon in the wild: The higher the level of the Pokemon, the higher the chance of finding Pokemon with good IVs.
- Raids: Raids often reward you with Pokemon with higher IVs, especially higher-level raids.
- Breeding: While not available in Pokemon GO, breeding in other Pokemon games allows you to inherit desirable IVs from your Pokemon.
Q: Are IVs more important than level?
A: Both IVs and level are crucial for a Pokemon's overall strength. IVs determine the Pokemon's base stats, while level increases the Pokemon's CP and other stats.
Q: How do I know if a Pokemon has good IVs without using an app?
A: The in-game appraisal feature provides general feedback on your Pokemon's IVs, categorizing them as "Poor," "Okay," "Good," "Great," or "Amazing." This information can give you a general sense of a Pokemon's IVs.
Q: Should I evolve every Pokemon with good IVs?
A: Not necessarily. Consider the Pokemon's role in your team, type effectiveness, and rarity before evolving. It's also crucial to have a balanced team with different types of Pokemon to overcome various challenges in Pokemon GO.
Q: What is the best way to level up my Pokemon quickly?
**A: **You can level up your Pokemon quickly by:
- Evolving Pokemon: Evolving a Pokemon significantly increases its level.
- Using Lucky Eggs: Lucky Eggs double the experience points earned for a period of 30 minutes.
- Attending events: Many events in Pokemon GO offer increased experience points.
- Using stardust and candy: You can level up Pokemon by using stardust and candy.
Q: How do I know which moves are best for my Pokemon?
**A: ** You can check the "Move" section in your Pokemon's stats. The move's name and type will indicate its effectiveness against different types of Pokemon. You can also research online to find the best move sets for your Pokemon.
Q: How can I improve my Pokemon's IVs?
**A: ** You cannot directly improve your Pokemon's IVs. However, you can increase your chances of catching Pokemon with better IVs by:
- Catching Pokemon in the wild: Catching Pokemon in the wild gives you a chance to encounter Pokemon with higher IVs.
- Completing research tasks: Some research tasks reward you with Pokemon with good IVs.
- Attending events: Events often offer the chance to catch Pokemon with higher IVs.
Q: What are the best resources for learning more about IVs?
A: There are many resources available for learning more about IVs in Pokemon GO:
- Pokemon GO official website: The official Pokemon GO website provides information about IVs.
- Third-party websites and forums: Websites like Silph Road and The Silph Arena offer detailed information about IVs.
- YouTube videos: YouTube provides numerous tutorials and explainers about IVs in Pokemon GO.
- Online guides: You can find in-depth guides and articles online that cover the topic of IVs.
By learning about IVs and how they affect your Pokemon's potential, you'll be well-equipped to make informed decisions about which Pokemon to evolve. Remember, focusing on balanced IVs and understanding the role of your Pokemon in your team will ultimately lead to stronger and more successful Pokemon. Enjoy the journey, trainers, and may your Pokemon conquer every battle!