Pokémon Go Purify Calculator
Optimize your Shadow Pokémon with precise purification insights.
Pokémon Go Purify Calculator
Enter your Shadow Pokémon’s current IVs and the purification costs to see its potential after purification.
Purification Results
| Pokémon Rarity | Stardust Cost | Candy Cost | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | 1,000 | 1 | Rattata, Pidgey, Zubat |
| Uncommon | 3,000 | 3 | Machop, Gastly, Eevee |
| Rare | 5,000 | 5 | Snorlax, Lapras, Dratini |
| Legendary/Mythical | 20,000 | 20 | Mewtwo, Raikou, Suicune |
What is a Pokémon Go Purify Calculator?
A Pokémon Go Purify Calculator is an essential tool for trainers looking to optimize their Shadow Pokémon. In Pokémon Go, Shadow Pokémon are special variants caught from Team GO Rocket that possess increased Attack but decreased Defense, and require purification to remove their “Shadow” status. Purification is a process that costs Stardust and Candy, but in return, it provides several benefits: a significant boost to the Pokémon’s Individual Values (IVs), a reduction in Stardust and Candy costs for powering up, and a special “Return” Charged Attack.
This calculator helps trainers understand the exact IV gains their Shadow Pokémon will receive upon purification, allowing them to make informed decisions about which Pokémon to purify and which to keep as Shadow. It takes the current IVs of your Shadow Pokémon and the purification costs as inputs, then outputs the new IVs, total IV points, and the resource cost reductions you’ll gain.
Who Should Use the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator?
- Competitive Trainers: To identify Pokémon that will reach perfect (15/15/15) or near-perfect IVs after purification for Master League or specific raid counters.
- Resource-Conscious Players: To evaluate if the Stardust and Candy cost reduction for powering up a purified Pokémon outweighs the initial purification cost.
- Collectors: To track potential IVs for their purified collection.
- New Players: To understand the mechanics and benefits of purification without complex manual calculations.
Common Misconceptions about Purification
Many trainers have misconceptions about the purification process. One common myth is that purification always makes a Pokémon stronger than its Shadow form. While purified Pokémon gain IVs and cost reductions, Shadow Pokémon retain a 20% attack bonus (at the cost of 20% defense reduction), which can make them superior in certain raid and PvP scenarios, especially for high-damage output. Another misconception is that purification is always cheap; while common Pokémon are inexpensive, legendary Shadow Pokémon can cost a significant amount of Stardust and Candy. The Pokémon Go Purify Calculator helps clarify these aspects by showing the direct IV benefits and resource costs.
Pokémon Go Purify Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The core of the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator lies in its straightforward yet impactful mathematical rules for IV modification and cost reduction. Understanding these rules is crucial for strategic gameplay.
Step-by-Step Derivation
- IV Boost: When a Shadow Pokémon is purified, its Attack, Defense, and HP IVs each receive a +2 boost. This boost is capped at 15. For example, a Shadow Pokémon with 10 Attack IV will become 12 Attack IV after purification. A Shadow Pokémon with 14 Attack IV will become 15 Attack IV (not 16).
- IV Floor: As a direct consequence of the +2 IV boost, any purified Pokémon will have a minimum of 13 IVs in each stat (Attack, Defense, HP). This means if a Shadow Pokémon has 0 Attack IV, it will become 2 Attack IV after purification. If it has 11 Attack IV, it will become 13 Attack IV. If it has 13 Attack IV, it will become 15 Attack IV.
- Resource Cost Reduction: Purified Pokémon receive a 10% reduction in both Stardust and Candy costs when powering up or teaching new attacks. This is a permanent benefit that applies to all future power-ups.
Variable Explanations
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Attack IV | Individual Value for Attack stat before purification. | Points | 0-15 |
| Shadow Defense IV | Individual Value for Defense stat before purification. | Points | 0-15 |
| Shadow HP IV | Individual Value for HP stat before purification. | Points | 0-15 |
| Purification Stardust Cost | Amount of Stardust required for purification. | Stardust | 1,000 – 20,000 |
| Purification Candy Cost | Amount of Candy required for purification. | Candy | 1 – 20 |
| New Purified IVs | Individual Values for Attack, Defense, HP after purification. | Points | 13-15 (min per stat) |
| Total IV Points After Purification | Sum of Attack, Defense, and HP IVs after purification. | Points | 39-45 |
| Stardust Power-Up Cost Reduction | Percentage reduction in Stardust for powering up. | % | 10% |
| Candy Power-Up Cost Reduction | Percentage reduction in Candy for powering up. | % | 10% |
Practical Examples of Using the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator
Let’s walk through a couple of real-world scenarios to demonstrate the utility of the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator.
Example 1: Purifying a Common Shadow Pokémon for a Perfect IV
Imagine you caught a Shadow Rattata with IVs 13 Attack, 13 Defense, and 13 HP. You want to know if purifying it will result in a perfect 15/15/15 Pokémon.
- Inputs:
- Shadow Attack IV: 13
- Shadow Defense IV: 13
- Shadow HP IV: 13
- Purification Stardust Cost: 1000
- Purification Candy Cost: 1
- Outputs (from the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator):
- New Purified IVs: 15/15/15
- Total IV Points After Purification: 45
- Stardust Power-Up Cost Reduction: 10%
- Candy Power-Up Cost Reduction: 10%
- Guaranteed IV Floor: 13/13/13 (as it already meets this)
Interpretation: In this case, purifying the Shadow Rattata would indeed result in a perfect 15/15/15 Purified Rattata. For a minimal cost of 1000 Stardust and 1 Candy, you get a perfect IV Pokémon with reduced power-up costs. This is a great candidate for purification if you’re looking for a perfect IV entry for your collection or a specific niche use.
Example 2: Evaluating a Low IV Shadow Legendary Pokémon
You just defeated Giovanni and caught a Shadow Mewtwo with IVs 8 Attack, 7 Defense, and 9 HP. The purification cost is high, but you’re curious about its potential.
- Inputs:
- Shadow Attack IV: 8
- Shadow Defense IV: 7
- Shadow HP IV: 9
- Purification Stardust Cost: 20000
- Purification Candy Cost: 20
- Outputs (from the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator):
- New Purified IVs: 10/9/11
- Total IV Points After Purification: 30
- Stardust Power-Up Cost Reduction: 10%
- Candy Power-Up Cost Reduction: 10%
- Guaranteed IV Floor: 13/13/13 (this Pokémon would not reach 13/13/13, as 8+2=10, 7+2=9, 9+2=11)
Interpretation: Purifying this Shadow Mewtwo would cost a significant 20,000 Stardust and 20 Candy. While it would gain IVs, it would still only be a 10/9/11 Purified Mewtwo, which is not particularly strong. Given the high cost and the fact that Shadow Mewtwo is incredibly powerful due to its 20% attack bonus, most trainers would opt to keep this as a Shadow Pokémon and power it up in its Shadow form, despite the higher resource costs. This example highlights how the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator helps prevent costly mistakes.
How to Use This Pokémon Go Purify Calculator
Using our Pokémon Go Purify Calculator is straightforward and designed for quick, accurate results. Follow these steps to get the most out of the tool:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Identify Your Shadow Pokémon’s IVs: Open your Pokémon Go app, navigate to the Shadow Pokémon you’re considering purifying, and use the in-game appraisal system to determine its current Attack, Defense, and HP IVs. These will be numbers between 0 and 15.
- Enter Shadow IVs: Input these values into the “Shadow Pokémon Attack IV,” “Shadow Pokémon Defense IV,” and “Shadow Pokémon HP IV” fields in the calculator.
- Determine Purification Costs: In the game, when you select a Shadow Pokémon and tap “Purify,” the game will display the exact Stardust and Candy costs. Enter these values into the “Purification Stardust Cost” and “Purification Candy Cost” fields. Refer to the “Common Purification Costs by Pokémon Rarity” table above for typical costs if you don’t have the game open.
- Click “Calculate Purification”: Once all fields are filled, click the “Calculate Purification” button. The results will instantly appear below.
- Review Results: The calculator will display the “New Purified IVs” as the primary result, along with intermediate values like “Total IV Points After Purification,” “Stardust Power-Up Cost Reduction,” “Candy Power-Up Cost Reduction,” and “Guaranteed IV Floor.”
- Analyze the Chart: The “IVs Before vs. After Purification” chart visually compares the individual IV stats, making it easy to see the gains.
- Copy Results (Optional): If you wish to save or share the results, click the “Copy Results” button.
- Reset (Optional): To clear all inputs and start fresh, click the “Reset” button.
How to Read Results:
- New Purified IVs: This is the most critical output, showing the exact Attack/Defense/HP IVs your Pokémon will have after purification. A 15/15/15 indicates a perfect IV Pokémon.
- Total IV Points After Purification: The sum of the three new IVs. A higher number generally means a stronger Pokémon.
- Stardust/Candy Power-Up Cost Reduction: Always 10%, this highlights the long-term resource savings for powering up the purified Pokémon.
- Guaranteed IV Floor: This indicates that purified Pokémon will always have a minimum of 13 IVs in each stat, provided their original IVs were 11 or less.
Decision-Making Guidance:
Use the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator to decide if purification is worth it. Consider:
- IV Potential: Does purification lead to a perfect or near-perfect IV Pokémon that you desire for specific uses (e.g., Master League, collection)?
- Resource Cost vs. Benefit: Is the Stardust and Candy cost for purification justified by the IV boost and future power-up savings, especially for rare or legendary Pokémon?
- Shadow vs. Purified Role: Remember that Shadow Pokémon have a 20% attack bonus. For many raid attackers, the Shadow form is superior despite lower IVs and higher power-up costs. Only purify if the purified form offers a specific advantage (e.g., bulk for PvP, specific perfect IV for a mega evolution, or if you simply prefer the aesthetic).
Key Factors That Affect Pokémon Go Purify Calculator Results
While the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator provides precise outputs based on its inputs, several underlying factors influence the strategic decision of whether or not to purify a Shadow Pokémon. Understanding these can help you make the best choices for your roster.
- Original Shadow Pokémon IVs: This is the most direct factor. The higher the initial IVs of your Shadow Pokémon, the closer it will get to a perfect 15/15/15 after the +2 boost. A Shadow Pokémon with 13/13/13 IVs will become a perfect 15/15/15 upon purification, making it an excellent candidate. Conversely, a 0/0/0 Shadow Pokémon will only become a 2/2/2, which is generally not worth the cost.
- Purification Stardust and Candy Costs: These costs vary significantly by Pokémon rarity. Common Pokémon cost 1,000 Stardust and 1 Candy, while legendary Shadow Pokémon demand 20,000 Stardust and 20 Candy. The higher the cost, the more carefully you must weigh the benefits of purification against the resources spent. This is where the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator helps you see the direct trade-off.
- Pokémon’s Base Stats and Role: Some Pokémon benefit more from the Shadow bonus (20% attack, -20% defense) than others. High-attack Pokémon used as raid attackers (e.g., Mewtwo, Tyranitar) often perform better as Shadows, even with lower IVs, due to their raw damage output. Bulkier Pokémon or those used in PvP leagues where defense is crucial might benefit more from purification to gain IVs and reduce power-up costs.
- Availability of Candy and Stardust: Your current resource reserves play a huge role. If you’re flush with Stardust and Candy, purifying a costly legendary might be less impactful than if you’re constantly struggling for resources. The 10% power-up cost reduction for purified Pokémon can be a long-term Stardust optimizer, especially for Pokémon you plan to power up to high levels.
- PvP League Considerations: For Great League and Ultra League, perfect IVs are often not ideal. Instead, specific “stat product” IV spreads are preferred, which often involve low Attack IVs. Purifying a Shadow Pokémon for these leagues might ruin its optimal IV spread. However, for Master League, where Pokémon are powered up to level 50, perfect or near-perfect IVs (which purification can help achieve) are highly desirable.
- Mega Evolution Potential: Some Pokémon have Mega Evolutions. A purified Pokémon can Mega Evolve, and having a perfect IV purified Pokémon can be a strong asset for its Mega form. Since Shadow Pokémon cannot Mega Evolve, purification is a prerequisite if you want a perfect IV Mega.
- Collection Goals: For many trainers, collecting perfect IV Pokémon is a significant aspect of the game. Purification offers a reliable way to achieve 15/15/15 IVs for Pokémon that start with at least 13/13/13 as Shadows. The Pokémon Go Purify Calculator is invaluable for identifying these candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator
Q: What exactly does purification do to a Shadow Pokémon?
A: Purification provides several benefits: it increases each of the Pokémon’s IVs (Attack, Defense, HP) by +2 (up to a maximum of 15), reduces the Stardust and Candy costs for powering up by 10%, and teaches the Pokémon the Charged Attack “Return.” It also removes the Shadow bonus (20% attack boost, 20% defense reduction).
Q: Is it always better to purify a Shadow Pokémon?
A: Not always. While purification boosts IVs and reduces costs, Shadow Pokémon retain a 20% attack bonus that can make them superior damage dealers in raids and some PvP scenarios, despite their defense reduction and higher power-up costs. The decision depends on the Pokémon, its IVs, and your intended use. Use the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator to weigh the IV benefits against the loss of the Shadow bonus.
Q: What is the minimum IV a purified Pokémon can have?
A: A purified Pokémon will always have a minimum of 13 IVs in each stat (Attack, Defense, HP). This is because even a 0 IV Shadow Pokémon will gain +2 to each stat, resulting in 2/2/2, but the game’s purification mechanic guarantees a floor of 13/13/13 if the original IVs are low enough (i.e., 11 or less).
Q: How much Stardust and Candy does purification cost?
A: The cost varies by Pokémon rarity. Common Pokémon typically cost 1,000 Stardust and 1 Candy. Rare Pokémon can cost 3,000 or 5,000 Stardust and 3 or 5 Candy. Legendary and Mythical Shadow Pokémon are the most expensive, requiring 20,000 Stardust and 20 Candy. Our Pokémon Go Purify Calculator allows you to input these specific costs.
Q: Can a purified Pokémon be traded?
A: Yes, purified Pokémon can be traded. Shadow Pokémon, however, cannot be traded.
Q: Does purification increase a Pokémon’s CP?
A: Yes, purification increases a Pokémon’s CP. This is a direct result of the +2 IV boost to Attack, Defense, and HP, as CP is calculated based on a Pokémon’s base stats, IVs, and level. The Pokémon Go Purify Calculator focuses on the IV increase, which is the direct and predictable outcome.
Q: Should I purify a Shadow Legendary Pokémon?
A: Generally, it’s recommended to keep most Shadow Legendary Pokémon in their Shadow form due to their significant 20% attack bonus, which makes them top-tier raid attackers. However, if you catch a Shadow Legendary with 13/13/13 IVs, purifying it would result in a perfect 15/15/15, which might be desirable for collection or specific Master League PvP scenarios. Always use the Pokémon Go Purify Calculator to assess the IV outcome before making a decision.
Q: What is “Return” and is it a good move?
A: “Return” is a Normal-type Charged Attack that a Pokémon learns immediately upon purification. It’s a decent, low-cost move for some Pokémon, but often there are better Charged Attacks available. You can use a Charged TM to change “Return” to another move if desired.