Pokemon Purifying Calculator

Unlock the potential of your Shadow Pokemon! Use our free Pokemon Purifying Calculator to instantly see the Stardust and Candy costs, and the exact IV boost your Shadow Pokemon will receive upon purification. Make strategic decisions for raids, gyms, and PvP battles.

Pokemon Purifying Calculator

Pokemon Purification Cost Table

Typical Stardust and Candy Costs for Purifying Shadow Pokemon

Pokemon Tier	Stardust Cost	Candy Cost	Example Pokemon
Common	1,000	1	Rattata, Zubat, Weedle
Uncommon	1,000	1	Sneasel, Scyther, Murkrow
Rare	3,000	3	Snorlax, Lapras, Tyranitar
Very Rare	3,000	3	Dragonite, Metagross, Salamence
Legendary	5,000	5	Mewtwo, Raikou, Entei, Suicune

What is a Pokemon Purifying Calculator?

A Pokemon Purifying Calculator is an essential tool for trainers in Pokemon Go who want to optimize their Shadow Pokemon. When you rescue a Shadow Pokemon from Team GO Rocket, it comes with a significant attack bonus but also a defense penalty and the exclusive move “Frustration.” Purifying a Shadow Pokemon removes these effects, boosts its Individual Values (IVs), and changes “Frustration” to “Return.” This calculator helps you understand the exact resource cost (Stardust and Candy) and the precise IV improvements your Pokemon will gain, allowing you to make an informed decision.

Who Should Use This Pokemon Purifying Calculator?

• Strategic Trainers: Those who want to maximize their Pokemon’s potential for specific roles, whether it’s for raids, gym defense, or PvP battles.
• Resource Managers: Players who need to budget their Stardust and Candy effectively, especially for high-cost Legendary Shadow Pokemon.
• New Players: To understand the mechanics of purification and its impact on a Pokemon’s stats.
• Collectors: To achieve perfect IV (4* or hundo) purified Pokemon.

Common Misconceptions About Purifying Pokemon

• Purifying always makes a Pokemon better: While purification boosts IVs, it removes the 20% attack bonus of a Shadow Pokemon. For many PvE (Player vs. Environment) scenarios like raids, the raw damage output of a Shadow Pokemon often outweighs the IV boost and defense penalty of a purified one.
• Purified Pokemon are always better for PvP: In PvP (Player vs. Player), specific IV spreads are often preferred for different leagues. A purified Pokemon’s IVs might not align with the optimal PvP IVs, and the loss of the Shadow bonus can be detrimental.
• Purification is free: It costs both Stardust and Candy, which can be substantial for rare or legendary Pokemon.
• You can purify a Pokemon multiple times: A Pokemon can only be purified once.

Pokemon Purifying Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The core mechanics of purifying a Shadow Pokemon in Pokemon Go are straightforward and involve fixed costs and a consistent IV boost. Our Pokemon Purifying Calculator applies these rules to give you accurate predictions.

Step-by-Step Derivation:

1. Determine Base Costs: The Stardust and Candy costs for purification are determined solely by the Pokemon’s species rarity (tier). These costs are fixed regardless of the Pokemon’s current IVs or level.
   • Common/Uncommon Pokemon: 1,000 Stardust, 1 Candy
   • Rare/Very Rare Pokemon: 3,000 Stardust, 3 Candy
   • Legendary Pokemon: 5,000 Stardust, 5 Candy
2. Calculate New IVs: Upon purification, each of the Pokemon’s Individual Values (Attack, Defense, HP) receives a +2 boost. This boost is applied to the current IVs, but no stat can exceed the maximum IV of 15.
   • New Attack IV = MIN(Current Attack IV + 2, 15)
   • New Defense IV = MIN(Current Defense IV + 2, 15)
   • New HP IV = MIN(Current HP IV + 2, 15)
3. Calculate Total IVs and Increase:
   • Total Old IVs = Current Attack IV + Current Defense IV + Current HP IV
   • Total New IVs = New Attack IV + New Defense IV + New HP IV
   • Total IV Increase = Total New IVs - Total Old IVs

Variable Explanations:

Key Variables for Pokemon Purification Calculation

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
Pokemon Tier	Rarity of the Pokemon species	Category	Common, Rare, Legendary
Current Attack IV	Individual Value for Attack before purification	Points	0-13
Current Defense IV	Individual Value for Defense before purification	Points	0-13
Current HP IV	Individual Value for HP before purification	Points	0-13
Purify Stardust Cost	Stardust required to purify the Pokemon	Stardust	1,000 – 5,000
Purify Candy Cost	Candy required to purify the Pokemon	Candy	1 – 5
New Attack IV	Individual Value for Attack after purification	Points	2-15
New Defense IV	Individual Value for Defense after purification	Points	2-15
New HP IV	Individual Value for HP after purification	Points	2-15

Practical Examples: Real-World Use Cases for the Pokemon Purifying Calculator

Understanding the numbers is one thing, but seeing them in action helps solidify the decision-making process. Here are a couple of examples using the Pokemon Purifying Calculator.

Example 1: Purifying a Common Pokemon for a Perfect IV

Imagine you caught a Shadow Rattata with decent but not great IVs, and you’re aiming for a perfect 4* (15/15/15) purified Pokemon for your collection.

• Inputs:
  • Pokemon Tier: Common
  • Current Attack IV: 13
  • Current Defense IV: 13
  • Current HP IV: 13
• Outputs:
  • Estimated Stardust Cost: 1,000
  • Estimated Candy Cost: 1
  • New Attack IV: 15 (13+2)
  • New Defense IV: 15 (13+2)
  • New HP IV: 15 (13+2)
  • Total New IVs: 45
  • Total IV Increase: 6

Interpretation: For a minimal cost of 1,000 Stardust and 1 Candy, you can turn a 13/13/13 Shadow Rattata into a perfect 15/15/15 Purified Rattata. This is a highly efficient way to get a perfect IV Pokemon, especially for common species, making the Pokemon Purifying Calculator invaluable for collectors.

Example 2: Deciding on a Legendary Shadow Pokemon

You just caught a Shadow Mewtwo with moderate IVs, and you’re debating whether to purify it for a strong raid attacker or keep it Shadow for its damage bonus.

• Inputs:
  • Pokemon Tier: Legendary
  • Current Attack IV: 10
  • Current Defense IV: 8
  • Current HP IV: 9
• Outputs:
  • Estimated Stardust Cost: 5,000
  • Estimated Candy Cost: 5
  • New Attack IV: 12 (10+2)
  • New Defense IV: 10 (8+2)
  • New HP IV: 11 (9+2)
  • Total New IVs: 33
  • Total IV Increase: 6

Interpretation: Purifying this Shadow Mewtwo would cost 5,000 Stardust and 5 Candy, boosting its IVs to 12/10/11. While this is a decent boost, a 12 Attack IV purified Mewtwo might not be as potent for raids as a 10 Attack IV Shadow Mewtwo due to the loss of the 20% Shadow attack bonus. The Pokemon Purifying Calculator helps you weigh the resource cost against the IV gain and the strategic implications of losing the Shadow bonus. For a legendary like Mewtwo, many trainers prefer to keep it Shadow for its superior damage output in PvE, even with lower IVs, unless the Shadow IVs are extremely low or the purified IVs would be perfect.

How to Use This Pokemon Purifying Calculator

Our Pokemon Purifying Calculator is designed for ease of use, providing quick and accurate results to help you make the best decisions for your Pokemon collection.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Select Pokemon Tier: From the “Pokemon Tier” dropdown, choose the rarity of your Shadow Pokemon. This determines the base Stardust and Candy costs. Options include Common, Rare, and Legendary.
2. Enter Current IVs: Input the current Attack, Defense, and HP Individual Values of your Shadow Pokemon into their respective fields. These values typically range from 0 to 13 for Shadow Pokemon, as they receive a +2 boost upon purification, capping at 15.
3. Calculate: Click the “Calculate Purification” button. The calculator will instantly display the estimated costs and new IVs.
4. Reset (Optional): If you wish to start over with default values, click the “Reset” button.
5. Copy Results (Optional): Use the “Copy Results” button to quickly copy all calculated values to your clipboard for sharing or record-keeping.

How to Read Results:

• Estimated Stardust Cost to Purify: This is the primary highlighted result, showing the total Stardust required.
• Estimated Candy Cost: The total Candy required for purification.
• New Attack IV, New Defense IV, New HP IV: These show the individual IVs for each stat after the +2 boost (capped at 15).
• Total New IVs (A+D+H): The sum of the three new IVs, indicating the overall strength of the purified Pokemon.
• Total IV Increase: The total points gained across all three IVs due to purification.

Decision-Making Guidance:

The Pokemon Purifying Calculator provides the data; your strategy dictates the action:

• For Perfect IVs: If purifying results in a 15/15/15 (4*) Pokemon, and you value perfect IVs for collection or specific PvE roles where the Shadow bonus isn’t critical, it might be a good choice.
• Resource Management: Compare the costs with your available Stardust and Candy. Is it worth the investment for the IV boost?
• PvP vs. PvE: Remember that Shadow Pokemon often outperform purified ones in PvE due to their 20% attack bonus. For PvP, specific IVs are often preferred, and the purified IVs might not be optimal. Use the calculator to see the exact IVs and then consult a Pokemon Go PvP IVs Explained guide.
• Event Bonuses: Keep an eye out for events that reduce purification costs, making it more economical to use the Pokemon Purifying Calculator for mass purifications.

Key Factors That Affect Pokemon Purifying Calculator Results and Decisions

While the Pokemon Purifying Calculator provides precise numbers, several strategic factors influence whether purifying a Shadow Pokemon is the right move for you.

• Pokemon Species and Tier: This is the primary factor determining the Stardust and Candy cost. Legendary Shadow Pokemon are the most expensive to purify, while common ones are cheap. The species also dictates its utility as a Shadow or purified form.
• Current Individual Values (IVs): The starting IVs of your Shadow Pokemon are crucial. A Shadow Pokemon with 13/13/13 IVs will become a perfect 15/15/15 upon purification, which is often a strong incentive. A Shadow Pokemon with 0/0/0 IVs will become 2/2/2, which is less impactful. The Pokemon Purifying Calculator helps visualize this boost.
• Intended Use (PvP vs. PvE):
  • PvE (Raids, Gyms): Shadow Pokemon generally deal 20% more damage but take 20% more damage. For many attackers, the damage boost outweighs the defense penalty, making Shadow Pokemon superior. Purifying removes this bonus.
  • PvP (Trainer Battles): The optimal IVs for PvP are often not 15/15/15. For Great and Ultra Leagues, lower Attack IVs are often preferred to maximize bulk. Purifying increases Attack IVs, potentially making a Pokemon less suitable for these leagues. However, for Master League, high IVs are always good.
• Available Resources (Stardust and Candy): Purification costs, especially for Legendary Pokemon, can be significant. Trainers with limited Stardust and Candy might prioritize purifying only the most impactful Pokemon or those that become perfect. The Pokemon Purifying Calculator helps you budget.
• The “Shadow Bonus” vs. “Purified Bonus”: The Shadow bonus (20% attack, -20% defense) is a powerful modifier. The purified bonus includes the IV boost, reduced power-up costs, and the move “Return.” Deciding which bonus is more valuable for a specific Pokemon is key.
• Event Bonuses: Occasionally, Pokemon Go events offer reduced Stardust costs for purification. Taking advantage of these events can make purifying more economical, especially for multiple Pokemon.
• Collection Goals: Some trainers aim to collect perfect IV Pokemon. Purifying a Shadow Pokemon with 13/13/13 IVs is the easiest way to obtain a 4* version of that species.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Pokemon Purifying Calculator

Is purifying a Shadow Pokemon always a good idea?

No, not always. While purifying boosts IVs and reduces power-up costs, it removes the 20% attack bonus that Shadow Pokemon possess. For many PvE scenarios (raids, gym battles), the raw damage output of a Shadow Pokemon often makes it superior, even with lower IVs. For PvP, the optimal IVs can vary, and the purified IVs might not be ideal.

What is the difference between a Shadow and a Purified Pokemon?

Shadow Pokemon have a 20% attack bonus and a 20% defense penalty, learn the charged move “Frustration,” and cost more Stardust/Candy to power up. Purified Pokemon lose the attack/defense modifiers, gain +2 IVs to each stat (up to 15), learn the charged move “Return,” and cost less Stardust/Candy to power up. Our Pokemon Purifying Calculator helps you see the IV changes.

Does purifying a Pokemon increase its CP?

Yes, purifying a Pokemon increases its CP. This is because purification boosts its IVs (Attack, Defense, HP) by 2 points each, and IVs directly contribute to a Pokemon’s Combat Power (CP).

Can I purify a purified Pokemon again?

No, a Pokemon can only be purified once. Once a Shadow Pokemon becomes purified, it cannot revert to its Shadow form or be purified again.

What happens if my Shadow Pokemon has an IV of 14 or 15?

The purification boost is +2 to each IV, but IVs cannot exceed 15. So, if a Shadow Pokemon has 14 Attack IV, it will become 15 Attack IV after purification (14+2=16, capped at 15). If it has 15 Attack IV, it will remain 15 Attack IV. The Pokemon Purifying Calculator accounts for this cap.

What is the move “Return” and is it good?

“Return” is a Normal-type charged move that all purified Pokemon learn. It’s a decent, low-cost charged move, but its utility varies greatly by Pokemon. For some, it can be a useful coverage move, while for others, it’s quickly replaced by a better species-specific move.

When should I NOT purify a Shadow Pokemon?

You should generally avoid purifying if the Shadow Pokemon is a top-tier attacker for raids/gyms (e.g., Shadow Mewtwo, Shadow Machamp) and you intend to use it for maximum damage output. Also, if its IVs are already good for a specific PvP league in its Shadow form, purifying might make it less optimal. The Pokemon Purifying Calculator helps you assess the IV changes.

How do I get Shadow Pokemon?

Shadow Pokemon are obtained by defeating Team GO Rocket Grunts, Leaders (Arlo, Cliff, Sierra), or Giovanni. After defeating them, you get a chance to catch one of their Shadow Pokemon.

Related Tools and Internal Resources

Enhance your Pokemon Go strategy with these other helpful tools and guides:

• Shadow Pokemon IV Checker: Quickly assess the IVs of your Shadow Pokemon to see their potential.
• Pokemon Go Stardust Calculator: Plan your Stardust spending for powering up and trading.
• Pokemon Go Candy Cost Guide: Understand the Candy requirements for evolving and powering up your Pokemon.
• Pokemon Go IV Guide: A comprehensive guide to Individual Values and their importance.
• Best Shadow Pokemon Guide: Discover which Shadow Pokemon are most impactful for raids and PvP.
• Pokemon Go PvP IVs Explained: Learn about optimal IV spreads for different PvP leagues.