Pokémon Go Purification Calculator
Optimize your Shadow Pokémon strategy by calculating purification costs and IV boosts.
Pokémon Go Purification Calculator
Enter your Shadow Pokémon’s details to see the Stardust and Candy cost, and its improved IVs after purification.
Select the species of your Shadow Pokémon.
Individual Value for Attack. Shadow Pokémon IVs range from 0-13.
Individual Value for Defense.
Individual Value for HP (Stamina).
Current Combat Power of your Shadow Pokémon (for context).
Percentage reduction from events or special bonuses.
| Pokémon Species | Base Stardust Cost | Base Candy Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, Machop, Geodude, Rattata, Zubat, Magikarp | 1,000 | 1 |
| Snorlax, Porygon | 3,000 | 3 |
| Dratini, Larvitar, Beldum | 5,000 | 5 |
| Mewtwo | 20,000 | 20 |
What is the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator?
The Pokémon Go Purification 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 battles. They possess a unique “Shadow Bonus” that boosts their Attack by 20% but also reduces their Defense by 20%. Purification is a process that removes the Shadow status, granting several benefits, including an IV boost and a reduction in Stardust and Candy costs for powering up.
This Pokémon Go Purification Calculator helps you understand the exact resources required (Stardust and Candy) to purify a specific Shadow Pokémon and, crucially, what its Individual Values (IVs) will become after the process. It’s designed for any trainer who has captured a Shadow Pokémon and is weighing the pros and cons of purification versus keeping it as a Shadow.
Who Should Use the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator?
- Competitive Players: To quickly assess if a purified Pokémon will achieve perfect IVs (a “hundo”) or reach a desirable IV spread for PvP or Raids.
- Resource Managers: To plan Stardust and Candy expenditures, especially for high-cost purifications like legendary Shadow Pokémon.
- Collectors: To identify which Shadow Pokémon, if purified, would become a perfect IV Pokémon for their collection.
- New Trainers: To understand the mechanics of purification and its impact on Pokémon stats and resources.
Common Misconceptions About Purification
- Purified Pokémon are always better: Not necessarily. The 20% Shadow Attack bonus often outweighs the IV boost and cost reduction for many attackers in raids, making Shadow Pokémon superior for damage output. The Pokémon Go Purification Calculator helps you see the IVs, but the damage bonus is a separate consideration.
- Purification is free: It costs Stardust and Candy, which can be substantial for rare or legendary Pokémon.
- All purified Pokémon become perfect IVs: Purification adds +2 to each IV, up to a maximum of 15. A Shadow Pokémon with 13/13/13 IVs will become 15/15/15, but one with 0/0/0 will only become 2/2/2.
Pokémon Go Purification Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The core of the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator lies in understanding how purification affects a Pokémon’s stats and resource costs. The process is straightforward but has significant implications.
Step-by-Step Derivation:
- IV Boost: Upon purification, each of the Shadow Pokémon’s Individual Values (Attack, Defense, HP) receives 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).
- Level Boost: A purified Pokémon is automatically boosted to Level 25. This is a significant power-up for low-level Shadow Pokémon, saving a lot of Stardust and Candy that would otherwise be spent on powering up.
- Stardust and Candy Cost Reduction: The Stardust and Candy required to power up a purified Pokémon are reduced by 10% compared to a regular Pokémon. This applies to all power-ups after purification.
- Purification Cost: The act of purification itself requires a specific amount of Stardust and Candy, which varies by Pokémon species. This base cost can sometimes be reduced by special in-game events or research tasks.
Variable Explanations:
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow Attack IV | Individual Value for Attack of the Shadow Pokémon. | Points | 0-13 (max 13 for Shadow to become 15) |
| Shadow Defense IV | Individual Value for Defense of the Shadow Pokémon. | Points | 0-13 (max 13 for Shadow to become 15) |
| Shadow HP IV | Individual Value for HP (Stamina) of the Shadow Pokémon. | Points | 0-13 (max 13 for Shadow to become 15) |
| Pokémon Species | The specific Pokémon (e.g., Charmander, Mewtwo). | N/A | Varies |
| Purification Cost Reduction (%) | Percentage reduction on purification cost due to events. | % | 0-100 |
| Base Stardust Cost | Species-specific Stardust cost for purification. | Stardust | 1,000 – 20,000 |
| Base Candy Cost | Species-specific Candy cost for purification. | Candy | 1 – 20 |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Let’s look at a couple of examples to illustrate how the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator works and what insights it provides.
Example 1: Purifying a Common Shadow Machop
Imagine you caught a Shadow Machop with decent but not perfect IVs, and you’re considering purifying it for a strong Machamp.
- Inputs:
- Pokémon Species: Machop
- Shadow Attack IV: 10
- Shadow Defense IV: 8
- Shadow HP IV: 11
- Current Shadow CP: 850
- Purification Cost Reduction (%): 0%
- Outputs (from Pokémon Go Purification Calculator):
- Total Stardust Cost: 1,000
- Total Candy Cost: 1
- Purified Attack IV: 12 / 15
- Purified Defense IV: 10 / 15
- Purified HP IV: 13 / 15
- Purified Pokémon Level: 25
- Purified Pokémon IV Sum: 35 / 45
Interpretation: For a minimal cost, your Machop’s IVs significantly improve, and it’s boosted to Level 25. This makes it a much more viable candidate for evolution and powering up into a strong Machamp for raids or gym battles, especially if you’re short on resources. The 10% power-up cost reduction for purified Pokémon will also save you resources in the long run.
Example 2: Purifying a Legendary Shadow Mewtwo
You managed to catch a Shadow Mewtwo, a highly sought-after Pokémon, but its IVs are low. Should you purify it?
- Inputs:
- Pokémon Species: Mewtwo
- Shadow Attack IV: 7
- Shadow Defense IV: 5
- Shadow HP IV: 6
- Current Shadow CP: 1800
- Purification Cost Reduction (%): 0%
- Outputs (from Pokémon Go Purification Calculator):
- Total Stardust Cost: 20,000
- Total Candy Cost: 20
- Purified Attack IV: 9 / 15
- Purified Defense IV: 7 / 15
- Purified HP IV: 8 / 15
- Purified Pokémon Level: 25
- Purified Pokémon IV Sum: 24 / 45
Interpretation: While the IVs improve, they are still not exceptional. The cost for purifying a legendary like Mewtwo is very high. In this case, many trainers would opt to keep it as a Shadow Mewtwo due to its immense 20% Attack bonus, which often makes it a top-tier attacker even with lower IVs. The Pokémon Go Purification Calculator helps you see that the IV boost alone might not justify the high cost and the loss of the Shadow bonus for such a powerful Pokémon. For more insights, consider checking out a Shadow Pokémon Guide.
How to Use This Pokémon Go Purification Calculator
Using the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator is straightforward and designed to give you quick, actionable insights. Follow these steps to get your purification results:
- Select Pokémon Species: Choose the specific Pokémon you are considering purifying from the dropdown list. This will automatically load its base purification costs.
- Enter Shadow Attack IV: Input the Attack IV of your Shadow Pokémon. You can find this in the Pokémon Go app by appraising your Pokémon. Remember, for Shadow Pokémon, IVs typically range from 0 to 13.
- Enter Shadow Defense IV: Input the Defense IV of your Shadow Pokémon.
- Enter Shadow HP IV: Input the HP (Stamina) IV of your Shadow Pokémon.
- Enter Current Shadow CP: Provide the current Combat Power of your Shadow Pokémon. While not directly used in the purification cost calculation, it helps provide context for the Pokémon’s current strength.
- Enter Purification Cost Reduction (%): If there’s an ongoing event that reduces purification costs, enter the percentage here (e.g., 20 for a 20% reduction). Otherwise, leave it at 0.
- View Results: The calculator updates in real-time as you enter values. The “Purification Results” section will display the total Stardust and Candy required, along with the new IVs (Attack, Defense, HP) your Pokémon will have after purification. It also confirms the purified Pokémon’s level will be 25.
- Analyze the Chart: The “Shadow vs. Purified IVs Comparison” chart visually represents the IV boost, making it easy to see the improvement across Attack, Defense, and HP.
- Copy Results: Use the “Copy Results” button to quickly save the key outputs to your clipboard for sharing or record-keeping.
- Reset: If you want to calculate for a different Pokémon, click the “Reset” button to clear all inputs and start fresh.
How to Read Results:
- Total Cost: This is the immediate Stardust and Candy you’ll spend to purify the Pokémon.
- Purified IVs: These are the new, higher IVs your Pokémon will possess. A 15/15/15 is a “hundo” or perfect IV Pokémon.
- Purified Pokémon Level: Always 25. This is a significant boost for low-level Shadow Pokémon.
- Purified Pokémon IV Sum: The sum of the three IVs, out of a maximum of 45.
Decision-Making Guidance:
Use the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator to weigh the costs against the benefits. If a Shadow Pokémon has very low IVs (e.g., 0/0/0) and becomes 2/2/2 after purification, it might not be worth the cost unless it’s a rare Pokémon you want for a purified collection. Conversely, a Shadow Pokémon with 13/13/13 IVs will become a perfect 15/15/15 after purification, making it an excellent candidate for purification if you prefer purified Pokémon over Shadow ones. Consider the IV Calculation Pokémon Go for general IV assessment.
Key Factors That Affect Pokémon Go Purification Calculator Results
Several factors influence the outcomes you see in the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator and your overall purification strategy. Understanding these can help you make more informed decisions.
- Original Shadow IVs: The starting IVs of your Shadow Pokémon are paramount. A Shadow with 13/13/13 will become a perfect 15/15/15, while a 0/0/0 will only become 2/2/2. Higher initial IVs mean a better purified Pokémon.
- Pokémon Species: Different Pokémon have different base purification costs. Legendary Shadow Pokémon like Mewtwo cost significantly more Stardust and Candy (20,000 Stardust, 20 Candy) than common ones like Rattata (1,000 Stardust, 1 Candy). This directly impacts the “Total Cost” in the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator.
- Event Bonuses: Occasionally, Niantic hosts events that reduce purification costs. These “Purification Cost” reductions can make purifying expensive Pokémon much more feasible. Always check for active events before purifying.
- Resource Availability (Stardust & Candy): Your current stash of Stardust and Candy for the specific Pokémon is a major factor. Even if a purification yields great IVs, it might not be worth it if it depletes your resources for other critical power-ups or trades.
- Strategic Role (Shadow vs. Purified): This is perhaps the most crucial factor. Shadow Pokémon receive a 20% attack boost, making them superior attackers in many raid and gym scenarios, despite their lower defense. Purified Pokémon lose this bonus but gain the IV boost, a 10% power-up cost reduction, and a cheaper second charge move. The Pokémon Go Purification Calculator helps you see the purified stats, but you must decide if the Shadow bonus is more valuable for that specific Pokémon’s role.
- Collection Goals: Some trainers aim to collect perfect IV Pokémon, or “hundo” Pokémon. If purifying a Shadow Pokémon guarantees a hundo, it might be a priority for collectors, regardless of its battle utility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator
Q: What is the main benefit of using the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator?
A: The primary benefit of the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator is to quickly determine the exact Stardust and Candy cost for purification and to see the guaranteed IV boost your Shadow Pokémon will receive. This helps you make an informed decision on whether to purify or keep it as a Shadow.
Q: Does purification always result in a 15/15/15 IV Pokémon?
A: No. Purification adds +2 to each of the Shadow Pokémon’s IVs, up to a maximum of 15. So, a Shadow Pokémon needs to have at least 13/13/13 IVs to become a perfect 15/15/15 after purification. The Pokémon Go Purification Calculator will show you the exact post-purification IVs.
Q: Why do some Pokémon cost more Stardust and Candy to purify?
A: The purification cost is species-specific. Rarer or more powerful Pokémon, especially legendary ones, have significantly higher purification costs. For example, a Shadow Mewtwo costs 20,000 Stardust and 20 Candy, while a Shadow Rattata costs 1,000 Stardust and 1 Candy. This is reflected in the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator.
Q: What happens to the Pokémon’s CP after purification?
A: A purified Pokémon is automatically boosted to Level 25. This, combined with the IV increase, will significantly raise its Combat Power (CP). While this Pokémon Go Purification Calculator focuses on IVs and costs, the level boost is a major advantage.
Q: Is it always better to purify a Shadow Pokémon?
A: Not always. Shadow Pokémon have a 20% attack bonus, which often makes them superior attackers in raids and gyms, even with lower IVs. Purified Pokémon lose this bonus. The decision depends on the Pokémon’s role, your resources, and whether you prioritize the Shadow bonus or the IV boost/cost reduction. Use the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator to see the IVs, then consider the trade-offs.
Q: Can I reduce the purification cost?
A: Yes, sometimes. Niantic occasionally runs in-game events that offer a percentage reduction on purification costs. Always check the current event details. The Pokémon Go Purification Calculator allows you to input a cost reduction percentage.
Q: What is the “Shadow Bonus” and why is it important?
A: The “Shadow Bonus” is a unique buff for Shadow Pokémon, granting them a 20% increase in Attack but also a 20% decrease in Defense. This makes them glass cannons, often dealing more damage than their purified or regular counterparts. Understanding this bonus is key to your Shadow Pokémon strategy.
Q: Does this calculator help with PvP IVs?
A: While the Pokémon Go Purification Calculator shows the resulting IVs, optimal IVs for PvP (especially Great and Ultra League) often involve low Attack IVs to maximize bulk. Purifying increases Attack IVs, which might make a Pokémon less ideal for certain PvP metas. For specific PvP IV analysis, you might need a dedicated Pokémon Go PvP Calculator.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Enhance your Pokémon Go gameplay with these other helpful tools and guides:
- Pokémon Go IV Calculator: Determine the Individual Values of any Pokémon to assess its potential.
- Pokémon Go Stardust Guide: Learn the best ways to earn and manage your Stardust effectively.
- Pokémon Go Candy Guide: Discover tips and tricks for accumulating enough Candy for your power-ups and evolutions.
- Pokémon Go Shadow Pokémon Guide: A comprehensive guide to understanding Shadow Pokémon, their bonuses, and strategic uses.
- Pokémon Go Raid Calculator: Plan your raid teams and estimate damage output against raid bosses.
- Pokémon Go PvP Calculator: Optimize your Pokémon’s IVs and movesets for competitive player-vs-player battles.