Pokémon GO Purification Calculator

Determine the resource cost and IV benefits of purifying your Shadow Pokémon.

Purification Calculator

What is a Pokémon GO Purification Calculator?

A Pokémon GO purification calculator is a tool designed to help trainers make informed decisions about whether to purify their Shadow Pokémon. In Pokémon GO, you rescue Shadow Pokémon by defeating Team GO Rocket members. These Pokémon are left with a menacing aura and a powerful, but slow, Charged Attack called Frustration. The process of “purifying” them removes this shadow state, but it costs Stardust and Candy. This calculator helps you understand the specific costs and benefits for your Pokémon before you commit your valuable resources.

Using a purification calculator for Pokémon GO, you can input your Pokémon’s current stats and determine the outcome of purification, including the exact resource cost and the resulting increase in its Individual Values (IVs). This is crucial for deciding if a particular Shadow Pokémon is worth purifying, especially if you’re aiming for a perfect 100% IV Pokémon or trying to manage your Stardust budget effectively.

Purification Formula and Explanation

The mechanics of purification are straightforward, which makes a calculator a reliable tool. When you purify a Shadow Pokémon, several things happen.

• IV Increase: Each of the Pokémon’s three IVs (Attack, Defense, and Stamina) is increased by 2.
• Level Up: The Pokémon’s level is automatically boosted to 25.
• Move Change: The Charged Attack “Frustration” is replaced with “Return.”
• Cost Reduction: The amount of Stardust and Candy needed for future power-ups, evolutions, or learning a second Charged Attack is reduced.

The formula for the new IVs is simple:

Purified_IV = Shadow_IV + 2 (capped at a maximum of 15)

A key feature of any good purification calculator for Pokémon GO is determining the potential for a “hundo” (a perfect 100% IV Pokémon). Any Shadow Pokémon with IVs of 13/13/13 or higher will become a 15/15/15 perfect Pokémon upon purification.

Variables Table

Key variables in the purification process.

Variable	Meaning	Unit / Type	Typical Range
Stardust Cost	The amount of Stardust required to purify.	In-game currency	1,000, 3,000, 5,000, or 20,000
Candy Cost	The amount of Pokémon-specific Candy required.	In-game currency	1, 3, 5, or 20
IV (Individual Value)	A hidden stat determining a Pokémon’s potential.	Numeric Value	0 – 15 for each stat
Level	The Pokémon’s power level.	Numeric Value	Jumps to 25 after purification

Practical Examples

Example 1: Creating a Perfect Machop

A trainer catches a Shadow Machop with promising stats, wondering if it can become perfect. They use the Pokémon GO purification calculator to find out.

• Inputs:
  • Pokémon Category: Standard (3,000 Stardust)
  • Attack IV: 13
  • Defense IV: 14
  • Stamina IV: 13
• Results:
  • Purification Cost: 3,000 Stardust & 3 Machop Candy.
  • New IVs: Attack 15 (+2), Defense 15 (+1), Stamina 15 (+2).
  • Outcome: A perfect 100% IV Machamp after evolution!

Example 2: Cost of a Legendary

A player has a Shadow Zapdos and wants to know the cost-benefit before purifying, as legendary resources are scarce.

• Inputs:
  • Pokémon Category: Legendary (20,000 Stardust)
  • Attack IV: 10
  • Defense IV: 7
  • Stamina IV: 11
• Results:
  • Purification Cost: 20,000 Stardust & 20 Zapdos Candy.
  • New IVs: Attack 12 (+2), Defense 9 (+2), Stamina 13 (+2).
  • Outcome: A significantly stronger Zapdos, but at a high cost. The player might decide to wait for a better Shadow Legendary, as the final IVs are not close to perfect.

How to Use This Pokémon GO Purification Calculator

1. Select Pokémon Category: Start by choosing the correct Stardust cost category. Common Pokémon like Rattata cost 1,000, starters often cost 3,000, rarer ones like Snorlax cost 5,000, and Legendaries cost 20,000. If unsure, select the closest match.
2. Enter Current IVs: Input the Attack, Defense, and Stamina IVs of your Shadow Pokémon. You can find these by using the in-game appraisal system.
3. Click “Calculate”: Press the calculate button to see the results instantly.
4. Review the Outcome: The calculator will display the total Stardust and Candy cost, show the new purified IVs, and state whether the Pokémon becomes 100% perfect.
5. Analyze the Chart: The bar chart provides a quick visual of the IV gains, comparing the “before” and “after” for each stat.

Key Factors That Affect Purification

Deciding whether to purify is more than just a calculation; it’s a strategic choice. Here are key factors to consider:

• The Shadow Bonus: Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage but also take 20% more damage. For raid attackers, a 0% IV Shadow Pokémon often out-damages a 100% IV normal/purified counterpart.
• End Goal (PvP vs. PvE): For PvE (raids), the shadow damage bonus is almost always preferred. In PvP, higher defensive stats and bulk can be more important, making purification a viable option, especially if it results in better overall IVs for a specific league.
• Hundo Potential: If your Shadow Pokémon has IVs of 13/13/13 or higher, purifying it guarantees a perfect 100% Pokémon, a prized possession for any collector.
• Stardust and Candy Cost: Purifying costs resources, but powering up a Shadow Pokémon also costs more (a 20% increase). A purified Pokémon gets a 10% discount on power-ups, evolutions, and second moves.
• Exclusive Moves: Purification replaces Frustration with Return. While Return isn’t a top-tier move, it’s immediately usable and can be changed with a regular Charged TM, unlike Frustration which can only be removed during specific events.
• Mega Evolution: You cannot Mega Evolve a Shadow Pokémon. It must be purified first. If you have a high-IV shadow that has a Mega form (like Swampert or Tyranitar), purifying it is necessary to unlock its Mega potential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is it always better to purify a Shadow Pokémon?

No. For raiding and PvE, the 20% attack bonus of a Shadow Pokémon is generally considered superior to the stats of its purified form, even if the purified one has higher IVs.

2. How much does it cost to purify a Pokémon?

It depends on the species. Costs are typically 1,000 Stardust and 1 Candy for very common Pokémon, 3,000 or 5,000 for most others, and 20,000 Stardust and 20 Candy for Legendaries.

3. What is the benefit of purifying a Pokémon?

Purifying increases each IV by +2, raises the Pokémon’s level to 25, replaces Frustration with Return, and provides a discount on future Stardust and Candy costs for powering up and evolving.

4. Can a 0% IV Shadow Pokémon become good?

After purification, it would become a 2/2/2 IV Pokémon, which is still very low. However, as a Shadow Pokémon, its 20% attack bonus can make it a surprisingly powerful glass cannon in raids.

5. Will my 13/13/13 Shadow Pokémon become 100%?

Yes. A 13/13/13 Shadow Pokémon will become a perfect 15/15/15 Pokémon when you purify it, as each stat gets a +2 boost.

6. Does purification affect CP?

Yes, significantly. A purified Pokémon’s level automatically jumps to 25, and its IVs increase, both of which will lead to a higher CP.

7. Should I purify a Shiny Shadow Pokémon?

This is a personal choice. A Shiny Shadow is extremely rare. Purifying it will give it a nice white aura but you will lose the red shadow effect and the powerful shadow attack bonus. Most collectors advise against purifying shiny shadows unless you have a specific reason.

8. What happens if an IV is already 14 or 15?

The IV will cap at 15. If a Pokémon has 14 Attack, it will gain +1 to become 15. If it already has 15 Attack, it will gain +0 for that stat.