Pokémon GO Purification Calculator
Shadow Pokémon Purification Cost & Benefit Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate the Stardust and Candy costs for purifying your Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon GO, and see the potential IV boost. This helps you decide which Shadow Pokémon are most valuable to purify!
Select the primary type of the Pokémon.
Enter the base Attack IV (0-15).
Enter the base Defense IV (0-15).
Enter the base Stamina IV (0-15).
Enter the current Level of the Shadow Pokémon (e.g., 1 to 50).
Formula Explanation: Purification in Pokémon GO increases each IV stat by +2 (up to a maximum of 15). The Stardust and Candy costs for purification depend on the Pokémon species. Level-up costs depend on the Pokémon’s species and level.
Note: This calculator uses typical cost ranges. Exact costs can vary slightly between species.
Chart showing the IV boost from purification.
| Pokémon Species Category | Stardust Cost | Candy Cost | Min Level Up Stardust | Max Level Up Stardust | Min Level Up Candy | Max Level Up Candy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common (e.g., Rattata, Pidgey) | 1,000 | 1 | 400 | 2,000 | 1 | 5 |
| Uncommon (e.g., Geodude, Machop) | 2,000 | 2 | 800 | 3,000 | 2 | 6 |
| Rare (e.g., Snorlax, Lapras) | 4,000 | 4 | 1,200 | 4,000 | 3 | 8 |
| Legendary/Mythical (e.g., Mewtwo, Rayquaza) | 6,000 | 6 | 2,000 | 5,000 | 5 | 10 |
Table shows estimated costs. Actual costs vary by species.
What is Pokémon GO Purification?
In Pokémon GO, certain Shadow Pokémon can be rescued from Team GO Rocket Grunts and Leaders. These Shadow Pokémon possess a unique “Frustration” Fast Move and a significant attack boost in battles, making them powerful in their raw form. However, they also come with a higher Stardust and Candy cost for powering up. Purification is an option that transforms a Shadow Pokémon into a “Purified” Pokémon.
When a Shadow Pokémon is purified, several key changes occur:
- The “Frustration” Fast Move is removed.
- The Pokémon learns the Charged TM-compatible move “Return”.
- Each of its base IV stats (Attack, Defense, Stamina) increases by +2, capped at 15.
- The Stardust and Candy cost to power up the Pokémon is reduced.
Who should use it? This calculator is for Pokémon GO players who want to make informed decisions about purifying their Shadow Pokémon. It’s particularly useful for players looking to maximize their Pokémon’s stats for PvP (Player vs. Player) battles or PvE (Player vs. Environment) raids, especially when dealing with Pokémon that have low base IVs.
Common misconceptions:
- Myth: Purification always makes a Pokémon better. Reality: While IVs increase, the loss of the Shadow boost (a 20% attack bonus) can be detrimental for many Pokémon in raid or gym battles. Purified Pokémon often shine more in specific PvP leagues.
- Myth: Purification is only for low IV Pokémon. Reality: Players might purify Pokémon with decent base IVs if the +2 boost pushes them into a more favorable PvP breakpoint or if they want to reduce the power-up costs.
- Myth: All Shadow Pokémon are better left unpurified. Reality: Some Pokémon, like Carvanha or Sableye, benefit greatly from purification due to the IV boost and lower costs, especially for PvP.
Understanding the implications of purification is key, and this Pokémon GO purification calculator helps break down the costs and benefits.
Pokémon GO Purification Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The core mechanics behind Pokémon GO purification are relatively straightforward but involve specific calculations for IV boosts and cost reductions. Our Pokémon GO purification calculator simplifies these processes.
IV Boost Calculation
The primary benefit of purifying a Shadow Pokémon is the guaranteed increase in its Individual Values (IVs). For each of the three stats – Attack, Defense, and Stamina – the IV is increased by a flat value of +2. However, this increase is capped at the maximum possible IV, which is 15.
The formula for the purified IV is:
Purified IV = min(Current IV + 2, 15)
Where:
Current IVis the base IV of the Pokémon (0-15) for that specific stat.min(a, b)is the minimum function, meaning the result will be the smaller of the two values.15is the maximum possible IV for any stat in Pokémon GO.
For example, if a Shadow Pokémon has IVs of 10/12/13:
- Purified Attack IV = min(10 + 2, 15) = min(12, 15) = 12
- Purified Defense IV = min(12 + 2, 15) = min(14, 15) = 14
- Purified Stamina IV = min(13 + 2, 15) = min(15, 15) = 15
The resulting purified IVs would be 12/14/15.
Stardust and Candy Cost Reduction
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon also significantly reduces the Stardust and Candy required to power it up. The exact reduction varies based on the Pokémon’s species and its current level. Generally, the reduction is substantial, making it cheaper to reach higher levels.
General Cost Reduction Rule: Purified Pokémon typically require 20% less Stardust and Candy to power up compared to their Shadow counterparts. For instance, a Shadow Pokémon requiring 10,000 Stardust and 10 Candy to reach a certain level might only require 8,000 Stardust and 8 Candy after purification.
Variable Table
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Attack IV | Base Attack stat of the Shadow Pokémon | IV points (0-15) | 0 – 15 |
| Current Defense IV | Base Defense stat of the Shadow Pokémon | IV points (0-15) | 0 – 15 |
| Current Stamina IV | Base Stamina stat of the Shadow Pokémon | IV points (0-15) | 0 – 15 |
| Pokémon Level | Current level of the Shadow Pokémon | Level (e.g., 1.0 – 50.0) | 1.0 – 50.0 |
| Purified Attack IV | Attack stat after purification | IV points (0-15) | 2 – 15 |
| Purified Defense IV | Defense stat after purification | IV points (0-15) | 2 – 15 |
| Purified Stamina IV | Stamina stat after purification | IV points (0-15) | 2 – 15 |
| Stardust Cost (Purification) | Cost in Stardust to purify | Stardust | 1,000 – 6,000 (varies by species) |
| Candy Cost (Purification) | Cost in Candy to purify | Candy | 1 – 6 (varies by species) |
| Level Up Stardust Cost (Purified) | Stardust cost to power up a purified Pokémon | Stardust | Reduced compared to Shadow (varies by species/level) |
| Level Up Candy Cost (Purified) | Candy cost to power up a purified Pokémon | Candy | Reduced compared to Shadow (varies by species/level) |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Let’s explore a couple of scenarios where using the Pokémon GO purification calculator is beneficial.
Example 1: Low IV Shadow Pokémon
Scenario: A player catches a Shadow Machop with the following stats: Attack 1/15, Defense 2/15, Stamina 3/15, and it’s at Level 1. This Pokémon would be quite weak as a Shadow due to its low base IVs, even with the attack bonus.
Inputs for Calculator:
- Pokémon Type: Fighting
- Current Attack IV: 1
- Current Defense IV: 2
- Current Stamina IV: 3
- Pokémon Level: 1
Calculator Output:
- Purified Attack IV: min(1 + 2, 15) = 3
- Purified Defense IV: min(2 + 2, 15) = 4
- Purified Stamina IV: min(3 + 2, 15) = 5
- Resulting IVs: 3 / 4 / 5
- Stardust Cost (Purification): ~2,000 (Machop is Uncommon)
- Candy Cost (Purification): ~2 (Machop is Uncommon)
- Level Up Stardust Cost (Purified): Significantly reduced from Shadow Machop costs.
- Level Up Candy Cost (Purified): Significantly reduced from Shadow Machop costs.
Interpretation: Purifying this Shadow Machop transforms it into a Purified Machop with significantly improved IVs (3/4/5 instead of 1/2/3). The cost is relatively low (2,000 Stardust, 2 Candy). While 3/4/5 isn’t top-tier, it’s a massive improvement over the original stats, and the reduced power-up costs make it more viable for development. This specific set of IVs might even be useful in certain PvP leagues (like Great League) where lower overall stats are preferred.
Example 2: High IV Shadow Pokémon for PvP
Scenario: A player catches a Shadow Sableye with near-perfect PvP IVs: Attack 13/15, Defense 15/15, Stamina 15/15, and it’s at Level 7. Shadow Sableye is a potent threat in the Great League, but its purification benefit also makes it a strong candidate.
Inputs for Calculator:
- Pokémon Type: Dark / Ghost (Using Dark for calculation)
- Current Attack IV: 13
- Current Defense IV: 15
- Current Stamina IV: 15
- Pokémon Level: 7
Calculator Output:
- Purified Attack IV: min(13 + 2, 15) = 15
- Purified Defense IV: min(15 + 2, 15) = 15
- Purified Stamina IV: min(15 + 2, 15) = 15
- Resulting IVs: 15 / 15 / 15
- Stardust Cost (Purification): ~4,000 (Sableye is Rare/Specific)
- Candy Cost (Purification): ~4 (Sableye is Rare/Specific)
- Level Up Stardust Cost (Purified): Significantly reduced from Shadow Sableye costs.
- Level Up Candy Cost (Purified): Significantly reduced from Shadow Sableye costs.
Interpretation: For Sableye in the Great League (max 1500 CP), the goal is usually low Attack IV and high Defense/Stamina IVs to achieve the best stat product. However, a perfect 15/15/15 Purified Sableye is also incredibly strong and easier to power up due to the reduced costs. Players must weigh the trade-off: a Shadow Sableye with 0/15/15 might perform slightly better in some matchups due to the attack boost, but a 15/15/15 Purified Sableye is maxed out, costs less to build, and learns “Return,” a powerful Charged Move. The Pokémon GO purification calculator highlights that the IVs become perfect.
How to Use This Pokémon GO Purification Calculator
Using the Pokémon GO purification calculator is simple and designed to give you quick insights. Follow these steps:
- Identify Your Shadow Pokémon: Open your Pokémon storage in Pokémon GO and find the Shadow Pokémon you are considering purifying. Note its current IVs (Attack, Defense, Stamina) and its Level.
- Select Pokémon Type: In the calculator, choose the primary type of your Pokémon from the dropdown menu. This doesn’t affect the core calculation but helps categorize.
- Input Current IVs: Enter the current Attack, Defense, and Stamina IVs of your Shadow Pokémon into the respective input fields. These are the numbers between 0 and 15 displayed when you appraise the Pokémon.
- Input Pokémon Level: Enter the current Level of your Shadow Pokémon. You can find this by looking at the power-up indicator.
- Click “Calculate”: Press the “Calculate” button. The calculator will instantly process the information.
How to Read the Results:
- Potential IVs: This shows the guaranteed IVs your Pokémon will have *after* purification (Current IV + 2, capped at 15). This is the primary result.
- Stardust Cost: Displays the estimated Stardust required to purify the Pokémon.
- Candy Cost: Displays the estimated Candy required to purify the Pokémon.
- Level Up Stardust/Candy Costs: These indicate the *reduced* costs to power up the Pokémon after purification, compared to its Shadow form.
- Purified Attack/Defense/Stamina IV: These are the individual IV results matching the “Potential IVs”.
Decision-Making Guidance:
- Compare IVs: If your Shadow Pokémon has low base IVs (e.g., below 8/8/8), purification offers a substantial boost that can make it viable. Check if the resulting IVs meet your goals for PvP or PvE.
- Consider PvP Goals: For PvP, especially in the Great League (max 1500 CP) and Ultra League (max 2500 CP), specific IV distributions (often low Attack, high Defense/Stamina) are crucial. Use the calculator to see if purification achieves a desirable IV spread for your target league. Sometimes, a perfect 15/15/15 Purified Pokémon is better than a slightly better stat product Shadow Pokémon due to lower build costs.
- Evaluate Cost vs. Benefit: Even with low IVs, if the purification cost (Stardust and Candy) is high for that species and the resulting IVs are still mediocre, it might not be worth it. Conversely, a small purification cost for a significant IV gain on a rare Pokémon is often a great deal.
- Shadow vs. Purified: Remember the trade-off. Purified Pokémon lose the 20% Shadow attack bonus. This is usually a significant loss for raid attackers but can be negligible or even beneficial for some PvP Pokémon where bulk or specific stat products matter more.
Key Factors That Affect Pokémon GO Purification Results
Several elements influence the value and outcome of purifying a Shadow Pokémon. Understanding these factors helps you leverage the Pokémon GO purification calculator more effectively:
- Base IVs of the Shadow Pokémon: This is the most critical factor. A Shadow Pokémon starting with 0/0/0 IVs will become 2/2/2 after purification. A Pokémon starting with 13/14/15 will become 15/15/15. The calculator directly uses these to show the final IVs and highlight the impact of the +2 boost. Low base IVs benefit most dramatically from purification.
- Species-Specific Costs: The Stardust and Candy cost to purify a Pokémon is not uniform. It depends on the Pokémon’s species and is generally categorized into tiers (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Legendary/Mythical). Rare species cost more Stardust and Candy to purify. The table within this tool provides average costs, but your specific Pokémon’s species dictates the exact amount.
- Level of the Pokémon: While purification itself doesn’t directly depend on the level, the *subsequent* costs to power up the Pokémon *do*. A purified Pokémon requires less Stardust and Candy to reach its maximum level compared to its Shadow form. The calculator estimates these reduced power-up costs, which are substantial savings over time.
- PvP League Benchmarks: For players focused on PvP, the target IVs vary by league (Great League, Ultra League, Master League) and by Pokémon. Some Pokémon perform best with 0 Attack IV and high Defense/Stamina IVs to stay under CP caps. Purification might turn a “bad” Shadow Pokémon into a “good” Purified one for a specific league, or conversely, make a potentially amazing Shadow attacker into a less optimal Purified version. The calculator helps assess if the post-purification IVs are suitable.
- Shadow Attack Bonus vs. IV Boost: This is a fundamental trade-off. Shadow Pokémon gain a 20% Attack boost, making them excellent for raids and gym battles. Purified Pokémon lose this bonus but gain +2 to each IV and reduced power-up costs. For raid-focused Pokémon, keeping them Shadow is often superior. For certain PvP Pokémon, the IV boost and reduced costs outweigh the lost Shadow bonus.
- Movepool Changes: Purifying removes the signature “Frustration” Fast Move, which cannot be TM’d away outside of specific events. Instead, it gains the Charged Move “Return”. This can be beneficial if “Frustration” was blocking a desired Charged Move or if “Return” is strategically useful for the Pokémon in PvP.
- Stardust and Candy Availability: Even if purification yields great IVs, the player must have the necessary Stardust and Candy. The calculator shows these costs, prompting players to consider their resources. Purifying multiple Pokémon or powering them up requires significant reserves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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