Will purifying my Shadow Pokémon make it a hundo?
The Short Answer
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon adds exactly +2 to each of its IVs (Attack, Defense, and Stamina), up to a maximum of 15.
How the Bonus Works
When you make the decision to purify a Shadow Pokémon, three main things happen:
- It instantly jumps to Level 25 (unless it was already higher).
- It learns the move Return (replacing Frustration).
- Every IV increases by 2, max.
This is a simple linear addition. It doesn't multiply stats or reroll them completely. It simply takes whatever IVs the Shadow Pokémon currently has and adds +2 to them.
Examples Scenarios
Many Trainers ask "Is this a hundo if I purify?", so here are common scenarios to help you decide. Remember, a true "Hundo" or 100% IV Pokémon requires 15 Attack, 15 Defense, and 15 Stamina.
| Scenario | Shadow | Purified | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| The "Purifiable" Hundo | 13 / 13 / 13 | 15 / 15 / 15 | Hundo (100%) |
| The Mixed Bag | 13 / 14 / 15 | 15 / 15 / 15 | Hundo (100%) |
| The "Classic" Miss | 12 / 12 / 12 | 14 / 14 / 14 | ~93% (Not Hundo) |
| Wasted Potential (some cases) | 14 / 14 / 14 | 15 / 15 / 15 | Hundo (IVs limited to 15) |
| The Low Floor | 0 / 0 / 0 | 2 / 2 / 2 | Just +2 across board |
As you can see, you need at least 13/13/13 IVs (or any combination where all stats are 13 or higher) on the Shadow Pokémon for it to become a 100% IV Pokémon after purification.
Common Pokémon to Check
Trainers often look to purify powerful or rare Shadow Pokémon to get that perfect 4* rating. Some popular candidates include:
Should You Purify?
Wait! Before you hit that purify button, remember that Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage than their purified or regular counterparts. A 0% IV Shadow Pokémon will often deal more DPS (Damage Per Second) than a 100% Purified Pokémon of the same species!
Generally, you should only purify if:
- You want the 100% IV (Hundo) for your collection or the Perfect Pokédex.
- It is better for PVP, for example it may rely on Return for PVP.
- It is a species that benefits more from bulk than shadow damage (rare).
- It is a Mega Evolution candidate (Shadows cannot Mega Evolve, but Purified ones can!).