- having the right Pokémon species for the job
- powering it up to a useful level
- having the best moves
- A “perfect IV” Pokémon with weak moves or low level can still underperform.
The best way to think about IVs
Bold line: IVs are a fine-tuning tool. Moves, level, and species are the big levers.
The Three IV Stats
Attack IV (0–15)
Attack IV increases the Pokémon’s total Attack stat. In raids and gyms, higher Attack usually means a little more damage. In PvP, higher Attack can help win “charged move ties,” but it can also make a Pokémon bulkier or less bulky depending on league caps.
Defense IV (0–15)
Defense IV increases the Pokémon’s total Defense stat. It helps you take less damage over time. This is especially valuable in PvP and in situations where your Pokémon needs to stay alive long enough to reach more charged moves.
Stamina / HP IV (0–15)
Stamina IV increases your HP total. Higher HP can let you survive one extra fast move or one extra charged move, which often decides close battles—especially in PvP.
The quick takeaway
- Raids: Attack usually feels most noticeable (but still smaller than moves and level).
- PvP: Defense and HP often matter more for consistency, and Attack can be a complicated tradeoff.
Base Stats vs IVs vs Level (The Real Power Stack)
A Pokémon’s final strength comes from three layers:
Layer 1: Species base stats
Every Pokémon species has built-in base stats. That’s why a legendary dragon feels stronger than a small early-route Pokémon even if their IVs are similar.
Layer 2: Level (power-ups)
Level is the biggest controllable factor. A lower-IV Pokémon at a much higher level can outperform a higher-IV Pokémon at a low level—especially in raids.
Layer 3: IVs
IVs add a small bonus on top. They matter most when you’re comparing two Pokémon of the same species at a similar level and deciding which one deserves the heavy investment.
Bold reality check
If you’re choosing between:
- the correct raid attacker with good moves at high level, and
- a “perfect” but wrong type attacker at low level,
- the correct type attacker wins almost every time.
What the Appraisal Screen Shows (Stars and Bars)
The in-game Appraisal is your IV window. It doesn’t show the exact numbers automatically, but it shows the exact stat bars for Attack, Defense, and HP.
Star ratings (the simple meaning)
- 0 stars: low overall IV total
- 1–2 stars: medium overall IV total
- 3 stars: high overall IV total
- 4 stars: perfect 15/15/15 (a “hundo”)
The bars (what matters more than stars)
Stars are a quick summary, but the bars are what you should actually pay attention to—especially for PvP, where “not perfect” can be ideal.
How to read the bars fast
Bold line: Each bar is one stat from 0 to 15. Full bar = 15.
Why two Pokémon with the same stars can be very different
A 3-star Pokémon could be:
- 15/15/10 (great for raids)
- or 10/15/15 (sometimes better for PvP under caps)
- Stars don’t tell you the shape—bars do.
Hundo, Nundo, and IV Percentage (What Those Words Mean)
Hundo (100%)
A “hundo” is 15 Attack / 15 Defense / 15 HP. Total IV points = 45 out of 45.
Nundo (0%)
A “nundo” is 0/0/0. Total IV points = 0 out of 45. It’s rare in its own weird way and mainly a collector flex.
IV percentage (how it’s calculated)
IV% is the total IV points divided by 45.
Example:
- 45/45 = 100%
- 36/45 = 80%
- 30/45 = 66.7%
What IV% is good for
It’s a quick sorting tool, especially for raids.
What IV% is bad for
It can mislead you in PvP. A Pokémon that’s “low IV%” can still be top-tier for Great League if its Attack is low and its bulk is high.
IV Floors (Why Some Catches Are Usually Better)
An IV floor is a minimum IV guarantee. Some encounter types cannot roll below certain IV values, meaning you’re more likely to find high-IV Pokémon from those sources.
Why floors matter
A floor shrinks the possible IV combinations. Fewer combinations = better odds of getting something excellent.
Common IV floors you should know
Wild catches
- Can be as low as 0/0/0
- This is why wild IVs feel “all over the place”
Weather-boosted wild catches
- Have a higher minimum floor than normal wild catches
- This makes weather-boosted hunts a surprisingly good way to find solid IVs while also catching higher-level Pokémon
Raid catches / egg hatches / research encounters
- These typically have a high minimum floor, which is why they’re popular “quality hunting” methods
Trading floors
Trading rerolls IVs, but the minimum depends on friendship level, and Lucky trades have an especially high floor.
Bold rule: If you want high-IV Pokémon efficiently, chase the encounter types with floors, not random wild spawns.
Where You Get High-IV Pokémon Most Consistently
This is the practical answer to “How do I get better IVs without getting lucky?”
Raids
Raids are one of the most consistent high-IV sources because of their strong IV floor. They also give you a predictable target Pokémon, which is great when you’re building a specific attacker.
Eggs
Eggs are another high-IV floor source. They’re great when the egg pool contains multiple Pokémon you actually want—because even “bad luck” still produces something useful.
Research encounters
Research Pokémon also come with a strong IV floor. They’re excellent for hundo hunting and for finding high-quality versions of specific Pokémon that appear as research rewards.
Weather-boosted catching
This is an underrated strategy because it combines:
- a higher IV floor than normal wild catches
- higher catch levels (less powering needed)
- If you like grinding, weather boosts are a “two-for-one” value.
Trading (especially Lucky trades)
If you have a consistent friend to trade with, trading becomes one of the best ways to roll better IVs over time—especially for rare Pokémon you don’t see often.
Trading and Lucky Pokémon (How IVs Reroll)
Trading is one of the few systems that can completely change a Pokémon’s IVs.
What happens to IVs when you trade
Bold line: IVs reroll. The original IVs do not matter once the trade completes.
That means a low-IV Pokémon can become amazing after a trade, and a high-IV Pokémon can become worse. This is why you should trade strategically.
Friendship-based trade floors (the big idea)
Higher friendship levels generally raise the minimum IV floor for the reroll. In simple terms: trading with closer friends reduces “terrible” results.
Lucky trades (the best trading outcome)
A Lucky trade guarantees:
- a high minimum IV floor
- and cheaper power-ups afterward (a huge Stardust saver)
How to use trading smartly
Bold strategy: Trade Pokémon you want to build but don’t need perfect immediately.
Examples:
- rare PvP Pokémon you want multiple rerolls for
- raid attackers you want better IVs on before committing Stardust
- shinies you’re collecting where high IVs are a bonus
What not to trade blindly
- one-of-a-kind collectibles you would regret losing
- a powered-up Pokémon you actively use (unless you’re sure)
- anything you need for an urgent raid team today
Shadow and Purified Pokémon (How IVs Change)
Shadow and Purified are where IV confusion gets real—because IVs are only part of the story.
Shadow Pokémon
Shadow Pokémon have two big features:
- They deal extra damage (shown as a Shadow Bonus)
- They also take extra damage
- This creates a tradeoff: shadows can be amazing attackers even with imperfect IVs, because the damage bonus can outweigh small IV differences.
Purifying Shadow Pokémon
Purifying does several things:
- increases appraisal (commonly described as +2 IV in each stat, capped at 15)
- replaces Frustration with Return (a special move)
- often reduces the Stardust and Candy costs for powering up and second moves
- increases the Pokémon’s level if it was below a certain level threshold
The practical Shadow vs Purified decision
Bold line: If the Pokémon is a top attacker, Shadow is often stronger for damage. If you want cheaper builds, a hundo collector goal, or specific PvP uses, Purified can be valuable.
When purifying makes sense
- You want a hundo for collection or bragging rights
- You want cheaper power-ups and second moves
- You need Return for a niche PvP plan (rare, but real)
- The Shadow version isn’t useful to you and you’re clearing storage
When purifying is often a mistake
- It’s a top-tier raid attacker as a Shadow and you care about raid power
- You have limited Shadow opportunities and may not get another good one soon
- You purify immediately without a plan
Safe decision rule
If you’re unsure, don’t purify right away. You can always purify later, but you can’t undo it.
Do IVs Matter in Raids and Gyms? (Simple, Honest Answer)
Yes—but less than most people think.
What matters most in raids
Bold priority list (most important to least)
- Correct type counters
- Correct movesets
- Pokémon level (power-ups)
- Shadow/Mega/Primal bonuses when available
- IVs
Why IVs feel small in raids
IVs are a small bonus on top of big base stats. The difference between 0 Attack IV and 15 Attack IV exists, but it’s usually much smaller than:
- using the correct super-effective type
- having the right fast/charged moves
- powering up your Pokémon properly
When IVs matter more in raids
Breakpoints
Sometimes a small Attack increase lets your fast move deal 1 extra damage per hit against a specific boss. That can add up over time.
Short-manning raids (duos/trios)
When the fight is tight, tiny differences matter more. In close clears, IVs can be the difference between winning and timing out.
Expensive max projects
If you’re spending huge Stardust and Candy XL to max a Pokémon, it makes sense to prefer a high-IV one—because that investment is long-term.
Gym battles
Gym offense is similar to raids: counters and moves matter most. Gym defense is different—bulk and motivation behavior matter far more than IVs.
Do IVs Matter in PvP? (They Matter Differently)
In PvP, IVs can matter a lot—but the “best IV” is not always 15/15/15.
Great League and Ultra League (CP caps)
Because these leagues have CP limits, Attack IV becomes tricky:
- Higher Attack increases CP faster
- Higher Attack can force the Pokémon to be a lower level to stay under the CP cap
- Lower level often means less bulk overall
That’s why many strong Great League and Ultra League Pokémon prefer:
- lower Attack
- higher Defense and HP
- This often lets the Pokémon reach a higher level under the CP cap, making it bulkier in battle.
Master League (no CP cap)
Master League usually favors near-perfect IVs because:
- there’s no CP limit forcing weird tradeoffs
- winning charged move ties (CMP) can matter a lot
- bulk and damage breakpoints can flip elite matchups
The PvP truth beginners need
Bold line: IVs help you win close games. Skills and team structure win most games.
A strong team with correct moves and good decisions beats a “perfect IV” team misplayed.
What Matters Most (The “Stop Stressing” Priority List)
If you want the simplest rule set that keeps your progress fast and your storage manageable, use this.
For raids (damage and boss farming)
- Correct Pokémon species for the boss weakness
- Correct moves
- Power level
- Shadow/Mega/Primal advantages
- Then IVs
For Great/Ultra League PvP
- Correct Pokémon species for the meta
- Correct PvP moves
- Two charged moves
- IV shape (often low Attack, high bulk)
- Then tiny optimizations
For Master League
- Correct species and moves
- High level and Candy XL plan
- High IVs (preferably near-perfect)
- Best Buddy planning if you’re serious
For collectors
- Keep what makes you happy: shinies, hundos, nundos, costumes, rare forms
- Collectors can treat IVs as the “fun stat,” not a strict performance tool.
Keep or Transfer Rules (Practical and Fast)
Here are rules you can actually follow without overthinking every catch.
Rule 1: Don’t delete good species just because it’s low stars
Some Pokémon are worth keeping in low-star form because:
- they’re rare
- they’re strong with the right moves
- they might be perfect for PvP due to low Attack
Rule 2: Keep high-level wild catches even if IVs are average
A high-level catch can be battle-ready quickly with minimal Stardust. That’s huge for new players building raid teams.
Rule 3: For raids, save your best 1–3 of a species
You usually don’t need 12 versions of the same attacker unless you’re building a full team. Keep a small set of your best and transfer the rest.
Rule 4: For PvP, keep “weird-looking” IVs
Great League and Ultra League often prefer:
- low Attack
- high Defense/HP
- So yes, some 0–2 star Pokémon are actually your best PvP candidates.
Rule 5: For expensive builds, demand better IVs
If a Pokémon is a huge investment (Candy XL, legendary, rare moves), it makes sense to wait for a better one before committing.
Rule 6: Tag now, sort later
During events, don’t appraise everything on the spot. Tag what might be good (raid, PvP, trade), then sort calmly later. This protects your playtime.
How to Hunt Better IVs Efficiently (Without Luck)
If you want more good IV Pokémon, you need more attempts where the odds are better.
Use high-floor encounter sources
- Raids
- Eggs
- Research encounters
- These sources are built for “quality hunting.”
Use weather boosts when you’re already farming
Weather boosts are free value if you’re already catching a lot. You’ll get higher-level catches and a better IV floor than normal wild spawns.
Trade duplicates instead of transferring them instantly
This is one of the best long-term habits:
- Catch a bunch of the same Pokémon
- Trade them with a friend
- Then decide what to keep
- Trading turns “trash duplicates” into extra IV rolls.
Focus your IV hunting on Pokémon worth building
Bold line: Don’t chase hundos for everything. Chase hundos for what you’ll actually invest in.
Use your time where it pays
Spending hours checking IVs on common filler spawns is rarely worth it. Spend that time on:
- raids you actually want
- research encounters with strong pools
- targeted catches during events
- trading sessions that reroll IVs
Best IV Priorities by Goal
Different players should care about IVs differently. Here’s a clean way to decide what to chase.
If your goal is strong raid teams
What to prioritize
- Correct type + correct moves first
- High level catches that save Stardust
- Then higher Attack IV for your “final” versions
What to keep
- High-IV raid attackers (especially 3-star with high Attack)
- Strong Shadows even if IVs are not perfect (because damage bonus can outweigh IV gaps)
- One “best version” you’ll power up long-term
What to stop doing
Don’t wait forever for perfect IVs before building anything. Build a usable team now, upgrade later.
If your goal is Great League
What to prioritize
- PvP movesets and two charged moves
- Pokémon that fit the meta
- Bulk-focused IV spreads (often low Attack)
What to keep
- Multiple candidates of the same Pokémon if you’re serious
- “Ugly” 0–2 star IV spreads that could be rank-perfect for Great League
What to stop doing
Stop deleting everything below 3 stars. That habit destroys Great League potential.
If your goal is Ultra League
Ultra League is similar to Great League but more expensive. You still often want bulk, but the best IV shape can vary a lot by species.
What to keep
- Strong candidates with good bulk
- High-level catches that land near 2500 CP efficiently
- Trades that reroll into strong bulk spreads
If your goal is Master League
What to prioritize
- Near-perfect IVs (especially 15 Attack)
- A real Candy XL plan
- Correct moves (including signature moves when relevant)
What to keep
- High-IV legendaries you will actually power up
- One best version per Master League project
- Lucky versions if you want cheaper powering up
If your goal is collecting
What to prioritize
Whatever makes you happy:
- hundos
- nundos
- shinies
- rare costumes/forms
- You can still use IV rules, but you don’t need to let IV stress ruin the fun.
Common IV Myths (Quick Truths)
Myth: “Only 3-star Pokémon are worth keeping.”
Truth: Great League and Ultra League often prefer low Attack, which can appear as low-star.
Myth: “A hundo is always the strongest.”
Truth: A hundo is the strongest version of that species at a given level, but it can still be the wrong species or wrong moves for your goal.
Myth: “IVs matter more than moves.”
Truth: Moves usually matter more. The right moveset can outperform a higher-IV build with weak moves.
Myth: “Powering up changes IVs.”
Truth: Powering up changes level, not IVs.
Myth: “Evolving changes IVs.”
Truth: Evolving keeps the same IVs.
Myth: “If I purify, it always becomes better for battles.”
Truth: Purifying improves IVs and reduces costs, but you may lose Shadow damage potential. “Better” depends on your goal.
Myth: “Trading keeps the same IVs but slightly improves them.”
Truth: Trading rerolls IVs completely (with floors based on friendship and lucky status).
BoostRoom: Make IV Decisions Simple (Keep, Build, Win)
IV knowledge is useful—but the real win is making fast, confident decisions that improve your account.
BoostRoom helps you turn IVs into a practical plan:
Bold line: Less stress, fewer mistakes, better teams.
- Decide what to keep and what to transfer based on your goals (raids, PvP, collecting)
- Identify which “low-star” Pokémon are actually top PvP candidates
- Build raid teams where moves and levels come first, then IV upgrades happen naturally
- Create a trading plan that rerolls IVs efficiently instead of deleting potential upgrades
- Avoid wasting Stardust on the wrong version of a Pokémon
If you want your storage to feel organized and your builds to feel intentional, BoostRoom turns IVs into a system you can follow.
FAQ
What are IVs in Pokémon GO?
IVs are hidden bonus stats (Attack, Defense, HP) that range from 0–15 and are added to a Pokémon’s base stats.
What is a 4-star Pokémon?
A 4-star is a perfect 15/15/15 Pokémon, often called a “hundo.”
Do IVs matter a lot for raids?
They matter a little, but moves, level, and type counters usually matter more. IVs become more important for expensive max builds and tight raid clears.
Do IVs matter for Great League PvP?
Yes, but “best IVs” often mean low Attack and high bulk, not 15/15/15. Many great PvP Pokémon show as low-star.
Do IVs reroll when trading?
Yes. Trading rerolls IVs completely, with minimum floors depending on friendship level and Lucky trades.
