Purification
Cleanse a Shadow Pokémon to lift its IVs to a 15-floor minimum, swap Frustration for Return, and unlock trading, Mega Evolution, and Lucky status.
The IV bridge
Purification adds +2 to every IV, capped at 15
That single rule is why purification matters for hundo hunting. A Shadow Pokémon at 13/13/13 or better always becomes a 15/15/15 Purified.
13/13/13 Shadow
13 / 13 / 13
15/15/15 Purified
15 / 15 / 15
Three winning IV values per stat (13, 14, 15) instead of one. The hundo target widens from 1 spread to 27 across the same encounter floor.
Costs by rarity
Stardust and Candy scale with rarity
The exact tier shows on the purify confirmation screen before you commit. The Stardust and Candy cost are charged at the same tier.
Common
1,000
Stardust
1
Candy
Rattata, Zubat, Weedle
Uncommon
3,000
Stardust
3
Candy
Most starters, mid-tier wilds
Rare
5,000
Stardust
5
Candy
Snorlax, Lapras, Dragonite
Legendary
20,000
Stardust
20
Candy
Mewtwo, Articuno, Ho-Oh
What changes
Effects of purification at a glance
Every purification triggers a fixed set of changes. The Pokémon becomes its own form: Purified, distinct from Shadow and from a never-shadowed wild catch.
+2 / level 25
IV bump and level boost
Each IV +2 capped at 15. Level rises to your trainer level, max 25.
Return
Frustration is replaced
Normal-type Charged Move, 35 power in raids, 130 in PvP. Replaceable with a Charged TM.
×0.9 / ×0.8
Cheaper power-ups and second moves
10% off Stardust and Candy to power up. 20% off second-move unlocks.
Shadow vs. Purified
What you trade away
Purification is permanent. The ×1.2 Attack Bonus that makes Shadow Pokémon top raid attackers is gone forever. Some features unlock in exchange.
Shadow
Shadow Pokémon
Purified
Purified Pokémon
Attack
×1.2 (Shadow Bonus)
Attack
×1.0 (no bonus)
Defense
×0.83 (Shadow Bonus)
Defense
×1.0 (no bonus)
Charged Move
Frustration (locked)
Charged Move
Return (TM-able)
Mega Evolution
Cannot Mega Evolve
Mega Evolution
Can Mega Evolve
Trading
Cannot trade
Trading
Can trade (eligible for Lucky)
Power-up cost
Standard
Power-up cost
×0.9 (10% off)
Second move unlock
Standard
Second move unlock
×0.8 (20% off)
Decision guide
Purify or keep Shadow?
Almost always answered by what you plan to do with the Pokémon. The Shadow Bonus dwarfs the IV upside in raids. Collection and Lucky goals point the other way.
Keep Shadow
Top raid attackers
A Shadow at level 30 typically out-damages its non-Shadow counterpart at level 40. Mewtwo, Salamence, Metagross, Tyranitar, Garchomp, Machamp, Mamoswine.
Purify
Hundo and Mega chasers
13/13/13 → 15/15/15
Lock in a Purified hundo, unlock Mega Evolution, and bridge to a Lucky hundo via trading. Permanent decision, no shadows again.
Both
Catch-one-keep-one
Catch a duplicate. Keep the highest-IV Shadow as a raid attacker, purify the second copy for collection or Lucky chasing.
Frustration vs. Return
How Shadow Pokémon escape Frustration
Frustration is locked. A regular or Elite Charged TM does not remove it. Purification permanently swaps it for Return. The only other escape route is a periodic Team GO Rocket Takeover event.
Frustration
Normal · 10 / 10 power (PvE / PvP)
5.0 DPS in raids. 70 energy for 10 damage in PvP. Among the worst Charged Moves in the game by design.
Return
Normal · 35 / 130 power (PvE / PvP)
Standard mid-tier Normal-type Charged Move. Niche PvP closer on Purified Sableye and similar set pieces.
FAQ
Common purification questions
Does purification guarantee a hundo?
Only if the Shadow was 13/13/13 or better. The +2 IV boost caps at 15, so a 12 stat purifies to 14, not 15.
Can I purify a Shadow Legendary?
Yes. The cost is 20,000 Stardust and 20 Candy. Most trainers keep Shadow Legendaries unless they have a hundo-eligible IV spread or want a Mega-eligible variant later.
Will purification raise the Pokémon's CP?
Usually yes. The IV bump and level boost to 25 outweigh the loss of the ×1.2 Attack multiplier in most cases, though the exact change depends on your starting IVs and level.
Can I undo purification?
No. Purification is permanent. The Pokémon can never become a Shadow again.
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