Purified Pokémon in PvP Pokémon GO often spark debate among Trainers, with many wondering whether they’re better than Shadow Pokémon or standard Pokémon. While Purified Pokémon in PvP Pokémon GO lose the powerful Shadow attack bonus, they gain several advantages, including cheaper upgrades, the exclusive Charged Move Return and improved accessibility for many players.
If you’re deciding whether to purify a Pokémon before using it in GO Battle League, here’s everything you need to know.
What Are Purified Pokémon?
Purified Pokémon are Shadow Pokémon that have been purified using Stardust and Candy.
Purifying removes the Shadow status and provides several benefits.
| Benefit | Effect |
|---|---|
| Level Increase | Pokémon immediately gains levels |
| Lower Stardust Cost | Cheaper to power up |
| Lower Candy Cost | Cheaper to unlock moves and power up |
| Return | Learns the exclusive Charged Move Return |
Once purified, a Pokémon cannot be turned back into its Shadow form.
Are Purified Pokémon Good in PvP?
Yes, although not every Pokémon benefits from being purified.
Some Purified Pokémon in PvP Pokémon GO perform extremely well thanks to Return, while others are stronger remaining as Shadow Pokémon or regular Pokémon.
Whether purification is worthwhile depends on the Pokémon, its move pool and your intended GO Battle League team.
What Is Return?
One of the biggest reasons Trainers use Purified Pokémon in PvP Pokémon GO is the exclusive Charged Move Return.
| Move | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Return | Normal | Only available on Purified Pokémon |
Return provides strong neutral damage and gives certain Pokémon access to a useful coverage move they otherwise couldn’t learn.
Best Purified Pokémon in PvP Pokémon GO
Some Pokémon benefit more than others from purification.
| Pokémon | League | Why It’s Strong |
|---|---|---|
| Sableye | Great League | Return provides excellent neutral coverage |
| Wobbuffet | Great League | Extremely bulky with Return |
| Dusclops | Great League | Gains a useful additional attack option |
| Porygon2 | Ultra League | Flexible move coverage |
| Bellossom | Great League | Return complements its existing move set |
Sableye is widely regarded as one of the best examples of a Pokémon that benefits from purification.
Advantages of Purified Pokémon
Using Purified Pokémon in PvP Pokémon GO offers several advantages.
- Cheaper Stardust investment.
- Lower Candy costs.
- Immediate level boost after purification.
- Access to Return.
- Easier to build for new players.
These benefits can make purification an attractive option, especially when resources are limited.
Disadvantages of Purified Pokémon
Purifying also has drawbacks.
| Disadvantage | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Lose Shadow bonus | Lower overall damage output |
| Cannot reverse purification | Permanent decision |
| Return isn’t always useful | Some Pokémon prefer different Charged Moves |
| Some Shadow Pokémon are stronger | Purifying can reduce PvP performance |
Because purification cannot be undone, it’s worth checking whether the Shadow version performs better before making your decision.
Should You Purify Every Shadow Pokémon?
No.
Many of the strongest PvP Pokémon are actually better left as Shadow Pokémon because of the increased attack damage.
Purification should be considered on a Pokémon-by-Pokémon basis rather than as a general rule.
Checking PvP rankings before purifying can help avoid expensive mistakes.
Do Purified Pokémon Need Good PvP IVs?
Yes.
Just like regular Pokémon, Purified Pokémon in PvP Pokémon GO benefit from strong PvP IV spreads.
For Great League and Ultra League, lower Attack IVs with higher Defense and HP are often preferred.
Master League generally favours perfect IV Pokémon.
Purified vs Shadow Pokémon
Choosing between Purified and Shadow Pokémon depends on your goals.
| Purified Pokémon | Shadow Pokémon |
|---|---|
| Cheaper to build | Higher damage output |
| Access to Return | 20% Attack bonus |
| Better for certain species | Better for aggressive playstyles |
| More defensive | Less bulky |
Neither option is universally better, and the right choice varies depending on the Pokémon and your team.
Are Purified Pokémon in PvP Pokémon GO Worth Using?
Absolutely.
While Shadow Pokémon often receive more attention, Purified Pokémon in PvP Pokémon GO remain valuable in specific situations. Pokémon such as Sableye demonstrate just how powerful Return can be, while the reduced upgrade costs make purified Pokémon more accessible for many Trainers. Before purifying any Shadow Pokémon, it’s always worth checking whether its purified form offers a competitive advantage in GO Battle League.
