Pokémon GO: How Individual Values and the Appraisal System Work
Julian "Jules" Becker
Mobile Esports & Competitive Gaming Expert
Published
Updated
7 min read
Introduction
When catching Pokémon in Pokémon GO, two creatures of the exact same species and level might appear identical but possess underlying statistical differences. These hidden genetic differences are determined by Individual Values. To help players understand these hidden statistics, the game provides an Appraisal system. Learning how to read this visual interface, filter storage using specific search terms, and evaluate how these stats interact with a Pokémon's overall Combat Power helps players manage their resources efficiently and build stronger teams for different battle formats.
Understanding Individual Values
Every species in Pokémon GO has assigned base stats for Attack, Defense, and Stamina (which determines Hit Points). Base stats dictate the general capability of a species; for example, a Mewtwo will naturally deal significantly more damage than a standard regional bird Pokémon due to its high base Attack. Individual Values act as specific bonuses added directly on top of a Pokémon's base stats. A Pokémon has three separate Individual Values: Attack Defense Stamina Each of these three categories receives a hidden number between 0 and 15 upon generation. A score of 15 means the Pokémon has the maximum possible genetic bonus for that specific trait. Because these values are added flatly to the base stats, they have a smaller proportional impact on highly powerful legendary species and a larger proportional impact on weaker ones. Regardless of the species, higher Individual Values allow a Pokémon to reach slightly higher maximum performance metrics when fully leveled.
Reading the Appraisal Interface
Players can check a Pokémon's stats by opening its specific menu and selecting the Appraise option. This action prompts the player's team leader to appear on screen, displaying a chart with three horizontal bars and a circular badge.
The Stat Bars
The Appraisal screen shows a separate horizontal bar for Attack, Defense, and HP. The maximum length of each bar represents exactly 15 points. The interface visually divides each bar into three equal segments, with each segment representing five points. If a bar stops exactly at the end of the first segment, the stat is 5. If a bar stops exactly at the end of the second segment, the stat is 10. If a bar fills completely and turns bright pink or red, the stat has reached the maximum of 15. By observing where the bar ends within a specific segment, players can accurately estimate the exact number. For instance, a bar that fills the first two segments and stops roughly halfway through the third segment indicates an Individual Value of 12 or 13.
The Star Rating System
Above the stat bars, the Appraisal screen displays a badge with a star rating. This rating serves as an aggregate score based on the total sum of the three Individual Values out of a possible 45 points. 0 Stars: The total points range from 0 to 22. 1 Star: The total points range from 23 to 29. 2 Stars: The total points range from 30 to 36. 3 Stars: The total points range from 37 to 44. 3 Stars with a Pink Badge (commonly referred to as 4 Stars): The Pokémon has a perfect 45 points, meaning it possesses 15 Attack, 15 Defense, and 15 Stamina.
Using Search Filters for Appraisals
Manually appraising hundreds of Pokémon after a large community event is inefficient. The game's storage search bar includes built-in commands that filter Pokémon based on their Appraisal star ratings, allowing for rapid sorting. Typing 0*, 1*, 2*, 3*, or 4* into the search bar instantly isolates Pokémon that match those overall aggregate ratings. This is heavily utilized to quickly highlight 0-star and 1-star Pokémon for transfer, or to locate perfect 4-star Pokémon to lock them from accidental deletion. Players can also search for specific maximum stats. Typing attack15 shows every Pokémon with a completely full Attack bar. Typing defense15 or hp15 filters for maximum values in those respective defensive categories. Combining these terms, such as 3*&attack15, is a practical method for finding strong candidates for Raid battles without checking each individual creature.
The Relationship Between Individual Values and Combat Power
Individual Values directly influence a Pokémon's Combat Power. Combat Power is the large prominent number displayed above a Pokémon, serving as a general summary of its current battle strength. The formula used to calculate Combat Power factors in the Pokémon's base stats, its current physical level, and its Individual Values. The mathematical formula used for Combat Power is heavily weighted toward the Attack stat. A Pokémon's Attack value is multiplied linearly in the equation, whereas its Defense and Stamina values are processed using a square root calculation. Because of this specific mathematical weighting, adding points to the Attack Individual Value increases the total Combat Power much faster than adding an equivalent number of points to Defense or Stamina. This uneven stat weighting drastically changes how players should evaluate their Appraisals depending on the battle format they intend to play.
Choosing the Right Appraisals for Different Modes
A perfect 4-star Appraisal is highly valued, but it is not preferred for every situation in Pokémon GO. The combat format determines the ideal stat distribution.
Raid Battles and Uncapped Leagues
In cooperative Raid battles, Gym combat, and the Master League, there is no maximum limit on Combat Power. The goal in these formats is to deal as much damage as possible, often against a strict countdown timer or highly leveled opponents. For these situations, players look for Pokémon with a 15 Attack Individual Value and high overall star ratings. A perfect 15/15/15 Pokémon will achieve the highest Combat Power mathematically possible for that species when powered up to level 50.
Capped Combat Power Leagues
The Great League restricts entries to a maximum of 1,500 Combat Power, and the Ultra League restricts entries to 2,500 Combat Power. In these specific formats, a high Attack Individual Value usually becomes a mathematical disadvantage. Because the Attack stat inflates Combat Power rapidly, a Pokémon with 15 Attack will hit the 1,500 Combat Power limit at a lower physical level. A Pokémon with 0 Attack will grow in Combat Power much slower per power-up, allowing the player to increase its level several more times before it finally hits the 1,500 threshold. These extra physical levels grant the Pokémon significantly more Defense and Stamina. The resulting Pokémon has higher overall survivability while dealing comparable damage to its higher-attack counterpart. For Combat Power-capped formats, the standard preferred Appraisal usually features an Attack bar near 0, paired with completely full Defense and HP bars.
Special Appraisal Cases and Mechanics
Certain in-game mechanics alter how Individual Values are generated or changed after a Pokémon is caught.
Minimum Stat Floors
Not all Pokémon are generated with stats ranging entirely from 0 to 15. Pokémon encountered randomly in the wild generally have no stat floor, making 0-star Appraisals common. However, Pokémon obtained from Raid battles, hatched from Eggs, or rewarded through Field Research have an established baseline floor of 10 for all three stats. This guarantees they will have a 2-star or 3-star Appraisal. Trading with a Lucky Friend establishes an even higher floor of 12 for each stat.
Trading
When players trade a Pokémon, its Individual Values are completely re-rolled at random upon arrival. The minimum floor for the new stats is determined by the standard Friendship level between the players. Because the stats are randomized, trading a Pokémon with a 4-star Appraisal usually results in a significant stat downgrade for the recipient.
Shadow and Purified Pokémon
Shadow Pokémon rescued from Team GO Rocket receive a flat addition of exactly 2 points to each of their three Individual Values if the player chooses to purify them. A Shadow Pokémon appraised at 13/13/13 will become a perfect 15/15/15 if purified. However, Shadow Pokémon inherently deal 20% more damage in their unpurified state, making them highly valuable for Raids regardless of their initial Appraisal.
Conclusion
The Appraisal system translates hidden mathematical values into clear visual data, allowing players to manage their storage efficiently. By utilizing in-game search filters and understanding how Individual Values interact with the Combat Power formula, players can identify the correct candidates for Raids and specific competitive leagues. Prioritizing correct stat distributions over high initial Combat Power ensures long-term resources like Stardust and Candy are invested securely.
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