For Pokemon GO players, the importance of a Pokémon’s Individual Values (IVs) has always been a point of consideration, especially for Legendary Pokemon like Rayquaza. However, recent research has revealed that players may not need to stress about the IVs of Rayquaza as much as they previously thought. This revelation is particularly relevant as more players have been able to obtain Rayquaza and its Mega Evolution through recent events.

Rayquaza’s Return and Ongoing Availability

Mega Rayquaza re-entered Pokemon GO on June 29 as part of a new Elite Raid event. Unfortunately, the event was plagued by bugs, prompting Niantic to hold a rerun on August 3, allowing more players to participate without the Elite Gym requirement. While the rerun also had its share of issues, it gave a wider audience the chance to capture the powerful Mega Rayquaza. The good news for players is that obtaining the base form of Rayquaza is now easier than ever, and thanks to recent findings, they don’t have to worry as much about the Pokémon’s stats.

Research Findings: IVs Have Minimal Impact

The research, conducted by Pokemon GO player Shandriel with input from Reddit user rtboyce, was shared on the Pokemon GO subreddit. Their findings indicate that the Individual Values (IVs) of Rayquaza have minimal impact on battle outcomes once a certain level is reached. Specifically, there is an insignificant difference in performance between a Rayquaza with a 10/10/10 IV distribution and a “Hundo” Rayquaza, which boasts perfect stats in attack, defense, and HP.

This conclusion applies to both Rayquaza and its Mega Evolution. Tests against formidable opponents like Primal Groudon, Primal Kyogre, and Mega versions of Charizard, Moltres, and Tyranitar showed that the slight differences in IVs did not significantly affect the outcome of battles. Even when facing these powerful Pokémon, the damage variation was minimal, making it clear that players don’t need to stress over acquiring a Rayquaza with perfect stats.

What This Means for Players

Given that Rayquaza can learn powerful moves like Air Slash and Dragon Tail, its attack IVs are less crucial for most Raid battles. The same goes for defense IVs and the decision to max out Mega Rayquaza to level 51. This makes Rayquaza, already a powerful Pokémon, more accessible to a broader range of players who may not have the time or resources to hunt for a perfectly optimized version.

Turns out, Rayquaza IVs don't matter too much after all..
byu/Shandriel inpokemongo

While Hundo Pokémon—those with perfect IVs—will still be highly sought after for their maxed-out stats, the pressure to obtain one for effective gameplay is now much less. Shiny Hundo Pokémon, with their unique appearance and extremely low encounter rates, will remain a trophy for dedicated collectors. However, for the average player, the recent findings are a relief, allowing them to focus on enjoying the game rather than obsessing over stats.

Final Thoughts

This new understanding of Rayquaza’s IVs in Pokemon GO is a significant update for players. With the pressure off to find a perfectly optimized Rayquaza, players can now enjoy Raid battles and other in-game events without the added stress of chasing ideal stats. As Niantic continues to host events and update the game, this finding makes it easier for all players to participate and succeed, regardless of the specific IVs of their Pokémon.

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