2 June 2026 · 3 min read
IV stands for Individual Value — three hidden stats every Pokémon rolls when it spawns: Attack, Defense and Stamina (HP), each from 0 to 15. They're the difference between two otherwise-identical Pokémon, and Niantic doesn't show them in the app by default.
How IVs work
- Attack (0–15) — raises damage output.
- Defense (0–15) — reduces damage taken.
- Stamina (0–15) — raises HP.
Add them up for an IV percentage out of 45. A 100% IV Pokémon is a perfect 15/15/15 — the strongest possible roll of that species.
How to check IVs
Tap a Pokémon → menu → Appraise. The star rating and stat bars reveal the IVs; three full bars = 100%. Third-party IV checkers can read them faster in bulk.
Do IVs always matter?
For raids, gyms and PvE, higher IVs are better — so a hundo is ideal. For PvP (Great/Ultra League) it's more complicated: a lower Attack IV can actually be better. And see the full glossary for related terms.
FAQ
- What is a good IV in Pokémon GO?
- For PvE (raids, gyms) aim for 80%+ IV, ideally 100% (15/15/15). For PvP, the 'best' IVs are often low-Attack, high-Defense/Stamina rolls — not 100%.
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