How much do IV's really matter for legendaries?
Everybody including myself has been obsessing over catching that perfect 100% legendary but how much better are they really? I've been holding off powering up legendaries under 96 IV, which doesn't seem like the best way to play the game. How much more powerful is a 100% compared to say an 89%? Ar they still worth powering up under 90%? I'm also curious to see some of the legendaries that have been powered up all the way so far and how they perform.
Answers
There MAY be an attack or bulk break point here or there, but in the vast majority of cases, we're talking 2-3% performance, if that. And that's in a vacuum. These legendaries have such high stats that missing an IV here and there isn't going make a huge difference.
Think about Mewtwo. Perfect attack is 315. Is a 312 going to be so inferior that you'll deny yourself the experience?
Sure, I'd love to have all 96% legendaries. But I don't. The search for perfection is an important component that keeps us grinding, and we should rightfully celebrate it when attained, but the practical effect isn't that significant.
Defense and HP determine how long the pokemon lasts, whether it's attacking a raid boss or gym or defending a gym. To say that they don't matter because you're not defending gyms is just wrong. Usually they don't matter because at 10 or 15 IV you'll likely get overkilled by the same charge move anyway. But sometimes there's a difference, like with Raikous level 35+ defensive breakpoint.
I recently saw a video where guy transferred his 76% Mewtwo during a hissy fit/public cry for attention because it's a "trash Mewtwo". Dude obviously has no idea how base stats and IVs work.
Of course, we're all chasing that 100% because they're the ultimate legendary-hunting trophy. But if I don't get one by the time a particular legendary leaves, I'll power up the best one I did get. (Assuming it's a useful legendary to start with; Suicune, even a 100%, wouldn't get any of my dust.)
Yes, I would have loved a perfect Raikou. But I ended up with a 91%. It's maxed to 40 and is one of my most-used mon.
It's funny you bring up a Raikou because I am currently in the process of maxing out mine. I just need like 60k more dust. I must admit that I am a bit bummed out I didn't get a better Raikou especially since a 98% and a 100% both ran away form me. The best one I have is 91% with 15/13/13. Suppose it's not the end of the world though.
Honestly, because of their temporary nature, I would just power up the best legendary that you get at the end of their visits. Sure, you can wait and hope for re-release, but we have not an inkling of when or if that will happen, and there's no guarentee you'll get a better one (and, even then, you'll have tons more stardust and Rare Candy by then). Because of the current Raid Bosses out right now, I don't think, at this point, there's really a need for a full squad of 6 of any of the same legendary - it would likely be better to power up one of each (which also is good because it "cashes in" the free candy capturing has got you)
IVs aren't all that important for most legendaries because their base stats are so high. Although, IMO, most are so niche in their usefulness that they aren't worth the dust investment. Exceptions being Mewtwo (just about any one is going to be helpful), and the electric and fire birds and beasts, since they are so much better than any others of their types. I'm considering Groudon, but the current lack a compelling reason for a powerful ground attacker and its weakness to water as a grass attacker make me wary.
