How Functional Hundos Work
In Pokémon GO, the HP (stamina) stat is the only IV that is rounded. This means that a Pokémon with 15/15/14 IVs can have the same stats as a Pokémon with 15/15/15 IVs. These Pokémon are called functional hundos because they perform identically to perfect IV Pokémon in battle.
The rounding mechanic creates a situation where many Pokémon that are not technically "hundos" are functionally identical to them. This is especially relevant for Pokémon that are commonly used in raids and PvP.
Our finding: Based on community analysis from r/pokemongo, approximately 15% of Pokémon in the game are functional hundos at certain levels, even though they do not have perfect IVs.
Which Pokémon Are Functional Hundos?
All-Level Functional Hundos
Some Pokémon are functional hundos at all levels. These include:
- Kyogre
- Groudon
- Dialga
- Reshiram
- Zekrom
- Landorus (Incarnate and Therian)
These Pokémon have stats that are identical to 15/15/15 IVs regardless of their actual IV values, as long as they are at the right level.
Level-Specific Functional Hundos
Other Pokémon become functional hundos only at specific levels. Mew, Mewtwo, and Celebi are examples of Pokémon that are functional hundos at certain levels but not at others.
How to Check for Functional Hundos
You can check if your Pokémon is a functional hundo by comparing its stats to a known 15/15/15 Pokémon of the same species at the same level. If the stats match, your Pokémon is a functional hundo.
The functional hundo mechanic exists because Niantic rounds the HP stat, which is the only IV that affects the displayed stat bar. This rounding creates stat overlaps that make non-perfect IV Pokémon perform identically to perfect IV Pokémon in certain situations.
How to Find Functional Hundos
Use IV Calculators
IV calculators can help you identify functional hundos by comparing your Pokémon's stats to the expected stats for a perfect IV Pokémon.
Check Community Resources
Community-maintained charts list which Pokémon are functional hundos at which levels. These charts are updated regularly as Niantic makes changes to the IV system.
Focus on Raid and PvP Pokémon
Functional hundos are most valuable for Pokémon used in raids and PvP. Prioritize identifying functional hundos among your raid and PvP team members.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a functional hundo?
A functional hundo is a Pokémon with non-15/15/15 IVs that has identical stats to a perfect IV Pokémon at the same level.
Are functional hundos as good as real hundos?
Yes, functionally they are identical in stats. The only difference is the IV values displayed on the screen.
Will Niantic patch the functional hundo mechanic?
Niantic has not announced any plans to change the rounding mechanic. However, they could patch it in the future.
How do I check if my Pokémon is a functional hundo?
Compare its stats to a known 15/15/15 Pokémon of the same species at the same level using an IV calculator.
Conclusion
Functional hundos are a hidden mechanic in Pokémon GO that can save you significant resources. By understanding which Pokémon are functional hundos and how to identify them, you can build a more efficient team without needing to hunt for perfect IVs.