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Should You Catch Repeat Pokémon? A Deep Dive into Pokémon Mastery

Unequivocally, yes! You absolutely should catch repeat Pokémon. The world of Pokémon, whether it’s the core series games, the mobile sensation Pokémon GO, or even the trading card game, revolves around collecting, training, and strategizing. Dismissing repeat Pokémon is akin to throwing away valuable resources that can significantly enhance your Pokémon journey. From experience points (XP) and candies to the potential for better stats and even the elusive shiny Pokémon, the benefits of catching duplicates are numerous and too significant to ignore.

Why Catching Repeats is Crucial

Let’s break down the reasons why catching every Pidgey, Rattata, or common spawn you encounter is a smart strategy, even if you already have a few.

XP Gain: Every successful catch, regardless of whether it’s a new species or a repeat, grants XP. XP is the lifeblood of leveling up your trainer, unlocking new features, encountering stronger Pokémon, and accessing higher-level items. Dismissing potential XP gains hinders your progress.
Candy Collection: The primary reason to catch duplicates in games like Pokémon GO. Candies are essential for powering up your Pokémon, evolving them into stronger forms, and unlocking their full potential. Trading Pokémon or transferring them to the Professor grants you candies, making repeats a renewable resource for strengthening your best Pokémon.
Stardust Accumulation: In Pokémon GO, Stardust is another crucial resource required for powering up Pokémon. While the amount earned from catching common spawns might seem small, it accumulates over time, becoming a substantial stockpile for enhancing your team.
IV (Individual Values) and Stats: Not all Pokémon of the same species are created equal. They possess hidden stats called Individual Values (IVs) that determine their potential in battle. Catching multiple Pokémon of the same species allows you to compare their IVs and identify the ones with the highest potential for becoming powerful battlers. Apps and in-game appraisal systems help to reveal these hidden values.
Move Sets: Even with high IVs, a Pokémon’s move set can make or break its effectiveness. Catching repeats offers the chance to find Pokémon with optimal move combinations for offense, defense, or specific battle strategies.
Shiny Hunting: One of the most exciting aspects of Pokémon is the pursuit of shiny Pokémon – rare, differently colored versions of standard Pokémon. The more of a particular species you encounter, the higher your chances of stumbling upon a shiny. For dedicated collectors, shiny hunting is a major motivation for catching repeats.
Catch Combo Bonuses: Some games, like Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, feature catch combo mechanics. Catching the same Pokémon consecutively increases the spawn rates of rare Pokémon, improves the stats of the Pokémon you’re catching, and even boosts the likelihood of encountering a shiny.
Filling the Pokédex: While seemingly obvious, catching repeats can still be vital for fully evolving species and filling out your Pokédex entries. Some species may have branching evolution lines or require specific items to evolve, which can only be discovered through experimentation and further captures.
Gym and Raid Battles: Having a diverse roster of Pokémon is essential for success in Gym and Raid battles. Catching repeats allows you to build teams with different type matchups, ensuring you’re prepared for any challenge.
Trading: In games where trading is possible, having duplicate Pokémon provides valuable trade fodder. You can offer duplicates to other players in exchange for Pokémon you need to complete your collection or obtain specific IVs or move sets.
Limited-Time Events: Pokémon games frequently feature limited-time events with increased spawn rates for certain species, special research tasks, and exclusive rewards. During these events, catching repeats is even more beneficial, as it allows you to maximize your gains and acquire event-exclusive Pokémon.
Future Game Updates: Game developers often introduce new features or mechanics that can make previously dismissed Pokémon valuable. Holding onto a variety of Pokémon ensures you’re prepared for any changes or additions to the game. The Games Learning Society constantly monitors these developments and their impact on player strategies, ensuring informed and evolving gameplay.
Team Building Variety: Experimenting with different team compositions is a core element of Pokémon. Duplicate Pokémon allow for varied training approaches, and the creation of unique strategic teams for battles.
Resource Management Practice: Determining which Pokémon to keep, trade, transfer, or use in battle trains valuable resource management skills that can be applied to other areas of life. Managing your Pokémon storage effectively encourages strategic decision-making.
Fun! Ultimately, catching Pokémon is fun. The thrill of the catch, the excitement of discovering a shiny, and the satisfaction of building a powerful team are all part of the Pokémon experience. Don’t let the fear of duplicates diminish your enjoyment of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Catching Repeat Pokémon

Here are some frequently asked questions that tackle specific concerns and strategies related to catching repeat Pokémon:

1. Should I always keep the highest CP Pokémon?

Not necessarily. While CP (Combat Power) is a good indicator of a Pokémon’s strength, it’s not the only factor to consider. IVs (Individual Values) are hidden stats that significantly impact a Pokémon’s potential. A lower CP Pokémon with high IVs might ultimately become stronger than a higher CP Pokémon with low IVs after being powered up. Use appraisal tools to assess IVs before making a decision.

2. What should I do with my weak repeat Pokémon?

In Pokémon GO and similar games, transferring them to the Professor is the most efficient way to handle weak repeats. Transferring yields candies, which can then be used to power up or evolve your stronger Pokémon.

3. How do I know which Pokémon have good IVs?

Utilize in-game appraisal systems or third-party IV calculator apps. These tools provide insights into your Pokémon’s attack, defense, and stamina IVs, helping you identify those with the greatest potential.

4. Is it worth purifying Shadow Pokémon?

Whether to purify a Shadow Pokémon depends on its IVs and your strategy. Purifying increases IVs but removes the Shadow bonus, which grants a significant attack boost. If a Shadow Pokémon has high IVs, purifying might be worthwhile. However, a Shadow Pokémon with decent attack and CP might be better left unpurified for its offensive power.

5. What are the odds of finding a shiny Pokémon?

The odds of finding a shiny Pokémon vary depending on the game and the species. In Pokémon GO, the base shiny rate is approximately 1 in 500 for most Pokémon. However, some Pokémon have boosted shiny rates during events or in specific encounters. The odds can be significantly better for Commuinty Days.

6. Should I keep multiple Legendaries?

Legendary Pokémon are powerful assets for raids and battles. Keeping multiple Legendaries can be beneficial for creating diverse raid teams. Furthermore, you might want to hold onto multiple Legendaries in case trading becomes more readily available in the future.

7. Is it bad to have two of the same type of Pokémon on a team?

Having two Pokémon of the same type can create shared weaknesses, but it’s not inherently bad. If the Pokémon have secondary types that cover those weaknesses, or if they fulfill different roles on the team, it can be a viable strategy. For example, having two Water-type Pokémon on a Rain Dance team can be highly effective.

8. How many duplicate cards can you have in a Pokémon Trading Card Game deck?

In the Standard Format of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, you can have up to four copies of a card with the same name in your deck, with very few exceptions. This rule encourages deck diversity and strategic card choices.

9. Why should I appraise my Pokémon?

Appraising your Pokémon allows you to assess their IVs, which are crucial for determining their long-term potential. Before transferring or trading any Pokémon, always appraise them to avoid discarding a potentially perfect or near-perfect specimen.

10. Are there multiple instances of Legendary Pokémon?

While the lore often suggests that Legendary Pokémon are unique, the gameplay reality is that you can catch multiple of the same Legendary species. The explanation usually involves different dimensions or alternate realities.

11. How does Catch Combo affect shiny odds?

In games like Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, Catch Combo increases the likelihood of encountering shiny Pokémon. As your Catch Combo grows, the shiny odds improve significantly, making it a powerful strategy for shiny hunting.

12. Can I use duplicate Pokémon in Gyms?

In Pokémon GO, you cannot place duplicate Pokémon in the same Gym. This restriction encourages diverse Gym lineups and strategic team choices.

13. What is the rarest Pokémon game?

Rarity of a Pokémon game varies depending on condition and edition. Factors such as condition, completeness (box and manual), and special editions affect value.

14. What are the benefits of Catching the same Pokemon?

Your Catch Combo will continue to grow as you catch more and more of the same Pokémon, increasing the odds that rare Pokémon will appear and that the Pokémon you’re catching will have high stats. You might even find a Shiny Pokémon!

15. Should I keep every Pokémon I catch?

So yes. If you ignore them, you’ll most likely hit a point where you have to grind them out before being able to continue the story. So any chance you get to fill out those pages, do so.

Embrace the Repeats

Catching repeat Pokémon is not a chore; it’s an integral part of the Pokémon experience. By understanding the benefits of XP, candies, IVs, shiny hunting, and strategic team building, you can transform seemingly redundant encounters into valuable opportunities. So, the next time you encounter a Pidgey, Rattata, or any other common Pokémon, don’t hesitate – catch it! You never know what hidden potential it might hold. For more insights into gaming strategies and the educational applications of games, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org.

Should you catch repeat Pokémon?