Are 0-Star Pokémon Worth Keeping? The Ultimate Guide
The question of whether to keep or transfer 0-star Pokémon is a common one amongst Pokémon GO trainers. These Pokémon, also known as 0% IV Pokémon or Nundos, sit at the very bottom of the appraisal spectrum, boasting the lowest possible Individual Values (IVs) for Attack, Defense, and Stamina. While they may not be battle powerhouses, the answer to whether you should keep them is not a simple yes or no, but rather a nuanced “it depends.”
For the hardcore collector, or anyone intrigued by the unique quirks of Pokémon GO, a 0-star Pokémon is indeed worth keeping purely for its rarity. These are significantly rarer than their perfect 4-star (100% IV) counterparts. However, for trainers prioritizing competitive battles and maximizing their team’s effectiveness, 0-star Pokémon are largely impractical. Understanding the factors behind their rarity, strengths, weaknesses, and niche applications is essential before making a decision.
Why are 0-Star Pokémon So Rare?
The rarity of 0-star Pokémon stems from the random number generation used to determine IVs when a Pokémon is encountered. Every stat—Attack, Defense, and Stamina—can have a value between 0 and 15. A 0% IV Pokémon has a stat of 0 for each category. The chances of all three stats landing on 0 are extremely low, specifically 1 in 4096 for wild catches, eggs, and research encounters. To put that into perspective, a 100% IV Pokémon has a 1/4096 chance as well, but the chance increases for raids to 1 in 216 and even more with weather boost to 1 in 1728. This makes 0-star Pokémon incredibly rare. In most scenarios, the odds are skewed even further by the fact that there’s a base floor of IVs in most events. For example, legendary Pokémon from raids always have a minimum of 10 IVs in each stat, which makes acquiring a 0% legendary from raids impossible and the only way to get it is through trades, and trading with a stranger to eliminate the minimum IV floor is only a 1/4096 chance. This inherent rarity makes these seemingly undesirable creatures prized possessions to some trainers.
The Collector’s Appeal
The sheer rarity of 0-star Pokémon automatically makes them coveted by collectors. The thrill of the hunt, the knowledge that you possess something statistically improbable, adds an interesting layer to the Pokémon GO experience. These 0% specimens often become trophies, badges of honor demonstrating an appreciation for the intricacies of the game.
The Practicality of 0-Star Pokémon
From a purely practical, competitive standpoint, 0-star Pokémon generally perform poorly in battles. Their low IVs translate to significantly lower overall stats, resulting in reduced HP, damage output, and overall effectiveness. A 0% IV Pokémon will always be at a disadvantage against a counterpart with higher IVs.
Battle Disadvantages
- Lower CP: A 0-star Pokémon, even at max level, will have a lower Combat Power (CP) than a Pokémon of the same species with higher IVs. CP is a measure of a Pokémon’s overall strength.
- Reduced Stats: With low IVs, the Pokémon’s base stats are not amplified, reducing their attack, defense, and health. This results in noticeably weaker performance in Gym battles, raids, and Trainer battles.
- Durability Issues: Zero defense IVs mean that they will get clobbered when facing off against a Pokemon with perfect IVs.
Niche Uses: A Few Rare Scenarios
While 0-star Pokémon are generally not ideal, there are a few very narrow niche scenarios where they might be preferred:
- Confusion Damage: In some very specific situations, a 0-Attack IV Pokémon can be marginally advantageous. If a Pokémon is facing an opponent that uses the move ‘Confusion,’ it will inflict less damage upon itself due to having a lower attack stat. However, this is an incredibly niche strategy that’s rarely, if ever, beneficial enough to make the pursuit of a 0-Attack IV worthwhile.
- Aegislash and 0 Speed IV: In Mainline games, some players like to have a 0 IV Speed on Pokemon like Aegislash. However, this advantage does not apply in Pokemon Go.
Should You Transfer Them for Candy?
The impulse to transfer 0-star Pokémon for candy is understandable, especially when working to evolve or power up a particular species. However, if the idea of their rarity appeals to you, then keeping them might be worth more than a candy or two. Ultimately, that is a personal choice. The candy can always be farmed, but you can’t make a Nundo reappear.
0-Star Shadow Pokémon: A Special Case
Shadow Pokémon are a unique case, as they have a 20% (1.2x) damage boost to their fast attack. This means that a 0-star Shadow Pokémon will deal significantly more damage than the same normal or purified Pokémon despite having inferior IVs. The additional damage boost often makes them formidable attackers. Therefore, regardless of its low IVs, it is often recommended to keep your Shadow Pokémon unpurified. Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs but removes the 20% damage boost. The attack boost more often trumps any IV increase.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are Individual Values (IVs) in Pokémon GO?
IVs are hidden stats that determine how strong a Pokémon is. Each Pokémon has a value between 0 and 15 for Attack, Defense, and Stamina. IVs are added to a Pokémon’s base stats, affecting its CP and overall performance.
2. How Can I Tell if a Pokémon is 0-Star?
In Pokémon GO, use the appraisal feature and your team leader will assess your Pokémon’s potential. 0-star Pokémon will have phrases like “Not likely to make much headway in battle,” “Its stats don’t seem to be great,” “Its strengths are not that impressive,” and similar.
3. Are 0-Star Pokémon always bad for battling?
Yes, generally 0-star Pokémon are significantly less powerful than Pokémon with high IVs. The low stats translate to less damage output and survivability.
4. What are the odds of finding a 0-star Pokémon?
The odds of finding a 0-star Pokémon through wild encounters, eggs, and research tasks is roughly 1 in 4,096.
5. Can I increase a Pokémon’s IVs?
Normally, you cannot increase a Pokemon’s IVs. However, you can increase the IV of a Shadow Pokemon through purification or through trades with friends, which changes a Pokemon’s IVs slightly.
6. Are 1-star or 2-star Pokémon worth keeping?
It depends. For Pokemon that are more rare, they might be worth keeping for your collection. If you do not have a better Pokemon to evolve, it may be better to just evolve your 2 star than wait for a 3 or 4 star.
7. Why are Shadow Pokémon stronger?
Shadow Pokémon have a 20% attack bonus making them deal significantly more damage, especially in fast attacks. Purifying them removes the bonus.
8. Should I purify 0-star Shadow Pokémon?
Usually no. The 20% damage bonus is more valuable than increased IVs when purification. If you are seeking a perfect IV or just want to spend less to power up or evolve your Pokemon, then purification is viable but understand the loss of power.
9. What is the difference between 0-star and 4-star Pokémon?
4-star Pokémon have the highest possible IVs (15 for each stat) while 0-star Pokemon have the lowest IVs (0 for each stat). 4-star Pokémon will be much more powerful than 0-star Pokémon, despite all other factors.
10. Are Shiny 0-Star Pokémon worth keeping?
Yes! Shiny Pokémon are already rare, and a shiny 0-star Pokémon is an extremely rare and unique find. It is worth keeping for the collection aspect and for trade.
11. Is a 0-Attack IV Pokémon always bad?
In the vast majority of cases, yes. The only rare scenario is when facing Pokémon using the ‘Confusion’ move, where a 0-Attack stat will inflict less damage to itself. However, the situation is extremely niche.
12. Should I evolve Pokémon before or after powering them up?
It doesn’t matter if you evolve before or after. CP is determined by base stats of a Pokemon, the Pokémon’s level, and its IVs. Evolving a pokemon only changes the base stats not the level or IVs. Therefore, it does not matter when it is done.
13. Why do some trainers seek 0-star Pokémon?
Primarily for the rarity and collector’s appeal. Some players enjoy the challenge of finding something so statistically unlikely.
14. Can 0-Star Legendary Pokémon be caught in raids?
No, 0-star legendary Pokémon cannot be caught from raids. The only way to get a 0% legendary is through trades with a stranger to eliminate the minimum IV floor.
15. What are some other rare Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Beyond the 0-star Pokémon, certain shinies, shadow legendary Pokemon, and legacy move sets on community day Pokemon are among the rarest. These all contribute to the unique experiences that Pokemon GO provides to its players.
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether to keep a 0-star Pokémon is a personal decision based on your playstyle and collection goals. While they lack the battle prowess of their high IV counterparts, their exceptional rarity holds appeal for collectors. Consider what you value most in the game and whether the unique charm of a “Nundo” is something you want to keep as part of your Pokémon GO journey.