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Are Two-Star Pokémon Worth Keeping in Pokémon GO?

So, you’ve been grinding away at Pokémon GO, catching ’em all, and your storage is starting to look like a digital hoarding situation. The big question on your mind, and probably a lot of other trainers’ minds too, is: are two-star Pokémon worth keeping?

The straightforward answer is: it depends. Don’t write them off immediately! A two-star Pokémon might not be perfect, but there are various scenarios where they could be valuable and contribute to your overall success in the game. Factors such as rarity, movesets, and specific game mechanics need to be considered before transferring them to Professor Willow for candy.

Let’s dive deeper into why you might want to hang on to that seemingly average ‘mon and explore the situations where two-star Pokémon can still shine.

The Case for Keeping Two-Star Pokémon

While perfect (4-star) and near-perfect (3-star) Pokémon are undeniably desirable, dismissing two-star Pokémon outright is a mistake. Here’s why:

Rarity and Collection: Some Pokémon are exceptionally rare, appearing only during specific events or in limited geographic locations. If a two-star version is the best you’ve managed to catch of a rare species, it’s definitely worth keeping for your collection, even if it’s not a battle powerhouse. Think of it as completing your virtual Pokédex!
Legacy Movesets: Certain Pokémon might possess “legacy moves,” special attacks that are no longer obtainable through regular gameplay. These moves can significantly boost a Pokémon’s performance in battle, even if its IVs (Individual Values) are not optimal. A two-star Pokémon with a valuable legacy move is often worth keeping and potentially investing in.
Shadow Pokémon Considerations: Shadow Pokémon have a damage boost that is lost upon purification. Sometimes, an unpurified two-star Shadow Pokémon with a good attack stat is more valuable than a purified three-star version due to this damage bonus. Always analyze your Shadow Pokémon before purifying.
Budget Battlers: When starting out, two-star Pokemon will still be stronger than 0-star and 1-star Pokemon. Even a two-star Pokemon with a bad attack stat can perform better than a 0 star Pokemon.
PvP Viability (Sometimes): While IVs are less crucial in PvP than in raids, specifically for the Great and Ultra Leagues (where CP limits exist), a two-star Pokémon with the right IV spread (low Attack, high Defense and Stamina) can sometimes outperform a three-star Pokémon. This is because lower Attack IVs often allow a Pokémon to stay under the CP limit while maximizing its bulk.
Lucky Pokémon: Trading Pokémon with friends can result in “Lucky” Pokémon, which require significantly less Stardust to power up. If you have a two-star Pokémon that you particularly like, trading it for a Lucky chance could make it a more viable option for battling.
Evolution Completion: If you need to evolve a Pokémon for a research task or to complete your Pokédex entries, a two-star version can be perfectly adequate, especially if you are low on resources.

The Case for Transferring Two-Star Pokémon

Of course, there are situations where transferring a two-star Pokémon is the right move:

Common Pokémon with Better Alternatives: If you have multiple copies of a common Pokémon and already possess a three or four-star version, the two-star version is generally safe to transfer for candy.
Poor Movesets: Even with decent IVs, a Pokémon can be rendered less effective if it has a poor moveset. If your two-star Pokémon has undesirable attacks, it might not be worth investing resources into changing them.
Limited Storage Space: When your Pokémon storage is nearing its limit, you need to prioritize. Two-star Pokémon that don’t have any unique characteristics (like legacy moves) are usually the first to go.

How to Evaluate a Two-Star Pokémon

Before making a decision, consider the following:

Is it rare? Check if the Pokémon is a common spawn or a limited-time event encounter.
Does it have a legacy move? Research its moveset to see if it possesses a move no longer available.
Is it a Shadow Pokémon? Evaluate its attack stat and the potential benefits of keeping it unpurified.
What is its CP potential? Use a CP calculator to estimate its maximum CP after evolving and powering up.
Do you have a better alternative? Compare it to your other Pokémon of the same species.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you further decide whether to keep your 2-star Pokemon:

1. What do the stars in Pokémon GO appraisals mean?

The star rating indicates the overall IV quality of your Pokémon. A 0-star Pokémon has low IVs, 1-star Pokémon has okay IVs, 2-star Pokémon has decent IVs, 3-star Pokémon has good IVs, and 4-star Pokémon (also known as “hundo”) has perfect IVs.

2. Are IVs (Individual Values) important in Pokémon GO?

Yes, IVs influence a Pokémon’s stats (Attack, Defense, and Stamina) and affect its performance in battles. Higher IVs generally lead to stronger Pokémon.

3. Can I increase a Pokémon’s star rating?

No, you can’t directly change a Pokémon’s IVs after it’s been caught. The exception is purifying Shadow Pokemon, which adds +2 to each IV stat, potentially increasing the star rating.

4. Is a 3-star Pokémon always better than a 2-star Pokémon?

Generally, yes. A 3-star Pokémon has higher potential stats than a 2-star Pokémon. However, specific IV spreads can sometimes make a 2-star Pokémon more suitable for PvP in the Great or Ultra League.

5. What is a “legacy move,” and why is it important?

A legacy move is an attack that was once available to a Pokémon but is no longer obtainable through normal means (e.g., evolution or TM usage). Legacy moves can significantly improve a Pokémon’s battle performance and make it valuable.

6. Should I purify Shadow Pokémon?

Purifying Shadow Pokémon increases their IVs and reduces the cost of powering them up. However, purified Pokémon lose the 20% damage bonus that Shadow Pokémon have. Consider a Pokemon’s stats before purifying.

7. What is the “Shadow Bonus” and why does it matter?

The “Shadow Bonus” is a 20% damage boost that Shadow Pokémon receive. This boost makes Shadow Pokémon deal significantly more damage in battles, even with lower IVs.

8. How do Lucky Pokémon affect my decision?

Lucky Pokémon require less Stardust to power up. If you have a two-star Pokémon you like, trading it for a Lucky chance can make it more viable for battles.

9. Is CP (Combat Power) more important than star rating?

CP represents a Pokémon’s current strength, while the star rating represents its potential. A higher CP Pokémon will generally perform better in battles at the current level, but a Pokémon with a higher star rating has the potential to become stronger with investment. Usually CP is your best indicator of your strongest fighters (but there are TONS more factors).

10. What IVs are best for PvP?

For PvP, particularly in the Great and Ultra Leagues, a low Attack IV and high Defense and Stamina IVs are often preferred. This allows the Pokémon to stay under the CP limit while maximizing its bulk.

11. Should I power up a Pokémon before evolving it?

It’s generally recommended to evolve a Pokémon to its final stage before investing Stardust into powering it up. This allows you to see its final moveset and ensure it’s worth the investment.

12. How do I check a Pokémon’s IVs?

Pokémon GO has an in-game appraisal system. There are also third-party apps that can scan your Pokémon and provide more precise IV readings.

13. Should I keep shiny Pokémon, even if they have low IVs?

Generally, yes. Shiny Pokémon are rare and highly sought after for their unique appearance. Even with low IVs, they are valuable collectibles.

14. What is the difference between an IV and a CP?

CP is a combined indicator of a Pokémon’s stats (Attack, Defense, Stamina), level, and species. IV’s are Individual Values that are the base values for a given Pokemon’s statistics. These are added on top of a particular species base values.

15. Where can I learn more about Pokémon GO strategies and mechanics?

You can learn more about Pokemon GO strategies at the Games Learning Society website or GamesLearningSociety.org, a fantastic resource for understanding the educational and strategic aspects of gaming.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the decision of whether to keep a two-star Pokémon depends on your individual goals and play style. If you’re a hardcore player focused on maximizing your battle performance, you might prioritize higher IVs. However, if you’re a casual collector or enjoy PvP, a two-star Pokémon with unique characteristics or a favorable IV spread can still be a valuable addition to your team. So, don’t be too quick to dismiss those two-star ‘mons – they might surprise you!

Are two star Pokemon worth keeping?