Does CP Matter When Transferring Pokémon in Pokémon GO? Your Comprehensive Guide
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In Pokémon GO, the age-old question arises: Does CP matter when transferring Pokémon? The short answer is: it depends on your goals and current level in the game, but generally, no, CP shouldn’t be your sole deciding factor for transferring Pokémon. While a higher CP indicates a stronger Pokémon in battle at that current state, transferring decisions should also factor in Individual Values (IVs), rarity, potential evolution paths, and your immediate needs. Don’t blindly transfer just because a Pokémon has a low CP. Let’s dive into the nuanced reasons why.
Understanding CP, IVs, and the Transfer Decision
What is CP and Why Do Trainers Obsess Over It?
CP, or Combat Power, is a composite score that gives you a general idea of how strong a Pokémon is in battle. It’s calculated using a combination of a Pokémon’s Attack, Defense, and Stamina (HP) stats. A higher CP generally means the Pokémon will inflict more damage and withstand more damage in Gym battles, Raids, and Trainer Battles. This makes it a quick and easy way to compare Pokémon at a glance.
The Significance of IVs: Hidden Potential Unlocked
IVs, or Individual Values, are hidden stats that each Pokémon possesses, determining its potential strength. These values range from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and Stamina. A Pokémon with high IVs will ultimately reach a higher CP when fully powered up than a Pokémon of the same species with lower IVs, even if the lower IV Pokemon currently has a higher CP. This is why seasoned players prioritize IVs over current CP when deciding which Pokémon to invest in. IVs can be appraised in the game, typically showing as star ratings. A 4-star Pokemon means it has perfect IVs.
Level vs. CP: A Dynamic Duo
A trainer’s level impacts the CP of the Pokemon they encounter in the wild. So a higher level trainer will naturally catch higher CP Pokemon. This is why it might be a great idea to transfer all your low CP pokemon since you will naturally find even stronger ones as you play the game.
Why CP Isn’t Everything When Transferring
While CP is important for immediate battling, here’s why it shouldn’t be the only factor considered when deciding which Pokémon to transfer:
- IVs Determine Long-Term Potential: A Pokémon with low CP but high IVs might be worth keeping and investing in because it has the potential to become much stronger than a high-CP, low-IV Pokémon.
- Evolution Potential: Certain Pokémon require specific items or conditions to evolve. A low-CP Pokémon might be rare and necessary for completing your Pokédex or forming a powerful team.
- Candy Acquisition: Transferring Pokémon grants you Candy, which is essential for evolving and powering up Pokémon. However, transferring everything with low CP might mean missing out on potentially strong Pokémon later. You may also miss out on special candy during events by mass transferring.
- Rarity Matters: Some Pokémon are rarer than others. A low-CP rare Pokémon might be worth keeping for trading or future events.
- Move Sets: A Pokémon’s moveset significantly impacts its performance in battle. A high-CP Pokémon with a bad moveset might be less effective than a lower-CP Pokémon with a good one.
- Shadow Pokemon: Shadow Pokemon will always be good to use when their fast attack does a lot of damage.
A Strategic Approach to Transferring Pokémon
Here’s a practical guide to help you make informed transfer decisions:
- Appraise First: Always appraise your Pokémon to check their IVs. Prioritize Pokémon with high IVs, even if their current CP is low. You may need to use 3rd party apps like PokeGenie.
- Consider Evolution Potential: Research which Pokémon you need for evolution, especially those requiring specific items or events.
- Evaluate Move Sets: Check the movesets of your Pokémon using resources like GamePress or Pokémon GO Hub to determine their battle effectiveness.
- Assess Rarity: Keep an eye out for rare Pokémon, even if their CP is low. They might be valuable for trading or future events.
- Prioritize Battling Needs: If you urgently need strong Pokémon for Gyms or Raids, focus on Pokémon with high CP and good movesets, regardless of IVs (especially in the early game). As you grow more powerful, you can shift your strategy.
- Think Long-Term: If you have the resources, invest in Pokémon with high IVs for long-term battling potential.
- Events are Key: Pay attention to events. During certain events the amount of candy you receive for transferring Pokémon is increased.
- Legendary Status: Transferring a legendary Pokemon is generally a bad idea. They are useful to trade and battle and are much more rare than the standard Pokemon.
- Know what Movesets are the Best: As the meta changes, knowing which move sets are the best for each pokemon is critical.
- Check before transferring: Before transferring Pokemon, take a break to check the ratings and IVs of your Pokemon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does CP matter when transferring Pokémon if I’m a beginner?
Yes, early on in the game, CP is more important. Focus on building a team of Pokémon with high CP to compete in Gyms and Raids. IVs become more crucial as you level up and have more resources to invest in powering up Pokémon.
2. Should I transfer all my 0-star Pokémon?
Not necessarily. While 0-star Pokémon have low IVs, they are incredibly rare. Some players collect them for their rarity. However, they are generally not worth investing in for battles.
3. Is it better to evolve Pokémon with low CP or high CP?
Generally, it’s better to evolve Pokémon with high CP, but that is only one consideration. Consider whether you have a similar Pokemon with a higher star rating, or better IVs before evolving. A Pokemon with high IVs will ultimately have a higher CP, too.
4. Should I prioritize CP or IVs in Pokémon GO?
IVs should be prioritized over CP. CP can be increased through powering up, but IVs are fixed. A Pokémon with high IVs has the potential to become much stronger than a Pokémon with low IVs, regardless of its starting CP.
5. Should I transfer Pokémon with low CP?
Low-CP Pokémon may be transferred, but only after considering their IVs, rarity, and potential evolution paths. Don’t automatically transfer all low-CP Pokémon.
6. Are Pokémon with higher CP always better?
No. While higher CP indicates stronger immediate battling power, it doesn’t account for IVs, movesets, or type matchups. A lower-CP Pokémon with better IVs and a favorable moveset might outperform a higher-CP Pokémon with poor stats.
7. Should I only evolve 3-star Pokémon?
Not necessarily. While 3-star (or 4-star) Pokémon are ideal, a 0-star Pokémon with exceptionally high CP for its species might be worth evolving if you need a strong battler immediately and don’t have better options.
8. Why do people put low-CP Pokémon in Gyms?
Sometimes players place low-CP Pokemon in gyms to make it easier to get daily coins. This can be annoying to battle, so players will need to fight them 3 times to remove them.
9. Should I max CP before evolving?
Never max out a base Pokemon’s CP before evolving! Wait until after it has evolved. The final evolved form could have an undesirable move set, wasting your candy and stardust if you invested beforehand.
10. Should I keep low IV Pokémon?
It depends. If you’re serious about battling and building a strong team, focus on high IV Pokemon. Low IV Pokemon have a lower ceiling for their max CP.
11. Should I get rid of no-star Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Most players will release 0-star Pokemon to free up space to collect more.
12. Should I wait to transfer Pokémon?
Consider waiting to transfer Pokemon during special events that offer bonus candy for transferring.
13. How rare are perfect Pokémon (4-star)?
The chances of finding a perfect IV (4-star) Pokemon in the wild are about 1 in 4,096 (0.0244%).
14. Should I evolve my 4-star Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Evolving 4-star Pokémon is generally an excellent idea. These Pokémon have perfect IVs and will reach their maximum potential when powered up.
15. How rare is a 0% IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
A fully 0% IV Pokémon is extremely rare.
The Bottom Line
When deciding whether CP matters when transferring Pokémon, remember to consider the bigger picture. CP provides a snapshot of a Pokémon’s current strength, but factors like IVs, rarity, evolution potential, and movesets paint a more complete picture. A well-rounded strategy, combining immediate needs with long-term potential, will lead you to success in Pokémon GO.
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