Should You Transfer Pokémon in Pokémon GO? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Absolutely! Transferring Pokémon in Pokémon GO is not just good, it’s essential for efficient gameplay. You’ll quickly become overwhelmed with duplicates and weaker Pokémon if you don’t. Transferring Pokémon is a core mechanic that allows you to free up valuable storage space and earn Candy, which is crucial for evolving and powering up your stronger Pokémon. Learning when and what to transfer is a key skill for any aspiring Pokémon GO master.
Why Transferring Pokémon is Crucial
Pokémon GO presents players with the challenge of managing a limited Pokémon storage. As you explore and catch more Pokémon, you’ll inevitably find yourself with duplicates or Pokémon that simply aren’t strong enough to be competitive. That’s where the transfer system comes in.
- Freeing Up Storage: Your Pokémon storage is a valuable resource. If you don’t manage it properly, you’ll find yourself unable to catch new Pokémon, halting your progress.
- Earning Candy: The primary reward for transferring a Pokémon is Candy. Candy is species-specific and is required for both evolving and powering up Pokémon. Without transferring, you’ll struggle to gather enough Candy to improve your team.
- Building a Stronger Team: By transferring weaker Pokémon, you can focus your resources (Candy and Stardust) on developing your stronger, more valuable Pokémon. This allows you to create a more competitive team for Gym battles, Raids, and PvP.
Which Pokémon Should You Transfer?
Deciding which Pokémon to transfer requires a strategic approach. Here’s a breakdown of the factors to consider:
- Combat Power (CP): Generally, Pokémon with lower CP are prime candidates for transfer. CP is a direct indicator of a Pokémon’s strength in battle.
- Appraisal (IVs): Use the in-game Appraisal feature to assess a Pokémon’s Individual Values (IVs). IVs represent a Pokémon’s potential and are indicated by a star rating. 0-star Pokémon are usually safe to transfer unless you have a specific reason to keep them (e.g., collecting rare 0% IV Pokémon). 3-star and 4-star Pokémon should be prioritized for training.
- Duplicates: Keeping multiple duplicates of the same species can be beneficial in certain situations, such as Community Days when you can get extra candies. However, if you have several of the same Pokémon, it’s usually safe to transfer the ones with lower CP and poorer IVs.
- Event Pokémon: Shiny Pokémon and Pokémon with event-exclusive moves are often worth keeping, even if their stats aren’t perfect. These Pokémon can be valuable for trading or for their rarity.
When Should You Not Transfer?
There are specific circumstances where you might want to reconsider transferring a Pokémon:
- Rarity: If you have a rare Pokémon or one that’s difficult to find, you might want to keep it, even if its stats aren’t ideal.
- “Living Pokédex”: Some players enjoy collecting one of each Pokémon species, regardless of their CP or IVs.
- Potential Evolutions: If you have enough Candy to evolve a Pokémon, it might be worth evolving it before deciding whether to transfer it. The evolved form might have better stats or moves.
- Nundo Pokémon: 0 IV Pokemon are very rare and are considered trophies by some collectors.
The Transfer Process
Transferring Pokémon is a straightforward process:
- Select the Pokémon: Open your Pokémon storage and tap on the Pokémon you want to transfer.
- Scroll Down: Scroll to the bottom of the Pokémon’s information screen.
- Tap “Transfer”: Tap the “Transfer” button.
- Confirm: A confirmation message will appear. Tap “Yes” to confirm the transfer.
Important: Once you transfer a Pokémon, it’s gone for good. Double-check before confirming! Also note that you can mass transfer pokemon by holding down on a pokemon you want to transfer.
FAQs: Transferring Pokémon in Pokémon GO
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you make informed decisions about transferring Pokémon:
1. Should I transfer all my low CP Pokemon?
Generally, yes. Low CP Pokémon are typically less useful in battles. Focus on building up your stronger Pokémon with higher CP. However, consider their IVs and potential evolutions before transferring.
2. Should you keep 0 star Pokemon?
0-star Pokémon usually take up valuable space. Unless it’s a rare species or you’re a collector of 0% IV Pokémon (also called “Nundos”), it’s generally best to transfer them.
3. Should I transfer Pokemon if I only have one?
Consider keeping at least one of each Pokémon for your “living Pokédex.” However, if you really need the storage space, a low CP, 0-star Pokémon might be worth transferring.
4. Which Pokemons should you transfer?
Focus on Pokémon with low CP, poor IVs, and those you have multiple duplicates of. Consider rare or event Pokémon before transferring.
5. Which Pokemon should I evolve?
Evolve Pokémon with high CP or good appraisals (IVs). It’s also worth evolving Pokémon with desirable movesets. Always evolve first before powering up.
6. Should I only evolve 3 star Pokemon?
While 3-star Pokémon are ideal for evolving, a 0-star Pokémon with exceptionally high CP might still be worth evolving if you’re short on resources.
7. Are 0 IV Pokemon worth keeping?
0% IV Pokémon are incredibly rare. Many players keep them for their novelty, even though they aren’t strong in battle.
8. Which 3 star Pokemon to keep?
Keep any 3-star Pokémon with good movesets and prioritize using them in battle, or evolving them.
9. Should I evolve my high CP or low CP Pokemon?
Generally, evolve higher CP Pokémon for immediate strength. However, IVs also play a crucial role in long-term potential.
10. Why do people put low CP Pokémon in gyms?
Sometimes, players place low CP Pokémon in gyms to make it more difficult for opponents to earn rewards that are related to quickly taking down gyms.
11. Should I raise CP or evolve?
Evolve first! The Pokémon’s moveset changes upon evolution. If you like the moves, then invest in raising the CP.
12. Should I transfer shiny Pokémon go?
This is a tough one! Shiny Pokémon are rare and valuable for trading. Only transfer a shiny if you have a duplicate and really need the Candy.
13. Should I keep multiple of the same Pokemon in Pokemon go?
Keeping some duplicates can be beneficial, especially during events or when you need to trade. However, excessive duplicates with poor stats should be transferred.
14. How rare is a 0% IV Pokémon GO?
A 0% IV Pokémon is extremely rare. They are much rarer than perfect 4-star Pokémon.
15. Should you purify Shadow Pokemon?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon makes it cheaper to power up and evolve, but it also changes its moveset. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before purifying.
Beyond the Basics: Strategic Transferring
As you progress in Pokémon GO, your transferring strategy will evolve. You might start focusing on transferring Pokémon with specific movesets or keeping Pokémon for specific events. The key is to stay informed and adapt your strategy to maximize your resources.
Contributing to Research and Understanding through Gameplay
The world of gaming offers not only entertainment but also invaluable insights into human behavior, learning, and social dynamics. Organizations like the Games Learning Society (find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org), are dedicated to exploring these connections. You can further your understanding of the intersection between gaming and learning by visiting the Games Learning Society website.
Transferring Pokemon is a key part of playing and strategizing within Pokemon Go. It is not only something to do but also can be learned and even improved!