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Should I Get Rid of 0-Star Pokémon? A Comprehensive Guide

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The age-old question plagues every Pokémon GO trainer: Should I get rid of my 0-star Pokémon? The short answer is generally yes, but the complete answer requires a bit more nuance. In most cases, transferring those seemingly worthless Pokémon is the correct move. However, there are specific situations where holding onto those zero-IV creatures might be beneficial. This guide will explore when to transfer and when to cherish those less-than-perfect Pokémon.

Why 0-Star Pokémon Often Get the Boot

The primary reason trainers often transfer 0-star Pokémon is due to their IVs (Individual Values). IVs are hidden stats that contribute to a Pokémon’s overall potential, impacting its CP (Combat Power) and performance in battles. A 0-star rating signifies that these IVs are exceptionally low, meaning the Pokémon will likely be weaker than its higher-starred counterparts.

Lower CP Potential: A Pokémon with poor IVs will simply never reach the same CP ceiling as one with high IVs. This difference becomes especially noticeable at higher levels and in more competitive battles.
Inefficient Resource Investment: Investing Stardust and Candy to power up a 0-star Pokémon is generally inefficient. The returns on investment will be far lower compared to powering up a Pokémon with better IVs.
Storage Management: Pokémon Storage is a finite resource, and filling it with weaker Pokémon hinders your ability to collect stronger, more useful ones. Releasing 0-star Pokémon frees up valuable space.
Candy Farming: Transferring Pokémon is the main method for acquiring Candy, a necessary resource for powering up and evolving Pokémon. Holding onto low-IV Pokémon limits your ability to efficiently farm Candy for more promising candidates.

Exceptions to the Rule: When to Hold Onto 0-Star Pokémon

While generally advisable to transfer 0-star Pokémon, there are certain exceptions where they might be worth keeping:

Living Pokédex: Some trainers enjoy collecting one of every Pokémon species for a “living Pokédex.” In this case, keeping even a 0-star Pokémon fulfills that collection goal.
Rarity: Certain Pokémon are incredibly rare. If a 0-star Pokémon is a rare spawn or legendary, it might be worth keeping simply for its rarity, regardless of its IVs.
Shadow Pokémon: Shadow Pokémon have a 20% attack bonus, making them powerful attackers even with low IVs. The attack boost more than compensates for the lower stats in many raid and Gym scenarios. Never purify shadow Pokémon just to increase IVs.
Shiny Pokémon: A shiny Pokémon is a rare color variation of a Pokémon. While their IVs might be poor, their unique appearance makes them highly prized collectibles.
Specific PvP Applications: In specific PvP (Player vs. Player) scenarios, sometimes low Attack IVs are desirable to minimize damage from confusion. This is a niche case, but it exists.
Nundo Collectors: A “nundo” is a Pokémon with 0 IVs in all stats. These are rare finds and a point of pride for some collectors.
Sentimental Value: Pokémon GO is a personal game. If you have a sentimental attachment to a particular Pokémon, its IVs shouldn’t dictate whether you keep it.

Understanding IVs, CP, and Appraisal

To make informed decisions about which Pokémon to keep, it’s essential to understand the core concepts of IVs, CP, and appraisal.

IVs (Individual Values): These are hidden stats ranging from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and HP. They contribute to a Pokémon’s overall potential. Apps or websites like Poke Genie or Calcy IV can determine IVs by overlaying onto screenshots.
CP (Combat Power): This is a composite number representing a Pokémon’s overall strength in battle. It’s influenced by a Pokémon’s base stats, IVs, and level.
Appraisal: The in-game appraisal system provides a rough estimate of a Pokémon’s IVs. A 3-star appraisal indicates high IVs, while a 0-star appraisal signifies low IVs.

The Role of Shadow Pokémon

Shadow Pokémon are caught from Team Rocket stops and have a unique 20% attack boost. This boost makes them very useful. Keep shadow Pokemon unpurified if possible.

Shiny Pokémon

Shiny Pokemon are rare and valuable. Keep your shiny Pokemon.

FAQs: Zeroing in on the 0-Star Dilemma

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to further clarify the decision-making process surrounding 0-star Pokémon:

Are 0 IV Pokémon rare? Yes, Pokémon with 0 IVs in all stats (“nundos”) are rare. Each IV stat has 32 potential values (0-31), so the odds of getting a 0 in each of the three stats (Attack, Defense, HP) is (1/32)(1/32)(1/32) = 1/32768.
Should I evolve a 0-star shiny Pokémon? If you are wanting to use the Pokémon in battle, and the CP is very low, generally no. But if you are looking to fill the Pokedex, absolutely evolve the Pokemon.
Should I purify a 2-star Shadow Pokémon? Generally, no. Purifying will increase IVs but removes the 20% attack boost.
Are low IV Shadow Pokémon worth keeping? Yes, most of the time. The 20% attack boost often outweighs the lower IVs, making them powerful attackers, especially in raids.
Should I purify a 1-star Shadow Pokémon? No, as you are sacrificing the 20% attack boost that makes shadow Pokemon powerful.
Are 2-star Pokémon worth keeping in Pokémon GO? Some 2-star Pokémon might be worth keeping if they are rare, have special moves, or are shadow Pokemon.
What is more important, CP or stars? Rating stars represent the potential, and CP represents the current state. A 3-star Pokemon will eventually have more CP at same power level as a 0-star, therefore IVs are a better indicator of future strength.
Should I get rid of low CP Pokémon? Yes, generally, especially if they also have low IVs. As you level up, you will catch higher CP Pokémon.
Why would you want a 0 IV Pokémon? In rare cases, a 0 Attack IV can be beneficial in PvP to minimize confusion damage. “Nundo” Pokemon are also collectible rarities.
Can you change a Pokémon’s star rating? No, IVs are fixed once a Pokémon is caught. Purifying a Shadow Pokemon is the only exception, as that will increase the IVs.
Is a hundo rarer than a nundo? Under most circumstances, yes. There are many Pokemon spawns with IV floors, making it harder to get a nundo. Purification increases IVs, making it harder to get a nundo shadow.
What happens if you purify a 4-star Shadow Pokémon? Purifying will improve the Pokemon’s appraisal and reduce the amount of Stardust and Candy required for them to Power Up, Evolve, or learn a new attack.
What does 3 * 4 * mean in Pokemon go? 3* means 3 Stars. 4* means 3 Stars with a red background, which translates to 100% Pokémon.
Is it worth keeping shiny Pokemon go? Yes, as they are so hard to come by.
Should I evolve a 3 star Pokemon with low CP? It pays to keep and evolve only the best Pokémon you find.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

Ultimately, the decision to keep or transfer a 0-star Pokémon depends on your individual goals and play style. While high IVs are generally desirable for competitive battles, other factors like rarity, aesthetics, and personal sentiment can play a significant role. By understanding the pros and cons of keeping low-IV Pokémon, you can make informed choices that align with your Pokémon GO journey. Remember that games can be learning opportunities and the Games Learning Society fosters a community of researchers, educators, designers, and developers committed to advancing knowledge about games and learning through interdisciplinary collaborations. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.