Should You Purge All Your 0-Star Pokémon in Pokémon GO? A Comprehensive Guide

Absolutely not! While the knee-jerk reaction might be to immediately transfer those seemingly useless 0-star Pokémon to Professor Willow for a single candy, a more nuanced approach is warranted. Discarding all your 0 IV Pokémon without consideration could be a significant strategic error.

Pokémon GO, at its core, is a game of collection and optimization. While high IV Pokémon are generally desirable for raids, gym battles, and PvP (especially Master League), 0-star Pokémon, also known as 0% IV Pokémon, have surprisingly valuable, niche applications. Their sheer rarity alone makes them worth considering holding onto.

The Appeal of Imperfect Pokémon

In a world obsessed with maximizing everything, the concept of celebrating imperfection might seem counterintuitive. However, consider these points before impulsively transferring your 0-star creatures:

• Rarity: 0 IV Pokémon are significantly rarer than 100 IV Pokémon. This is because perfect IVs can be guaranteed through raids, research tasks, and trades, while 0 IVs are purely random from wild encounters, making them highly collectible.

• Gym Defense: Believe it or not, a 0-star Pokémon with high CP can be a perfectly viable gym defender. The CP determines its initial placement within the gym, and while it might not hold out against a dedicated attacker, it serves as a decent deterrent and chip damage dealer.

• Foul Play and Confusion Avoidance (Niche PvP): This is a highly specialized scenario, but in certain PvP battles, particularly in formats like Little Cup, a 0 Attack IV Pokémon can be beneficial. Moves like Foul Play use the opponent’s Attack stat to calculate damage. Also, a lower attack stat causes confusion damage to be lower.

• Sentimentality and Collection: Pokémon GO is a game about collecting, and some trainers simply enjoy collecting rare or unusual specimens. A 0-star shiny is a trophy of persistence and luck. Even a non-shiny 0-star Pokémon can become a cherished part of your collection.

• Trade Value (Potential Future): While there’s no specific in-game benefit to trading 0-star Pokémon right now, game mechanics are constantly evolving. It is possible that in future updates they will provide value.

Situations Where Transferring Might Be Acceptable

Okay, before I sound like a complete 0-star Pokémon enthusiast, let’s acknowledge some scenarios where transferring them is perfectly acceptable:

• Extremely Limited Storage: If you’re constantly bumping up against your Pokémon storage limit and prioritizing competitive Pokémon is crucial, transferring common 0-star Pokémon can free up space.

• Abundant Resources: If you have a surplus of candy and stardust and are focused solely on powering up your best 3-star and 4-star Pokémon for raids and PvP, transferring 0-star Pokémon is a reasonable choice.

• Duplicate Pokémon: If you already have a 0-star version of a particular species, there’s less compelling reason to keep multiple copies unless you are specifically trying to create a living 0% Pokedex.

• The Pokémon is Utterly Useless: Some Pokémon, even with perfect IVs, are simply outclassed in every aspect. A 0-star Magikarp or Cosmog isn’t going to win you any battles. In these instances, transferring is understandable.

A Balanced Approach

The ideal strategy lies in a balanced approach. Before impulsively transferring a 0-star Pokémon, ask yourself:

• Is this a rare or useful Pokémon?
• Do I have other high-IV versions of this Pokémon?
• Am I short on storage space?
• Do I want to keep this as a trophy?

By considering these factors, you can make informed decisions about which 0-star Pokémon to keep and which to transfer, ensuring you’re not missing out on potentially valuable or interesting additions to your collection.

Remember, Pokemon GO is a game of strategy, luck and fun! Learn more from resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for the latest strategies and insights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly are IVs in Pokémon GO?

IVs (Individual Values) are hidden stats that determine a Pokémon’s potential. They range from 0 to 15 for Attack, Defense, and Stamina (HP). Higher IVs generally result in a stronger Pokémon.

2. How do I check a Pokémon’s IVs?

You can check IVs by using the in-game appraisal system. Alternatively, third-party apps and websites can provide more precise IV readings.

3. Are high CP Pokémon always better than low CP Pokémon?

Not always. CP (Combat Power) is an indicator of a Pokémon’s strength, but it’s influenced by both IVs and level. A lower CP Pokémon with better IVs can often be powered up to outperform a higher CP Pokémon with poor IVs.

4. Should I prioritize evolving or purifying Shadow Pokémon?

This depends on the Pokémon. Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage but take 20% more damage as well. Some are competitively stronger as Shadows, while others benefit more from the stat boosts gained through purification. Research your Pokémon carefully.

5. What is a “perfect” Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

A perfect Pokémon has 100% IVs – 15 Attack, 15 Defense, and 15 Stamina. These are the strongest possible versions of that Pokémon.

6. Is it worth powering up a Pokémon before or after evolving it?

It doesn’t matter. Evolving a Pokémon doesn’t affect the cost of future power-ups. Powering up before or after evolving will result in the same final CP.

7. Are Shiny Pokémon stronger than regular Pokémon?

No. Shiny Pokémon are purely cosmetic variations. They have the same stats and potential as their non-shiny counterparts.

8. What are the benefits of purifying a Shadow Pokémon?

Purifying a Shadow Pokémon increases its IVs, reduces the stardust and candy cost to power up/evolve, and replaces Frustration with Return.

9. What’s the best way to use stardust efficiently?

Focus on powering up Pokémon that are strong in raids, gyms, or PvP. Avoid powering up Pokémon with low IVs or Pokémon that aren’t competitively viable.

10. How rare is it to find a 4-star (100% IV) Pokémon?

The odds of finding a wild 100% IV Pokémon are approximately 1 in 4,096. Raids, research tasks, and trades offer increased odds.

11. Are 0 IV Pokémon more rare than 100 IV Pokémon?

Yes, 0 IV Pokemon are more rare than 100 IV Pokemon since it can never come from raids, eggs, research tasks or trades.

12. What is the best Pokémon to leave at a gym for defense?

Tanky Pokémon with high stamina like Blissey, Chansey, or Snorlax are effective gym defenders. However, any Pokémon that requires significant effort to defeat can be a deterrent.

13. Should I keep one of every Pokémon, even if they have poor IVs?

This depends on your personal goals. If you’re a completionist or collector, keeping one of each Pokémon is understandable. If you’re focused solely on competitive battling, you can prioritize stronger specimens.

14. Is it better to evolve a Shadow Pokémon or purify it first?

Purifying first will give you a head start in CP and IV’s, but purifying loses the 20% damage bonus made available to Shadows. Consider your preference and determine whether to Purify or evolve first!

15. Can you transfer legendary Pokémon?

Yes, you can transfer legendary Pokémon, but it’s generally not recommended, especially if they have decent IVs or are rare. Consider trading them with a friend instead.