Should You Keep More Than One of Each Pokémon? A Trainer’s Guide

Absolutely! Keeping multiple Pokémon, especially in games like Pokémon GO, is often highly beneficial. While hoarding every single duplicate might be overkill, strategically keeping multiples allows you to evolve Pokémon, power them up, build powerful Catch Combos, and even leverage different movesets for various battle scenarios. The decision ultimately depends on your play style, available storage, and goals within the game. Understanding the reasons why and which Pokémon to keep multiple of will significantly enhance your Pokémon journey.

Why Keep Multiple Pokémon?

Simply put, a single Pokémon usually isn’t enough to maximize your potential within a Pokémon game. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits:

• Evolution: This is the most straightforward reason. Many Pokémon require a specific number of Candies (or other game-specific resources) to evolve. Capturing multiples of the same species is the primary way to amass these resources quickly.

• Powering Up: Even after evolving a Pokémon, you’ll often need Stardust (or similar currency) and Candies to increase its Combat Points (CP) or equivalent strength stat. Keeping duplicates allows you to transfer weaker ones for more Candies, fueling your power-up endeavors.

• Catch Combos: Certain games, notably Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! and Pokémon GO, introduce Catch Combos. By catching the same species of Pokémon consecutively, you increase your chances of encountering rare Pokémon, Shiny Pokémon, and earning bonus rewards, including extra Candies.

• Movesets: Different Pokémon of the same species can learn different moves. Having multiple versions gives you the flexibility to assemble a team with diverse offensive and defensive capabilities, adapting to various challenges.

• IVs and Stats: Each Pokémon has Individual Values (IVs) or hidden stats that determine its potential strength. Catching multiples increases your odds of finding a Pokémon with near-perfect IVs, making it a true powerhouse.

• Shiny Hunting: Shiny Pokémon are rare, alternate-color versions of Pokémon. Dedicated players often catch hundreds of the same species in hopes of encountering a Shiny.

• Trading: Some games allow you to trade Pokémon with other players. Having duplicates allows you to help friends or acquire Pokémon you need in return.

Strategies for Managing Your Pokémon Collection

While keeping multiples is generally a good idea, it’s crucial to manage your collection effectively. Here’s a strategic approach:

1. Prioritize Evolution Candidates: Focus on keeping enough Pokémon of species you plan to evolve to their final forms. Calculate the Candy (or resource) requirements and plan accordingly.
2. Evaluate IVs: Use in-game appraisal systems or external tools to assess the IVs of your Pokémon. Keep those with high IVs and transfer the rest.
3. Consider Movesets: Check the moves each Pokémon knows. If you find a Pokémon with a particularly desirable move, consider keeping it, even if its IVs aren’t perfect.
4. Manage Storage: Pokémon storage can become a limiting factor. Regularly review your collection and transfer Pokémon you don’t need. Consider purchasing storage upgrades if necessary.
5. Mark Favorites: Use in-game features to mark your favorite or most valuable Pokémon to prevent accidental transfers.

The Exceptions: When Less is More

There are a few situations where keeping multiples might not be necessary or optimal:

• Legendary and Mythical Pokémon: In many games, you can only obtain a single copy of each Legendary or Mythical Pokémon.
• Uncommon Pokémon with High CP: If you already have a very strong Pokémon of a particular species, catching additional, weaker ones might not be worthwhile unless you need them for evolution or have a specific purpose in mind.
• Zero-Star Pokémon: As a general rule, Pokemon with zero stars are not that valuable and can be a hindrance to the collection process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 FAQs to help you navigate the complexities of Pokémon collection:

1. How many basic Pokémon should I keep before evolving?

Aim for at least enough to cover the evolution costs. For Pokémon requiring 50 Candies for the first evolution, keep at least 6-7. For those requiring 25 Candies, 3-4 may suffice. The specific number can vary as you may earn more candies along the way and use Pinap Berries which also increases the candy.

2. What are IVs, and why are they important?

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

3. How do I check a Pokémon’s IVs?

Many games have in-game appraisal systems. Additionally, third-party apps and websites provide IV calculators that use a Pokémon’s stats and level to estimate its IVs.

4. Is it worth purifying Shadow Pokémon?

Purifying Shadow Pokémon increases their IVs and reduces the Stardust and Candy cost of powering up, but it removes the Shadow bonus. Whether to purify depends on the specific Pokémon and its intended use. Shadow Pokémon generally deal 20% more damage at the cost of taking 20% more damage, so this is something to consider.

5. Should I keep XL Pokémon?

Size (XL, XS) has no bearing on a Pokémon’s battle performance. Focus on IVs and movesets instead.

6. What is a Catch Combo, and how does it work?

A Catch Combo is a bonus system where catching the same Pokémon species consecutively increases your chances of finding rare Pokémon and earning bonus rewards, like Candy. Breaking the chain resets the combo.

7. How many Pokémon should I have in my deck for the trading card game?

A Pokémon TCG deck must contain exactly 60 cards. A typical deck contains 10-20 Pokémon, 25-35 Trainer cards, and 5-15 Energy cards.

8. Is it okay to have two of the same Pokémon type on my team?

Yes, having multiple Pokémon of the same type can be effective, as long as they fulfill different roles and have diverse movesets. This can provide type coverage while also focusing on particular strengths.

9. Should I always evolve my Pokémon?

Not always. Some Pokémon are stronger or more useful in their unevolved forms due to unique movesets or abilities. Research the specific Pokémon before evolving.

10. What is the rarest Pokémon to evolve?

This varies depending on the game and region. However, Pokémon that require special conditions, such as weather or location, can be difficult to evolve.

11. Has anyone caught every single Pokémon card ever made?

No, collecting every Pokémon card ever printed is an almost impossible task due to the sheer volume and rarity of some cards.

12. Should I transfer duplicate Pokémon with lower CP?

Generally, yes. Transferring Pokémon with lower Combat Points (CP) frees up storage space and earns you Candy, which can be used to power up stronger Pokémon.

13. What is the maximum number of copies of a card I can have in my Pokémon TCG deck?

You can have a maximum of four copies of a card with the same name in your deck (except for basic Energy cards). This is often referred to as the “Rule of Four.”

14. Can I catch the same Legendary Pokémon twice in Pokémon GO?

Typically, you can only catch one of each Legendary Pokémon during a specific event or raid period. However, some events may allow you to encounter the same Legendary again.

15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming and Pokémon?

For information and research on the intersection of games and learning, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization is dedicated to exploring how games can be used for educational purposes.

The Bottom Line: Collect Smart, Not Just More

Ultimately, the decision of whether to keep multiple Pokémon depends on your individual goals and play style. By understanding the benefits of keeping duplicates and employing effective management strategies, you can significantly enhance your Pokémon experience and build a formidable team. So, catch ’em all strategically and embark on a truly rewarding Pokémon adventure! Remember to consider the resources available through organizations like the Games Learning Society for broader insights into the world of gaming and learning.