What Pokémon Aren’t Worth Keeping in Pokémon GO?

Figuring out which Pokémon to keep and which to transfer in Pokémon GO can be tricky. With limited storage space, it’s essential to be strategic about the Pokémon you hold onto. The short answer? Pokémon that are low-stat, low-CP, have no special moves, and are easily obtainable are usually not worth keeping. But let’s dive deeper. We need to consider several factors such as IVs (Individual Values), CP (Combat Power), movesets, rarity, and your specific goals as a trainer.

Low Stat Pokémon

0-Star Pokémon

Typically, 0-star Pokémon, which have absolutely no IVs, are not worth keeping for battle purposes. While a 0% IV Pokemon is incredibly rare, their lack of viability in battles makes them undesirable for most players. Their very low potential means they will struggle in raids, gym battles, and PvP. Unless you are a dedicated collector who prizes them for their rarity, transferring them is usually the best course of action.

1-Star Pokémon

Similar to 0-star, 1-star Pokémon are usually not worth the investment of resources. Their stats are below average, making them poor performers compared to higher-IV specimens. These are almost always candidates for transfer.

2-Star Pokémon

The tricky zone starts with 2-star Pokémon. Many people will automatically transfer these, and in many instances, that’s the correct play. However, certain rare or powerful Pokemon caught at 2-stars might warrant keeping. For example, if your only Palkia or Moltres is 2-star, they’re worth holding onto. Additionally, Pokemon that only have been available through raids or are considered regional exclusives may be worth keeping if their moveset makes them valuable for battling.

Low CP Pokémon

Low CP (Combat Power) Pokémon are almost always expendable. CP is a measure of a Pokémon’s overall strength, and Pokemon with low CP will not be competitive in most situations. While you could invest resources to power them up, it’s usually better to save those resources for Pokemon with a higher starting CP, making those with lower CP expendable.

Common Pokémon

Pokémon that are very common and appear frequently in the wild are generally not worth keeping, especially if they have low stats. These are abundant, and you can always catch another one with potentially better IVs and CP. Examples of these include common spawns like Zubat, Eevee, and Marill unless you are specifically looking for their shiny versions or specific evolutions.

Poor Movesets

A Pokémon’s moveset can drastically impact its battle performance. A powerful Pokémon with a bad moveset isn’t worth keeping over a Pokémon with an amazing movepool even if it has a few less stats, therefore. If your 2-star Palkia has an inferior move like Fire Blast rather than Spacial Rend, it’s a much less useful Pokémon, and should likely be transferred.

Pokemon with Teleport & Splash

Cosmog, for example, is notoriously bad and deemed one of the worst Pokémon. It is considered the weakest legendary of all time. It has the same base stat total as Magikarp and only has access to Teleport and Splash. Pokémon with similar useless movesets should immediately be transferred.

Pokémon Without Special Moves

Certain Pokémon have access to special moves that make them exceptionally powerful. If you have a Pokémon that does not have access to these unique moves, it might not be worth keeping, especially if its stats aren’t stellar either. A Moltres with Sky Attack, for example, is incredibly valuable and worth keeping, while one without that attack is much less impressive.

Shadow Pokémon Considerations

Shadow Pokémon present a unique situation. Even if they are low-star, their Shadow Bonus (20% boost to attack) makes them powerful in battle. Therefore, many players advise against purifying them. A 0-star shadow Pokemon may still be worth keeping if it is useful in raids or gym battles and has a decent moveset. On the other hand, regular shadow Pokemon that you do not intend to invest in are not worth keeping.

Purified Pokémon

Purified Pokémon lose the Shadow Bonus, and their IVs may not increase to the point where they are worth keeping. This is particularly true if you have better alternatives. If you don’t intend to invest in a purified Pokemon, you should transfer it.

Pokémon You Don’t Need

Ultimately, think about your current needs. Are you building a raid team? Are you focused on PvP? Or are you just filling out your Pokédex? If you already have a strong lineup of Dragon-types, you might not need to keep another common Dragonite even if it is a 2-star. Keep the Pokémon you need for your chosen battling style, and don’t be afraid to transfer those you’re unlikely to use.

FAQs About Pokémon Keeping

1. Is it always best to transfer 0-star Pokémon?

Generally, yes, for battle purposes. 0-star Pokémon have extremely low IVs, making them weak fighters. However, some collectors keep them for their rarity.

2. Should I keep 2-star legendaries?

It depends. If you only have a couple of a certain legendary Pokemon, keeping 2-star versions might be a good idea. Consider their movesets too.

3. What makes a Pokémon worth keeping besides its stats?

Rare moves, rarity, and if you need that specific Pokemon for your Pokedex or Collection. A Shiny Pokémon, a Shadow Pokemon with good attack, or a Pokémon with a Legacy Move are often worth keeping, regardless of IVs.

4. What are the hardest Pokémon to catch?

Galarian Articuno, Galarian Moltres, and Galarian Zapdos are notoriously hard to find and catch. Mew and Mewtwo are also among the more challenging.

5. What is the weakest Pokémon?

While subjective, Cosmog is often cited as one of the weakest due to its limited move pool and base stat total. In battles Shedinja can often be considered one of the weakest due to it only having 1 hp.

6. What are the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos, and Galarian Moltres are among the rarest. 0 IV Pokémon are also extremely rare, and coveted by collectors.

7. Are 4-star Pokémon always the best?

Not necessarily. While 4-star (100% IV) Pokémon have the highest potential, a Shadow Pokémon with lower IVs but the Shadow bonus can perform better.

8. What does CP stand for?

CP stands for Combat Power, a measure of a Pokémon’s overall strength in Pokémon GO.

9. What are IVs in Pokémon GO?

IVs (Individual Values) are hidden stats that determine a Pokemon’s potential in battle. They range from 0-15 for each of three categories (Attack, Defense, HP).

10. Should I evolve a 3-star Pokémon?

Usually, yes. 3-star Pokémon have high IVs, making them good candidates for evolution and powering up, but make sure their moveset is what you are looking for before evolving.

11. What are the best moves to look for on Pokémon?

This depends on the specific Pokémon and its role. There are comprehensive online resources available to look up a specific Pokémon and find out the ideal moveset. Sky Attack for Moltres and Spacial Rend for Palkia are two examples.

12. Are Shadow Pokémon always better than regular Pokémon?

Shadow Pokémon have a 20% damage boost, making them more powerful offensively. However, regular Pokémon have higher defenses and can perform better in some situations.

13. Is there any Pokémon with no weaknesses?

Tynamo, Eelektrik, and Eelektross have no type weaknesses due to their Ability Levitate. Sableye and Spiritomb initially had no type weaknesses when released, but they became weak to Fairy-type when introduced.

14. What are some Pokémon with many weaknesses?

Snover has 7 weaknesses due to its Ice and Grass types. Rock types often have 5 weaknesses.

15. Should I keep common Pokémon with 0 stars?

For most trainers, transferring 0-star common Pokémon is the best choice. However, if you’re trying to acquire a living dex, or just a dedicated collector, you may want to keep one of everything, no matter the stats.

In summary, while 0-star and many 1-star Pokémon are almost always not worth keeping, other factors like movesets, rarity, and special events also impact which Pokemon you want to keep, even if they aren’t perfect 3-star and 4-star. By carefully evaluating each Pokémon based on these factors, you’ll be able to maximize your storage space and build a more powerful and efficient team.