What Pokémon Should I Send to the Professor? A Trainer’s Dilemma Solved

So, you’re staring at your overflowing Pokémon storage, wondering which of your digital critters should be shipped off to the Professor. The honest, straightforward answer is: Send Pokémon you don’t need for battles, trading, or completing your Pokédex, especially those that are common and have low IVs (Individual Values). This provides much-needed Candy for powering up your favorites and frees up valuable storage space. Let’s delve deeper into this crucial aspect of Pokémon training.

Understanding the Professor’s Needs (and Yours!)

Professor Willow, the ever-helpful NPC in Pokémon GO and similar games, isn’t just some digital hoarder. He’s conducting research, and your unwanted Pokémon are valuable resources for his studies. Sending him Pokémon grants you Candy, a crucial resource used to power up and evolve your Pokémon. Candy is specific to each Pokémon species line (e.g., Pikachu Candy, Charmander Candy), so you’ll want to send Pokémon related to the ones you want to improve.

But before you start mass-transferring everything in sight, let’s consider what factors should influence your decision.

Factors to Consider Before Transferring

1. Pokédex Completion

The most obvious reason to keep a Pokémon is if you haven’t registered it in your Pokédex. If you’re missing an evolution stage or a variant (e.g., Alolan forms), prioritize keeping those until you have them registered. Remember that Special Research and Timed Research tasks often require catching specific Pokémon, so think twice before transferring too many of a particular species.

2. Individual Values (IVs)

IVs are hidden stats that contribute to a Pokémon’s overall strength. They range from 0 to 15 in each of three categories: Attack, Defense, and HP (Hit Points). A Pokémon with high IVs will generally be stronger than one with low IVs, even if they’re the same species and level. Most Pokémon games have ways to assess IVs, and it’s crucial to understand how to interpret them. Pokémon with near-perfect IVs are often referred to as “hundos” (100% IVs) and are highly prized for battling. On the opposite end of the scale, some players actively seek “nundos” (0% IVs), which have little battling value and can be used just for fun or bragging rights.

3. Shiny Pokémon

Shiny Pokémon are rare, differently colored versions of Pokémon. They have no inherent stat advantage over regular Pokémon, but they are highly sought after by collectors. Unless you have duplicates of a shiny Pokémon, you should almost always keep them! Shiny Pokémon are highly valuable and can be used for trading purposes as well.

4. Event Pokémon

Many Pokémon games feature special events that introduce unique Pokémon variations, such as Pokémon wearing hats or costumes. These are often limited-time offers and can become quite rare over time. Consider keeping event Pokémon for collection purposes, unless you have multiple copies of the same variation.

5. Combat Performance (PvP and Raids)

If you enjoy battling in PvP (Player vs. Player) or participating in Raids, you’ll want to keep Pokémon that perform well in these areas. Websites and communities dedicated to Pokémon battling often provide rankings and analyses of which Pokémon are the most effective. Certain Pokémon are only useful in specific leagues of PvP, or in a niche role.

6. Trading

Some Pokémon are more valuable for trading than others. Rare Pokémon, shiny Pokémon, and Pokémon with high IVs are all desirable trade targets. Also, consider Regional Exclusives if you trade with people from around the world; these Pokémon are only available in specific geographical locations and are valuable trade commodities.

7. Duplicate Pokémon

This is where mass transfers come into play. If you have multiple copies of a common Pokémon, especially those with low IVs and no other redeeming qualities (e.g., not shiny, not event-exclusive), they are prime candidates for sending to the Professor. Don’t get attached to every Pidgey you catch!

Mass Transfer Tips and Tricks

Most Pokémon games have features to streamline the transfer process. Look for options to:

• Favorite important Pokémon to prevent accidental transfers.
• Filter your Pokémon by species, CP, HP, etc., to quickly identify transfer candidates.
• Transfer multiple Pokémon at once (mass transfer).

FAQs: Your Pokémon Transfer Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further guide your decisions:

1. Does the level or CP (Combat Power) of a Pokémon affect the amount of Candy I receive when transferring it?

No. The amount of Candy you receive for transferring a Pokémon is determined by its evolution stage. Base-form Pokémon (e.g., Pikachu) typically give 3 Candy. Second-stage evolutions (e.g., Raichu) give more, and third-stage evolutions (e.g., Venusaur) give the most. Event Pokémon are the same as regular Pokémon, so a costumed Pikachu has the same candy value as a regular Pikachu.

2. Should I transfer Pokémon caught during Community Day events?

It depends. Community Day Pokémon often have exclusive moves, making them valuable for battling. Check if your Community Day Pokémon have these moves and consider keeping the ones with good IVs. You probably have enough to keep a couple of each.

3. What are Lucky Pokémon, and should I transfer them?

Lucky Pokémon require less Stardust to power up. They are obtained through trading. Lucky Pokémon are valuable so only transfer them if they have very low IVs and you have a better Lucky Pokémon of that species.

4. How do I know if a Pokémon has good IVs?

Most Pokémon games have a feature that allows you to appraise your Pokémon’s IVs. In Pokémon GO, for example, you can tap the menu button on a Pokémon’s profile and select “Appraise.” The appraisal system will give you an idea of its IV range. You can also use third-party IV calculators for a more precise assessment.

5. Is it ever worth transferring a Legendary Pokémon?

Generally, no. Legendary Pokémon are rare and powerful. Even if one has low IVs, it’s usually better to keep it for collection purposes or potential future use. Consider that some Legendary Pokémon can only be caught a limited number of times.

6. What’s the difference between transferring and trading?

Transferring sends a Pokémon to the Professor in exchange for Candy. It’s a one-way process, and you’ll never get the Pokémon back. Trading involves exchanging Pokémon with another player. It can result in Lucky Pokémon, improve IVs (sometimes), and allow you to obtain Pokémon you can’t find in your region.

7. Should I transfer Shadow Pokémon?

Shadow Pokémon are Pokémon that have been corrupted by Team GO Rocket, and have a special charge attack called Frustration, which can be replaced during events. Shadow Pokémon often have improved Attack stats but lower Defense, and a lot of Pokémon that can be Shadow forms are good Pokémon to keep.

8. What if I accidentally transfer a Pokémon I wanted to keep?

Unfortunately, once a Pokémon is transferred, it’s gone for good in most Pokémon games. Be extra careful when selecting Pokémon for transfer and make sure you’ve favorited the ones you want to keep.

9. How much storage space do I need for Pokémon?

This depends on your play style. If you’re a hardcore collector, you’ll want to maximize your storage space. If you’re more casual, you can get by with less. A good rule of thumb is to have enough storage to comfortably hold your current team, a few backups, and some spares for trading or evolution.

10. Are there any Pokémon that I should never transfer?

Always keep at least one of each Shiny, Legendary, Mythical, and event Pokémon (especially those with unique costumes). Beyond that, prioritize keeping Pokémon with high IVs and those that are useful for battling.

11. What are CP and HP, and why do they matter?

CP (Combat Power) is a general measure of a Pokémon’s strength. Higher CP generally means a Pokémon will perform better in battles. HP (Hit Points) represents a Pokémon’s health. A Pokémon with more HP can withstand more damage before fainting.

12. Can I transfer Pokémon from previous generations to newer games?

This depends on the specific games. Some games allow you to transfer Pokémon from older versions to newer ones, typically through a cloud-based service like Pokémon Bank or Pokémon HOME.

13. Does transferring Pokémon impact my Trainer level?

No, transferring Pokémon does not impact your Trainer level. Trainer level is increased by earning XP (Experience Points), which is primarily gained by catching Pokémon, battling, and completing research tasks.

14. What do I do with duplicate Legendary or Mythical Pokémon?

Trading Legendary and Mythical Pokémon can only happen at specific times in certain Pokémon games. Mythical Pokémon cannot be traded at all in Pokémon GO. If you have several of the same Legendary Pokémon, keep the best one for raiding and battling, and trade other ones away when you can.

15. Where can I learn more about Pokémon strategy and team building?

There are many online resources available! Check out community forums, YouTube channels, and websites dedicated to Pokémon battling. Consider also exploring the educational aspects of gaming; organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org often research the cognitive and social benefits of playing games like Pokémon. Understanding game mechanics contributes to more than just competitive skills; it boosts problem-solving and strategic thinking.

By following these guidelines, you can confidently decide which Pokémon to send to the Professor, freeing up space and optimizing your resources for a more enjoyable Pokémon experience. Happy training!