When to Keep and Transfer Pokémon

The absolute basics of what to keep and what to transfer.

Managing your limited Pokémon storage can be stressful. Before you send a Pokémon to Professor Willow, run it through this quick checklist.

The "Always Keep" List

If a Pokémon matches any of these, lock it and keep it:

• 4-Star (Perfect "Hundo"): The appraisal bars are completely full and glowing red.
• Shinies & Costumes: Alternate color variants and event Pokémon (like Pikachu wearing a hat).
• Legendaries & Mythicals: Rare Pokémon caught from raids or special research.
• Mega Evolution Candidates: Even with bad stats, Pokémon that can Mega Evolve (like Charizard or Tyranitar) provide massive power boosts.
• Sentimental: Some Pokémon are just worth keeping! Whether it’s your favorite, a “Nundo” (0/0/0 stats), or just something you don’t see often, you can save whatever you find interesting.

The "Save for Trading" List

When you trade a Pokémon with a friend, its stats completely randomize.

• The Rule: If you catch a rare or powerful species that has a high Combat Power (CP) but terrible stats, do not transfer it.
• The Goal: Save it to trade with a friend. You both get a second chance at getting perfect stats, and it saves you resources to power it up.

What is Safe to Transfer?

0-Star and 1-Star Pokémon: Generally, if the appraisal screen shows low bars, it is safe to transfer (unless you want to trade it or use it for specific player vs. player battles)