How do I know which Pokémon to transfer?
Ah, the thrill of catching your first Zubat. Then comes the second. And then the third. Suddenly, you have a flock of Zubats and you don't know what to do with them.
In the world of Pokémon Go, you don't just let creatures live together in peace. No, you trade your animal to a creepy professor who gives you a piece of candy in return. (A great lesson for the kids out there).
So how do you know which Pokémon to transfer and when to trade them? Don't worry, we're here to help.
You May Also Like
Combat Power (CP)
Click your Poké Ball and then select the Pokémon icon. It should list all of the Pokémon you have captured so far.
Each one should have the letters CP next them, as well as a number. CP stands for combat power -- the higher the CP, the stronger the Pokémon will be in battle.
In general, you want to trade away your low-value Pokémon so you can build up your stronger ones. For example, looking at the Pokémon above, I would transfer the Sandshrew with a CP of 32 so that I could make a CP 88 Sandshrew even stronger.
Do not trade a Pokémon if it's your only one. There is no advantage to doing this. You can only use the candy you receive for transferring a Pokémon on another of the same type.
So, if I transfer a Meowth, I can't use the resulting candy for a Growlithe.
How to transfer
We've established I want to give away my 32 CP Sandshrew because the world of Pokémon Go is cruel and there is no room for the weak.
Click on the creature, scroll down to the bottom and select "Transfer." At this point, you'll see this message:
There are no returns, so make sure you are trading the right Pokémon.
Once you press "Yes" the transaction is over. You can use the resulting candy to evolve or power up your Pokémon.
(Powering up also requires stardust, which you get by hatching eggs, capturing Pokémon and defending Gyms. Save that stardust only for your most powerful Pokémon).
Finally, the most important question: What is Professor Willow (who has become quite the sex symbol) doing with the Pokémon you are transferring to him? Are they being sold to Pokémon farms in exchange for candy? Or are they being ground up into candies and being fed back to Pokémon?
Open your eyes people! It's time we demand answers from the Pokéindustrial complex. Right after I catch another Zubat ...
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Topics Pokemon
Keith Wagstaff is an assistant editor at Mashable and a terrible Settlers of Catan player. He has written for TIME, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, NBC News, The Village Voice, VICE, GQ and New York Magazine, among many other reputable and not-so-reputable publications. After nearly a decade in New York City, he now lives in his native Los Angeles.
