Beginner's Guide
New to managing your Pokemon GO collection? You're in the right place. These guides explain everything in plain English - no jargon, no assumptions.
Glossary
IV, CP, PvP, Great League... what does it all mean? Quick definitions for every term.
How to Scan Your Collection
Step-by-step guide to exporting your Pokemon data using Calcy IV (free) or Poke Genie.
Using Tags in Pokemon GO
How to organize your collection with in-game tags so you can find things fast.
Ready to Start?
Got your CSV? Jump straight to the Collection Triage tool.
Common Questions
Why should I care about IVs?
IVs (Individual Values) are hidden stats that make each Pokemon unique. Two Pikachu can have the same CP but different IVs - and in competitive battles, those small differences matter.
For casual play? Don't stress about IVs. For PvP battles or serious raiding? They're worth paying attention to.
What's the difference between PvP and Raids?
PvP (Player vs Player) is battling other trainers - either friends or strangers in GO Battle League. You want bulky Pokemon that can survive and fight back.
Raids are cooperative battles against powerful bosses. You want Pokemon that hit as hard as possible, even if they're fragile.
The same Pokemon might be great for one and bad for the other!
Why do PvP IVs look "bad"?
In PvP leagues with CP limits (Great League: 1500, Ultra League: 2500), you want to maximize your stats within that limit.
Lower Attack IV = lower CP at the same level = you can power up more = more total stats. That's why "0/15/15" is often better than "15/15/15" for Great League.
It's counterintuitive, but the math checks out. Learn more about stat product
Should I keep Shadow Pokemon?
Shadow Pokemon deal 20% more damage but also take 20% more damage. This makes them:
- Great for raids - more damage = faster wins
- Risky for PvP - glass cannons that can dominate or crumble
Don't purify good Shadow Pokemon! The damage bonus is usually worth more than the IV boost from purifying.
What does "meta" mean?
"Meta" is short for "metagame" - it refers to the most effective strategies and Pokemon that players are currently using. A "meta Pokemon" is one that's commonly used because it's strong and effective.
The meta shifts over time as Niantic releases new Pokemon, moves, and balance changes. Our triage tool uses current meta data to help you identify which Pokemon are worth keeping.
Do I need to scan every Pokemon?
For the best results, yes - scan your entire collection. The triage tool can find hidden gems you might have overlooked, and it can also identify duplicates where you have a better version of the same Pokemon.
That said, you can also scan just the Pokemon you're unsure about. The tool works with any size collection.