Should You Keep Your 2016 Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
If you‘ve managed to hold onto any Pokémon you caught during the first 2 months of Pokémon GO in July and August 2016, my friend, you are sitting on a potential goldmine! Thanks to their ‘guaranteed lucky‘ status when traded, these rare vintage Pokémon have skyrocketed in value over the years.
So should you continue hoarding your OG 2016 mons, or cash them in for something new? As an expert Pokémon GO trader, let me walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of your retro monsters!
Why Are 2016 Pokémon So Valuable?
According to estimates from Pokémon GO data sites like The Silph Road, only about 5-10% of active players still have any 2016 Pokémon at all. And that number shrinks every year as players quit the game.
On top of their rarity, Pokémon caught in July or August 2016 are guaranteed to become Lucky Pokémon when traded. This gives them permanent boosts like:
- Half stardust cost to power up
- Minimum 12/12/12 IV floor
- Special background in the Pokédex
Because of these benefits, demand for vintage 2016 Pokémon has skyrocketed among collectors, PvP enthusiasts, and raid optimizers alike.
Some 2016 species have become highly coveted among traders:
| Pokémon | Why So Desired? | Sample Trade Value |
|---|---|---|
| Mewtwo | Legendary, best psychic attacker | Shiny Rayquaza |
| Snorlax | Top gym defender, rare spawn | Multiple legendaries |
| Lapras | Once extremely rare, top GL/UL pick | Meta relevant legendaries |
| Shiny Magikarp | Shiny Gyarados is very rare | Any other shiny |
Who Wants to Trade for Your 2016 Pokémon?
While you might think only hardcore players would covet these ancient artifacts, all kinds of trainers are looking to get their hands on 2016 Pokémon.
Here are some examples of who might make you enticing trade offers:
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Shiny hunters – Guaranteed lucky trades are their best bet at finally scoring that gold Gyarados or other shinies.
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Raid optimizers – Players lacking good legendaries like Mewtwo benefit greatly from trading for guaranteed luckies.
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PVP enthusiasts – Lucky status combined with IV floor means strong Great and Ultra League contenders.
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Completionists – Trading with you helps fill out their Lucky Pokédex faster.
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Returning players – Those who took a break from GO find big value in catching up via your Lucky 2016s.
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Newbies – Anyone who started after 2016 would love some vintage powerhouses!
Tips for Maximizing Your 2016 Mon Value
Simply having 2016 Pokémon gives you tons of trade leverage. But mismanaging them would be like trading in an antique Lamborghini for a new Honda Civic. Here are some tips for maximizing profits:
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Check stats & moves – Closely appraise your 2016 mons and look up if any have legacy moves. This affects value.
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Prioritize – If storage is limited, focus on keeping the Legendary, shiny, and meta relevant Pokémon.
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Don‘t settle – When trading rarities like Mewtwo or Lapras, hold out for a similarly valuable Lucky.
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Match collector level – No need to trade a shiny Magikarp for a new player‘s Sentret. Ask what they have.
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Re-roll wisely – Consider "re-rolling" extra Groudons from 2016 to improve your odds of a 98%+ Lucky.
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Research PvP – Some legacy moves and IV spreads for 2016 Pokémon unlock niche PvP use.
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Patience – Even if you get lowballed at first, more fair offers will come if you wait.
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Sentimental value – Not every 2016 mon needs to be squeezed for max value if it holds memories for you.
Should You Keep or Trade Away Your 2016 Pokémon?
If you have the storage space, holding onto most of your vintage 2016 Pokémon is probably the wisest long term investment. Their rarity and demand will likely only increase over time.
That said, trading some away can also be rewarding if done strategically. Turning an extra 2000 CP Dragonite into a perfect Lucky Kyogre is a solid move. Just make sure you get fair value in return.
There‘s no definitively right or wrong answer here. Some prefer holding onto every scrap of nostalgia, while others enjoy refreshing their roster with new Luckies.
My advice is to keep your absolutes favorites while strategically trading any extras. Just make sure you don‘t accidentally transfer a piece of history! Because like that mint condition Charizard in your childhood binder, those 2016 Pokémon aren‘t coming back.