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Can You Buy Pokémon Go Stardust? The Definitive Answer and FAQs

The short, direct answer is: No, you cannot directly buy Stardust in Pokémon Go with real money or in-game currency. This valuable resource, essential for powering up your Pokémon, completing trades, and unlocking second charged attacks, is one of the few items in the game that cannot be acquired through the in-game shop. While the game offers a plethora of items for purchase, Stardust remains a hard-earned commodity, obtained through gameplay and strategic decision-making. This article will delve into the intricacies of Stardust acquisition and explore frequently asked questions surrounding this crucial element of Pokémon Go.

Understanding the Value of Stardust

Stardust is a cornerstone of progression in Pokémon Go. It’s not just another resource; it’s the lifeblood of your Pokémon collection. Its importance stems from its varied applications:

Powering Up Pokémon: This is the primary use for Stardust. Strengthening your Pokémon for raids, gym battles, and trainer battles requires a significant investment of this resource.
Trading Pokémon: Trading, especially for rarer Pokémon, can incur a hefty Stardust cost. The amount fluctuates based on your friendship level and the Pokémon’s rarity.
Unlocking Second Charged Attacks: Expanding your Pokémon’s offensive capabilities requires Stardust, alongside Candy, to unlock a secondary charged attack.

The fact that Stardust cannot be purchased adds another layer of depth to the gameplay, forcing players to actively engage with various game mechanics to accumulate it.

How to Accumulate Stardust

Since you can’t buy Stardust, you need to know the most effective methods to earn it in the game. Here’s a breakdown of the most reliable ways:

Catching Pokémon

The most consistent way to earn Stardust is simply catching Pokémon. The amount you receive depends on the Pokémon’s evolution stage:

First Evolution: 100 Stardust
Second Evolution: 300 Stardust
Third Evolution: 500 Stardust
Weather Boost: Weather boosted catches can further enhance the amount of stardust you receive.

Defeating Team GO Rocket

Taking down Team GO Rocket Grunts, Leaders, and Giovanni rewards you with varying amounts of Stardust:

Grunt Battles: 500 Stardust
Team GO Rocket Leader Battles (Arlo, Cliff, Sierra): 1000 Stardust
Giovanni Battles: 5,000 Stardust

Pokémon Go Battle League (GBL)

Participating in the GBL, regardless of your win rate, grants Stardust rewards. Even losses can add to your total. Consistent participation is key.

Eggs

Hatching eggs is another source of Stardust, with the amount varying depending on the egg’s distance.

Events and Special Bonuses

Niantic often includes events with special bonuses that increase the amount of Stardust players can earn. Keeping an eye out for these events is crucial for maximizing your Stardust gains.

Special Research and Field Research

Completing certain Special Research tasks and Field Research rewards can also grant Stardust.

Strategic Stardust Management

Given the limited ways to acquire Stardust, strategic usage is essential. Here are some key tips:

Avoid Unnecessary Power-Ups: Don’t spend Stardust on Pokémon you don’t intend to use actively in raids or battles.
Prioritize High-IV Pokémon: Save your Stardust for Pokémon with high Individual Values (IVs) to ensure optimal performance in battles.
Maximize Event Bonuses: Take advantage of any Stardust-focused events to acquire as much as possible.
Regularly Engage in Activities: Consistent playing, involving catching, battling, and trading will yield the most stardust.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Stardust in Pokémon Go:

1. What is the maximum amount of Stardust you can hold?

The maximum amount of Stardust a player can possess is 9,999,999.

2. How much Stardust does it cost to trade a legendary Pokémon?

Trading a legendary Pokémon that your friend doesn’t have yet can cost up to 1,000,000 Stardust for trainers that are only good friends. This cost decreases to 800,000 Stardust for Great Friends, 80,000 for Ultra Friends, and 40,000 for Best Friends.

3. Can you sell Stardust?

No, you cannot sell Stardust to an in-game store. The information that states you can sell it for 1000p is related to another game and not to Pokemon GO.

4. Why do some Pokémon give more Stardust than others?

Pokémon give varying amounts of Stardust based on their evolution stage. Third stage Pokémon give 500 Stardust while first stage only gives 100 Stardust.

5. Does evolving Pokémon grant Stardust?

No, evolving Pokémon does not directly grant Stardust. However, it does provide XP and sometimes adds a new Pokemon to your Pokedex.

6. How do you get Lucky Pokémon?

You obtain Lucky Pokémon through trading. When you become Lucky Friends with another trainer, your next trade is guaranteed to produce a Lucky Pokémon. This requires reaching Best Friend status first, which has a chance of giving you Lucky Friend status.

7. How do you get PokéCoins?

You earn PokéCoins by having your Pokémon defend Gyms. Once your Pokémon is knocked out of the gym, you receive PokéCoins based on how long they defended the gym.

8. Is Mewtwo a Legendary Pokémon?

Yes, Mewtwo is a Legendary Pokémon, known for its powerful stats and rarity.

9. Can you trade a Mythical Pokémon like Mew?

No, Mythical Pokémon like Mew cannot be traded.

10. Is Unown a Legendary Pokémon?

No, Unown is not a Legendary Pokémon. It is a rare and unique Pokémon with different forms.

11. Can you get Candy XL before level 40?

Yes, you can get Candy XL before reaching Level 40 through trades or other means. However, any Candy XL you have will be removed once you reach level 40, so do not worry about collecting them until then.

12. How do you speed up Friendship levels?

You can improve your Friendship Level by:

Sending Gifts
Participating in Raids and Gym battles together
Engaging in Trainer Battles
Trading Pokémon

13. How do you reduce Stardust costs for trading?

Having a high friendship level and having the Pokémon registered in your Pokedex will both significantly decrease the Stardust cost of a trade.

14. Why is there a Stardust cost to trade Pokémon?

The Stardust cost for trading is designed to balance the game and prevent exploitation. The cost depends on a number of factors: whether you’ve already caught the Pokemon yourself, your friendship level with the player you’re trading with, and the Pokemon you’re actually trading.

15. Can you buy stardust through other means, such as third-party sellers?

No. Attempting to purchase Stardust through third-party sellers is against the terms of service and can lead to account suspensions or bans. Moreover, these sellers are often fraudulent and may compromise your account.

Conclusion

Stardust in Pokémon Go is a resource that must be earned, not bought. This limitation encourages players to actively participate in all aspects of the game. By understanding the various ways to accumulate Stardust and employing strategic spending, players can effectively strengthen their Pokémon and enjoy a richer overall gaming experience. While you can’t buy Stardust, by maximizing your efforts in catching Pokemon, battling, participating in events, and taking advantage of other ways of earning Stardust, you can ensure you always have an ample supply of this vital resource.

Can you buy Pokemon Go Stardust?