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Can You Trade a Lucky Pokémon? Everything You Need to Know

Absolutely! Lucky Pokémon can be traded, but with a significant caveat: a Pokémon can only be traded once. This means if you receive a Lucky Pokémon in a trade, you cannot trade it again to another player. The trade is “set in stone”. So choose wisely!

Understanding Lucky Pokémon and Trading Mechanics in Pokémon GO

Trading in Pokémon GO is a fundamental aspect of the game, fostering community interaction and enabling players to acquire Pokémon they might not otherwise encounter. Lucky Pokémon add another layer of excitement and strategic depth to this system. Before diving into the specifics of trading Lucky Pokémon, it’s crucial to understand the basics of how trading works in Pokémon GO.

First, trading requires proximity. You can only trade with someone who is physically near you. Secondly, there’s a stardust cost associated with trades, varying based on your friendship level with the trading partner and the rarity of the Pokémon being traded. Thirdly, certain Pokémon cannot be traded at all, including Mythical Pokémon like Mew and Celebi, as well as Pokémon that have already been traded once.

Lucky Pokémon are Pokémon that have a reduced Stardust cost for power-ups, making them significantly more efficient to train. They also have a guaranteed minimum IV floor of 12/12/12, meaning they are more likely to be powerful in battle. When a trade results in Lucky Pokémon, both trainers receive Lucky Pokémon. The “luckiness” is determined randomly, although becoming Lucky Friends guarantees a Lucky Trade.

The most important constraint to remember is that a Pokémon cannot be traded more than once. This rule applies to all Pokémon, including Lucky Pokémon. Once a Lucky Pokémon has been traded to you, it’s yours to keep and train, but you can’t pass it on to someone else.

Strategic Considerations for Trading Lucky Pokémon

Since you only get one shot at trading a Pokémon, including a Lucky Pokémon, it is important to plan accordingly. Some considerations:

Prioritize High-Value Pokémon: If you’re going to trade for a Lucky Pokémon, aim for powerful or rare Pokémon that will benefit the most from reduced Stardust costs, such as Mewtwo, Rayquaza, or Metagross.
Communicate with Your Trading Partner: Discuss which Pokémon each of you needs and which ones you are willing to trade. This helps ensure that both trainers benefit from the potential Lucky Trade.
Consider IVs: Even though Lucky Pokémon have a guaranteed minimum IV, it is still worth checking the IVs before investing Stardust in powering them up. A Lucky Pokémon with higher IVs will ultimately be more powerful.
Leverage Lucky Friends: Becoming Lucky Friends guarantees a Lucky Trade, so prioritize building friendships with other trainers to maximize your chances of acquiring valuable Lucky Pokémon.
Don’t Trade Back: Remember, once a Pokémon is traded, it can’t be traded again. Be absolutely certain before trading, as there’s no way to undo the transaction.

The Importance of Community and Engagement

Trading is a vital part of the Pokémon GO experience, promoting social interaction and collaboration. Lucky Pokémon enhance this by adding an element of chance and excitement to each trade. By understanding the rules and mechanics of trading Lucky Pokémon, trainers can maximize their potential to acquire powerful and useful Pokémon while strengthening their bonds with fellow players. Whether you are a casual player or a seasoned veteran, trading is an essential tool for completing your Pokédex, building a strong battle team, and enjoying the camaraderie of the Pokémon GO community.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Trading Lucky Pokémon

1. What exactly is a Lucky Pokémon?

A Lucky Pokémon is a Pokémon that requires 50% less Stardust to power up. It also has a guaranteed minimum IV floor of 12/12/12, making it more likely to be a strong battler. Lucky Pokémon appear with a shimmery effect in the Pokédex and on the Pokémon’s Summary page.

2. How do I get a Lucky Pokémon?

Lucky Pokémon are primarily obtained through trading with other trainers. There is a random chance that any trade will result in both trainers receiving Lucky Pokémon. Becoming Lucky Friends with another trainer guarantees a Lucky Trade.

3. What are Lucky Friends?

Lucky Friends are trainers who are Best Friends with you, and with whom you have a guaranteed Lucky Trade available. You have a chance to become Lucky Friends after interacting with a Best Friend (e.g., opening a gift, battling together).

4. Is there a limit to how many Lucky Pokémon I can have?

There is no limit to the number of Lucky Pokémon you can have in your storage. However, there is a limit to the number of “guaranteed lucky” trades a trainer can receive if at least one player is guaranteed to get lucky pokemon. It’s 15 guaranteed luckies.

5. Can a Shiny Pokémon also be a Lucky Pokémon?

Yes, a Pokémon can be both Shiny and Lucky. These are independent attributes.

6. Are Lucky Pokémon always 3-star rated?

Not always, but they are more likely to be. The IV floor for Lucky Pokémon is 12/12/12, which can result in a 2-star or 3-star rating depending on the exact IV combination. Anything 82% or higher (13/12/12+) will be 3*.

7. What Pokémon cannot be traded at all?

Mythical Pokémon (like Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Deoxys, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Keldeo, Meloetta, Genesect, Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Magearna, Marshadow, Zeraora, Meltan, Melmetal), and Pokémon that have already been traded once cannot be traded.

8. Can I trade a Pokémon back to the person I received it from?

No, Pokémon GO does not allow you to trade a Pokémon more than once. Once a Pokémon has been traded, it cannot be traded again to any player, including the original owner.

9. How does friendship level affect trading?

Higher friendship levels reduce the Stardust cost for trading and increase the chance of getting a Lucky Pokémon. At Best Friends level, you also have the chance to become Lucky Friends, guaranteeing a Lucky Trade.

10. Is it worth keeping 0-star Pokémon?

Generally, no. Because it will take most players a long time before they can max out Pokemon Storage, it’s best to just release the 0-stars and keep the 1/2/3/4-stars.

11. Can traded Pokémon disobey me?

Yes, traded Pokémon can disobey you if they are a higher level than your current badge progress allows. Earning Gym Badges will enable you to control higher-level traded Pokémon. You can avoid this issue by only trading for pokemon with a low level.

12. What is the Lucky Trade limit?

There is a hidden counter for Guaranteed Luckies that affects how many trades can result in both players getting lucky pokemon. The number of trades is 15. This does not include Lucky Friend trades, or random lucky trades.

13. Are Lucky Pokémon stronger than Shiny Pokémon?

Lucky Pokémon and Shiny Pokémon are different. Shiny Pokémon are differentiated by their unique appearance, while Lucky Pokémon have the useful benefit of costing less Stardust to power up, making them easier to boost the CP of and ready for battle.

14. How do I become Lucky Friends with another trainer?

To become Lucky Friends, you must first reach the Best Friends level with another trainer. After that, there’s a chance you’ll become Lucky Friends upon interacting with them (e.g., opening a gift, battling together).

15. What is a good Pokémon to aim for in a Lucky Trade?

Prioritize powerful and rare Pokémon that benefit significantly from reduced Stardust costs. Examples include Mewtwo, Metagross, Rayquaza, Togekiss, Giratina, Garchomp, Kyogre, and Lucario.

Can you trade a lucky Pokemon?