Are Lucky Pokémon Cheaper to Power Up? The Ultimate Guide
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Yes, absolutely! Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon GO are significantly cheaper to power up compared to their non-lucky counterparts. They require 50% less Stardust to reach higher Combat Power (CP) levels, making them incredibly valuable assets for trainers looking to optimize their teams without breaking the bank. This Stardust discount, combined with guaranteed higher Individual Values (IVs) compared to regular traded Pokémon, makes acquiring and investing in Lucky Pokémon a smart strategic move in the game.
Understanding the Advantage of Lucky Pokémon
The core appeal of Lucky Pokémon lies in their Stardust efficiency. Stardust is a vital resource in Pokémon GO, used for powering up Pokémon, teaching them new moves, and even purifying Shadow Pokémon. The cost can quickly add up, especially when building multiple teams for raids, Gym battles, or PvP. By cutting the Stardust requirement in half, Lucky Pokémon allow trainers to reach competitive CP levels much faster and more affordably. This advantage is particularly beneficial for trainers who are:
- Resource-conscious: Stardust is a limited resource. Lucky Pokémon offer a cost-effective way to improve your team.
- Newer players: Building a competitive team can be daunting when starting. Lucky Pokémon provide an accessible path to powerful Pokémon.
- Competitive battlers: Having a diverse team with optimized CP is crucial for Gyms, raids, and PvP. Lucky Pokémon allow you to diversify your team faster.
Beyond the Stardust Discount: IVs and More
While the Stardust discount is the main draw, Lucky Pokémon also come with the added benefit of guaranteed higher IVs. Every Lucky Pokémon will have a minimum of 12 in each stat (Attack, Defense, HP), meaning they’ll always be at least a 2-star appraisal, and often a 3-star. This combination of reduced Stardust cost and improved stats makes Lucky Pokémon a highly desirable target for serious players.
How to Obtain Lucky Pokémon
The primary way to get Lucky Pokémon is through trading with friends. While not every trade results in a Lucky Pokémon, there’s a base chance of around 5% for standard trades. However, the best method to guarantee a Lucky is to become Lucky Friends with another trainer.
Becoming Lucky Friends
To become Lucky Friends, you must first reach Best Friends status with another player. Once you’re Best Friends, there’s a chance you’ll become Lucky Friends after interacting with each other in the following ways:
- Opening a gift
- Trading Pokémon
- Battling together in raids or Gyms
When you’re Lucky Friends, the next trade you make with that person will guarantee that both Pokémon become Lucky. This status is then consumed, and you’ll need to interact again for another chance to become Lucky Friends.
FAQs About Lucky Pokémon
Here are some frequently asked questions about Lucky Pokémon, covering various aspects of obtaining, using, and strategizing around them:
1. Are Lucky trades cheaper in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Lucky trades are cheaper in the long run because the resulting Lucky Pokémon require 50% less Stardust to power up. While the act of trading doesn’t cost Stardust itself (unless the Pokémon is particularly rare or unregistered in your Pokédex), the Stardust savings gained from having a Lucky Pokémon make them significantly more cost-effective to invest in.
2. Is it better to evolve a Lucky Pokémon?
Yes. Evolving a Lucky Pokémon retains the “Lucky” status. The evolved form will still benefit from the reduced Stardust cost when powering up. Therefore, evolve your Lucky Pokémon without hesitation to take advantage of their potential at higher CP levels.
3. Do Lucky trades give better IVs?
Yes, Lucky Trades guarantee a minimum IV of 12/12/12 for all three stats (Attack, Defense, HP). This means that every Lucky Pokémon will have at least a 2-star appraisal, making them inherently better than many randomly caught Pokémon with lower IVs. While a previously high IV Pokémon can “drop” on becoming Lucky, it is generally beneficial.
4. Are Lucky Pokémon always 3 stars?
Not necessarily. While Lucky Pokémon have a minimum IV of 12/12/12, which puts them at the very end of the 2-star range, any combination of IVs that reaches 82% or higher (e.g., 13/12/12 or better) will qualify as a 3-star appraisal.
5. Do Lucky Pokémon stay lucky after trading?
No. You can only trade Pokémon once. Once a Pokémon has been traded and becomes lucky, it cannot be traded again. This is a fundamental rule of Pokémon GO’s trading system.
6. What Pokémon are best as Lucky?
High-CP meta-relevant Pokémon are the best candidates for Lucky trades. Some of the most sought-after Lucky Pokémon include:
- Mewtwo
- Metagross
- Rayquaza
- Togekiss
- Giratina (Altered & Origin Forme)
- Garchomp
- Kyogre
- Lucario
These Pokémon are powerful in raids, Gyms, and PvP, so having a Lucky version saves a significant amount of Stardust.
7. How do you guarantee a lucky trade?
You guarantee a Lucky Trade by becoming Lucky Friends with another trainer. Once you achieve Lucky Friend status, the next trade you make with that friend will result in both Pokémon becoming Lucky.
8. Is it better to power up Lucky Pokémon before evolving?
It doesn’t matter strategically whether you power up a Pokémon before or after evolving it. The CP potential of a Pokémon is determined by its base stats, level, and IVs. Evolving only changes the base stats, not the level or IVs. Thus, the final CP will be the same regardless of when you power up.
9. Is Lucky Pokémon better than Shiny?
This depends on your priorities. Shiny Pokémon are valuable for their rarity and aesthetic appeal, while Lucky Pokémon offer the practical benefit of reduced Stardust costs. If you prioritize collecting rare Pokémon, Shinies are more desirable. If you prioritize building a strong team efficiently, Lucky Pokémon are more valuable.
10. How much cheaper is a Lucky Pokemon?
Lucky Pokémon are 50% cheaper to power up than regular Pokémon. This substantial discount makes a significant difference in the amount of Stardust needed to reach high CP levels.
11. Why can’t I get rid of Lucky Pokemon?
You may be unable to transfer a Lucky Pokémon if it’s marked as a “favorite”. Unmark it by tapping the star icon, and then you should be able to transfer it. Also, be aware that Lucky Pokémon cannot be mass-transferred.
12. Is it OK to transfer Lucky Pokémon?
While technically you can transfer Lucky Pokémon, it’s generally not recommended. The Stardust savings and guaranteed higher IVs make them valuable assets. Only transfer them if you have duplicates and are certain you don’t need them.
13. Do older Pokémon have a higher chance of being lucky?
Yes, there’s a higher chance for trades involving Pokémon caught earlier to result in Lucky Pokémon. This “guaranteed lucky” mechanic is only available for trainers with less than 10 lucky Pokémon.
14. Is there a limit to how many Lucky Pokémon I can have?
No, there is no limit to the number of Lucky Pokémon you can have. The only limits are on your ability to trade and your access to Lucky Friends.
15. Why can’t I get rid of lucky Pokemon?
You probably have it set as a favorite… unclick the star and you can transfer it. Just transfer them one by one. They cannot be mass transferred.
Conclusion: Embrace the Luck
Lucky Pokémon represent a fantastic opportunity to enhance your Pokémon GO experience. By leveraging the reduced Stardust costs and improved IVs, you can build formidable teams more efficiently and compete at higher levels. So, cultivate those friendships, trade strategically, and embrace the luck!
The strategies and insights shared in this article can significantly impact your gameplay. For more valuable knowledge about games and learning, be sure to explore the resources available at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Learning through games is an exciting and innovative way to expand your understanding!