Can a lucky trade be a special trade?

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Can a Lucky Trade Be a Special Trade? Unlocking Pokémon GO’s Trading Secrets

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Yes, a Lucky Trade can absolutely be a Special Trade in Pokémon GO. In fact, that is the only way to guarantee that a trade will result in a Lucky Pokémon. To achieve this, you need to become Lucky Friends with another player. A Lucky Friend guarantees that the next trade you conduct with them will result in both Pokémon becoming Lucky. It’s a highly sought-after mechanic that combines the benefits of both Lucky Pokémon and Special Trades, offering substantial advantages to players looking to power up their teams.

Understanding Lucky Pokémon and Lucky Friends

What is a Lucky Pokémon?

A Lucky Pokémon is a Pokémon that has undergone a trade and received a special bonus. The key advantages of a Lucky Pokémon are:

  • Reduced Stardust Cost: Powering up a Lucky Pokémon requires significantly less Stardust than powering up a regular Pokémon. This is invaluable for players aiming to maximize the Combat Power (CP) of their stronger Pokémon without depleting their resources.
  • Guaranteed IV Floor: Lucky Pokémon have a minimum Individual Value (IV) floor of 12/12/12 across Attack, Defense, and HP. This ensures that a Lucky Pokémon will always be reasonably strong, with a high potential for being even better.

How to Become Lucky Friends

Becoming Lucky Friends with someone is the golden ticket to guaranteed Lucky Pokémon. Here’s how it works:

  • Best Friends First: You must first achieve Best Friend status with another player. This requires reaching the highest level of friendship by interacting with them daily.
  • Daily Interactions: Once you are Best Friends, you have a chance to become Lucky Friends each day by interacting with them in the following ways:
    • Trading Pokémon
    • Opening a Gift from each other
    • Teaming up in raids and Gym battles
    • Challenging each other to a Trainer Battle
  • RNG Factor: There is approximately a 1% chance of becoming Lucky Friends after one of these interactions. While the odds are low, the reward is well worth the effort.
  • One-Time Use: Once you complete a trade as Lucky Friends, the status is consumed. You’ll need to repeat the daily interaction process to have another chance at becoming Lucky Friends again.

Exploring Special Trades

Defining a Special Trade

A Special Trade involves trading Pokémon that are considered “rare” or highly desirable. Special Trades differ from standard trades in a few significant ways:

  • Stardust Cost: Special Trades typically cost more Stardust than regular trades. However, being Lucky Friends eliminates the RNG associated with regular trading and guarantees that both traded Pokemon become Lucky.
  • Restrictions: You are limited to one Special Trade per day, except during specific in-game events that may temporarily lift this restriction.
  • Friendship Level: You must be at least Good Friends with the person you are trading with to initiate a Special Trade.
  • Eligible Pokémon: Special Trades usually involve:
    • Legendary Pokémon
    • Shiny Pokémon
    • Pokémon not yet in your Pokédex

Why Special Trades Matter

Special Trades provide a way for players to acquire rare Pokémon, fill gaps in their Pokédex, and strengthen their teams. The higher Stardust cost is often justified by the value of the Pokémon being exchanged, especially given the advantage a Lucky Pokémon can bring in terms of reduced power-up costs and guaranteed IV floor.

Maximizing Your Trading Strategy

Combining Lucky Friends with Special Trades is the most effective way to obtain strong, resource-efficient Pokémon. Here are some tips to maximize your trading strategy:

  1. Prioritize Best Friends: Focus on reaching Best Friend status with players you trade with regularly.
  2. Daily Interactions: Consistently interact with your Best Friends daily to increase your chances of becoming Lucky Friends.
  3. Strategic Trading: Coordinate with your Lucky Friend to trade Pokémon that will benefit both of you, such as Legendaries or Pokémon with high CP potential.
  4. Consider Pokémon Age: Older Pokémon have an increased chance of becoming Lucky in standard trades. If you aren’t Lucky Friends, trading older Pokémon can boost your odds.
  5. Evolve After Trading: After acquiring a Lucky Pokémon, evolve it to receive a Lucky evolution. The Lucky quality stays with the Pokémon through evolution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Lucky and Special Trades

  1. Are Lucky Friends forever?

    No, being Lucky Friends is a one-time deal. Once you complete a trade as Lucky Friends, the status is cleared, and you must try again through daily interactions.

  2. What legendary Pokémon are best to Lucky Trade?

    Highly sought-after Legendaries for Lucky Trades include Mewtwo, Rayquaza, Kyogre, and Groudon. Their high stats and versatile move sets make them valuable assets in raids and battles.

  3. What is the lucky trade trick in Pokémon GO?

    The “lucky trade trick” involves two primary methods: Trading Pokémon with a Lucky Friend for a guaranteed Lucky Trade, or trading Pokémon caught in 2016 or 2017, which have a significantly higher chance of becoming Lucky.

  4. Can shiny Pokémon be Lucky?

    Yes, Lucky Pokémon can also be Shiny. This makes them even more desirable, as they combine the reduced Stardust cost and guaranteed IV floor of Lucky Pokémon with the rarity and visual appeal of Shiny Pokémon.

  5. How many Special Trades can I do per day?

    You can make one Special Trade per day, unless there is a special in-game event that temporarily increases this limit.

  6. Do Lucky Trades give better IVs?

    Lucky Trades guarantee an IV floor of 12/12/12. While not always better than a Pokémon’s original IVs, it ensures a minimum level of quality.

  7. Are Lucky Pokémon always 3 stars?

    While not guaranteed, a Lucky Pokémon with an IV floor of 12/12/12 is likely to be a 3-star Pokémon. Anything 82% or higher (13/12/12+) will be a 3-star.

  8. Do Lucky Pokémon stay lucky after evolution?

    Yes, Lucky Pokémon remain lucky even after evolution. Evolving a Lucky Pokémon results in a Lucky evolved form, preserving the reduced Stardust cost and IV benefits.

  9. Can Shadow Pokémon be Lucky?

    No, Shadow Pokémon cannot be directly traded. To trade a Shadow Pokémon, you must first purify it, which removes the Shadow bonus and makes it eligible for standard or Special Trades. However, Purified Pokemon can become Lucky.

  10. How many Lucky Trades can I do per day?

    While there is a limit of 100 trades per day, you can only guarantee the Lucky status of one trade per day through the Lucky Friends mechanic. Other trades still have a chance to become Lucky, though the odds are lower.

  11. How long does Lucky Friends last?

    You remain Lucky Friends until you complete a trade. After the trade, the status is cleared, and you revert to being Best Friends.

  12. Can you re-trade a Lucky Pokémon?

    No, Pokémon GO does not allow re-trading of any Pokémon, including Lucky ones. Once a Pokémon has been traded, it cannot be traded again.

  13. Can you increase the chance of a Lucky Trade?

    Besides becoming Lucky Friends, the only other way to increase the chance of a Lucky Trade is by trading older Pokémon. Pokémon that have been in your collection for a longer time have a higher chance of becoming Lucky when traded.

  14. Can Purified Pokémon be Lucky?

    Yes, Purified Pokémon can become Lucky through standard or Special Trades. A Lucky Purified Pokémon benefits from the Lucky status’s reduced Stardust cost and guaranteed IV floor.

  15. Can you become Lucky Friends twice in a row?

    No, you cannot become Lucky Friends with the same person twice in a row. After using your Lucky Friend status, you must engage in daily interactions to have another chance. It is possible, however, to have multiple Lucky Friends simultaneously.

By understanding and utilizing the mechanics of Lucky Friends and Special Trades, Pokémon GO players can significantly enhance their gameplay experience, build stronger teams, and conserve valuable resources. Remember to prioritize daily interactions with your Best Friends and coordinate strategically to make the most of your trading opportunities.

For further exploration of gaming and learning, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

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