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Can You Get Shiny Lucky Pokémon? The Ultimate Guide

Yes, you can absolutely get Shiny Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon GO! Landing a Shiny Lucky Pokémon is considered one of the most sought-after achievements in the game, combining the rarity of a Shiny with the power and cost-effectiveness of a Lucky Pokémon. While the odds can be challenging, understanding how to increase your chances and the mechanics involved is key to adding these prized possessions to your collection.

Understanding Shiny Pokémon

What Are Shiny Pokémon?

Shiny Pokémon, also known as alternate color Pokémon, are Pokémon that have a different color palette than their original counterparts. These variations are purely cosmetic, offering no stat advantages over their non-shiny versions. However, their rarity makes them highly desirable among collectors and competitive players alike. The base chance of encountering a Shiny Pokémon in the wild is approximately 1 in 500, although this rate can be boosted during certain events or for specific Pokémon.

How Do You Encounter Shiny Pokémon?

Shiny Pokémon can be encountered in several ways:

Wild Encounters: This is the most common way to find Shiny Pokémon. You simply encounter Pokémon in the wild and hope for the Shiny variant.
Raids: Certain Raid Bosses, particularly those tied to special events, have increased Shiny odds.
Research Tasks: Some Field Research and Special Research tasks offer encounters with Pokémon that can be Shiny.
Eggs: Hatching eggs is another avenue for obtaining Shiny Pokémon, although the odds vary depending on the egg type and event.
Community Day: Community Days significantly increase the Shiny encounter rate for a featured Pokémon.
Spotlight Hour: Some Spotlight Hours offer a boosted Shiny rate for the featured Pokémon.

The Mechanics of Lucky Pokémon

What Are Lucky Pokémon?

Lucky Pokémon are Pokémon that have a lower Stardust and Candy cost to power up. They also have guaranteed high IVs (Individual Values), making them exceptionally powerful in battles. Lucky Pokémon are primarily obtained through trading with other players.

How Do You Get Lucky Pokémon?

The main method for obtaining Lucky Pokémon is through trading with other players. When you trade Pokémon, there is a chance that both Pokémon involved in the trade will become Lucky. The higher the age of the Pokémon being traded, the greater the chance of triggering the Lucky status. Specifically:

Older Pokémon have a higher chance: Pokémon caught a long time ago (years) have a significantly increased chance of becoming Lucky when traded.
Guaranteed Lucky Trades: If you have less than 25 Lucky Pokémon in your collection, the first 25 trades using Pokémon caught in 2016 or 2017 are guaranteed to be Lucky.
Friendship Level: Higher friendship levels with the trading partner slightly improve the odds of a Lucky trade.

Benefits of Lucky Pokémon

Lucky Pokémon offer several advantages:

Reduced Stardust and Candy Costs: Powering up a Lucky Pokémon requires significantly less Stardust and Candy, making them more accessible for trainers with limited resources.
High IVs: Lucky Pokémon are guaranteed to have at least 12/15 IVs in each stat (Attack, Defense, HP), making them powerful in raids, gyms, and PvP battles.
Cost-Effective Power: Because of the reduced Stardust and Candy cost, Lucky Pokémon are a cost-effective way to build a strong team.

Shiny + Lucky: The Perfect Combination

Combining Shiny and Lucky

While both Shiny and Lucky Pokémon are desirable, the combination of the two is truly exceptional. A Shiny Lucky Pokémon boasts the unique appearance of a Shiny with the high IVs and reduced power-up costs of a Lucky. The process involves trading Pokémon, hoping that the trade results in both the Shiny and Lucky status.

Increasing Your Chances of Getting a Shiny Lucky

While there is no foolproof method to guarantee a Shiny Lucky Pokémon, you can increase your chances by following these strategies:

Trade Shiny Pokémon: Trading Shiny Pokémon increases the excitement and potential for both players involved in the trade.
Trade Older Pokémon: Incorporate older Pokémon into your trades to increase the chances of triggering the Lucky status.
Trade Regularly with Best Friends: Trading frequently with Best Friends not only increases the odds of Lucky trades but also fosters a collaborative approach to finding Shiny Lucky Pokémon.
Participate in Events: Keep an eye out for special events that boost Shiny or Lucky rates.
Be Patient and Persistent: Finding a Shiny Lucky Pokémon requires patience and persistence. Keep trading and eventually, you will increase your odds.

Is There a Way to “Force” a Shiny Lucky Pokémon?

Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed method to force a Pokémon to become both Shiny and Lucky. The process relies on the independent probabilities of encountering a Shiny and triggering a Lucky trade. While maximizing strategies like trading older Pokémon and trading with Best Friends can increase your chances of getting a Lucky Pokémon, the Shiny aspect remains subject to the standard Shiny encounter rates. Be wary of anyone promising guaranteed Shiny Lucky Pokémon, as such claims are typically misleading or involve unauthorized methods that violate the game’s Terms of Service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ 1: What is the base chance of a Pokémon becoming Lucky when traded?

The base chance of a Pokémon becoming Lucky when traded is estimated to be around 5%, but this is affected by various factors, notably the age of the Pokémon being traded. Older Pokémon have a significantly higher chance.

FAQ 2: Does Friendship level affect the chance of a Shiny Pokémon?

No, Friendship level does not directly affect the chance of encountering a Shiny Pokémon in the wild. However, it does impact the chances of a Lucky Trade.

FAQ 3: Can Legendary Pokémon be Shiny Lucky?

Yes, Legendary Pokémon can be both Shiny and Lucky. Trading Legendary Pokémon follows the same mechanics as trading other Pokémon.

FAQ 4: Are Mythical Pokémon eligible for trading and becoming Lucky?

No, Mythical Pokémon, such as Mew and Celebi, cannot be traded, which means they cannot become Lucky. Shiny Mythicals are only available through Special Research or Special Events.

FAQ 5: Does the Pokémon’s level impact whether it can become Shiny Lucky?

No, the Pokémon’s level does not influence whether it can become Shiny or Lucky. The Shiny status is determined upon encounter, and the Lucky status is determined during the trade.

FAQ 6: If I trade a Shiny, is the other person guaranteed to get a Shiny?

No, trading a Shiny Pokémon does not guarantee that the other person will receive a Shiny. The Shiny status is determined independently for each player.

FAQ 7: Can Purified Pokémon become Shiny Lucky?

Yes, Purified Pokémon can become Shiny Lucky if they were Shiny before purification and become Lucky through trading.

FAQ 8: What is the benefit of trading older Pokémon for Lucky trades?

Older Pokémon (specifically, those caught in 2016 or 2017) have a significantly higher chance of becoming Lucky when traded. This is a key strategy for increasing your chances of obtaining Lucky Pokémon.

FAQ 9: Can Shadow Pokémon be traded to get a Shiny Lucky?

No, Shadow Pokémon cannot be traded. This prevents the possibility of obtaining Shiny Lucky Shadow Pokémon through trading.

FAQ 10: Is there a limit to the number of guaranteed Lucky trades I can do?

Yes, the guaranteed Lucky trades are limited to the first 25 trades where at least one Pokémon was caught in 2016 or 2017, provided you have less than 25 Lucky Pokémon in your Pokédex. Once you’ve used these up, the chance of a Lucky trade reverts to the standard rate.

FAQ 11: Does location affect the chances of encountering a Shiny or triggering a Lucky trade?

No, location does not influence the chances of encountering a Shiny or triggering a Lucky trade. These mechanics are determined server-side.

FAQ 12: Can Shiny costume Pokémon become Lucky?

Yes, Shiny Pokémon wearing costumes (e.g., a Pikachu wearing a hat) can also become Lucky through trading.

FAQ 13: Are there specific times of day when Shiny or Lucky rates are higher?

While some players theorize about time-based increases, there is no official confirmation from Niantic that Shiny or Lucky rates fluctuate throughout the day.

FAQ 14: Can I increase my odds of a Shiny Lucky trade by using incense or lures?

Incense and Lures increase Pokémon spawn rates in your vicinity, which could indirectly increase your chances of finding a Shiny for trading. However, they do not affect the Lucky trade odds.

FAQ 15: What should I do if I accidentally trade away a valuable Shiny or Lucky Pokémon?

Unfortunately, trades in Pokémon GO are permanent and cannot be reversed. Always double-check the Pokémon you are trading before confirming the trade. Consider implementing a naming system to prevent trading away favored Pokémon.

Finding a Shiny Lucky Pokémon requires a blend of luck, strategy, and persistence. By understanding the mechanics of Shiny encounters, Lucky trades, and maximizing your trading strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of obtaining these coveted Pokémon. Good luck, Trainer, and happy hunting!

Can you get shiny Lucky Pokémon?