Can You Trade Buddy Pokémon in Pokémon GO? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is a resounding no, you cannot trade your active Buddy Pokémon in Pokémon GO. This is a fundamental rule of the game, designed to prevent exploitation and maintain the integrity of the Buddy system. The bond you form with your Buddy Pokémon is intended to be unique and personal, and trading them would undermine this core mechanic.
Let’s dive deeper into the reasons behind this restriction and explore the various aspects of the Buddy system and trading in Pokémon GO. We’ll also address some common questions players have about this topic.
Understanding the Buddy System and Trading Restrictions
The Buddy system is a core feature in Pokémon GO, allowing players to form a bond with a chosen Pokémon. As you interact with your Buddy – feeding it berries, playing with it, battling with it, and walking with it – you earn hearts, which increase its Buddy Level. Higher Buddy Levels unlock various perks, such as CP boosts, increased encounter rates, and even unique ribbons.
Trading, on the other hand, allows players to exchange Pokémon with each other. However, trading is subject to certain restrictions to prevent abuse and maintain a fair playing field. Some Pokémon are inherently untradeable, including Mythical Pokémon, Pokémon that have already been traded, and, of course, your active Buddy Pokémon.
Why Can’t You Trade Buddy Pokémon?
The restriction on trading Buddy Pokémon stems from a few key reasons:
- Preventing Exploitation: Allowing the trading of Buddies would open the door to exploitation. Players could potentially trade high-level Buddies with significant CP boosts, giving the recipient an unfair advantage in battles and raids.
- Maintaining the Integrity of the Buddy System: The Buddy system is designed to foster a personal connection between players and their Pokémon. Trading would diminish this connection and turn the system into a mere transaction.
- Technical Limitations: The game’s code is likely structured in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to transfer the Buddy status from one account to another. The data associated with your Buddy (hearts, level, perks) is tied to your individual account.
What Happens When You Swap Buddies?
While you can’t trade your Buddy, you can swap them out for a different Pokémon. When you do this, the following happens:
- Buddy Level is Retained: The Pokémon you switch out will retain its current Buddy Level. If you later decide to make it your Buddy again, it will pick up right where it left off.
- Hearts Earned That Day Are Retained: The hearts you’ve earned with your Buddy on a given day will also be retained. This means you won’t lose any progress when you swap Buddies.
However, be aware that any progress towards earning a new candy with your current Buddy will be reset. Therefore, it’s often best to swap Buddies after receiving a candy to avoid losing any potential rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Buddy Pokémon and Trading
Let’s address some common questions players have about the Buddy system and trading restrictions in Pokémon GO:
1. Can I transfer my Buddy Pokémon to Pokémon HOME?
No, you cannot transfer your active Buddy Pokémon to Pokémon HOME. This restriction is similar to the one preventing you from trading your Buddy. Other untransferable Pokémon include Spinda, favorited Pokémon, Pokémon defending Gyms, costumed Pokémon, Shadow Pokémon, and Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
2. What Pokémon can’t be traded in Pokémon GO?
Besides your active Buddy, several other types of Pokémon are untradeable. These include:
- Mythical Pokémon: Pokémon like Mew, Celebi, and Deoxys cannot be traded.
- Shadow Pokémon: Shadow Pokémon, obtained from Team GO Rocket battles, are also untradeable.
- Pokémon that have already been traded: Once a Pokémon has been traded once, it cannot be traded again.
- Pokémon defending a Gym: You can’t trade a Pokémon that is currently defending a Gym.
- Fainted Pokémon: Pokemon that are fainted or not at full health
3. Does swapping Buddies lose progress in evolution?
No, swapping Buddies does not inherently lose progress in evolution. However, if you need to walk a certain distance with a specific Pokémon as your Buddy to trigger its evolution (e.g., Eevee evolving into Espeon or Umbreon), you’ll need to resume walking with that Pokémon as your Buddy to complete the requirement.
4. Can I get rid of Pokémon that have been my Buddies?
Yes, you can transfer or otherwise get rid of Pokémon that have previously been your Buddies. The only restriction is that you can’t transfer your active Buddy. Simply swap your active Buddy for another Pokémon, and then you’ll be free to transfer the former Buddy.
5. What are the benefits of having a Best Buddy?
Reaching Best Buddy status with a Pokémon unlocks several significant benefits:
- CP Boost: Your Best Buddy receives a CP boost while it’s active as your Buddy, making it more powerful in battles and raids.
- Best Buddy Ribbon: Your Best Buddy will wear a special ribbon to indicate its status.
- Increased Encounter Rate: Your Best Buddy will occasionally appear on the map to help you catch other wild Pokémon.
6. How long does a Buddy Pokémon last on the map?
Typically, a Buddy Pokémon will join you on the map for around three hours. This duration can be extended by feeding your Buddy a Poffin.
7. What does a Poffin do for my Buddy?
A Poffin significantly enhances the effects of a regular Berry. It:
- Doubles the duration your Buddy appears on the map: Extending it to six hours.
- Immediately fills all of your buddy’s hunger meters.
- Sets your Buddy’s mood to “Excited”. An Excited mood comes with various benefits such as halving the distance to earn candy and doubling heart gains.
8. How many times can I swap my Buddy per day?
Trainers can only swap out their Buddy Pokémon 20 times per day.
9. Should I keep all 3-star Pokémon?
Whether you should keep all 3-star Pokémon depends on your storage capacity and goals. Generally, 3-star Pokémon have high IVs (Individual Values), making them potentially strong contenders for battles and raids. However, if you’re running out of storage, it may be necessary to transfer some lower-CP 3-star Pokémon to make room for more valuable catches.
10. What are Shiny Pokémon?
Shiny Pokémon are rare variants of Pokémon that have different colorations compared to their standard counterparts. They are highly sought after by collectors and are often encountered during special events like Community Days.
11. What is the rarest Pokémon card in Celebrations expansion?
The rarest Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards in the Celebrations expansion are generally considered to be the Charizard, Shining Magikarp, and Gold Star Umbreon. Their rarity stems from a combination of factors, including pull rates and desirability among collectors.
12. Why can’t I trade certain Pokémon?
Trading in Pokémon GO is subject to several restrictions. You can’t trade pokemon to trainers that are below Level 10. The primary reasons are to prevent exploitation, maintain the integrity of the game, and avoid technical complications related to the Buddy system and other mechanics. Mythical Pokemon, as stated before, are untradeable.
13. What is the best Buddy in Pokémon GO?
“Best” is subjective and depends on your goals! For battling, a strong attacker like Metagross or Rayquaza is good. For a fun companion, choose your favorite! Consider Candy boosts for Pokemon you want to evolve. Remember, the Games Learning Society emphasizes that enjoyment is key!
14. How do Lucky Trades work and what makes them better over time?
Lucky Trades happen randomly when trading Pokémon with friends and result in both Pokémon becoming Lucky. Lucky Pokémon require less Stardust to power up. They get increasingly “luckier” over time due to the mechanic where the older the Pokemon are that are being traded, the higher the chance of a Lucky Trade occurring.
15. Should I purify Shadow Pokemon?
Purifying Shadow Pokémon improves their IVs and reduces the Stardust and Candy cost for powering up. It also changes their typing and moves. However, Shadow Pokémon deal 20% more damage, so keeping them as Shadow Pokémon might be preferred for battling, despite the higher costs. Ultimately, it depends on your strategy.
Conclusion
While you can’t trade your Buddy Pokémon in Pokémon GO, the Buddy system remains a rewarding and engaging feature. By understanding the restrictions and benefits associated with the Buddy system and trading, you can make informed decisions and maximize your enjoyment of the game. And as the GamesLearningSociety.org constantly reminds us, gaming is a valuable tool for learning and developing strategic thinking!