Can You Trade Lucky Pokémon? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer is no, you cannot trade a Pokémon that has already been traded, even if it’s a Lucky Pokémon. Once a Pokémon has been traded once, it becomes ineligible for further trading. This is a fundamental mechanic within Pokémon GO to prevent exploitation and maintain the game’s balance.
Understanding Lucky Pokémon
Before diving deeper into the trading restrictions, let’s quickly recap what Lucky Pokémon are and why they’re desirable.
- Reduced Stardust Cost: Lucky Pokémon require significantly less Stardust to power up, making them easier and cheaper to strengthen for battles.
- Higher IV Floors: Lucky Pokémon have a minimum IV (Individual Value) floor of 12 for each stat (Attack, Defense, HP), guaranteeing they will be relatively strong.
- Visual Flair: They feature a shimmering effect on their profile and in the Pokédex, making them visually distinct.
Why Can’t You Trade a Traded Pokémon?
This restriction is in place for several key reasons:
- Preventing Exploitation: Without this rule, players could potentially infinitely re-roll a Pokémon’s IVs by trading it back and forth until they achieved perfect stats.
- Maintaining Rarity: Lucky Pokémon are intended to be somewhat rare and valuable. Allowing them to be re-traded would diminish their uniqueness.
- Game Balance: The trading mechanic is designed to be a helpful feature, not a means of creating an army of perfect Pokémon with minimal effort.
Lucky Friends: A Guaranteed Lucky Trade
While you can’t re-trade a Lucky Pokémon, there’s a way to guarantee a Lucky trade with a feature called Lucky Friends.
- Becoming Lucky Friends: When you reach Best Friend status with another player, there’s a small chance (around 1.1% per day) that you’ll become Lucky Friends after interacting with them (e.g., opening a gift, battling together).
- The Guaranteed Trade: The next trade you make with a Lucky Friend will result in both Pokémon becoming Lucky.
- Status Reset: After the trade, your Lucky Friend status will be reset, and you’ll need to try to trigger it again through daily interactions.
Trading Restrictions in Pokémon GO
Understanding the broader trading rules is essential. Besides not being able to trade a Pokémon that has already been traded, there are other limitations.
- Mythical Pokémon: Mythical Pokémon, such as Mew, Celebi, and Jirachi, cannot be traded.
- Distance Requirement: You must be physically close to the person you are trading with (within approximately 100 meters).
- Trainer Level: Both trainers must be at least level 10 to trade.
- Special Trades: Certain Pokémon, such as those not already in your Pokédex (including shinies, legendaries, and special forms), require a “Special Trade,” which can only be done once per day.
- Stardust Cost: Trading often requires Stardust, with the cost varying depending on your friendship level and the rarity of the Pokémon being traded.
- Trade Limit: There’s a daily trade limit of 100 trades per account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about trading in Pokémon GO, including aspects related to Lucky Pokémon.
1. What happens if you trade Lucky Pokémon?
If you attempt to trade a Lucky Pokémon, it will not work if the Pokemon has been previously traded. Remember you can only trade a Pokemon once.
2. Can you trade Lucky Pokémon again to get better IVs?
No, you can’t trade a Lucky Pokémon again to try for better IVs. Once a Pokémon has been traded, it cannot be traded again.
3. Can a Pokémon be both Shiny and Lucky?
Yes, a Pokémon can indeed be both Shiny and Lucky. This is a rare and highly sought-after combination.
4. Can you get 2 Lucky trades in one day?
You can only do one Special Trade per day, which is required for trading Pokémon not in your Pokédex (including shinies and legendaries). However, if you have multiple Lucky Friends, you can engage in multiple guaranteed Lucky trades in a single day, one with each Lucky Friend.
5. How rare is a Lucky trade in Pokémon GO?
Without being Lucky Friends, there’s approximately a 5% base chance of a trade resulting in Lucky Pokémon. This chance increases based on how long the Pokémon has been in storage; older Pokémon have a higher chance of becoming Lucky.
6. Do traded Pokémon not obey you?
The obedience of traded Pokémon depends on your progress in the game and the level of the Pokémon. In the main series games, traded Pokemon above a certain level won’t obey you until you earn enough Gym Badges. In Pokémon Go, traded Pokemon will always obey you.
7. Why can’t I trade Legendary Pokémon?
You can trade Legendary Pokémon, but they require a Special Trade, which is limited to one per day. Additionally, trading Legendaries costs a significant amount of Stardust, especially if the recipient doesn’t already have that Pokémon in their Pokédex.
8. Why can’t Lucky Pokémon be transferred?
You can transfer Lucky Pokémon individually. You cannot transfer them in bulk with other Pokémon of similar categories such as Shiny Pokémon or Buddy Pokemon. You’re unable to transfer multiple Shiny Pokémon, Lucky Pokémon, or Buddy Pokémon with whom you’ve reached Good Buddy status or above at a time.
9. Does a Lucky trade guarantee perfect IVs?
No, a Lucky trade does not guarantee perfect IVs. However, it does guarantee a minimum IV of 12 for each stat (Attack, Defense, HP), providing a higher floor than non-Lucky Pokémon.
10. Should I evolve Lucky Pokémon?
Yes, absolutely! Evolving a Lucky Pokémon will maintain its Lucky status in its evolved form. This is a great way to get powerful, cost-effective Pokémon.
11. What is the best Pokémon to trade during a Lucky trade?
Ideal Pokémon for Lucky trades are those that are strong in battle and require a lot of Stardust to power up. Popular choices include:
- Mewtwo
- Metagross
- Rayquaza
- Togekiss
- Giratina
- Garchomp
- Kyogre
- Lucario
12. Why can’t you trade a traded Pokémon back?
This is a fundamental rule in Pokémon GO to prevent IV re-rolling and maintain game balance. Allowing traded Pokémon to be traded again would undermine the rarity of strong Pokémon.
13. How to get Stardust fast for trades?
Effective ways to grind Stardust include:
- Catching as many Pokémon as possible.
- Completing Field Research tasks.
- Participating in Go Battle League.
- Opening gifts from friends.
- Hatching eggs.
- Taking advantage of Stardust bonus events.
14. Is Celebi a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon?
Celebi is a Mythical Pokémon, which means it cannot be traded in Pokémon GO.
15. Why can’t you trade Shiny Pokémon sometimes?
Trading Shiny Pokémon requires a Special Trade. This means you can only trade one Shiny (or other Pokémon requiring a Special Trade) per day. Additionally, the Stardust cost for trading Shinies is high, especially if one of the trainers doesn’t have the Shiny in their Pokédex. The cost decreases as your friendship level increases.
Conclusion
While you can’t re-trade a Lucky Pokémon, understanding the rules around trading, Lucky Friends, and Special Trades will allow you to maximize your Pokémon GO experience. Remember to prioritize building strong friendships, optimize your Stardust gains, and plan your trades strategically to acquire those coveted Lucky Pokémon. Learning and engaging with others in gaming communities builds important skills. To learn more about the value of Games Learning Society and gaming, visit GamesLearningSociety.org.