Decoding Lucky Friends: How Long Does This Coveted Status Last in Pokémon GO?
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The allure of a guaranteed Lucky Pokémon is strong in Pokémon GO. Reaching Lucky Friend status with another trainer promises not just a powerful Pokémon but also significant Stardust savings. But how long does this coveted status last? The answer is straightforward: Lucky Friend status lasts until you complete a trade with that specific friend. Once the trade is done and both Pokémon have become Lucky, the status disappears, paving the way for you to work towards becoming Lucky Friends again.
Now, let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of Lucky Friends with these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lucky Friends in Pokémon GO
1. What exactly is a Lucky Friend in Pokémon GO?
A Lucky Friend is a special status you can achieve with your Best Friends in Pokémon GO. When you are Lucky Friends, the next trade you complete with that friend will guarantee that both traded Pokémon become Lucky Pokémon. Lucky Pokémon require less Stardust to power up and have a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12, making them significantly more powerful than regular catches.
2. How do I become Lucky Friends with someone?
Becoming Lucky Friends is a matter of chance after reaching Best Friend status. Each day, when you interact with your Best Friend by:
- Opening a Gift from them
- Trading Pokémon
- Teaming up in Raids and Gym Battles
- Challenging them to a Trainer Battle
…there’s a small chance (approximately 1%) that you’ll become Lucky Friends. Only the first interaction of the day has this chance. If you and your Best Friend become Lucky Friends, you’ll both receive an in-game notification.
3. Is Lucky Friend status permanent?
No, Lucky Friend status is not permanent. It lasts only until you complete a trade with that particular Best Friend. After the trade, the Lucky Friend status is consumed, and both Pokémon become Lucky.
4. Can I have multiple Lucky Friends at the same time?
Yes, you can absolutely have multiple Lucky Friends active at once. There’s no limit to the number of Lucky Friends you can have, so keep interacting with all your Best Friends for a chance to trigger Lucky Friend status with each of them.
5. Can I become Lucky Friends with the same person more than once?
Yes, you can become Lucky Friends with the same person multiple times. However, you can’t become Lucky Friends with the same person twice in the same day. After you complete a Lucky Trade, you must re-engage with your Best Friend through daily interactions to have another chance at triggering Lucky Friend status.
6. What happens if I don’t trade with my Lucky Friend right away?
The Lucky Friend status will remain active until you complete a trade with that friend. Sending Gifts, participating in Raids, or engaging in other non-trade interactions will not remove the Lucky Friend status. You can hold onto the status until you find a Pokémon you both deem worthy of a Lucky Trade.
7. What are the benefits of having a Lucky Pokémon?
Lucky Pokémon offer several benefits:
- Reduced Stardust Cost: Powering up a Lucky Pokémon requires significantly less Stardust compared to a regular Pokémon.
- Guaranteed High IVs: Lucky Pokémon have a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12, ensuring they are relatively strong stat-wise. This IV floor gives you better odds when considering how much power you may want to put into the Pokemon.
8. What Pokémon should I trade when I’m Lucky Friends with someone?
The best Pokémon to trade during Lucky Friend status are those that are:
- Rare and powerful Legendaries or Mythicals.
- Pokémon with high attack stats for Raids.
- Pokémon with great PvP potential.
- Pokémon that are difficult to find in your local area.
Popular choices include Mewtwo, Metagross, Rayquaza, Garchomp, and Legendaries you don’t already own with good IVs.
9. Is the IV of a Pokémon guaranteed to increase when it becomes Lucky?
No, the IV of a Pokémon is not guaranteed to increase when it becomes Lucky. Lucky Pokémon have a guaranteed IV floor of 12/12/12, meaning all its IV stats will be at least 12. If the Pokémon you trade already has IVs higher than 12/12/12, it’s possible for the IVs to decrease during the Lucky Trade.
10. How much Stardust does it cost to trade a Legendary Pokémon with a Lucky Friend?
Trading Legendaries can be expensive, but being Lucky Friends helps! The base cost for trading a Legendary you don’t have registered in your Pokédex is 1,000,000 Stardust. If the receiving player has the Legendary registered, the cost drops significantly. Having a higher friendship level further reduces the cost. As a Best Friend, trading a Legendary already in your Pokedex only costs 20,000 Stardust.
11. Can I influence the odds of becoming Lucky Friends?
Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed way to influence the odds of becoming Lucky Friends. It’s primarily based on random chance. However, consistently interacting with your Best Friends daily maximizes your opportunities for triggering the Lucky Friend status.
12. Can I trade with a Lucky Friend remotely?
Yes, you can trade with a Lucky Friend remotely, as long as you meet the range requirements for trading. The trading distance may vary during special events, so keep an eye on Pokémon GO announcements.
13. What activities increase my Friendship Level in Pokémon GO?
The main activities that increase your friendship level are:
- Opening Gifts from friends
- Trading Pokémon
- Participating in Raids and Gym Battles together
- Challenging each other to Trainer Battles
Remember, you can only increase your Friendship Level once per day with each friend.
14. How much XP do I get for reaching Best Friend status?
Reaching Best Friend status with another player grants you a massive 100,000 XP bonus. Using a Lucky Egg doubles this to 200,000 XP, making it a highly rewarding achievement.
15. Where can I learn more about the impact of games on learning and society?
To explore the broader context of games and their role in education and community, visit the Games Learning Society website. The GamesLearningSociety.org provides insights into research, best practices, and the innovative applications of games in various learning environments.
The Lucky Friend status in Pokémon GO is a fleeting but valuable opportunity. Knowing how it works and what to do when you achieve it can significantly enhance your gameplay experience and boost your Pokémon collection. Good luck, and happy trading!