Unlocking the Secrets: What are the Odds of Lucky Pokémon?
The pursuit of Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon GO is a blend of strategy, friendship, and a touch of luck itself. Understanding the probabilities involved is key to optimizing your trading efforts. So, what exactly are the odds of landing these coveted creatures? The base chance for a trade to result in Lucky Pokémon is about 5%. This rate increases based on how long the Pokémon has been in your storage, adding roughly 5% per year, up to a maximum of 20%. However, there is a way to guarantee a Lucky Pokémon by becoming Lucky Friends with another Trainer! Read on to learn everything you need to know about Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon GO!
Delving Deeper into Lucky Pokémon Probabilities
The mechanics behind obtaining Lucky Pokémon aren’t entirely shrouded in mystery. While a certain degree of randomness is always present, several factors influence the likelihood of a successful Lucky Trade. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements at play:
The Age Factor: Time is on Your Side
One of the most significant influences on Lucky Pokémon odds is the age of the Pokémon being traded. The game incentivizes trading older Pokémon, presumably to encourage clearing out older inventories and potentially re-introducing Pokémon that haven’t been seen in gyms or raids for a while. The exact increase isn’t definitively stated in the game, but here’s a widely accepted guideline:
- Pokémon less than 1 year old: Approximately a 5% chance.
- Pokémon 1 year old: Roughly a 10% chance.
- Pokémon 2 years old: About a 15% chance.
- Pokémon 3+ years old: Capped at a 20% chance.
It’s crucial to note that these are approximate figures based on community research and observations. Niantic, the game’s developer, doesn’t officially disclose the precise formula. Therefore, treat these percentages as guidelines rather than absolute certainties.
The Lucky Friends Advantage: A Guaranteed Path
The introduction of Lucky Friends added a significant twist to the Lucky Pokémon landscape. By reaching Best Friend status with another trainer (through daily interactions over a period of 90 days), you have a chance of becoming Lucky Friends. When you become Lucky Friends you are guaranteed a Lucky trade, which is a special upgrade to a Best Friend that has about a 1.1% chance of happening when you interact with them for the first time each day. Interacting with a best friend in the following ways increase your chances of becoming Lucky Friends:
- Opening a gift
- Trading Pokémon
- Raiding together
- Battling in a gym together
Beyond the Basics: Other Considerations
While age and Lucky Friends status are the primary factors, it’s worth noting that the probabilities remain somewhat opaque. There’s no concrete evidence to suggest that factors like Trainer level, the specific Pokémon being traded, or the location of the trade influence the odds. However, the Pokémon Go community is constantly researching the game and these factors may become evident at a later date!
Why Pursue Lucky Pokémon? The Benefits Unveiled
The allure of Lucky Pokémon extends beyond mere novelty. They offer tangible advantages that can significantly impact your gameplay:
- Reduced Stardust Cost: The most significant benefit is the 50% reduction in Stardust required to power up a Lucky Pokémon. Stardust is a valuable resource, especially for high-level trainers, so this saving can be substantial.
- Guaranteed Higher IVs: Lucky Pokémon have a minimum Individual Value (IV) floor of 12/12/12, meaning each of the three IV stats (Attack, Defense, and HP) will be at least 12. This significantly increases the likelihood of obtaining a strong Pokémon for raids, gyms, and Trainer Battles. An IV rating of 12/12/12 would be on the very end of the 2* rating. Anything 82% or higher (13/12/12+) will be 3*.
- Visual Flair: Lucky Pokémon have a distinctive sparkling animation in your Pokédex and on their summary screen, making them a visually appealing addition to your collection.
Optimizing Your Lucky Pokémon Strategy
Knowing the odds is only half the battle. To maximize your chances of acquiring Lucky Pokémon, consider these strategies:
- Prioritize Older Pokémon: Focus on trading Pokémon that have been sitting in your storage for a year or longer. These Pokémon have a significantly higher chance of becoming Lucky.
- Cultivate Lucky Friendships: Actively engage with your Best Friends to increase your chances of becoming Lucky Friends. The guaranteed Lucky Trade is invaluable.
- Communicate and Coordinate: Coordinate with your trading partners to ensure you’re both trading Pokémon with the highest possible chance of becoming Lucky.
- Patience is Key: Remember that the Lucky Pokémon mechanic inherently involves randomness. Don’t be discouraged by unsuccessful trades. Consistency and strategic trading will eventually yield results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lucky Pokémon
1. Are Lucky Pokémon always 3 stars?
No, but they are very likely to be 3 stars. Lucky Pokémon have a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12. This means a Lucky Pokémon can still be a low-end two-star but are more than likely to be a three-star.
2. Can a Shiny Pokémon become a Lucky Pokémon?
Yes! A Pokémon can be both Shiny and Lucky, making it an exceptionally rare and desirable find.
3. What happens when you purify a Shadow Pokémon?
Purifying a Shadow Pokémon improves its appraisal and reduces the Stardust and Candy required to power it up, evolve it, or teach it a new attack. It will also learn the Charged Attack Return while forgetting the Charged Attack Frustration.
4. Is there a best Lucky Pokémon?
While any Pokémon can become Lucky, certain species are more sought after due to their battle prowess. Popular choices include Mewtwo, Metagross, Rayquaza, Togekiss, Giratina, Garchomp, Kyogre, and Lucario.
5. Can you transfer Lucky Pokémon?
You cannot transfer multiple Shiny Pokémon, Lucky Pokémon, or Buddy Pokémon that you have achieved Good Buddy Status or higher with, at a time. Additionally, some legendary and mythical Pokémon cannot be transferred.
6. How do you get a guaranteed Lucky Trade?
The only way to guarantee a Lucky Trade is by becoming Lucky Friends with another Trainer.
7. Can you get two Lucky Pokémon in a day with the same person?
Yes, this is possible but very unlikely. While there is a low chance, it can happen often enough to be a possibility.
8. Can a 2-star Pokémon become a 3-star Pokémon?
No. A Pokémon’s IVs are fixed when it’s caught or hatched. While purifying a Shadow Pokémon will increase the individual IVs, a two-star cannot be changed into a three-star.
9. Are Lucky Pokémon better than Shiny Pokémon?
Whether a Lucky Pokémon is “better” than a Shiny Pokémon depends on your priorities. Shiny Pokémon are visually unique, while Lucky Pokémon offer practical benefits like reduced Stardust costs.
10. What happens if you trade a Lucky Pokémon?
When you trade a Lucky Pokémon, both you and the other trainer will receive a Lucky Pokémon. It’s a win-win situation!
11. Do Lucky Pokémon evolve better?
No, but evolving a Lucky Pokémon will result in a Lucky evolved form. The “Lucky” status is retained upon evolution.
12. Why do people want Lucky Pokémon?
People want Lucky Pokémon because they are stronger in battle, require less Stardust to power up, and have a unique visual effect.
13. Do Lucky Trades give better IVs?
Yes, Lucky Trades guarantee IVs between 12 and 15 for all three categories.
14. Can you become Lucky Friends twice with the same person?
Yes, your Lucky Friend status is cleared after a trade, and you can try to become Lucky Friends again by increasing your Friendship level.
15. What is the rarest shiny?
The rarity of Shiny Pokémon varies, but some of the rarest include Unown, Heracross, Pawniard, the Shellos (East & West), and other region-exclusive shinies.
Understanding the odds of Lucky Pokémon empowers you to make informed decisions and optimize your trading strategies. By combining knowledge of the game mechanics with strategic planning, you can increase your chances of acquiring these valuable and coveted creatures. Remember to stay connected with the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights and strategies in the world of gaming. Good luck on your Lucky Pokémon hunt, and may your trades be ever in your favor!