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What Evolves When Traded in Pokémon GO? The Ultimate Guide

Trading Pokémon in Pokémon GO is a core feature, adding a social element to the game and offering strategic advantages. One of the most exciting benefits is the ability to trigger Trade Evolutions, where specific Pokémon can evolve without the usual Candy cost after being traded. Currently, the Pokémon that benefit from Trade Evolutions in Pokémon GO are:

Kadabra evolves into Alakazam
Machoke evolves into Machamp
Graveler evolves into Golem
Haunter evolves into Gengar
Boldore evolves into Gigalith
Gurrdurr evolves into Conkeldurr
Karrablast evolves into Escavalier

This means if you receive any of these Pokémon in a trade, the Candy requirement to evolve them into their final form is removed. This can be a massive advantage, especially when dealing with Pokémon that typically require 100 Candies to evolve. The strategic nuance makes understanding Trade Evolutions crucial for any serious Pokémon GO player.

Trade Evolution Mechanics Explained

Let’s delve deeper into how Trade Evolution works in Pokémon GO. It’s not simply enough to trade any Pokémon. The benefit specifically applies to the Pokémon received in the trade.

Receiving is Key: Only the player who receives Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Haunter, Boldore, Gurrdurr, or Karrablast benefits from the no-Candy evolution.
Traditional Evolution Still Possible: If you prefer, you can still evolve these Pokémon by using the traditional method of collecting the required Candies. This ensures everyone can obtain these evolutions, regardless of their trading activity.
Retroactive Benefit: If you traded for one of these Pokémon before the Trade Evolution mechanic was introduced, you’ll retroactively receive the benefit. The Candy cost will be removed, letting you evolve it for free.
Trade Icon Indicator: For Pokémon eligible for trade Evolutions, you’ll see a trade icon next to the Evolve option on the Pokémon’s summary page.

The Strategy Behind Trade Evolutions

Trade Evolution isn’t just a cost-saving mechanism; it introduces several strategic considerations. Players often coordinate trades to ensure both partners benefit. For instance, two players might trade Kadabra and Machoke so each can obtain Alakazam and Machamp without spending Candy. This cooperative element enhances the social dynamics of the game, encouraging players to connect and collaborate.

Additional Benefits of Trading

Beyond the immediate benefit of Trade Evolution, trading in Pokémon GO offers several other advantages:

Lucky Pokémon: Trading gives you a chance to receive a Lucky Pokémon. These Pokémon require less Stardust to power up and are more likely to have high IVs (Individual Values), making them stronger in battle.
Increased Friendship Level: Trading contributes to increasing your friendship level with other players, unlocking various in-game bonuses such as increased attack power in raids and cheaper Stardust costs.
Distance Bonus: Trading Pokémon caught in different locations can earn you extra Candy, making it easier to evolve or power up Pokémon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Trade Evolutions in Pokémon GO

To further clarify the intricacies of Trade Evolutions and trading in general, here are 15 frequently asked questions:

1. Can any Pokémon be traded in Pokémon GO?

No, some Pokémon cannot be traded. These include Mythical Pokémon (like Mew, Celebi, Darkrai, Deoxys, Diancie, Genesect, Hoopa, Volcanion, Meltan, Melmetal, Zarude and Zygarde), Shadow Pokémon, Pokémon that have already been traded once, Eggs, current buddies, Pokémon defending a Gym, fainted Pokémon, and Pokémon obtained through hacking or spoofing.

2. What happens to the IVs (Individual Values) when I trade a Pokémon?

The IVs of a Pokémon are re-rolled during the trade. This means that the IVs you see on your screen will not be the same IVs that the other player receives. You can see the potential IV range on the trade confirmation screen before you finalize the trade. Trading a 100% IV Pokémon will almost certainly result in a Pokémon with lower IVs.

3. Do the CP and HP of a Pokémon change when it’s traded?

Yes, the CP (Combat Power) and HP (Hit Points) of a Pokémon can change during a trade. The new CP and HP will be displayed as a range on the trade screen, allowing you to assess the potential changes before confirming the trade.

4. Can I trade a Pokémon back to the original owner after trading it once?

No, Pokémon cannot be traded back to the original owner or traded more than once. Once a Pokémon has been traded, it is permanently with the new owner.

5. What is a Special Trade in Pokémon GO?

A Special Trade involves trading Pokémon that are considered “rare,” such as Legendary Pokémon, Shiny Pokémon, or Pokémon not already in your Pokédex. Special Trades typically cost more Stardust than regular trades and can only be performed once per day (unless during special events).

6. What are the benefits of Lucky Pokémon?

Lucky Pokémon require significantly less Stardust to power up, making them more cost-effective to strengthen for battles and raids. They are also more likely to have higher IVs, making them statistically stronger. They appear with a distinctive shimmery effect in your Pokédex and on their summary page.

7. How can I increase my chances of getting a Lucky Pokémon?

The chances of a Pokémon becoming Lucky increase with the amount of time it has been in your storage. Older Pokémon have a higher chance of becoming Lucky when traded. Trading with Best Friends also increases the likelihood of a Lucky trade.

8. Do traded Pokémon level up faster in Pokémon GO?

While traded Pokémon don’t inherently “level up” faster in Pokémon GO, they often seem stronger due to the re-rolled IVs and potential for becoming Lucky, which reduces the Stardust cost for powering them up.

9. What level do traded Pokémon stop obeying me?

This mechanic is not present in Pokémon GO. The obedience of traded Pokémon is a feature from the main series games, where Pokémon received from other trainers may disobey if their level is too high for your current trainer level and badge progress.

10. How does friendship level affect trading in Pokémon GO?

Higher friendship levels unlock several benefits for trading. These include reduced Stardust costs for trades, especially Special Trades, and an increased chance of receiving Lucky Pokémon.

11. Can I evolve Scyther into Scizor by trading it in Pokémon GO?

No. While Scyther evolves by trading in the main series games, this isn’t how it works in Pokémon GO. Scyther evolves into Scizor by using a Metal Coat and 50 Scyther Candy.

12. What happens if a Pokémon eligible for Trade Evolution is traded and then re-traded?

The Trade Evolution benefit only applies to the first trade. If a Pokémon that can benefit from Trade Evolution is traded a second time, the recipient of that second trade will not receive the free evolution benefit.

13. Can I trade Pokémon that are currently my buddy?

No, you cannot trade a Pokémon that is currently set as your buddy. You need to unassign it as your buddy before it can be traded.

14. What is the Stardust cost for trading?

The Stardust cost for trading varies depending on several factors, including your friendship level with the other player and whether you’re trading a Pokémon that is new to your Pokédex. Regular trades between Best Friends are very cheap, while Special Trades with lower friendship levels can be quite expensive.

15. Where can I learn more about the science of gaming and its impact on learning?

For deeper insights into the educational aspects of gaming, consider exploring resources from organizations like the Games Learning Society. You can find valuable information and research on their website: GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

Trade Evolution in Pokémon GO is a valuable feature that adds depth and strategic nuance to the game. By understanding which Pokémon are eligible for this benefit and how it interacts with other trading mechanics, players can optimize their gameplay, strengthen their teams, and enhance their overall experience. So go ahead, coordinate those trades, and reap the rewards of collaborative gameplay!

What evolves when traded Pokemon GO?