What Happens When You Trade a Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
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Trading in Pokémon GO is a fantastic feature, allowing you to swap Pokémon with friends and potentially acquire some powerful allies. But what happens when a Lucky Pokémon is involved? The answer is simple: When you trade a Lucky Pokémon, it remains a Lucky Pokémon for the recipient. Its Lucky status is permanently affixed, bringing all the benefits along with it. This article will explore this concept in detail and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Lucky Pokémon and trading.
Understanding Lucky Pokémon
Before diving into the specifics of trading Lucky Pokémon, let’s first understand what makes them so desirable. Lucky Pokémon are special versions of Pokémon that require significantly less Stardust to power up. This is a huge advantage, especially when dealing with powerful Legendaries or Mythicals. Furthermore, Lucky Pokémon have a guaranteed minimum IV (Individual Value) floor of 12/12/12. This means they’re guaranteed to be at least decent in terms of stats, making them valuable assets for raids and battles.
Trading is the only way to obtain a Lucky Pokemon.
Key Benefits of Lucky Pokémon:
- Reduced Stardust Cost: Powering up a Lucky Pokémon costs significantly less Stardust, making them more accessible for players of all levels.
- Guaranteed Minimum IVs: With an IV floor of 12/12/12, you’re assured of getting a Pokémon with respectable stats.
- Visual Flair: Lucky Pokémon have a unique shimmering effect in your storage, making them easily identifiable and adding to their appeal.
Trading a Lucky Pokémon: The Details
So, you’ve got a Lucky Pokémon you want to trade. Here’s what you need to know:
- The Lucky Status is Transferred: As mentioned before, the recipient of a Lucky Pokémon receives it with its Lucky status intact. They will enjoy all the benefits of a Lucky Pokémon, including reduced Stardust costs and guaranteed minimum IVs.
- No Trade-Backs: Remember, Pokémon GO does not allow trade-backs. Once you trade a Pokémon, Lucky or not, it’s gone. The recipient cannot trade it back to you, nor can they trade it to another player.
- Stardust Costs Apply: The standard Stardust costs for trading apply, depending on your friendship level with the other trainer and whether the Pokémon is already in their Pokedex.
- Special Trades Still Limited: Trading a Lucky Pokémon doesn’t circumvent the daily limit on Special Trades. If the Lucky Pokémon is also a Legendary, Shiny, or a Pokémon the other trainer doesn’t have, it counts as a Special Trade, and you’re limited to one per day (unless special events are active).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lucky Pokémon and Trading
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of Lucky Pokémon and trading:
1. Can I trade a Lucky Pokémon to someone who already has it?
Yes, you can. The fact that the other trainer already owns the Pokémon doesn’t affect its ability to become Lucky during the trade, or if it’s already Lucky, to remain Lucky.
2. Does the age of the Pokémon being traded affect the likelihood of a Lucky Trade?
Yes! Older Pokémon (caught years ago) have a higher chance of becoming Lucky when traded, especially if the trainer has less than 10 guaranteed lucky trades.
3. Are there any Pokémon that cannot be traded, even if they’re Lucky?
Yes. Mythical Pokémon, Shadow Pokémon, Pokémon currently defending a Gym, and Pokémon that have already been traded cannot be traded, regardless of their Lucky status.
4. Can a Shiny Pokémon also be Lucky?
Absolutely! A Pokémon can be both Shiny and Lucky, combining the rarity of a Shiny with the benefits of a Lucky.
5. What is a “Guaranteed Lucky Trade,” and how does it work?
Each account has a counter for Guaranteed Luckies. Previously, it was 10, but is now 15. These trades are guaranteed to result in Lucky Pokémon if the sender has been in fewer than 10 trades (as sender or recipient) where at least one party was guaranteed, and the Pokémon being traded was caught in July-Aug 2016. This does not include Lucky Friend trades, or random lucky trades, but some of your seemingly-random luckies may have been guaranteed without you realising.
6. How do “Lucky Friends” factor into Lucky Trades?
Becoming Lucky Friends with someone guarantees that your next trade will result in both Pokémon becoming Lucky. This is achieved by interacting with a Best Friend (battling together, sending gifts, etc.).
7. How rare is it to become Lucky Friends with someone?
The chance of becoming Lucky Friends with a Best Friend is about 1% per interaction, making it a relatively rare and valuable event.
8. Can I become Lucky Friends with the same person multiple times?
Yes, you can become Lucky Friends with the same person multiple times, but not on the same day. After completing a Lucky Trade, you return to being Best Friends and can try again to become Lucky Friends.
9. Does evolving a Lucky Pokémon remove its Lucky status?
No, evolving a Lucky Pokémon does not remove its Lucky status. The evolved form will also be a Lucky Pokémon, retaining the reduced Stardust cost and IV floor.
10. What is the IV floor for Lucky Pokémon?
Lucky Pokémon have a guaranteed IV floor of 12/12/12. This means that each of their Attack, Defense, and HP stats will be at least 12 out of 15.
11. Can you get a perfect (15/15/15) Lucky Pokémon through trading?
Yes, it’s possible to get a perfect Lucky Pokémon! While the IV floor is 12/12/12, there’s still a chance for the IVs to roll higher, all the way to 15/15/15.
12. Are there certain Pokémon that are better to trade for a chance at a Lucky?
While any Pokémon can become Lucky, trading sought-after Pokémon like Mewtwo, Metagross, Rayquaza, and other powerful Legendaries or Pseudo-Legendaries is often considered more desirable. These are Pokémon that benefit greatly from the reduced Stardust cost and guaranteed IVs of being Lucky.
13. Does purifying a Shadow Pokémon before trading make it tradable?
No, Shadow Pokémon are untradable, and purifying them does not change this.
14. If I trade a Lucky Pokémon and the other trainer then purifies it, does it remain Lucky?
Yes, if you are able to trade a Lucky Pokémon and they purify it then it remains Lucky.
15. Can I have multiple Lucky Friends at the same time?
Yes, you can have multiple Lucky Friends simultaneously. Each Lucky Friend status guarantees one Lucky Trade.
Strategic Considerations for Lucky Pokémon Trading
Trading Lucky Pokémon requires careful planning to maximize benefits. Consider these strategies:
- Prioritize Rare and Powerful Pokémon: Focus on trading Pokémon that are rare, difficult to obtain, or particularly strong in battle. Legendaries, Mythicals (if tradable in the future), and strong attackers/defenders are excellent choices.
- Utilize Lucky Friends: Work to become Lucky Friends with other trainers to guarantee Lucky Trades. This significantly increases your chances of obtaining powerful Lucky Pokémon.
- Coordinate with Friends: Communicate with your trading partners to ensure you both benefit from the trades. Agree on Pokémon that you both need or want to improve your teams.
- Consider Pokémon Age: Remember the mechanic that old pokemon are more likely to be lucky.
Conclusion
Trading a Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon GO allows the recipient to enjoy all the benefits of its Lucky status. Understanding the nuances of Lucky Pokémon, trading mechanics, and Lucky Friends is crucial for maximizing your Pokémon GO experience. By leveraging these features, you can build a stronger team, conserve Stardust, and enjoy the social aspect of the game. Happy trading, and may your next trade bring you a perfect Lucky! Don’t forget that information about the intersection of games and learning can be found at the Games Learning Society website. Find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org.