Trading Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve caught yourself a shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO and you’re thinking of trading it. A fair question arises: What happens if you trade a shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO? Simply put, the receiving trainer gets the shiny Pokémon. However, there are several crucial factors to consider, affecting the IVs (Individual Values), CP (Combat Power), and the Stardust cost of the trade. Think of it like inheriting a vintage car – it’s cool, shiny, and rare, but comes with its own set of quirks.

The Nitty-Gritty of Shiny Pokémon Trading

Trading a shiny Pokémon isn’t as simple as swapping a Pidgey for a Rattata. It involves a special trade, which affects the cost and the odds. Here’s a breakdown:

• Special Trades: Shiny Pokémon trades always count as Special Trades. This means you can only make one Special Trade per day, and the Stardust cost is significantly higher than a regular trade.

• Stardust Cost: The Stardust cost depends on your Friendship Level with the trainer you are trading with. The higher your friendship level, the lower the Stardust cost. For example, trading a shiny to a brand new friend could cost a whopping 1,000,000 Stardust! Trading with a Best Friend, however, significantly reduces this cost.

• IV Reroll: When you trade any Pokémon, including a shiny one, its IVs are rerolled. This means the shiny you send might have amazing stats, but the recipient could get a shiny with lower, or even higher, IVs. Think of it like a gamble – you’re giving away a potentially powerful Pokémon in exchange for the chance of getting one with even better stats, but also risking a decrease.

• CP Changes: Just like IVs, the CP (Combat Power) of the shiny Pokémon will also change upon trade. This is directly related to the IV reroll, as CP is calculated based on a Pokémon’s stats.

• Registered Pokémon: If the recipient doesn’t already have the shiny Pokémon registered in their Pokédex, it will be even more expensive in terms of Stardust. This is another reason why building up friendship levels is crucial for trading rare Pokémon.

Why Trade Shiny Pokémon?

Despite the risks and costs, there are several reasons why trainers might want to trade shiny Pokémon:

• Completing the Pokédex: Some trainers are completionists and want to collect every shiny variant of every Pokémon. Trading is often the easiest way to achieve this, especially for region-exclusive shinies.

• Helping Friends: Maybe you have multiple shiny Pokémon and a friend is desperately searching for one. Trading allows you to help them out and strengthen your bond.

• IV Reroll Potential: As mentioned earlier, the IV reroll can sometimes result in a shiny with better stats. If you have a shiny with poor IVs, trading it might give the recipient (or yourself, if they trade back) a chance at a more powerful version.

• Trading for a Missing Shiny: You may trade your Shiny Pokemon with a friend in exchange for another Shiny Pokemon that you are looking to add to your collection.

Maximizing Your Shiny Trading Experience

To make the most of your shiny trading adventures, consider these tips:

• Increase Friendship Levels: This is the most crucial factor for reducing Stardust costs and increasing the chance of a “Lucky Pokémon” trade (which guarantees good IVs).

• Communicate Clearly: Discuss the potential IV changes and Stardust costs with your trading partner beforehand to avoid misunderstandings.

• Consider Trading Back: If you’re primarily interested in getting better IVs, consider trading a shiny back and forth with a trusted friend.

• Be Patient: Finding the right trading partner and coordinating the trade can take time, especially for rare shinies.

Trading in Pokémon GO involves strategy, social interaction, and an element of chance, which makes it a unique feature in mobile gaming. The trading system emphasizes collaboration and understanding. Principles that are also valued in educational games, as discussed on the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Trading Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about trading shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO:

1. Can I trade a shiny Pokémon to anyone, regardless of distance?

No. You need to be physically close to the other trainer to trade Pokémon, including shiny ones. The range is typically around 100 meters.

2. Does trading a shiny Pokémon guarantee it will be a Lucky Pokémon?

No, trading a shiny Pokémon does not guarantee it will become a Lucky Pokémon. However, the chances of a Lucky trade increase with your Friendship Level and the age of the Pokémon being traded.

3. What happens if the other trainer doesn’t have enough Stardust? Can the trade still happen?

No. If the other trainer doesn’t have enough Stardust to cover the cost of the trade, the trade will not be possible.

4. Can I trade a Mythical Shiny Pokémon?

No, you cannot trade Mythical Pokémon, regardless of whether they are shiny or not. Mythical Pokémon like Mew, Celebi, and Jirachi are bound to your account and cannot be traded.

5. If I trade a shiny, will it keep its moves?

Yes, the shiny Pokémon will keep its moves when traded. However, if the Pokémon knows a Community Day exclusive move and the Community Day is over, it will not learn that move if evolved after the trade.

6. Is there a limit to how many shiny Pokémon I can trade in a day?

Yes, there is a limit. Shiny trades count as Special Trades, and you can only do one Special Trade per day.

7. If I trade a shiny Pokémon, can I get it back?

Only if the other trainer trades it back to you. Once you trade a Pokémon, it is permanently transferred to the other trainer’s account unless they choose to trade it back.

8. Does the level of the shiny Pokémon change after trading?

No, the level of the shiny Pokémon does not change after the trade. However, the CP will change due to the IV reroll.

9. Can I trade a shiny Pokémon that I received in a previous trade?

Yes, you can trade a shiny Pokémon that you received in a previous trade. However, remember that it will still count as a Special Trade.

10. How do I know if a Pokémon is shiny before trading it?

You can see the shiny icon next to the Pokémon’s name in your storage. Also, the Pokémon will have a different color palette than its normal counterpart.

11. Will the Pokémon keep their mega evolution status?

Mega Evolution status are unique to each user. If you trade it, the other trainer has to Mega Evolve it on his own.

12. If I have zero-star shiny and trade it, will it always be more than that?

No, it is possible that the zero-star shiny will remain zero stars when your friend receives it after the trade.

13. Can I trade a purified or Shadow shiny Pokémon?

Yes, you can trade a purified or Shadow shiny Pokémon. However, keep in mind that purified/Shadow Pokémon cannot be traded to trainers remotely.

14. How can I increase my Friendship Level faster?

The quickest way to increase your Friendship Level is by interacting with your friends every day. This includes sending gifts, trading Pokémon, and battling together in raids or Gyms.

15. What happens if one of the trainers involved in the trade gets a network error during the trading?

If one of the trainers gets a network error during the trade, the trade might not go through. In some cases, one trainer might lose their Pokémon while the other doesn’t receive it. Contacting Pokémon GO support is recommended in such situations.