Trading Legendaries in Pokémon GO: Level Requirements and Everything You Need to Know
You’re itching to fill those Pokedex gaps with some powerful Legendaries? Trading is the way to go in Pokémon GO! The essential starting point: To trade any Pokémon, including Legendaries, you must be at least Level 10. This is a fundamental requirement of the game. Let’s dive into the nuances of Legendary trading, special trade requirements, and how to make the most of this feature.
Understanding the Level Requirement for Trading
The Level 10 requirement is in place to prevent abuse of the trading system and to ensure that players have a basic understanding of the game mechanics before they start exchanging Pokémon. Reaching level 10 is relatively easy, especially with the frequent XP boosts available during events. Just catch Pokémon, spin PokeStops, and complete research tasks to level up quickly. Once you’ve hit level 10, the world of trading opens up to you.
Special Trades and Legendaries
Legendary Pokémon trading falls under the category of “Special Trades“. Special Trades have several restrictions and considerations that regular trades do not. It’s crucial to understand these nuances before attempting to trade your prized Legendaries.
Friendship Level is Key
You can’t just trade with anyone! Your friendship level with the person you’re trading with is crucial. You must be at least “Good Friends” to initiate a Special Trade. However, the higher your friendship level, the lower the Stardust cost of the trade.
- Good Friends: Initial level required for Special Trades.
- Great Friends: Decreases Stardust cost.
- Ultra Friends: Further reduces Stardust cost.
- Best Friends: Offers the lowest Stardust cost for Special Trades.
Stardust Costs
Trading Legendaries, especially if they are not already in your Pokedex, can be an expensive affair in terms of Stardust. The base cost for trading a Legendary Pokémon not already in your Pokedex with a Good Friend is a hefty 1,000,000 Stardust. Building your friendship level over time to Best Friends status dramatically reduces this cost to just 40,000 Stardust.
Daily Limits
Keep in mind that you can only perform one Special Trade per day, unless specified otherwise during special in-game events. This limitation makes it essential to plan your trades carefully.
Making the Most of Legendary Trading
Trading Legendaries can be hugely beneficial for completing your Pokedex, obtaining better IVs (Individual Values), and getting more candies. Here’s how to maximize your chances of a successful and rewarding Legendary trade:
- Prioritize Friendship: Focus on increasing your friendship level with players you frequently trade with. Daily interactions like sending gifts, battling together in raids, and battling in gyms will rapidly increase your friendship level.
- Plan Your Trades: Coordinate with your trading partner to ensure both of you are getting something valuable out of the trade. Discuss which Legendaries you’re willing to trade and agree on the specifics beforehand.
- Consider IVs: While trading can reroll IVs, it also offers a chance for a Lucky Pokémon. Lucky Pokémon require less Stardust to power up, making them excellent investments.
- Manage Stardust: Stardust is a valuable resource. Save up enough Stardust to cover potential trade costs, especially if you’re trading for a Legendary not already in your Pokedex.
- Watch for Events: Keep an eye on Pokémon GO’s official news and social media channels for events that may offer bonuses to trading, such as reduced Stardust costs or increased trade limits.
Restrictions on Legendary Trading
Not all Legendaries are created equal when it comes to trading. There are some limitations to keep in mind:
- Mythical Pokémon: Generally, Mythical Pokémon like Mew, Celebi, and Jirachi cannot be traded. These are typically obtained through special research tasks and are meant to be unique to each player’s account.
- Previously Traded Pokémon: A Pokémon that has already been traded once cannot be traded again. This prevents players from repeatedly trading the same Pokémon to manipulate IVs.
The Impact of Trading on Learning and Social Skills
Beyond the immediate benefits of completing your Pokedex or obtaining stronger Pokémon, trading in Pokémon GO has a positive impact on learning and social skills. It encourages players to interact with each other, negotiate, strategize, and understand the value of different Pokémon. Such interactions reinforce principles of social interaction and resource management, making it an engaging educational experience. To learn more about the educational implications of games, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
FAQs About Trading Legendaries in Pokémon GO
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of trading Legendaries in Pokémon GO:
1. Can I trade a Shiny Legendary?
Yes, you can trade a Shiny Legendary, but it’s still classified as a Special Trade. This means the same Stardust costs and daily limits apply. Shiny Legendaries that you don’t own are going to be 1,000,000 stardust to trade so be ready to grind!
2. What happens to the IVs when I trade a Legendary?
The IVs are rerolled when you trade a Pokémon. The new IVs will be different from the original IVs, and there’s a chance the Pokémon will become a Lucky Pokémon with higher minimum IVs.
3. Can I trade a Shadow Legendary?
Shadow Pokémon, including Shadow Legendaries, cannot be traded. You must purify them first to trade them. However, keep in mind that purified Pokémon still fall under the same trading restrictions as other Legendaries.
4. How do I increase my friendship level quickly?
The fastest way to increase friendship is by interacting daily with your friends. This includes sending gifts, battling in raids together, battling in gyms, or battling each other in PvP.
5. What is a Lucky Pokémon?
A Lucky Pokémon requires less Stardust to power up. Also, they are guaranteed to have better IVs than they previously had before the trade. This is a great bonus, and it is even better to have your Legendary Pokémon become Lucky!
6. Can I trade a Legendary I just caught in a raid?
Yes, you can trade a Legendary you just caught in a raid, provided you meet the level and friendship requirements and haven’t reached your daily Special Trade limit.
7. Is it worth trading a Legendary with low IVs?
Trading a Legendary with low IVs can be worthwhile if you’re hoping for a reroll that results in better IVs or a Lucky Pokémon.
8. What happens if I don’t have enough Stardust for a trade?
If you don’t have enough Stardust, you cannot complete the trade. Save up and try again later.
9. Can I trade a Legendary with a different region player?
No, the game requires both trainers to be within a short distance of each other in order to trade. Long-distance trading is not possible at this time.
10. How do I know if a trade will be a Special Trade?
A trade is considered a Special Trade if it involves a Pokémon not already in your Pokedex, a Legendary Pokémon, or a Shiny Pokémon.
11. Can I trade multiple regular Pokémon in one day?
Yes, you can trade multiple regular Pokémon in one day, as long as they are not considered Special Trades.
12. Is there a limit to how many trades I can do in a day?
While there is a limit of one Special Trade per day (unless an event changes this), there’s also a general limit on the total number of trades you can conduct.
13. Can I trade Pokémon from Pokémon HOME to Pokémon GO?
No, there is no direct trading between Pokémon HOME and Pokémon GO. However, you can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME.
14. What should I do with extra Legendary Pokémon?
Consider trading them to friends who need them for their Pokedex or transferring them to Pokémon HOME for use in other Pokémon games. Or just keep them! They look good in gyms.
15. Can I trade a Legendary Pokémon to a new player?
Yes, but only if the new player is at least Level 10 and you have reached the required friendship level with them.
Understanding these details will help you make informed decisions about your trades and enhance your Pokémon GO experience. Happy trading!