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Unlocking the Mystery: Why 2016 Pokémon Are (Sometimes) Guaranteed Lucky in Pokémon GO

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The allure of a Lucky Pokémon in Pokémon GO is undeniable. Reduced Stardust costs for powering up make them incredibly valuable assets for trainers of all levels. But why the buzz around 2016 Pokémon? The simple answer is: they aren’t always guaranteed Lucky anymore, but under specific circumstances, trading Pokémon caught in July and August of 2016 used to guarantee a Lucky outcome. This mechanic was introduced by Niantic to encourage trades and bring lapsed players back into the game. Before the 2018 update, the rates for 2016 Pokemon to be lucky were still random. But the older your Pokémon, the higher the chances of it becoming Lucky. After the 2018 update, trades are now guaranteed to result in Lucky Pokémon. If it wasn’t your 2016 Pokémon that made it lucky, then there is a guaranteed rate that both will be lucky. In short, you must be trading a Pokémon caught between July and August of 2016 and have less than 10 lucky pokemon to guarantee the trade.

While this isn’t always the case, there’s an increased probability. Let’s delve into the details and explore the factors that influence this phenomenon.

The Mechanics Behind Lucky Pokémon

Before we dive into the 2016 aspect, let’s understand the fundamentals of Lucky Pokémon. These special Pokémon have two key advantages:

Reduced Stardust Cost: Powering up a Lucky Pokémon requires only half the Stardust compared to a regular Pokémon, saving you valuable resources.
Guaranteed Higher IVs: Lucky Pokémon have a floor of 12/12/12 for their Individual Values (IVs), meaning they are guaranteed to be at least reasonably strong, and often three-star rated.

Lucky Pokémon are primarily obtained through trading. When you trade a Pokémon with another trainer, there’s a chance that both Pokémon involved in the trade will become Lucky. The probability of this happening is influenced by several factors, with the age of the Pokémon being a significant one.

The 2016 Connection: A Historical Perspective

The association between 2016 Pokémon and guaranteed Lucky trades stems from an event launched by Niantic on September 5th, 2018. The goal was to incentivize trading, revive interest among inactive players, and address storage issues for older Pokémon. The specifics of the 2018 mechanic were:

Less Than 10 Lucky Pokémon: Trainers must have received fewer than 10 Lucky Pokémon from trades.
Caught Between July-August 2016: The traded Pokémon must have been caught between July and August 2016.
One of the Pokemon must have been caught during 2016 or 2017.

This event meant that anyone trading away Pokémon caught during the initial launch months of Pokémon GO (July and August 2016) was guaranteed a Lucky trade, provided they met the requirement of having received fewer than 10 Lucky Pokémon.

Understanding the Current Landscape

While the original guaranteed Lucky trade with 2016 Pokémon is not guaranteed, the age of a Pokémon still significantly impacts its likelihood of becoming Lucky. It’s still worth holding onto older catches, especially if they have sentimental value or rare movesets. Trades can now occur more randomly in terms of how they become lucky after the 2018 update.

The Broader Appeal of Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO’s success lies in its ability to blend virtual gaming with real-world exploration. The game encourages players to venture outside, discover new locations, and interact with others in their community. This fosters a sense of social connection and promotes physical activity, making it a truly unique and engaging experience.

Exploring the Educational Aspects

The game also presents interesting opportunities for learning. For example, Pokémon GO can be used to teach children about geography, map reading, and even local history, as PokéStops are often located at landmarks and places of interest. Furthermore, the strategic elements of battling and team building can help develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Explore these educational intersections further with the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lucky Pokémon and Trading

Here are some frequently asked questions related to lucky pokemon and trading in Pokémon GO.

Are 2016 Pokémon always guaranteed to be Lucky in trades now?

No, the original promotion guaranteeing Lucky trades for 2016 Pokémon under specific conditions has ended. However, older Pokémon have a significantly higher chance of becoming Lucky when traded.
What factors increase the chances of a Pokémon becoming Lucky?

The primary factor is the age of the Pokémon. The older the Pokémon, the higher the chance it has of becoming Lucky when traded.
What are the benefits of having Lucky Pokémon?

Lucky Pokémon require 50% less Stardust to power up and have a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12, making them more efficient to train and use in battles.
Can Shiny Pokémon also be Lucky?

Yes, a Shiny Pokémon can also become a Lucky Pokémon when traded. This combines the rarity of a Shiny with the benefits of being Lucky.
Can Mythical Pokémon be traded to get a Lucky Pokémon?

Generally, Mythical Pokémon cannot be traded, with the exception of Meltan. Meltan can be traded and potentially become Lucky.
Do the IVs of a Pokémon change after it becomes Lucky?

While Lucky Pokémon have a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12, the IVs are re-rolled during the trade. A Pokémon with higher IVs before the trade could end up with lower IVs (but still above 12) after becoming Lucky, and vice versa.
Can a 2-star Pokémon become a 3-star Pokémon after a Lucky trade?

Yes, because Lucky Pokémon have a minimum IV floor of 12/12/12, a 2-star Pokémon could become a 3-star Pokémon if its IVs are high enough after the trade.
Are Lucky Pokémon stronger than regular Pokémon?

Lucky Pokémon are not inherently stronger than regular Pokémon with the same IVs. Their advantage lies in the reduced Stardust cost for powering up, allowing you to maximize their potential more easily.
How do I become Lucky Friends with someone?

You can become Lucky Friends with someone by interacting with them daily (opening gifts, battling together, or trading). There’s a random chance that you’ll become Lucky Friends after one of these interactions. When you are Lucky Friends, your next trade will guarantee both Pokémon become Lucky, but your Lucky Friend status will then be reset.
Is there a limit to the number of trades I can do in a day?

Yes, there is a limit to the number of trades you can do per day. The current limit is 100 trades.
Are Lucky Pokémon permanent?

Yes, once a Pokémon becomes Lucky, it will remain Lucky permanently.
Can I trade a Lucky Pokémon back to the original trainer?

No, trades in Pokémon GO are final and cannot be reversed.
Do Lucky Trades guarantee perfect IVs (15/15/15)?

No, Lucky Trades do not guarantee perfect IVs. They guarantee a minimum IV of 12/12/12, but the actual IVs are still randomly determined within the range of 12-15 for each stat.
Can Purified Pokémon become Lucky?

Yes, a Purified Pokémon can become Lucky through trading, and because Lucky Pokémon have a minimum IV floor, a Lucky Purified Pokémon is likely to have high or even perfect IVs.
What is the best strategy for using Lucky Trades?

Focus on trading Pokémon that are rare, have high potential CP, or are useful in battles or raids. Trading for Legendary Pokémon or Pokémon with desirable movesets can be particularly beneficial.

Conclusion

While the initial promise of guaranteed Lucky trades with 2016 Pokémon under a very particular set of circumstances may have shifted over time, the core mechanics surrounding Lucky Pokémon remain a vital and engaging part of the Pokémon GO experience. Understanding the factors that influence the likelihood of a trade resulting in Lucky Pokémon helps players strategize and optimize their gameplay. Now, holding onto rare Pokémon or those with legacy moves continues to be a worthwhile endeavor.