Trading in Pokemon Go

Many people who know me know I love Pokemon Go. I first started playing the game shortly after it launched but stopped when I was not able to figure out the game.

Unfortunately, one thing the game does not do is explain to new players how to play it. This can cause new players to struggle as they are left to figure it out on their own.

I was lucky in that I got a Pokemon Go sherpa in the form of my ex, who helped me learn the game, which enabled us to play together. I soon passed him in level and still play despite us no longer being together.

I joined various Discord servers, Campfire groups, and Facebook Pokemon Go groups where I answered questions posted by new players and one area where I see many questions asked about is trading.

After seeing similar questions being posted over and over I decided to write this article to address the common misconceptions. But first, a few quick shameless plugs for a few of my other Pokemon Go articles:

Shameless Plugs

This is not the first Pokemon Go article I have written. If you are new to the game, I encourage you to read my other articles, which are intended to help new players learn the game.

Is it possible to do a 3-Star Raid by yourself?

Pokemon Go Inventory Search Codes

Players Must Be Near Each Other in Real Life to Trade

To initiate a trade in Pokemon Go, you must be in close proximity to the player you are looking to trade with. There is no mystery gift, no trading through the internet. You basically have to be in the same room as the other player, or the game will not allow you to start the trade.

Trading Pokemon Resets Their Stats

When you trade a Pokemon, their stats are reset randomly. This means you cannot give a friend a perfect or high-statted Pokemon, as the stats will not be the same when they receive the Pokemon. This can be helpful for resetting the stats of low-statted Pokemon, but again, it is random, so they might not end up any better than they started.

Shadow Pokemon, Mythical Pokemon & Pokemon that have already been traded cannot be traded

Shadow Pokemon, Mythical Pokemon, and Pokemon that have already been traded cannot be traded, no exceptions, period, and end of sentence.

Trying to select one of these Pokemon in the game will display a message saying the Pokemon in question cannot be traded.

TRADE EVOLUTION TIP:

Are you particularly attached to a Pokemon that normally has to be traded to be evolved?

Good news: Pokemon Go waves the trading evolution if you have enough candy. So, with some patience, you can evolve your own Pokemon.

Trading Has A Cost In Pokemon Go

Trading is not free to do in Pokemon Go, it requires a certain amount of dust to do. This dust requirement varies depending on several factors:

1. If the Pokemon is registered in both players' Pokedex (if they already have it or have ever owned it in Go)
2. If the Pokemon is shiny
3. If the Pokemon is legendary
4. The friendship level of the players

If you said number to 1 and yes 2, & 3, you will be paying more for the trade.

For number 4, the lower your friendship level with the other trading player, the higher the dust amount for the trade.

See the graphic below for the current dust cost as of the writing of this article;

Daily Special Trade Limits

The game classifies trading Pokemon that are not in a Pokedex, that are shiny, in a costume, or legendary as special trades and limits the number of these trades a player can do to one per day. Some events do increase the number of special trades, but the rule of thumb is one per day.

Attempting to do a special trade after you have done one that same day will cause the game to tell you you've reached the special trade limit and not allow you to perform the trade.

Lucky Friends

Occasionally, you will become Lucky Friends with one of your friends. This happens randomly with your Best Friends in Pokemon Go when you interact with them (open a gift from them, do a raid together, etc).

When you become Lucky Friends with another player the next trade you do will be a Lucky Trade which makes the Pokemon in the trade Lucky. Lucky Pokemon have higher stats than normal trades and will take less dust to boost their CP. I recommend reserving Lucky Trades for shinies, legendaries or your favorite Pokemon!

Random Lucky Trades

Any time you trade there is a chance that the trade will be a Random Lucky Trade. This can be done with a trade from any player, regardless of your friendship with them.

If your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/partner plays Pokemon Go I recommend doing a few trades each day in the hope they will go Lucky.