Shiny Trade Costs in Pokémon GO: A Comprehensive Guide
Trading Pokémon is a core feature of Pokémon GO, allowing players to exchange creatures with friends and complete their Pokédex. Trading shiny Pokémon, those with alternate colorations, adds another layer of complexity due to the associated costs. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about shiny trade costs in Pokémon GO, helping you plan your trades efficiently.
Understanding Stardust Costs
Stardust is an essential resource in Pokémon GO, used for powering up Pokémon, trading, and other in-game actions. Trading shiny Pokémon requires a substantial amount of Stardust, and the cost varies depending on several factors:
Friendship Level
The higher your friendship level with the person you’re trading with, the lower the Stardust cost. This incentivizes building strong friendships within the game. Here’s a breakdown of the Stardust costs based on friendship level:
- Good Friend: 1,000,000 Stardust
- Great Friend: 800,000 Stardust
- Ultra Friend: 80,000 Stardust
- Best Friend: 40,000 Stardust
As you can see, reaching Best Friend status offers a significant discount on shiny trades, making it a worthwhile investment for frequent traders.
Special Trades
Special Trades involve Pokémon not currently in your Pokédex, Legendary Pokémon, Shiny Pokémon, or Pokémon with forms not currently in your Pokédex. You can only do one special trade per day. The Stardust costs for special trades are generally higher, even with high friendship levels. For shiny Pokémon specifically, the costs are as follows:
- Good Friend: 1,000,000 Stardust
- Great Friend: 800,000 Stardust
- Ultra Friend: 80,000 Stardust
- Best Friend: 40,000 Stardust
It’s important to note that shiny Pokémon trades are always considered special trades, regardless of whether you already have that Pokémon registered in your Pokédex.
Minimizing Shiny Trade Costs
Given the high Stardust costs associated with shiny trades, it’s beneficial to employ strategies to minimize these expenses. Here are a few tips:
Reach Best Friend Status
As previously mentioned, achieving Best Friend status with your trading partner offers the most substantial discount. This requires daily interaction, such as sending gifts and participating in raids together. It’s an investment that pays off significantly for regular shiny trading. For more details on optimizing your friendship level, check out our guide on what Lucky Eggs do in Pokemon GO.
Plan Your Trades Carefully
Before initiating a shiny trade, ensure both parties have sufficient Stardust. Coordinate with your trading partner to determine the most cost-effective approach, considering your friendship level and the rarity of the Pokémon involved. Learn more about Pokémon GO nesting to find specific Pokémon for trading.
Prioritize Valuable Shinies
With limited Stardust resources, prioritize trading for shiny Pokémon you truly value. Consider factors like rarity, competitive viability, and personal preference. If you’re curious about the best competitive options, our guide on best Pokémon movesets might be helpful.
Trading Mechanics and Limitations
Beyond Stardust costs, there are certain mechanics and limitations to consider when trading shiny Pokémon:
IV Rerolls
Trading Pokémon has a chance to re-roll the Individual Values (IVs), which determine a Pokémon’s hidden stats. This can be both a blessing and a curse, as a perfect IV shiny could become less than ideal, or vice-versa. The higher the friendship level, the better the chances of higher IVs. The IV floor for trades is based on friendship level.
Trade Distance
You can only trade with players who are physically near you, typically within a 100-meter radius. This encourages in-person interaction and community building. However, there are some exceptions for special events.
Lucky Trades
There’s a small chance that a trade will become a « Lucky Trade, » guaranteeing both traded Pokémon will have a minimum of 12/12/12 IVs. Lucky trades are more likely to occur with older Pokémon and between players who have fewer lucky trades with each other.
Conclusion
Trading shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO is a rewarding experience, allowing players to obtain rare and coveted creatures. However, it’s essential to understand the associated Stardust costs and trading mechanics. By planning strategically and prioritizing valuable trades, you can maximize your resources and build your dream shiny collection.