Trading

Trading is a gameplay feature in Pokémon GO. It enables trainers to trade Pokémon who are in close proximity to one another.

Trading

Trading Pokémon can be done between two players that are in close distance from each other in real life. There are two sorts of trades: normal and special. All trades require both Trainers to use Stardust in order to complete the trade of any Pokémon. For trades in which players are swapping Pokémon already found within their Pokédexes, only a minimal amount of Stardust is required. This allows Trainers to freely trade most Pokémon that they encounter within reasonable limits, as Stardust is an important resource. Trading is special, and although several mechanics are in place to ensure that Trainers don’t take unfair advantage of it, there are also plenty of rewards to make these mechanics feel unique and personal.

Process

The stats of the Pokémon will change randomly within a range when traded. Before a Trainer completes a trade, they will see the range of CP and HP that the Pokémon could potentially have when the trade is complete.

There's a thoughtful calculation to deciding that range:

1. Check Friend's Trainer level to confirm the Pokémon is not powered up past what would ordinarily be obtainable for someone at that level.
2. Assign minimum stat values based on Friendship level, and that base increases the higher that level is.

In other words, as a Trainer's Friendship level increases with a friend, they will have a better chance of receiving a strong Pokémon when trading. A Pokémon that may not be great in battle may excel in battle once traded to a friend. In order to bar some Trainers from continually re-rolling a Pokémon's stats through trade, Pokémon cannot be traded back to the original Trainer. This feature promotes trading without giving a significant advantage to one Trainer over another. Trainers are currently limited to 100 trades per day.

Special trades

Special trades are all trades involving Legendary Pokémon, Shiny Pokémon and Pokémon that have not been registered in the Pokédex.

Special Trades can only be done once per day to limit the number of times a single Trainer can make Special Trades with all of their friends. Special Trading does become more accessible over time. As the Friendship level between two Trainers increases, the amount of Stardust needed to complete a Special Trade will significantly decrease.

New friends, making high-value Special Trades of Legendary Pokémon, Shiny Pokémon, and Pokémon not currently in a Trainer's Pokédex, will have to spend a large portion of their Stardust to prevent exploitation and the creation of a black market, which would devalue the hard work of Trainers who have managed to encounter and catch rare or powerful Pokémon.

Banned trades

The following Pokémon are not allowed to trade.

• Mythical
• "Slashed" (Pokémon acquired by spoofing or botting)
• Current Buddy Pokémon
• Pokémon currently defending gyms
• Fainted or unhealed
• Unhatched eggs

Lucky Pokémon

Main article: Lucky Pokémon

When trading Pokémon, there is a chance that Pokémon can become a Lucky Pokémon. Lucky Pokémon require less Stardust to power up.

Trading costs

Performing any Pokémon trade costs specific amount of stardust which depends on friendship levels and kind of trade (either it is regular or special trade).

Below there is a table with all possible costs for Pokémon trades.
Regular Pokémon term includes regular Pokémon, region-exclusive Pokémon, baby Pokémon and starter Pokémon.
New Pokémon term means that Pokémon is not registered in trainer's Pokédex prior the trade. It also includes Pokémon's particular form — new letter form of Unown, event costumed Pikachu, Alolan form of Pokémon or Castform weather form.

Level	Regular Pokémon		Shiny or Legendary Pokémon
	Registered	New	Registered	New
Good Friend	100	20,000	20,000	1,000,000
Great Friend	100	16,000	16,000	800,000
Ultra Friend	100	1,600	1,600	80,000
Best Friend	100	800	800	40,000

It is noticeable that costs for not registered regular Pokémon are the same as for already registered Shiny or Legendary Pokémon. Additionally, the friendship discount applies only to special trades and the value of regular trade is 100 regardless the friendship level.

Trading tips

Following tips are displayed on the trading page during the waiting for another trainer to connect the trade.

• You can only trade with friends who are nearby.
• Special Trades can only occur once a day.
• You can't trade a Pokémon that has been traded previously.
• The stats of the traded Pokémon will randomly change after trading.
• You can find the trading rules using the Help button located above.
• If your friend’s Trainer level is lower than yours, the traded Pokémon’s potential CP and HP will be adjusted.
• Pokémon not yet registered in your Pokédex require a Special Trade.
• Your Friendship level must reach Good Friend in order to complete a Special Trade.
• You'll receive bonus Candy if the locations where the traded Pokémon were caught are far apart (up to around 100 km).
• The amount of Stardust required for trading drastically reduces as your Friendship level increases.
• Shiny Pokémon, Legendary Pokémon, and Pokémon not currently in your Pokédex require a Special Trade.
• Completing a Special Trade requires a large amount of Stardust.
• Your Friendship level with a friend increases when you trade Pokémon to each other frequently.
• Mythical Pokémon can't be traded.

Development

2016

Trading has existed in the game's data as early as August 2016, where it was interpreted as an "online marketplace".

2017

In March 2017, Niantic gave more information about the upcoming mechanic. They stated that "the person needs to be in your proximity" in order for trading to occur.

2018

On June 18^th, 2018, one of the most anticipated game features by players was finally announced to be released soon.

Gallery

Promotional pictures

Preview of Friends and Gifting

Trivia

• Trading a Legendary Pokémon to a Friend can lower one or more of its Individual Values below 10. This also includes Egg (baby Pokémon) and Raid-exclusives (e.g. Malwile and Absol).