Trading Your Poké Buddies: From Normal to Legendary Lucky!
Ever gaze longingly at your friend's collection, brimming with perfect IV monsters, while you're stuck with a Zubats that keeps trying to high-five your face? Fear not,トレーナーさん (Trainer-san)! This guide will turn your frown upside down faster than a Machoke on a sugar rush, by showing you how to snag those coveted Lucky Pokémon through trading.
What is a Lucky Pokémon, and Why Should You Care?
Imagine a Pokémon, but with a sparkling aura that screams, "I am awesome and also very shiny!" That's a Lucky Pokémon, my friend. These beauties boast a permanently discounted Stardust cost for powering up, making them the ultimate frugal fighter (or fabulous flyer, depending on the Pokémon).
Plus: Lucky Pokémon also tend to have increased minimum IVs, making them battle beasts and bragging rights rolled into one.
Basically, Lucky Pokémon are like winning the lottery, except instead of money, you get a super-powered pocket monster. Who needs a mansion when you have a Dragonite that can breathe fire?
How to Trade Like a Champion (Without Getting Scammed)
Trading in Pokémon Go isn't like swapping baseball cards at recess. There are some key things to remember:
- You can only trade with Great Friends or higher. So, grind out those friendship levels by sending gifts, battling together, and raiding like the teamwork superheroes you are!
- Trading costs Stardust. The amount depends on the distance the Pokémon have been from each other, so don't go blowing your Stardust on a Pidgey you caught across the street.
Pro Tip: Lucky trades have a higher Stardust cost, but hey, with the discount on powering up later, it evens out in the end (kind of like that time you bought that fancy self-stirring mug... totally worth it).
Hunting for Lucky: The Two Paths to Sparkly Bliss
There are two main ways to score a Lucky Pokémon:
1. The Lucky Friend Method:
- This is your guaranteed lucky trade option. Reach Best Friend status with your trading partner, then there's a small chance you'll both become Lucky Friends.
- When you're Lucky Friends, the next trade you make with each other will result in Lucky Pokémon for both of you. Pretty sweet, right?
But wait, there's more! Being Lucky Friends is a one-time thing. Once you use that trade, you gotta build up that friendship level again to try for another shot.
2. The Gamble of the Random Trade:
- This method involves a bit more luck, but hey, that's what Pokémon is all about, right?
- There's a base 5% chance that any Pokémon you trade will become Lucky. These odds can improve depending on how long you've held onto the Pokémon you're trading. The older the Pokémon, the higher the chance of getting lucky.
Here's the breakdown:
- Less than 1 year old: 5% chance
- 1 year old: 10% chance
- 2 years old: 15% chance
- 3 years old (or older): 20% chance
Bonus Tip: If both Pokémon being traded are over a year old, the chance of getting a Lucky Pokémon automatically bumps up to 20% - that's like winning the friendship lottery!
So You've Got a Lucky Pokémon! Now What?
Flaunt it! Train it! Battle with it! Lucky Pokémon are the ultimate sign that you're a Pokémon Go master (or at least a master at making friends who play a lot).
Just remember, with great Lucky Pokémon comes great responsibility. Use your power wisely, and maybe share some Stardust with your less fortunate trainer pals. After all, what good is a fancy new Dragonite if you have no friends to raid with?
Now get out there, trade smart, and get lucky!
