For many Pokémon GO players, trading legendary Pokémon is one of the most exciting yet challenging aspects of the game. These powerful and rare Pokémon are a major part of any trainer’s collection.
However, trading them comes with a hefty Stardust price tag, which varies depending on a variety of factors. So, if you’re curious about how much Stardust you’ll need to complete these trades, you’re in the right place!
In this article, we’ll explore the Stardust costs associated with trading legendary Pokémon, tips to reduce that cost, and how you can make the process a bit easier by utilizing rewards from apps like Playbite. Let’s dive in!
- How Much Stardust Does it Cost to Trade a Legendary Pokémon?
- Stardust Cost Breakdown
- Why Does the Cost Vary?
- Additional Factors That Affect Trade Costs
- Lucky Trades
- Event Bonuses
- Special Trade Limitations
- Strategies to Lower Stardust Costs
- 1. Build Your Friendship with Regular Play
- 2. Take Advantage of Events
- 3. Use Lucky Trades for High-Value Pokémon
- How Playbite Can Help You Save Stardust
- Playbite and Pokémon GO
- How Playbite Works:
- Conclusion
- People May Ask
- How much Stardust do I need to trade a Legendary Pokémon with a new friend?
- How can I lower the cost of trading Legendary Pokémon?
- What are Lucky Trades and how do they reduce Stardust costs?
- Can Playbite help me earn Stardust for trades?
How Much Stardust Does it Cost to Trade a Legendary Pokémon?
When it comes to trading legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO, the amount of Stardust required depends on your relationship with the person you’re trading with. The game uses a friendship system to determine how much Stardust you need to spend. Here’s a breakdown of the Stardust cost based on friendship levels:
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Stardust Cost Breakdown
- Best Friends: If you’ve reached Best Friends status, trading a legendary Pokémon will cost you 40,000 Stardust.
- Ultra Friends: If you’re Ultra Friends, the cost increases to 160,000 Stardust.
- Good Friends: For Good Friends, the Stardust cost is 80,000 Stardust.
- No Friendship or Regular Friends: If you and the other player are just starting out or have no friendship level at all, the cost for trading a legendary Pokémon will be 1,000,000 Stardust.
Why Does the Cost Vary?
The reason for such a wide range in Stardust costs is because legendary Pokémon are considered rare and powerful. The game’s design encourages players to form deeper relationships and commit to regular gameplay in order to make these trades more affordable.
The higher your friendship level, the less Stardust you’ll have to spend.
Since legendary Pokémon are not as easy to come by, this system is in place to make the trades feel more rewarding and to prevent the game from becoming too easy for players who simply want to collect legendary creatures. The idea is to add a level of challenge and to ensure that players invest time and effort into their trades.
Additional Factors That Affect Trade Costs
Lucky Trades
One of the most coveted features in Pokémon GO is the Lucky Trade. This type of trade gives both players a Pokémon that is more likely to have high IVs, and it also reduces the Stardust cost significantly.
Lucky Trades only happen once per day between players, and the Pokémon being traded must have not been traded before.
For a Lucky Trade involving a legendary Pokémon, you may get a significant reduction in the Stardust cost. However, this is subject to availability and timing, as Lucky Trades are limited to one per day per person.
Event Bonuses
Occasionally, Niantic hosts special events or promotions that temporarily lower the Stardust cost for trading Pokémon, including legendary Pokémon.
During these events, you may find that trading costs are significantly reduced. Keep an eye on Pokémon GO events to take advantage of these bonuses, as they can help you save a lot of Stardust.
Special Trade Limitations
Legendary Pokémon trades are considered special trades, which means there is a daily limit. You can only perform one special trade per day, so if you plan to trade a legendary Pokémon, make sure you choose wisely.
The special trade limit applies even if you’re trading other rare Pokémon, so be strategic with your trades.
Strategies to Lower Stardust Costs
While trading legendary Pokémon can seem expensive, there are a few strategies you can use to lower the Stardust cost:
1. Build Your Friendship with Regular Play
You can lower the Stardust cost by playing with your trading partner more often. Participate in Raids together, send each other Gifts, and interact regularly. The more you engage with your friend, the faster your friendship level will rise, and the less Stardust you’ll need to spend on future trades.
2. Take Advantage of Events
Keep an eye out for special Pokémon GO events that may reduce the cost of trading legendary Pokémon or increase the chance of getting a Lucky Trade. Events like Community Days, GO Fest, and the Holiday Event often feature Stardust bonuses or discounts.
3. Use Lucky Trades for High-Value Pokémon
If you and your trading partner are both aiming to get a top-tier legendary Pokémon with high IVs, try to sync your trades for Lucky Trade opportunities.
This will not only reduce the Stardust cost but also increase the chances of getting a Legendary Pokémon with perfect stats.
How Playbite Can Help You Save Stardust
Earning Stardust can feel like a grind, especially when you’re aiming for high-cost trades like legendary Pokémon exchanges.
What if there was a way to earn rewards while enjoying other mobile games? Enter Playbite, an app designed to let you earn rewards by playing fun casual games.
Playbite and Pokémon GO
While Playbite doesn’t directly give you Stardust, it does give you the opportunity to earn PokeCoins, which can help you buy items that will improve your Pokémon GO experience.
With enough coins, you can purchase in-game boosts such as Incense, Lucky Eggs, and Raid Passes to help you catch legendary Pokémon more efficiently.
By playing Playbite, you can save your Stardust for those big trades and instead use PokeCoins to buy items to help you in your quest to collect more Pokémon.
How Playbite Works:
- Download the Playbite App: First, download Playbite to your phone.
- Play Casual Games: Enjoy simple games within the app that are designed to be fun and rewarding.
- Earn Points: As you play, you’ll earn points that can be redeemed for rewards like PokeCoins.
- Redeem for In-Game Rewards: Use the points to get items that help with your Pokémon GO gameplay, like Incubators, Raid Passes, and other valuable tools.
Conclusion
Trading legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO is a rewarding but costly experience.
The Stardust requirements are substantial, especially if you’re just starting out with a friend, but with strategic planning, you can minimize the cost by increasing your friendship level and taking advantage of special events.
Additionally, using apps like Playbite can help you earn rewards that complement your Pokémon GO journey, making the process a little easier.
With the right preparation and a bit of patience, you’ll be well on your way to trading those elusive legendary Pokémon without breaking the bank on Stardust.
People May Ask
How much Stardust do I need to trade a Legendary Pokémon with a new friend?
If you and the other player are just starting as friends, the cost will be a hefty 1,000,000 Stardust.
How can I lower the cost of trading Legendary Pokémon?
The best way to lower the cost is by increasing your friendship level with the person you’re trading with. The higher your friendship level, the less Stardust you’ll need to spend.
What are Lucky Trades and how do they reduce Stardust costs?
Lucky Trades are special trades that give both players a Pokémon with higher IVs and significantly reduce the Stardust cost. They are limited to one per day, so make sure to use them wisely.
Can Playbite help me earn Stardust for trades?
Playbite doesn’t directly give you Stardust, but you can earn PokeCoins that can help you with in-game purchases like Raid Passes or Incubators, which can assist you in your Legendary Pokémon hunt.
Click here to learn more.