Lucky Trades in Pokémon GO: How to Get Lucky Pokémon and Guaranteed Lucky Trades
By Matt · Published · Updated Any trade has a chance of making both Pokémon Lucky, and older Pokémon raise that chance. Trading a Pokémon caught in 2020 or earlier triggers a guaranteed lucky trade, up to 45 per player. Lucky Friends, which you get with Best Friends or a Lucky Trinket, also guarantee your next trade is lucky. Lucky Pokémon cost half the Stardust to power up and have at least 12 in every IV.
What makes a Lucky Pokémon worth it
When a trade is lucky, both Pokémon become Lucky, and each one gets:
- 50% less Stardust to power up.
- At least 12 in every IV. That means the chance of a lucky hundo is 1 in 64, whatever the Pokémon.
That makes lucky trades the cheapest way to build expensive attackers like legendaries.
Guaranteed lucky trades
Trading a Pokémon caught in 2020 or earlier triggers a guaranteed lucky trade. Each player can get up to 45 of these.
This has grown over time:
- It started with Pokémon from 2016, capped at 25.
- In February 2025 it expanded to Pokémon from 2019 or earlier, with the cap raised to 35.
- From the New Year 2026 event, it covers Pokémon caught up to 2020, with 10 more guaranteed trades for a cap of 45. If you’d already used all 35, you still get the extra 10.
Pokémon GO doesn’t show how many you’ve used, so if you’ve lost count like me, just keep trading old Pokémon until they stop coming up lucky.
Lucky Friends and Lucky Trinkets
- Best Friends can randomly become Lucky Friends. Your next trade with them is guaranteed to be lucky.
- A Lucky Trinket turns a Great Friend or better into a Lucky Friend straight away, so you can choose when to use it.
How to boost your chances
Outside guaranteed trades, any trade still has a chance of being lucky.
- Trade older Pokémon. The longer ago a Pokémon was caught, the better its chance of a lucky trade.
- Trade with friends you’ve levelled up. A higher friendship level helps, and it lowers the Stardust cost of trades too.
FAQ
What does a Lucky Pokémon get?
It costs 50% less Stardust to power up, and its IVs are at least 12 in each stat, so the chance of a hundo is 1 in 64.
How do guaranteed lucky trades work?
Trading a Pokémon caught in 2020 or earlier guarantees a lucky trade. Each player can get up to 45 guaranteed lucky trades this way.
Do both players get a Lucky Pokémon?
Yes. When a trade is lucky, both Pokémon become Lucky.
What is a Lucky Friend?
Best Friends can randomly become Lucky Friends, and a Lucky Trinket can make a Great Friend or better a Lucky Friend. Your next trade with that friend is guaranteed to be lucky.
How can I improve my lucky trade chances?
Trade older Pokémon, since the longer ago a Pokémon was caught, the better the chance. Trading with a higher friendship level also helps.
Get Matt's full take
The extended write-up on Patreon has Matt’s commentary, what to prioritise and Matt’s own plan.