Special Trade Pokemon GO Ultimate Guide 2025

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Trading Pokemon is an essential feature in Pokemon GO, but not all trades are the same. A Special Trade in Pokemon GO involve rare Pokemon like Shiny, Legendary, or Pokemon not yet registered in your Pokedex, requiring higher Stardust trade costs and having daily limits. This guide explains what Special Trades are, how they work, and how to maximize your trades efficiently.

A Pokemon GO Special Trade occurs when you trade:

These trades cost more Stardust and are limited to one per day unless there's a temporary event bonus allowing additional Special Trades. Keep in mind that trading Pokemon that evolve by trade in Pokemon GO does not count as a Special Trade.

Yes, trading a Shiny Rayquaza qualifies as a Special Trade because it meets two criteria:

To complete a Special Trade, follow these steps:

Step 1: Meet the Trade Requirements

• Both trainers must be at least Level 10 (one of the basic Pokemon GO trade rules).
• You must be within the trade distance limit (100 meters).
• You need enough Stardust for the trade cost.

Step 2: Open the Friend List

• Tap on your friend's profile in Pokemon GO.
• Select Trade when you're near them.

Step 3: Select the Pokemon to Trade

• Choose a Pokemon that qualifies as a Special Trade (Shiny, Legendary, etc.).
• Confirm the trade and pay the required Stardust.

Step 4: Complete the Trade

By default, trainers can only complete one Special Trade per day. However, during certain events, Niantic allows extra Special Trades, increasing the limit to two or more per day.

The Stardust cost for Special Trades depends on your friendship level and whether the Pokemon is already registered in your Pokedex. Here’s the cost breakdown:

An Extra Special Trade refers to temporary bonuses that allow trainers to perform more than one Special Trade per day. These are usually introduced during:

Examples:

1．Are Special Trades Always Lucky?

No, Special Trades are not guaranteed to be Lucky Trades. However, if one of the Pokemon being traded was caught in 2019 or earlier, the trade has a higher chance of resulting in a Lucky Pokemon.

2．How Much Stardust for Special Trade in Pokemon GO?

The Stardust cost varies based on friendship level and whether the Pokemon is registered in the Pokedex. Legendary or Shiny trades with a Good Friend cost 1,000,000 Stardust, while Best Friends only need 40,000 Stardust.

3．Why is Pumpkaboo a Special Trade?

Pumpkaboo is a costumed Pokemon during special events, making it eligible as a Special Trade when traded outside the event period.

4．Is Costume Pikachu a Special Trade?

Yes, any Pikachu wearing a costume (such as Santa Hat Pikachu, Summer Pikachu, or Halloween Pikachu) is considered a Special Trade because it is a limited-time event Pokemon.

Special Trades in Pokemon GO require more Stardust, are limited to once per day, and include Shiny, Legendary, and costumed Pokemon. However, Niantic occasionally allows extra Special Trades during events. If you're looking to maximize trading opportunities, plan your trades with Best Friends to lower Stardust costs and increase Lucky Trade chances. Also, try the location changer iMyFone AnyTo to enhance your Pokemon GO gaming experience!

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Article by

Spencer Hill

Spencer Hill has over 5 years of experience specializing in mobile screen mirroring and virtual location modification. As a senior editor at iMyFone, he creates user-friendly tutorials that help mobile users maximize their device functionality.