Pokémon GO: Every Pokémon You Can't Trade (& Why) (2024)

A well-known feature of Pokémon GO, and any other Pokémon game, is the fun of trading with friends. This can be one of the best ways to engage with friends and family members, or even meet new people while enjoying a shared hobby. Whether at community Pokémon GO events, discussing on social media, or just happening upon another trainer out in the world, being able to share a Pokémon with someone can help form a connection. Some Pokémon can only be found in certain locations, so trading with friends who have traveled to other areas can also help complete a Pokédex.

One of the best reasons for trading in Pokémon GO is that a traded Pokémon has a chance of becoming a Lucky Trade, and the older the Pokémon is, the better the odds are of it being Lucky. These Lucky Pokémon are only achieved through a rare chance during trading, but have higher IVs and cost less to power up. The rules operating behind the scenes regarding trades can get a bit confusing, however. Attempting to trade a Pokémon more than once, or trading certain types of Pokémon can cause some frustrations for trainers.

No Pokémon GO Trade Backs

If A Pokémon Has Been Traded Once, It Cannot Be Traded Again

To prevent players from simply trading a Pokémon back and forth until it either has perfect stats or becomes a Lucky Trade, or both, Pokémon GO does not allow trainers to trade any Pokémon that has already been traded, even if it is to a different player. This, sadly, can mean that if someone accidentally trades away a beloved buddy, they cannot get it back as the trade cannot be undone or reversed.

There are many cases where it would be a nice feature to be able to re-trade. Players could then lend a powerful Pokémon to a friend for a battle or to stock up on rare or Shiny Pokémon to then go share with other friends. However, it also does make sense for such a restriction to be in play to prevent unfair advantages of players perfecting their entire Pokédex by infinite trades until every creature is a perfect hundo.

Special Trades Can Only Happen Once Per Day

Unless There Is An Event That States Otherwise

Sometimes a Pokémon that seems like it should be tradeable doesn't show up as one that can be traded because it would constitute a Special Trade. Unless a specific event is happening in the game that changes the limit, Special Trades can only be done once per day by a trainer. Also, Special Trades will not show up as available unless both parties each have the necessary amount of Stardust to complete the trade.

Stardust Requirements For Special Trades Can Vary

Higher Friendship Levels Lower Costs

Special Trades require a much larger amount of Stardust than a normal trade in Pokémon GO. The friendship level between the two trainers making the trade is important to keep in mind for these costly endeavors, however, as the price is significantly reduced as people become better friends. Unfortunately, the cost still remains very high, even once best friends. Trading a Legendary or Shiny Pokémon that the other player does not have already is especially challenging, as it can require 1,000,000 Stardust.

The exceptionally high Stardust cost for new friends is in an effort to prevent people from selling Pokémon to people, which then would undermine the efforts of those trainers who worked to encounter and catch rare Pokémon on their own. Taking the time to level up a friendship ensures that quick sales online can not take place. This also helps to keep scams down from people who might have less than honorable integrity.

This, sadly, also means that if two friends have some Legendary or Shiny Pokémon that they want to give each other, or if someone is introducing a person to the game and wants to gift them a great Pokémon, it is a bit cost prohibitive. However, in that case, the new player would need to reach at least level 10 as well. Ultimately, it would be worth increasing the friendship level before shelling out the Stardust required to make the trade go through. Friendship levels can be raised through sending and receiving gifts, battling in raids together, trading with each other, and even sending event tickets to each other.

All Pokémon You Can't Trade In Pokémon GO

Some Pokémon Have Restrictions To Prevent Trading

There are a few other restrictions worth noting, such as the fact that only trainers above level 10 can trade, and certain types of Pokémon in Pokémon GO cannot be used with the feature altogether. The one-time trade limit for each Pokémon is the most notable, though, and it's important to be aware of it before committing to trading away any favorite Pokémon.

Restrictions include:

• Current Buddy Pokémon
• Any Pokémon currently defending gyms
• Any Pokémon that is not at full health
• Previously traded Pokémon
• Unhatched eggs
• Shadow Pokémon
• Most Mythical Pokémon

Mythical Pokémon would be nice to be able to trade. However, it would also significantly reduce just how significant and special the Mythical group is. These Pokémon are meant to be, by definition, creatures that are extremely rare and generally are only able to be obtained through a unique event or outside means. While Legendary Pokémon are also rare, they can be encountered in more traditional means, just at a lower spawn rate. Below is the full list of Pokémon that can't be traded in Pokémon GO at this time:

Outside of these restrictions, trading is a relatively straightforward process. Trainers who want to trade with their Pokémon GO friends need to stand close enough to someone on their Friend List and hit the Trade button, which will then prompt the selection of Pokémon to be exchanged. The restrictions that are placed on trades in the game are ones that make sense, although they can be disappointing at the same time. However, while there may be a number of Pokémon that can’t be traded in Pokémon GO, the feature is still as exciting as when it first launched.

Pokémon GO

Augmented Reality

Franchise

Pokemon

Platform(s)

iOS , Android

Released

July 6, 2016

Developer(s)

Niantic , The Pokemon Company

Publisher(s)

Niantic

ESRB

e