Can you trade Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon GO? Absolutely. Many Trainers may not realize that powerful Pokemon like Mewtwo, Rayquaza, and Groudon can be traded with friends under certain rules. Legendary trading isn't the same as swapping common Pokemon; it requires more Stardust. Mastering these rules lets you strengthen your team faster and complete your Pokedex with ease. In this guide, we'll cover key Stardust trading notes, exact costs for Legendary or Shiny Legendary trades, and even a smart bonus tip to trade remotely and gain more Stardust.
- Part 1. Some Important Notes about Stardust Trading
- Part 2. How Much Stardust to Trade Legendary/Shiny?
- Part 3. How to Get More Stardust for Legendary Trades
- Part 4. How to Reduce Pokemon GO Trading Stardust Cost
- Part 5. Conclusion
Part 1. Some Important Notes about Stardust Trading
Stardust trading in Pokemon GO allows you to swap Pokemon with friends by spending Stardust, which varies based on factors like friendship level and Pokemon rarity. Next are some important notes for you to trade efficiently with your friends.
Friendship Benefits: Better friendship status translates into major Stardust savings during trades. Great Friends, Ultra Friends, and Best Friends all receive certain Stardust discounts. In addition, higher friendship levels also boost the minimum IVs of traded Pokemon.
Different Trade Types: Standard trades involve non-legendary Pokemon already registered in both players' Pokedexes and always cost 100 Stardust regardless of friendship level. In contrast, Legendary trades are classified as Special Trades and require significantly higher Stardust costs.
Daily Limits & Event Perks: You can only perform one special trade per day under normal conditions, though events sometimes raise this limit or cut Stardust costs by half. Always check event announcements to maximize trades and make the most of discounts.
Lucky Trades Benefits: Trading older Pokemon offers a chance to get a Lucky Pokemon, and 25% for those over two years old, and guaranteed for pre-2018 Pokemon until you've reached ten. Powering up Lucky Pokemon requires 50% less Stardust.
Part 2. How Much Stardust to Trade Legendary/Shiny?
Trading a Legendary Pokemon and a Shiny Pokemon work the same way in Pokemon GO in terms of Stardust costs. Here, we explain how much Stardust you need and how to trade Legendary or Shiny Pokemon correctly in Pokemon GO.
01Pokemon GO Trading Stardust Cost Chart
Not everyone clearly understands the principles behind legendary trading. To clear up your confusion and help you trade smarter, we've prepared a detailed table below. This table shows Stardust costs based on friendship levels and whether the Pokemon is already registered or new to your Pokedex.
Notes for the Table:
- Friendship Level: This is built by daily interactions; higher levels greatly reduce Stardust costs for trades with that friend.
- Registered: A registered Pokemon is one you already own in your Pokedex, so trading costs are much lower overall.
- New to Pokedex: A new Pokemon entry means you never owned it before, so trading costs are extremely high compared to registered ones.
| Friendship Level | Trading Discount | Trading Stardust Cost (Registered) |
Trading Stardust Cost (New to Pokedex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Friend (1 Day) | 0% | 2000 | 1000000 |
| Great Friend (7 Days) | 20% | 16000 | 800000 |
| Ultra Friend (30 Days) | 92% | 1600 | 80000 |
| Great Friend (7 Days) | 20% | 800 | 40000 |
02How to Trade Legendary Pokemon in Pokemon GO
To trade a Legendary Pokemon, you first need a friend nearby who is willing to trade with you. Not sure where to find someone who has a Legendary Pokemon and wants to trade? You might try your luck in Pokemon GO Discord servers. Once you've chosen a Legendary Pokemon and a reliable friend, you're all set. Follow our detailed step‑by‑step guide to ensure a smooth Legendary trade in Pokemon GO and get ready to add powerful Pokemon to your collection effortlessly.
Step 1. Enter Pokemon GO and tap your profile icon, then press FRIENDS.
Step 2. Next, choose ADD FRIEND and type the friend's trainer code, and then tap SEND.
Step 3. After your friends accept the request, touch your friend's icon under the FRIENDS tab.
Step 4. Proceed to select TRADE at the bottom of the screen. Now you can pick the Legendary Pokemon for trading.
Step 5. Pick the NEXT button and you'll see the Stardust required next to the CONFIRM button.
Step 6. Press on it, and then the trading process will begin; you'll get the Legendary Pokemon you want.
When you trade, you and your friend must be physically close, as remote trading isn't supported in Pokemon GO. You can overcome this limitation by using MagFone Location Changer, which lets you fake your location and trade remotely. Check the next part to learn how it works.
Part 3. How to Get More Stardust for Legendary Trades
Want to trade Legendary Pokemon with friends remotely or earn more Stardust for trades? Try using MagFone Location Changer. It helps simulate your GPS location easily, helping you connect with friends anywhere and make a Legendary Pokemon trade in Pokemon GO.
MagFone Location Changer is a powerful GPS spoofing tool compatible with both iPhone and Android devices up to iOS 27. Without walking, you can trade Legendary Pokemon remotely by changing your location with just one click. It also helps you join raids and regional events worldwide, increasing your chances of getting more Stardust and Legendary Pokemon. Here's how to use MagFone Location Chnager on your computer:
MagFone Location Changer
Easily change your GPS location on iOS and Android devices to anywhere with one click, while not requiring root or jailbreaking!
Step 1 Open MagFone and Connect Both Your Devices
Install MagFone Location Changer from the official website. Launch it and connect your iPhone or Android. Grant all permissions so the app can control your GPS location for trading.
Step 2 Change Location to Trade and Get More Stardust
Pick a location near your friend or a legendary raid hotspot using the map. Click Modify Location to simulate proximity and join regional events, increase Stardust, and finish remote Legendary trades.
More Trading Tips:
- Catch Pokemon consistently every day to build up steady stardust income.
- Complete daily field research tasks, which often reward you with stardust.
- Hatch eggs using incubators, since hatching yields solid stardust rewards.
- Send gifts and open gifts from friends for occasional stardust bonuses.
- Battle in raids, especially Team GO Rocket battles, for stardust drops.
- Compete in GO Battle League matches, which award stardust based on rank.
- Use Star Pieces during active play sessions to boost stardust earned temporarily.
- Participate in Community Day events, which often feature stardust bonus bundles.
Part 4. How to Reduce Pokemon GO Trading Stardust Cost
Trading Legendary Pokemon can require a lot of Stardust, especially when the Pokemon is not registered in the recipient's Pokedex. However, you can reduce the trading cost by making a few smart choices before completing the trade.
1. Increase your Friendship level.
Your Friendship Level with a trading partner directly affects how much Stardust a trade costs. You can raise it by exchanging gifts daily, trading Pokemon, or battling together in raids and Gyms with that friend.
2. Make sure the recipient already has the Legendary registered.
If the Pokemon is new to their Pokedex, the trade falls into the much more expensive unregistered Special Trade tier.
3. Wait for trading events.
Pokemon GO occasionally offers events that reduce trading Stardust costs or increase the number of Special Trades allowed. These can make expensive Legendary trades considerably cheaper.
Part 5. Conclusion
Legendary trading in Pokemon GO takes planning, Stardust, and teamwork with friends. By understanding friendship levels, trade types, and daily limits, you can save resources and get top-tier Pokemon for raids and PvP. If distance limits your trades or you want more Stardust opportunities, tools like MagFone Location Changer can help. Master these tips, and your Legendary collection will grow faster than ever.
Edgar Davis
Editor in chief
