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How Much Stardust to Trade a Shiny Pokémon?

Trading Pokémon in Pokémon GO is an excellent way to complete your Pokédex, collect Lucky Pokémon, and save Stardust when exchanging creatures with friends. However, trading Shiny Pokémon can be expensive, especially if you and your trade partner aren’t Best Friends. So, how much Stardust does it take to trade a Shiny Pokémon?

In this guide, we’ll explore the Stardust costs for different trades, the requirements for trading Pokémon, and effective ways to earn more Stardust even without walking. Let’s dive in!

What is Pokémon GO Stardust?

Stardust is a valuable in-game currency in Pokémon GO used for various functions, including:

  • Powering up Pokémon to increase their CP.
  • Unlocking additional Charged Moves.
  • Trading both regular and Shiny Pokémon with friends.

Unlike Candy, which is species-specific, Stardust is universal and can be used for any Pokémon. Since many features rely on Stardust - especially trading - it’s important to manage and collect it efficiently. The cost for trading Shiny Pokémon can be quite high, making Stardust farming an essential strategy for trainers.

How Much Stardust Do You Need for a Shiny Trade?

The Stardust cost for trading a Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO depends on several factors, including your friendship level with the trade partner, the type of Pokémon being traded, and whether the Pokémon is already registered in your Pokédex. Since Shiny trades are considered “Special Trades,” they often come with high Stardust costs.

Here’s a breakdown of Stardust costs based on friendship level:

  • Good Friends: 1,000,000 Stardust for an unregistered Shiny, 20,000 for a registered one.
  • Great Friends: 800,000 Stardust for an unregistered Shiny, 16,000 for a registered one.
  • Ultra Friends: 80,000 Stardust for an unregistered Shiny, 1,600 for a registered one.
  • Best Friends: 40,000 Stardust for an unregistered Shiny, just 800 for a registered one.

As shown, increasing your friendship level with your trading partner significantly reduces the Stardust cost. The higher your friendship, the less Stardust you’ll need for a Shiny trade.

What Are the Requirements for Trading Pokémon in Pokémon GO?

Now that we’ve covered the Stardust costs for trading Shiny Pokémon, let’s go over the key requirements for trading in Pokémon GO. Not every trainer can trade freely, as there are a few important rules to follow:

  • Trainer Level: You must be at least level 10 to start trading. Trading also gives you a chance to receive Lucky Pokémon.
  • Friendship Level: You can only trade with friends in Pokémon GO. The higher your friendship level, the less Stardust is required for trades.
  • Trading Distance: Both players need to be within 100 meters of each other to initiate a trade.

How to Get More Stardust for Pokémon GO Trading?

Stardust is a crucial resource for trading Pokémon in Pokémon GO. If you're looking to trade Shiny Pokémon, you’ll need a large amount of Stardust. Here are some of the most effective ways to farm it:

1. Catch and Evolve Pokemon

Catching Pokémon is the easiest way to earn Stardust. The amount varies depending on the Pokémon’s evolution stage:

  • Basic Pokémon: 100 Stardust
  • First-stage evolutions: 300 Stardust
  • Final-stage evolutions: 500 Stardust

2. Hatch Eggs

Hatching eggs is another effective method to earn Stardust in Pokémon GO. You can speed up the process by using an auto-walker, and by activating Star Pieces, you'll increase the amount of Stardust you earn when the eggs hatch.

3. Take Advantage of Weather Boosts

Pokémon affected by the in-game weather will yield more Stardust when caught. Be sure to monitor the weather in your area, as certain conditions can boost your Stardust gains by up to 25%. Take advantage of these boosts to maximize your Stardust earnings.

4. Use Star Pieces

Star Pieces boost your Stardust earnings by 50% for 30 minutes, making them a great tool for maximizing your Stardust during events or while farming. You can purchase a single Star Piece from the Poké Shop for 100 Pokécoins, or get a pack of 8 for 640 Pokécoins.

5. Join in PvP Battles and Raids

Engaging in PvP battles and raids is another effective way to earn Stardust. The amount you receive varies depending on the event and the battle tier:

Winning PvP matches can reward you with 500–1,000 Stardust.

Raids, particularly higher-tier ones, offer generous Stardust bonuses, so make sure to join as many as possible for extra rewards.

Bonus Tip: Get More Stardust without Walking

Trading shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO can be time-consuming, especially when it comes to earning enough Stardust and meeting specific trade requirements. However, you can bypass these challenges with FoneGeek Location Changer.

This powerful location-spoofing tool allows you to virtually travel to any location around the world. By using it, you can farm Stardust quickly through activities like hatching eggs, catching wild Pokémon, and participating in raids and battles - all without needing to physically move.

   

Steps to Use FoneGeek Location Changer to Farm More Stardust in Pokémon GO:

Step 1: Download and install FoneGeek Location Changer from the official website on your PC. After installation is complete, open the program and click on “Get Started.”

change location mode

Step 2: Connect your iOS or Android device to your PC via a USB cable. Once the software detects your phone, your current location will appear on the map.

connect ios device

Step 3: Select the “Teleport Mode” at the top of the screen. Enter the location address or GPS coordinates where you want to set your new location, then click on “Move.”

select a location on the map

You can also choose the two-spot or multi-spot mode to create a route and use the GPS joystick feature, making it easier to catch Pokémon while virtually walking.

FAQS about Pokémon GO Trading Costs

Is trading a shiny a special trade?

Yes, trading a shiny Pokémon is a Special Trade in Pokémon GO. Special trades cost more Stardust and you can only do one per day with friends.

What friendship level do you need to trade Shiny Pokémon?

To trade shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO, you need to be at least Good Friends with the person you're trading with. However, the cost in Stardust decreases as your friendship level increases, with the lowest cost being at the Best Friends level.

How to reduce the Stardust cost for trading Shiny Pokémon?

To reduce the Stardust cost for trading shiny Pokémon, both trainers should ensure that the shiny Pokémon being traded is already registered in their Pokédex. This will significantly lower the cost, as unregistered shiny Pokémon come with a much higher Stardust requirement.

Can I trade Pokémon with trainers from different countries?

Yes, you can trade Pokémon with trainers from different countries. However, if the trade involves a distance greater than 100 kilometers, the Stardust cost will be higher.

Can you trade Stardust in Pokémon GO?

No, you can't trade Stardust in Pokémon GO, but you can earn more by catching Pokémon, hatching eggs, and doing raids. For faster farming, try tools like FoneGeek Location Changer to help.

Conclusion

In this guide, we’ve shared the Stardust cost for trading shiny Pokémon in Pokémon GO. If you're ready to complete your Pokédex, now’s the perfect time to start playing and add new Pokémon to your collection. And if you’re struggling to gather enough Stardust for trades, consider using FoneGeek Location Changer, a simple and convenient tool to help you farm Stardust more efficiently.

Joan J. Mims

Joan J. Mims is interested in researching all tips about iPhone, iPad and Android. He loves to share useful ideas with all users.

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