Pokémon GO Special Trades: Daily Limits & Stardust Costs

Trading Pokémon has always been one of the most exciting parts of Pokémon GO, letting you swap creatures with friends and fill up your Pokédex. But not every trade is the same—some are considered “special” and come with extra rules, costs, and limits. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a trade special, how many you can do each day, or why some Pokémon cost so much Stardust to trade, you’re in the right place.

This guide covers everything you need to know about special trades in Pokémon GO. We’ll explain what counts as a special trade, break down the daily limits, and give you tips to make the most of your trading opportunities. Whether you’re swapping Shinies, Legendaries, or event Pokémon, understanding these mechanics will help you become a smarter trader.

What Exactly Is a Special Trade in Pokémon GO?

In Pokémon GO, a special trade refers to exchanging certain rare or unique Pokémon that aren’t part of your everyday catches. These trades require more Stardust to complete and come with stricter daily restrictions. So, what types of Pokémon fall into this category?

A Pokémon GO special trade happens when you offer or receive:

• A Shiny Pokémon – any Pokémon with alternate coloring.
• A Legendary Pokémon – powerful species like Mewtwo or Rayquaza.
• A Pokémon that isn’t yet registered in your Pokédex.
• A purified Shadow Pokémon (after you’ve purified it).
• A costumed Pokémon – think Pikachu wearing a holiday hat or other event outfits.

It’s worth noting that trading Pokémon that evolve through trading (like Kadabra or Haunter) doesn’t make the trade special. Only the categories above trigger the special trade rules.

Because these Pokémon are harder to find or limited in availability, Niantic sets a higher Stardust cost and limits how many special trades each trainer can make per day. This keeps the trading system balanced and encourages players to think carefully about which special Pokémon they really want to trade for.

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Is Trading a Shiny Rayquaza Considered a Special Trade?

Yes, absolutely. Trading a Shiny Rayquaza is a classic example of a Pokémon GO special trade. In fact, it meets two different special trade criteria at once.

First, Shiny Pokémon always count as special trades, regardless of their species. Second, Rayquaza is a Legendary Pokémon, which also qualifies as special. So when you trade a Shiny Rayquaza, you’re essentially stacking two special trade factors into one transaction.

This double qualification doesn’t change the number of special trades you can do per day—it still only counts as one—but it does influence the Stardust cost. Since both the Shiny and Legendary attributes raise the trade’s cost, you’ll need plenty of Stardust saved up before making this kind of exchange.

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing a Special Trade

Doing a special trade isn’t much different from a normal trade, but you’ll want to make sure you meet all the requirements before starting. Here’s how to do a special trade in Pokémon GO from start to finish.

Step 1: Check That You Meet the Basic Requirements

Before anything else, confirm that you and your trading partner are eligible to trade. Both trainers need to be at least Level 10. You also have to be within 100 meters of each other—the standard trade distance in Pokémon GO. Finally, check that you have enough Stardust to cover the trade cost, which can be quite high for special Pokémon.

Step 2: Open Your Friend List and Start the Trade

Tap on your friend’s name in your in-game friend list. If you’re close enough, you’ll see the “Trade” option. Select it to open the trading screen.

Step 3: Pick the Pokémon You Want to Trade

Scroll through your collection and choose the special Pokémon you’d like to trade. The game will show you whether the trade is considered special and display the Stardust cost. If you’re both happy with the selection, confirm the trade.

Step 4: Finalize the Exchange

After confirmation, the trade will process. You’ll see an animation, and then the Pokémon will be transferred. Remember, this uses up one of your daily special trades, so choose wisely.

How Many Special Trades Per Day Can You Do?

This is one of the most common questions about special trading. Under normal circumstances, the answer is simple: you can only do one special trade per day. This limit resets at midnight local time, just like other daily activities in Pokémon GO.

However, Niantic sometimes increases this limit during special events. For example, during Pokémon GO Fest or certain Community Days, you might be allowed two, three, or even more special trades in a single day. These temporary bonuses are usually announced in the in-game news, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on event details.

If you’re planning multiple special trades, always check whether an event bonus is active. That way, you won’t miss out on extra trading opportunities.

Understanding Pokémon GO Special Trade Stardust Costs

The amount of Stardust required for a special trade depends mainly on two things: your friendship level with the other trainer and whether you’ve already registered the Pokémon in your Pokédex.

Trading a Pokémon you already own (registered) costs significantly less than trading one you’ve never caught before (unregistered). Similarly, higher friendship levels dramatically reduce the Stardust cost.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of Pokémon GO special trade costs:

As you can see, building up your friendship levels pays off—literally. Reaching Best Friends status makes special trades much more affordable, especially for unregistered Pokémon.

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What Does “1 Extra Special Trade” Mean?

You might see the phrase “extra special trade” in event announcements or news updates. This simply means that for a limited time, you can do more than your usual one special trade per day.

These bonuses usually happen during:

• Major Pokémon GO events like GO Fest or Safari Zones.
• Seasonal events such as Lunar New Year or Halloween.
• Community Days or other recurring in-game activities.

For example, during Pokémon GO Fest 2023, trainers could do up to six special trades each day. That’s a huge increase from the normal limit! Similarly, the Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh in 2024 gave players one extra special trade, raising the daily total to two.

Other events like the Season of Heritage and Lunar New Year 2023 also offered extra special trades, usually allowing two per day instead of one. These bonuses are a great chance to trade multiple rare Pokémon without waiting several days.

Frequently Asked Questions About Special Trades

Are Special Trades Guaranteed to Be Lucky?

No, special trades aren’t always Lucky Trades. While trading older Pokémon (caught in 2019 or earlier) increases the chance of becoming lucky, there’s no guarantee. Lucky status is separate from whether a trade is considered special.

How Much Stardust Is Needed for a Special Trade?

It varies widely. If you’re Good Friends trading an unregistered Legendary, you’ll need 1,000,000 Stardust. But if you’re Best Friends trading the same Pokémon, the cost drops to 40,000 Stardust. Always check the trade screen before confirming.

Why Is Pumpkaboo a Special Trade?

Pumpkaboo wears a costume during certain events, making it a costumed Pokémon. Outside of its event period, trading Pumpkaboo counts as a special trade because of its outfit.

Is Costume Pikachu a Special Trade?

Yes, any Pikachu with a costume—like Santa Hat Pikachu or Halloween Pikachu—is considered a special trade. Costumed Pokémon are event-exclusive, so they fall under the special trade rules.

Making the Most of Your Special Trades

Special trades are a big part of advanced Pokémon GO gameplay. They let you collect rare species, help friends complete their Pokédex, and sometimes even score a Lucky Pokémon. But because they’re limited and expensive, it’s important to use them wisely.

Try to plan your special trades with Best Friends whenever possible to save Stardust. Keep an eye on event announcements so you don’t miss chances for extra special trades. And remember, trading a Pokémon you’ve already registered is always cheaper than trading one that’s new to you.

Whether you’re swapping Shinies, Legendaries, or costumed Pokémon, understanding the rules will help you trade smarter and build the collection you’ve always wanted.

Some images used in this article are sourced from iMyFone.