How to get a lucky Pokémon in Pokémon GO

Lucky Pokémon are a special variant in Pokémon GO that can only be obtained through trading. They have two key benefits: a 50% reduction in Stardust cost for powering up, and a guaranteed minimum of 12/12/12 IVs — meaning they can never have bad stats.

How the Lucky trade chance works

• •Caught in 2016 or 2017 — 25% chance of going Lucky
• •Caught in 2018 — 20% chance of going Lucky
• •Caught in 2019 or later — 5% chance of going Lucky

Guaranteed Lucky Pokémon

Once you have fewer than 10 Lucky Pokémon registered in your Pokédex, the next trade with a Best Friend who has also had fewer than 10 Lucky Pokémon is guaranteed to produce Lucky Pokémon for both players.

Save your guaranteed Lucky trades for Pokémon you actually want to max out — powerful raid attackers or PvP staples are ideal.

Best Pokémon to use a Lucky trade on

Garchomp

Tyranitar

Salamence

Metagross

Hydreigon

Haxorus

Lucky Friends

When you reach Best Friends with another player, you occasionally become Lucky Friends. While you are Lucky Friends, your next trade is guaranteed to produce Lucky Pokémon for both players. Plan which Pokémon to trade during this window — don't waste it on something common.