Catch ‘Em All With a Little Help From Your Friends
A full two years after the resurgence of Pokemania and the realization of a long time gaming dream come true across the world, and undoubtedly the subsequent endless badgering from fans, Pokemon GO will finally implement trading, a central mechanic of the core series. Friends lists too, but we’re mostly here for the trading.
In Nintendo’s seemingly unending endeavor to get you outside and social, trading will work in a very specific proximity based way, emotionally and physically speaking. Certain trades can only be completed with friends of a certain “friendship level,” which can be increased by the act of trading itself, sending them gifts (also new, gained from Pokestops and full of useful items or eggs with Alolan forms) or taking on a gym or raid battle with them. As your friendship grows (in-game and likely literally) you’ll unlock bonuses when playing together. Friendships can be increased “once per day, per friend,” just like in real life.
Gifts will also come with a postcard of the place where it was obtained, which you can immediately throw in the trash, also just like in real life!
Also, trades can only be completed with trainers who are within 100m of the player, and earn bonus candies for Pokemon you trade away, which can be increased depending on how far away the area where each traded Pokemon is caught. Trades will cost Stardust, with some costing more than others, and will costs less with friends you trade with often.
Legendary, Shiny, and Pokemon that a player involved in the trade hasn’t caught yet, are considered “Special Trades,” and will be limited to once a day with a great friend or a best friend.
When the update drops later this week, each player will be assigned a Trainer Code that they can use to add people to their friends list, which has a max capacity of 200 (Niantic has a lot of faith in the size of our social circles, which is pretty wholesome). Expect the update later this week, likely on the 21st when the current water-type event ends.
This has been a long time coming, and Niantic is smart to implement it just in time for the Let’s GO spin-offs coming to Switch later this year. Let us know what you think in the comments and keep it locked to COGconnected for all the latest Pokemon GO news as it develops!
SOURCE: Pokemon GO