Pokémon Go is finally getting a feature players have been asking for for years: the ability to trade Pokémon remotely. The change arrives this week as part of an update to Friendship tiers that adds a new rank called Forever Friends.
At present, trades in Pokémon Go require players to be physically near one another. With the Forever Friends tier, trainers will be able to swap Pokémon with people anywhere in the world — meaning collectors can close gaps in their Pokédex (Hawlucha or Oricorio (Paʻu Style), anyone?). There will be limits on which Pokémon can be exchanged and how often trades can occur, but the safeguards appear consistent with Niantic’s existing rules for special trades.
To unlock remote trading, two players must reach Forever Friend status — a new level above the current Best Friend rank. After achieving that milestone, a player tags Pokémon they’re willing to offer using a Remote Trade tag. Once tagged, trainers can view which Pokémon their Forever Friend has made available for trade.
Remote trades begin when each trainer builds a “wish list” by selecting up to three tagged Pokémon from their friend that they would be happy to receive. Those wish lists are exchanged between the two trainers; each then selects one of the requested Pokémon to offer. Both parties review the proposed exchange and may confirm or cancel. Either trainer can decline the current request at any time and restart the process.
Remote trades can be repeated with the same Forever Friend after both trainers have accumulated sufficient Friendship Points again. Friendship Points are earned by activities like battling together, trading, and sending Gifts. Players can gain one Friendship Point per friend each day and may earn extra points through weekly group challenges, which let up to three friends team up for shared objectives and reward XP plus additional friendship points.
Lucky Friends will still send and receive Lucky Pokémon when trading remotely. Also, remote trades do not count as special trades regardless of the Pokémon involved.
What Pokémon are excluded from Remote Trades?
Niantic lists the following Pokémon as ineligible for remote trading:
- Pokémon caught within the last 30 days
- Pokémon that have already been traded
- Shadow Pokémon
- Mythical Pokémon
- Pokémon currently defending Gyms or Power Spots
- Pokémon set as your Buddy
- Pokémon that are actively Mega-Evolved
- Fused Pokémon
- Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta
- Pokémon placed in Pokémon Playgrounds
In other changes, Niantic will raise the maximum number of friends players can have from 450 to 650. That cap will increase gradually in increments of 50 over the coming weeks.
Start cataloging the Pokémon you’re willing to move — you may soon receive a flood of trade requests, so choose carefully.
For Niantic’s official breakdown of remote trades, see their announcement here.
Source: Polygon
