Niantic is finally getting around to introducing a Pokemon trading system to Pokemon Go. Coming only two years after the game was actually launched. The length of development time seems to have been to find a way to ensure that the system isn’t abused, and it certainly looks like some thought was put into getting it working just right.
Behind Pokemon trading is a new Friends list, which is what will allow the trades to happen in the first place. Players will have to add each other through a Trainer Code, which will then unlock several new features.
Conducting trades will apparently require the use of Stardust, with the amount varying depending on the type of Pokemon being traded. Shiny and legendary Pokemon have an added caveat of being labelled as Special Trades; which can only happen once per day.
As an additional bonus, traded Pokemon will also generate additional candy. With the amount increasing by how far apart the Pokemon were caught. Useful for those who happen to travel a lot.
The Friends system also brings bonuses for people who often trade or go on raids with one another. Performing these acts increases a Friendship rating, which in turn reduces the Stardust cost of trading and gives attack bonuses during raids.
Finally, players will be seeing special Gift items drop from Pokestops. These gifts cannot be opened by the player who spun the stop, and must be given to someone else to be useful. In them will be a selection of random items, and the chance for a special Egg. One that contains the Alolan form of a Kanto Pokemon.
Trading and the Friend system are set to appear in Pokemon Go over this week.
[Source: Pokemon Go Live]
