Pokémon Go has received numerous inclusive updates since it first launched back in 2016, but one of the most fan-requested features has countlessly eluded entry into the mobile game. The ability to trade between friends has been a promised part of the overall experience for a while, but now the feature is finally making its way to Pokémon Go in a huge upcoming update.

In an update set to go live “later this week,” players will be given a new Friends List feature, granting the ability to exchange items as well as Pokémon with others. Players can add friends by exchanging unique Trainer Codes, which upon accepting, offer a means to track others’ progress and peek at their recent game activity.

In addition to the usual goodies one acquires at a PokéStop or Gym, players will now have the chance of getting a mystery Gift that can’t be opened unless given to someone else. These items range from simple potions to a hatchable Egg that contains an Alolan variant of Pokémon from the Kanto region. Giving these gifts to others increases theor Friendship Level, in turn making them available for cool in-game bonuses.

Of course, Pokémon themselves are also able to be traded between friends, but not without a catch. Trades are only able to take place with nearby trainers at level 10 or above and require a varying amount of Stardust per transaction. However, as Friendship Level grows, the amount of Stardust required gradually shrinks over time. Pokémon trades aren’t such a heavy toll, as each one awards a bonus Candy upon completion.

The biggest of these exchanges, called a Special Trade, allows transfer of Legendary, Shiny, or unrecorded Pokémon, but these require much more to complete. Not only does it ask for an increased amount of Stardust, an exchange like this can only happen with a friend with a high Friendship Level, either on the “Great Friend” or “Best Friend” level. So be aware that gifting someone a Shiny Pikachu is relegated to besties only!

Developer Niantic has been promising the addition of friends and trading for quite a while, even suggesting the features were always meant to be a core part of the experience in the past. With this fan request nearly fulfilled, the remaining add-on fans will likely clamor for are PvP battles, which would admittedly interact nicely with the advent of new Pokémon Go social features.

What do you think? Are you excited to finally see trading introduced to Pokémon Go, or are you waiting to see PvP battles make an appearance? Do you think these new features will interact with Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee at all? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more from the realm of mobile gaming, check out these next few news stories:

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