Will Hacked Pokémon Get You Banned? The Definitive Guide

The short answer: yes, potentially, but it’s complicated. The risk of getting banned for possessing or using hacked Pokémon exists, but the severity of the consequences and the likelihood of enforcement vary greatly depending on the game, how you obtained the Pokémon, and how you use it. Nintendo and Niantic (for Pokémon GO) generally focus their efforts on those who create and distribute hacked Pokémon or those who use them unfairly in online competitive play, rather than every individual who might have innocently received one through a surprise trade or similar mechanic. However, ignorance isn’t always bliss, and understanding the nuances is crucial to protecting your account.

The Spectrum of Hacked Pokémon: What’s “Hacked” Anyway?

Before diving into the ban hammer, let’s define what constitutes a “hacked” Pokémon. The term encompasses a wide range of modifications:

• Genned Pokémon: These are Pokémon created from scratch using external tools. They may be designed to appear legitimate, adhering to all legal parameters for stats, movesets, and abilities.
• Modified Pokémon: These are Pokémon that were originally legitimate but have had their stats, abilities, movesets, or other characteristics altered beyond what’s normally possible in the game.
• Illegal Pokémon: These Pokémon possess characteristics that are fundamentally impossible within the game’s rules. Examples include Pokémon with impossible ability combinations, moves they could never learn, or being caught in locations they shouldn’t be.
• Cloned Pokémon: These are copies of legitimate Pokémon, often created through glitches or external devices. While not technically “hacked” in the same way as genned or modified Pokémon, they can still raise suspicion.

The key factor influencing your risk is whether the hacked Pokémon can be considered “legal” or “illegal.” Legal hacked Pokémon, despite being artificially created, appear indistinguishable from those obtainable through normal gameplay. Illegal Pokémon, on the other hand, have obvious inconsistencies that can easily trigger detection systems.

Nintendo’s Stance: A Case-by-Case Basis

Nintendo’s approach to hacked Pokémon is often perceived as reactive rather than proactive, meaning they don’t actively hunt down every player with a suspicious Pokémon. Their focus tends to be on maintaining the integrity of online competitive modes and preventing the spread of hacked Pokémon. Actions that can result in penalties include:

• Using hacked Pokémon in Ranked Battles: This is the most likely way to get flagged. Nintendo actively monitors online battles for inconsistencies and abnormalities.
• Trading or Distributing Hacked Pokémon: While difficult to enforce on a large scale, distributing hacked Pokémon intentionally can lead to consequences if detected.
• Altering Game Data Directly: Hacking the game itself to create Pokémon or manipulate game files is a serious violation that can result in a ban.

The penalties for using hacked Pokémon can range from temporary restrictions on online play to permanent bans from Pokémon titles and services like Pokémon HOME.

Pokémon GO: The Spoofing Factor

In Pokémon GO, the primary concern isn’t necessarily about the Pokémon themselves, but rather how you obtained them. Location spoofing, using third-party apps to change your GPS location and catch Pokémon remotely, is the biggest offense. Niantic actively combats spoofing with sophisticated detection methods:

• Impossible Distance Traveled: Analyzing travel distances and speeds to identify unrealistic movements.
• Blacklisted Apps: Detecting the presence of known spoofing apps on your device.
• Altitude Inconsistencies: Monitoring altitude data to identify discrepancies between your reported location and the expected terrain.
• User Reports: Niantic also relies on player reports to identify potential spoofers.

Getting caught spoofing in Pokémon GO can result in a tiered penalty system:

1. First Strike: A warning message.
2. Second Strike: A temporary suspension of your account.
3. Third Strike: A permanent ban from the game.

Using a VPN might mask your location, but it does not guarantee you won’t be detected since Niantic uses multiple methods to detect spoofing. The safest way to play Pokémon GO is to play legitimately, in accordance with the game’s terms of service.

Pokémon HOME: A Storage Sanctuary or a Risky Repository?

Pokémon HOME is the cloud-based storage service for Pokémon, allowing you to transfer Pokémon between compatible games. While generally considered a safe haven for your Pokémon, it’s not entirely without risk.

• Hack Checks: Pokémon HOME performs checks on Pokémon transferred to the service. Pokémon with illegal stats or characteristics are flagged.
• “Bad Eggs”: Pokémon that fail the hack check may be turned into “Bad Eggs,” taking up space in your storage but unable to be used.
• Ban Potential: While rare, repeatedly transferring obviously hacked or illegal Pokémon to HOME could potentially lead to a ban.

The best practice is to avoid transferring any Pokémon you suspect might be illegal or hacked into Pokémon HOME. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

FAQs: Diving Deeper into the Hacked Pokémon Dilemma

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of using hacked Pokémon:

1. Can you get banned for simply receiving a hacked Pokémon in a Surprise Trade?

It’s highly unlikely you’ll be banned for simply receiving a hacked Pokémon in a Surprise Trade or similar random trade. Nintendo typically focuses on those distributing or actively using them in competitive play. However, deleting the Pokémon is recommended, particularly if it seems obviously illegal.

2. What are the specific penalties for using hacked Pokémon in online battles?

Penalties can include temporary restrictions from online play, permanent bans from online battles, or even a complete ban from the game and related online services like Pokémon HOME.

3. Will hacked Pokémon corrupt my save file?

Generally, no. Receiving a hacked Pokémon through trade typically won’t corrupt your save file. However, using hacking tools to directly modify your save data significantly increases the risk of corruption.

4. How can I tell if a Pokémon is hacked?

Look for inconsistencies: impossible move combinations, abilities the Pokémon shouldn’t have, stats that exceed normal limits, or being shiny when it shouldn’t be. The “judge” function in the game can also reveal perfect IVs (Individual Values) across the board, which is a common indicator of a genned Pokémon.

5. Is it safe to use hacked Pokémon offline?

Using hacked Pokémon in offline mode is generally safe, as long as you don’t connect to online services with them.

6. Can Niantic detect spoofing even if I use a VPN?

While a VPN can mask your IP address, Niantic uses various other methods to detect spoofing, such as analyzing travel speed, altitude, and detecting blacklisted apps. A VPN alone does not guarantee protection from detection.

7. What is the “three strikes” policy in Pokémon GO?

The “three strikes” policy is Niantic’s progressive punishment system for cheating in Pokémon GO. A first strike results in a warning, a second strike leads to a temporary suspension, and a third strike results in a permanent ban.

8. Can I get banned for having multiple Pokémon GO accounts?

Having multiple Pokémon GO accounts violates Niantic’s terms of service and could potentially lead to a ban, although enforcement is inconsistent.

9. What happens if I put a hacked Pokémon in Pokémon HOME and it becomes a “Bad Egg”?

A “Bad Egg” takes up a space in your Pokémon HOME storage and cannot be released or used. It’s essentially a permanent placeholder.

10. Is it illegal to spoof my location in Pokémon GO?

While not strictly “illegal” in most jurisdictions, spoofing violates the terms of service of Pokémon GO and can lead to a ban from the game. It may also violate local laws regarding access to services or restricted areas.

11. What is the safest way to spoof in Pokémon GO (if I choose to do so)?

The safest course of action is not to spoof. However, if you choose to spoof, using a separate account (not your main account) and taking precautions like avoiding extreme location jumps can reduce the risk of detection. Remember that no spoofing method is entirely risk-free.

12. Does Nintendo actively scan my game data for hacked Pokémon?

Nintendo’s monitoring is primarily focused on online activities. They don’t generally scan your offline save data for hacked Pokémon.

13. If I receive a hacked Pokémon with perfect IVs and a shiny status, should I release it?

If you’re concerned about the potential risks, it’s best to release the Pokémon. Highly unusual combinations like perfect IVs and shiny status often indicate a hacked Pokémon.

14. How can I report a player I suspect of using hacked Pokémon in online battles?

You can report players through the game’s reporting system, providing as much detail as possible about the suspected cheating.

15. Where can I learn more about the ethical considerations of using hacks and mods in games?

Exploring the broader discussions around gaming ethics and how game design influences behavior can be very valuable. You can learn more by visiting the website of the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org where they explore the intersection of games, learning, and social impact.

The Bottom Line: Play Fair, Play Safe

While the allure of powerful, artificially created Pokémon can be tempting, the risks associated with using hacked Pokémon outweigh the benefits. Playing fairly and adhering to the game’s terms of service ensures a positive and secure gaming experience. Focus on building your team legitimately, and you’ll avoid the potential consequences of the ban hammer.