Transferring Pokémon to HOME: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’re ready to migrate your cherished Pokémon to Pokémon HOME, the cloud-based storage and trading service for the franchise. But how many can you actually move at once? The answer, while seemingly simple, has nuances depending on the game you’re transferring from.
From Pokémon GO, you can transfer a maximum of 25 Pokémon at once. However, they will all be received at once in the Pokémon Home application.
Now, let’s dive deep into the frequently asked questions surrounding this essential service.
Frequently Asked Questions About Transferring Pokémon to HOME
How many Pokémon can I store in Pokémon HOME overall?
This depends entirely on your subscription status. With the Basic (free) Plan, you’re limited to a single Basic Box capable of holding only 30 Pokémon. However, if you upgrade to the Premium Plan, you unlock access to a whopping 200 Premium Boxes, allowing you to store up to 6,000 Pokémon. That’s a serious collection!
What happens if I downgrade from Premium to Basic with more than 30 Pokémon in HOME?
Don’t panic! Your Pokémon aren’t deleted. If you have more than 30 Pokémon in your Pokémon HOME account and your Premium Plan expires, only the 30 most recently deposited or traded Pokémon will be accessible in your Basic Box. The remaining Pokémon will remain in your HOME account, but you won’t be able to view or withdraw them until you resubscribe to the Premium Plan. Think of them as being in suspended animation, patiently waiting for your return.
Can I connect multiple Pokémon GO accounts to a single Pokémon HOME account?
Yes, you can! This is incredibly useful if you have multiple Pokémon GO accounts or want to consolidate your Pokémon from different family members into one central HOME account. In Pokémon GO, you can select which Pokémon HOME account you’ll transfer Pokémon to by linking to a Nintendo Account that is also linked to the desired Pokémon HOME account. Just be careful to double-check you’re sending to the right place.
Why can’t I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon HOME back to Pokémon GO?
This is a crucial point. Pokémon HOME is designed as a one-way street for Pokémon GO. You can send Pokémon from GO to HOME, but you cannot send them back. This is due to the different mechanics and systems in place for each game. Consider Pokémon HOME a retirement home or a permanent collection space for your GO catches.
Why are some of my Pokémon ineligible for transfer from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME?
Several factors can prevent you from transferring certain Pokémon. You’re unable to transfer multiple Shiny Pokémon, Lucky Pokémon, or Buddy Pokémon with whom you’ve reached Good Buddy status or above at a time. Additionally, certain Legendary and some Mythical Pokémon (e.g., Mew, Celebi) are restricted. Think of it as Pokémon GO wanting to keep some of the “special” ones close.
Can I transfer Pokémon more than once between Pokémon games?
Generally, Pokémon can only be transferred once between certain games. For example, Pokémon GO only permits one-way transfers to Pokémon HOME. Within the core series games (like Sword, Shield, Scarlet, and Violet), you can move Pokémon back and forth, as long as they are compatible. However, Pokémon GO does not allow you to trade back Pokémon or trade a traded Pokémon more than once.
What happens to my Pokémon if I cancel my Pokémon Bank subscription?
This is important to understand for legacy players. If your Pokémon Bank subscription expires, and you don’t renew, the Pokémon you left deposited in your Pokémon Bank Boxes will indeed disappear after a certain period of time. This is different from HOME, where your Pokémon are retained even with a Basic plan.
How do I cancel my Pokémon HOME Premium Plan?
Canceling your subscription is straightforward.
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap your name, then tap Subscriptions.
- Select the subscription for Pokémon HOME.
- Choose a different subscription option or tap Cancel Subscription to cancel your Pokémon HOME Premium Plan.
What happens if I put a hacked Pokémon in Pokémon HOME?
Proceed with caution here. While transferring a hacked Pokémon might not result in an immediate ban, it can lead to problems. On Bank, it could just delete your pokemon when you next close the application. On HOME your pokemon will become a “Bad Egg” permanently taking up a spot in your Home. Pokémon HOME has systems in place to detect and flag illegitimate Pokémon. While a minor offense might only result in the Pokémon being flagged or unusable, repeated violations could potentially lead to account restrictions. It’s best to avoid using hacked Pokémon altogether.
Can I transfer Mega Evolved Pokémon to Pokémon HOME?
No, you cannot. Mega Evolved Pokémon will need to revert to their non-Mega form before they can be transferred to Pokémon HOME. Likewise, Pokémon currently residing in gyms in Pokémon GO must be retrieved before they can be sent to HOME. This is to ensure that Pokémon are in a stable, transferable state.
What’s the overall point of Pokémon HOME?
Pokémon HOME serves several key purposes:
- Centralized Storage: It provides a unified location to store your Pokémon from various games.
- Trading: It facilitates trading with other players worldwide, even if they’re playing different games.
- Compatibility: It acts as a bridge between different generations of Pokémon games, allowing you to transfer Pokémon forward.
- Mystery Gifts: Premium Plan users have access to rewards from online competitions and Mystery Gifts in Sword and Shield.
Which Pokémon are currently “stuck” in Pokémon HOME, unable to be transferred to newer games?
As of the most recent games, some Pokemon are still stuck in pokemon home (after the eventual update). A few examples include: Snivy, Servine, Serperior, Tepig, Pignite, Emboar, Pansage, and Semisage. The Pokémon Company often adds compatibility with newer games through updates, so this list may change.
Should I power up my Pokémon before evolving them?
This is more relevant for Pokémon GO than HOME itself, but it’s a common question. It doesn’t really matter unless you care about PVP. CP is determined by the base stats of a Pokemon, the Pokémon’s level, and its IVs. Evolving a Pokemon only changes the base stats, not the level or IVs, so powering up before or after evolution doesn’t significantly alter the final CP.
Do you lose your Pokémon if Pokémon HOME expires?
No, you don’t lose them permanently! If your HOME subscription lapses, your Pokémon will remain unharmed. You’ll just lose custody of a number of them. Non-premium Pokémon Home subscribers are only allowed to access a single box of 30 Pokémon.
How much stardust does it cost to trade a Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
Trading Legendaries can be pricey! The base cost is a whopping 1,000,000 Stardust. This price can be reduced to 20,000 if the player receiving the Pokémon already has that Legendary Pokémon registered in their Pokedex. As players increase their friendship with each other, this price will go down even further. So, befriend your trading partners!
Pokémon HOME is a powerful tool for any serious Pokémon trainer. Understanding its limitations and capabilities is essential for making the most of this service and ensuring the safety and accessibility of your precious Pokémon collection.
Learning more about the intricacies of game design and the community surrounding these games can be very fascinating. The Games Learning Society ( GamesLearningSociety.org) provides a great resource to explore these areas.
This should help you manage your growing collection! Happy transferring!