Are Pokémon Egg Abilities Predetermined? A Deep Dive into Breeding Mechanics
The short and direct answer is: No, Pokémon egg abilities are not predetermined when the egg is received. Instead, they are determined at the time of hatching. While many other characteristics of a Pokémon egg, like IVs, Nature, and shininess, are locked in the moment you receive the egg from the Day Care or Nursery, the ability is determined only when the egg hatches. This means that soft-resetting before hatching can potentially yield a Pokémon with a different ability, even if all other parameters remain the same. Let’s break down the mechanics to understand this crucial distinction better.
Understanding Egg Generation
The Moment of Conception
In the world of Pokémon breeding, the process begins when two compatible Pokémon are left at a Day Care or Nursery. The game then periodically checks whether an egg is generated, with the chance of this occurring dependent on the compatibility of the breeding parents. Once the game determines an egg is created, its Nature, IVs, gender, and shininess are all fixed. This means that soft-resetting at this point will not affect any of these attributes. However, this is not true for the Pokémon’s ability.
The Ability Calculation: Hatching is Key
Unlike the other attributes, the ability is determined only when the egg is hatched. This gives players a chance to manipulate the ability if they wish. The ability a Pokemon receives is based on several factors:
- The parent’s abilities: If a parent has a Hidden Ability (HA), there is a specific chance (usually 60%) for the hatched Pokemon to inherit it, depending on the mechanics of the specific generation. If the female parent has their hidden ability, they have a 60% chance of passing it down. If the male or unknown-gender parent is used with a Ditto, they can pass their Hidden Ability as well.
- Random determination: If the parent lacks a Hidden Ability, the baby Pokémon is likely to have one of the normal abilities available to that species, with the choice being random when the egg hatches. For species with two normal abilities, the game makes a random selection.
How to Make the Most of Ability Determination
This unique hatching behavior opens up breeding strategies:
- Soft Resetting: If you want a specific ability and the egg hasn’t hatched yet, you can save the game right before the hatching animation. If the Pokemon hatches with the wrong ability, you can soft reset and try again, meaning the ability may be different the second time. This can be done as many times as you need to get the desired ability.
- Ability Capsules and Patches: If you have hatched a Pokémon with great IVs, Nature, and shiny status but the wrong ability, you are not completely out of luck. In later Pokemon games, Ability Capsules and Ability Patches can be used to switch between regular abilities or convert to a hidden ability, respectively. This means that while the ability isn’t predetermined, it is not fixed either.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Pokémon egg abilities and breeding, to further clarify the process:
1. Are IVs in Pokémon eggs predetermined?
Yes, Individual Values (IVs) are determined when you receive the egg, and are unchangeable thereafter. Soft-resetting after receiving an egg will not change its IVs.
2. Is a shiny Pokémon determined before hatching?
Yes, whether a Pokémon is shiny or not is determined when you receive the egg, and will not change by soft-resetting before hatching.
3. How do Hidden Abilities pass down in breeding?
A female Pokémon with a Hidden Ability has a 60% chance of passing down that Hidden Ability. Male or genderless Pokémon with a Hidden Ability can pass it down only when bred with a Ditto.
4. Can you breed two Dittos together?
No, Ditto cannot breed with other Ditto. You must catch them in the wild, trade for one, or claim one from a special event.
5. How are egg moves passed down?
Egg moves are inherited from the male parent, meaning that for a Pokémon to hatch with a specific egg move, the male parent must know the move before breeding. Additionally, not all moves are eligible as egg moves.
6. Can you re-learn an egg move?
Yes, Pokémon can re-learn egg moves from the Move Reminder if they forget them, as long as the move was known at the time of hatching.
7. What is the chance of getting a shiny from an egg?
The standard chance of hatching a shiny from an egg is 1 in 4096 (or 1 in 8192 in older games). This chance can be improved with the Masuda Method or a Shiny Charm, but it still remains a challenging task.
8. Are egg genders predetermined?
Yes, a Pokémon’s gender is determined when you receive the egg. Soft resetting will not change the gender.
9. What determines what kind of egg you get from a Pokestop in Pokemon Go?
The type of egg from a Pokestop in Pokémon Go is random, with 2km, 5km, and 10km eggs being possible.
10. Can abilities be changed after hatching?
Yes, in later games, Ability Capsules and Ability Patches can change a Pokémon’s ability after it has hatched. Ability Capsules will switch between normal abilities, and Ability Patches will change to a Hidden Ability.
11. Can you breed Paradox Pokémon?
No, Paradox Pokémon cannot be bred. They are a unique kind of species in the Pokémon world.
12. Can you breed Mew?
No, Mew cannot be bred, as it belongs to the Undiscovered Egg Group and therefore cannot be bred with any other Pokémon.
13. What are gender-only Pokémon species?
Some Pokémon species have only one gender, such as Froslass, Mandibuzz, Miltank, Blissey, Nidoqueen, Hatterene, Kangaskhan, and Tsareena, all being female-only species. Additionally, there are male-only species like Nidoking.
14. Can a Ditto pass down Egg Moves?
Yes, a Ditto can pass down Egg moves if it is bred with a male Pokémon that knows the egg moves, so the egg will hatch with those moves.
15. Are Pokémon egg stats predetermined?
Yes, stats (IVs), gender, Nature, and shininess are all determined when the egg is obtained, not when it is hatched. Only the ability is decided during hatching.
Conclusion
While the concept of predetermined stats and natures may seem like a daunting challenge, the dynamic nature of ability determination in Pokémon eggs provides a fascinating layer to the breeding system. By saving before hatching and utilizing ability altering items, players can optimize the team they build. While most other traits are locked-in the moment of egg reception, ability is a feature that can be manipulated upon hatching, creating a unique and engaging experience for Pokémon breeders.