Can I Trade from Pokémon Sword to Pokémon GO? A Comprehensive Guide
Unfortunately, the direct answer is no, you cannot directly trade Pokémon from Pokémon Sword to Pokémon GO. There isn’t a direct trading mechanism established between these two games. However, that’s not the whole story! The Pokémon world is interconnected in interesting ways, primarily through the Pokémon HOME cloud service. This allows for some indirect movement of Pokémon between various titles. This article dives deep into the intricacies of Pokémon transfers, explains the limitations, and answers some burning questions you might have.
Understanding the Pokémon Ecosystem
The Pokémon franchise has expanded far beyond the original Game Boy games. We now have mainline console RPGs like Sword and Shield, the location-based mobile game Pokémon GO, and spin-off titles that all interact with the Pokémon universe differently. This interconnectedness is facilitated by Pokémon HOME, a cloud-based storage service designed to unify your Pokémon collection across different games.
The important thing to remember is that the flow of Pokémon is not always bidirectional. Some games act as endpoints – Pokémon can go in, but they can’t come out. Pokémon GO and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!/Eevee! are prime examples of this.
Pokémon HOME: The Key to Interconnectivity
Pokémon HOME acts as a central hub for your Pokémon. You can deposit Pokémon from compatible games into Pokémon HOME and, in some cases, transfer them to other compatible games. However, there are restrictions.
- Sword & Shield: Pokémon can be moved to and from Pokémon HOME, provided they are present in the Sword and Shield Pokedex or are transferable through updates.
- Pokémon GO: Pokémon can be transferred to Pokémon HOME, but they cannot be moved back into Pokémon GO. This is a one-way street.
- Let’s Go, Pikachu!/Eevee!: Similar to Pokémon GO, Pokémon can be transferred to Pokémon HOME, but not back to the Let’s Go games if they’ve been in Sword and Shield.
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Pokémon can be moved to and from Pokémon HOME, provided they are present in the Scarlet and Violet Pokedex or are transferable through updates.
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus: Pokémon can be moved to and from Pokémon HOME, provided they are present in the Legends: Arceus game.
Why This Matters
This unidirectional transfer system influences how you manage your Pokémon collection. It’s crucial to understand that once a Pokémon leaves Pokémon GO or Let’s Go, it can never return. If you have a particularly strong or rare Pokémon in Pokémon GO, consider carefully before sending it to Pokémon HOME, as you’ll be committing it to a different branch of the Pokémon ecosystem.
Practical Implications and Strategies
While you can’t directly trade from Sword to GO, here’s what you can do:
- Transfer from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME.
- Transfer from Pokémon HOME to Pokémon Sword. This allows you to bring Pokémon you caught in Pokémon GO into your Sword game, provided those Pokémon are present in the Sword and Shield Pokedex.
This allows you to use Pokémon you have in your Pokémon Go game in Pokemon Sword.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the transfer process and its limitations:
1. Can I move a Pokémon from Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee to Pokémon Sword and then back to Let’s Go?
No. Once a Pokémon from Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee! is moved into Sword or Shield, it cannot be returned to its original Let’s Go game. This is a one-way transfer.
2. Can I transfer Shiny Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Sword?
Yes, you can transfer Shiny Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME and then to Pokémon Sword, provided the Pokémon exists within the Sword and Shield Pokedex and that you have paid for the premium version of Pokémon HOME.
3. Are there any Pokémon that cannot be transferred from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Sword?
Yes. Certain Mythical Pokémon, like Mew and Celebi, can only be transferred if you have already obtained them in Sword or Shield. This rule is in place to prevent players from obtaining these rare Pokémon solely through Pokémon GO.
4. What is the GO Transporter Energy in Pokémon HOME?
The GO Transporter uses energy to move Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME. This energy replenishes over time, or you can replenish it instantly using PokeCoins. More powerful Pokémon, especially Legendary and Shiny Pokémon, require more energy to transfer.
5. Can Purified Pokémon be transferred to Pokémon Sword?
Yes, Purified Pokémon can be transferred from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME and then to Pokémon Sword, as long as they are compatible with the Sword and Shield Pokedex.
6. Can Shadow Pokémon be transferred to Pokémon Sword?
No, Shadow Pokémon cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME. They must be purified first in Pokémon GO before they can be transferred.
7. Why can’t I transfer my favorite Pokémon from Pokémon GO?
There could be several reasons: The Pokémon may not be transferable at all (e.g., Shadow Pokémon), you might not have enough GO Transporter Energy, or you might not have obtained that specific Legendary or Mythical Pokémon in Sword or Shield yet.
8. Is there a limit to how many Pokémon I can transfer from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME?
No, there is no explicit limit to the number of Pokémon you can transfer, but the storage capacity of your Pokémon HOME account will be the limiting factor. The free version has limited space, while the paid version offers significantly more.
9. Do Pokémon keep their moves when transferred from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Sword?
No, Pokémon do not retain their Pokémon GO movesets when transferred to Pokémon Sword. They will learn new moves based on their level and the Sword and Shield move pool.
10. What happens if I try to transfer a Pokémon that doesn’t exist in the Sword/Shield Pokedex?
You will not be able to transfer the Pokémon to Sword and Shield. Only Pokémon present in the Sword and Shield Pokedex, or those added through updates, are transferable.
11. Can Pokémon transferred from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Sword be used in competitive battles?
Yes, Pokémon transferred from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Sword can be used in competitive battles, provided they meet the rules and regulations of the specific competition format.
12. What are the benefits of transferring Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME?
- Consolidated Storage: A centralized location for your Pokémon collection.
- Compatibility with other Games: Potential to use Pokémon in other compatible Pokémon games.
- Trading: Trade Pokémon with other Pokémon HOME users.
13. Can Pokémon transferred from other games be used in Pokémon GO?
No, you cannot move Pokémon from Pokémon HOME back to Pokémon GO. The transfer is strictly one-way.
14. How do I get a Mew in Pokémon Sword if I only have it in Pokémon GO?
To transfer Mew from Pokemon GO to Pokémon Sword, you must first obtain a Mew in Pokémon Sword. This can be achieved via trading with another player or by other in-game methods (if available). Once you have a Mew in Sword, you can transfer your Pokémon GO Mew.
15. Are there other games that allow you to connect Pokemon for trading or storage?
You can transfer Pokémon between Pokémon HOME and Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, Pokémon Sword, Pokémon Shield, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!, and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!
Conclusion: Navigating the Pokémon Transfer System
While a direct trade from Pokémon Sword to Pokémon GO isn’t possible, understanding Pokémon HOME and its transfer mechanics unlocks opportunities to manage your Pokémon collection across different games. By knowing the limitations and possibilities, you can make informed decisions about where to keep and use your favorite Pokémon. Remember to consider the trade-offs before transferring, especially from Pokémon GO, as these transfers are permanent.
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