Can You Trade a Genesect? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is: it depends on the game. In Pokémon GO, Genesect is a Mythical Pokémon, and generally, Mythical Pokémon cannot be traded. However, in Pokémon HOME, you can trade Mythical Pokémon, including Genesect, but with significant limitations. Let’s dive into the specifics of trading this ancient, technologically enhanced Pokémon across different platforms and clear up any confusion.
Trading Genesect in Pokémon GO: A No-Go
Unfortunately, trading Genesect in Pokémon GO is typically not possible. This limitation stems from its classification as a Mythical Pokémon. Niantic, the developer of Pokémon GO, restricts the trading of Mythical Pokémon (with the notable exceptions of Meltan and Melmetal) to maintain their rarity and prevent exploitation. Imagine hordes of Mewtwo flooding the market – it would certainly diminish their special status.
This trading restriction includes all Genesect forms, regardless of the Drive it possesses (Burn Drive, Shock Drive, Chill Drive, and Douse Drive). So, if you’re hoping to exchange your shiny Genesect with a friend in Pokémon GO, you’re out of luck. The only real trading you can do is battling Genesect together in Raids and help each other get shinies.
Trading Genesect in Pokémon HOME: A Limited Yes
While Pokémon GO blocks direct trades of Genesect, Pokémon HOME offers a limited avenue for trading. Here’s the catch: you can only trade Genesect via Friend Trade.
- Friend Trade: This feature requires you to be physically near another player and registered as a Friend in Pokémon HOME. It’s a local trade option only.
- No GTS or Wonder Trade: Genesect cannot be uploaded to the Global Trade System (GTS) or used in Wonder Trade. This restriction prevents mass distribution and maintains the Pokémon’s value.
- Drive Reset: Be warned! When a Genesect is transferred into Pokemon HOME, it always reverts to having no Drive when they enter HOME.
Transferring Genesect to Other Games: Sword, Shield, Scarlet, and Violet
The ability to transfer Genesect from Pokémon HOME to other games like Pokémon Sword, Shield, Scarlet, and Violet depends on a few factors.
- Pokédex Registration: You must have already caught or registered Genesect in your target game’s Pokédex to be able to transfer it from HOME. This is a crucial requirement for many Legendary and Mythical Pokémon.
- Dynamax Adventures: If you’ve caught Genesect in a Dynamax Adventure in Pokémon Sword or Shield, you should be able to transfer it from HOME without issue.
- Game Compatibility: Naturally, ensure that the target game is compatible with Pokémon HOME and that Genesect is included in its roster. Not all Pokémon can be transferred to every game.
The Rationale Behind Trading Restrictions
Why all these restrictions? Here’s a breakdown of the primary reasons:
- Maintaining Rarity: Mythical Pokémon are designed to be rare and special. Allowing unrestricted trading would flood the market, diminishing their value and appeal.
- Preventing Exploitation: Without trading restrictions, malicious players could exploit glitches or hacks to generate large numbers of Mythical Pokémon and distribute them widely.
- Encouraging Active Participation: Niantic and other developers want players to actively engage with the game and participate in events to obtain rare Pokémon. Trading restrictions incentivize this behavior.
Shiny Genesect: An Extra Layer of Complexity
The existence of Shiny Genesect further complicates the trading landscape. While the base restrictions for trading Mythical Pokémon still apply, the higher rarity of shiny variants makes them even more coveted and harder to obtain through legitimate means.
- Raid Encounters: The primary method of obtaining Shiny Genesect in Pokémon GO is through raid encounters. Keep an eye out for special events that feature Genesect raids with increased shiny odds.
- No Guaranteed Shiny Trade: Even if trading were allowed, there’s no guarantee that a trade would result in a shiny Pokémon. Shiny status is determined independently for each player.
- Stardust Cost: Had Shiny Genesect been tradeable, trading it with someone who does not already own it would be extremely costly in Stardust.
FAQs About Trading Genesect
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to further clarify the intricacies of trading Genesect:
1. Can I trade Genesect in Pokémon GO if I’m Best Friends with someone?
No. Friendship level does not override the fundamental restriction that Mythical Pokémon (other than Meltan and Melmetal) cannot be traded in Pokémon GO.
2. How much Stardust would it cost to trade Genesect in Pokémon GO if it were possible?
Trading a Legendary or Shiny Pokémon that your friend doesn’t have can cost up to 1,000,000 Stardust. The trade cost decreases with higher friendship levels: 800,000 for Great Friends, 80,000 for Ultra Friends, and 40,000 for Best Friends. Thankfully, this is an unneeded calculation.
3. If I transfer a Genesect from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME, can I trade it on the GTS?
No. Mythical Pokémon, including Genesect, cannot be traded on the GTS in Pokémon HOME. Friend Trade is the only option.
4. What happens to the Drive on my Genesect when I transfer it to Pokémon HOME?
Unfortunately, the Drive is reset. All Genesect revert to having no Drive when they enter HOME.
5. Do I need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to trade Genesect in Pokémon HOME?
No, a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is not required to use the Friend Trade feature in Pokémon HOME.
6. Can I transfer a Shiny Genesect from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Sword or Shield if I haven’t caught Genesect in those games?
No. You must have caught or registered Genesect in the Pokédex of Pokémon Sword or Shield before you can transfer it from Pokémon HOME.
7. Are there any glitches or exploits that allow me to trade Genesect in Pokémon GO?
No. Attempting to use glitches or exploits to bypass trading restrictions could result in penalties or account suspension. It’s not worth the risk.
8. Will Niantic ever allow trading of Mythical Pokémon in Pokémon GO?
It’s possible, but unlikely in the near future. Niantic’s stance on Mythical Pokémon trading has been consistent, but they may revisit the issue in future updates.
9. How do I increase my chances of catching a Shiny Genesect in Pokémon GO raids?
Focus on landing Excellent Throws and using Curveballs to increase your catch rate. Also, participate in raids with other players to maximize your chances of success.
10. Is Genesect considered a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon?
Genesect is classified as a Mythical Pokémon.
11. Where can I learn more about the mechanics of Pokémon trading?
The official Pokémon websites and reputable Pokémon fan sites are excellent resources for learning more about trading mechanics and other aspects of the games. Additionally, consider exploring resources related to Games Learning Society and educational game design, as these often provide insight into the underlying systems and motivations behind game mechanics.
12. Can I transfer Genesect to Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee!?
No, Genesect cannot be transferred to Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee!.
13. What’s the difference between Friend Trade, GTS, and Wonder Trade in Pokémon HOME?
- Friend Trade: A local trade option that requires you to be physically near another player and registered as a Friend.
- GTS (Global Trade System): Allows you to list Pokémon you want to trade and request specific Pokémon in return.
- Wonder Trade: A blind trade where you exchange Pokémon with a random player worldwide.
14. Are traded Pokémon more likely to be Lucky Pokémon?
Trades have a chance to result in “Lucky” Pokémon, which require less Stardust to power up and have higher IVs. The longer a Pokémon has been in storage, the higher the chance it will become Lucky when traded.
15. Can I trade a Genesect if one trainer is using Niantic Kids and the other isn’t?
Trainers that log in using Niantic Kids or Pokémon Trainer Club may need to enable social features in the Niantic Kids Parent Portal or Pokémon Trainer Club website to participate in trading, if allowed by the game rules.
In conclusion, while trading Genesect presents challenges, understanding the limitations and possibilities across different platforms is crucial for Pokémon trainers. Keep exploring, keep battling, and maybe one day, the trading landscape for Mythical Pokémon will evolve! You can learn more about gaming and educational principles through resources like GamesLearningSociety.org.