Can You Trade Mythical Pokémon? Unveiling the Secrets of Pokémon Trading Restrictions
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The short answer is a resounding no, you generally cannot trade Mythical Pokémon in Pokémon GO or via the Global Trade System (GTS) in core series games. Mythical Pokémon, those elusive and extraordinarily rare creatures often distributed through special events, are deliberately restricted from trading to preserve their scarcity and maintain the integrity of the Pokémon experience. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this rule, explore the exceptions, and understand why these restrictions exist.
Why the Trade Ban? The Rationale Behind Mythical Pokémon Restrictions
The ban on trading Mythical Pokémon isn’t arbitrary. It’s a calculated move by Niantic and Game Freak to uphold the inherent value and rarity of these creatures. Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons:
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Preserving Scarcity: Mythical Pokémon are designed to be exceptionally rare. Allowing open trading would flood the market, diminishing their unique status and making them easily obtainable by anyone, regardless of participation in distribution events.
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Encouraging Event Participation: Mythical Pokémon are typically distributed through special events, either in-person or through online promotions. By restricting trading, developers incentivize players to actively participate in these events and engage with the Pokémon community.
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Preventing Exploitation: Without trade restrictions, unscrupulous players could potentially duplicate or hack Mythical Pokémon, then trade them for profit or other in-game advantages, undermining the game’s economy and fairness.
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Maintaining Game Balance: Mythical Pokémon often possess powerful stats and abilities. Widespread trading could disrupt the game’s balance, giving an unfair advantage to players who acquire them easily.
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Reinforcing the Mythical Narrative: The “Mythical” designation implies a sense of legend and inaccessibility. Making them easily tradable would contradict this narrative, weakening their mystique and allure.
Pokémon GO: A Case Study in Trading Restrictions
Pokémon GO provides a clear example of these restrictions in action. While trading is a core mechanic, allowing players to exchange Pokémon with friends, Mythical Pokémon are entirely off-limits. This means you cannot trade Mythical Pokémon like Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Deoxys, or Darkrai, regardless of your friendship level or stardust cost.
Furthermore, Shadow Pokémon are also non-tradable in Pokémon GO. Niantic implemented this restriction to prevent players from circumventing the purification process and trading potentially powerful Shadow Pokémon with others.
Exploring the Exceptions: Are There Any Workarounds?
While the general rule prohibits trading Mythical Pokémon, there are a few nuanced exceptions to consider:
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Pokémon HOME Transfers: While you cannot trade Mythical Pokémon directly to another player, you can often transfer them to Pokémon HOME, a cloud-based storage service. From there, you may be able to transfer them to compatible core series games, provided you meet certain conditions (like having registered the Pokémon in your Pokédex).
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Guzzlord: The Ultra Beast Guzzlord is sometimes available for trade. It is not mythical but its ultra beast status is often confused as mythical.
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Trading for Services: Although directly trading a mythical Pokemon is not allowed, you can sometimes find individuals or services willing to trade other Pokemon in exchange for assistance or specific tasks.
Mythical Pokémon: A Definitive List of Non-Tradable Creatures
To provide clarity, here’s a list of commonly known Mythical Pokémon that are generally non-tradable in Pokémon GO and through the GTS in core series games:
- Mew
- Celebi
- Jirachi
- Deoxys (all forms)
- Darkrai
- Shaymin (both forms)
- Arceus
- Victini
- Keldeo (both forms)
- Meloetta (both forms)
- Genesect (all drives)
- Diancie
- Hoopa (both forms)
- Volcanion
- Magearna
- Marshadow
- Zeraora
- Zarude
- Meltan
- Melmetal
This list isn’t exhaustive, as new Mythical Pokémon are introduced periodically. However, it provides a solid foundation for understanding which creatures are subject to trading restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Trading Mythical Pokémon
Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to trading Mythical Pokémon, providing further insights into this complex topic:
1. Why can’t I trade my Mew in Pokémon GO?
Mew is a Mythical Pokémon, and Mythical Pokémon are explicitly excluded from trading in Pokémon GO to preserve their rarity and encourage participation in special events.
2. Can I trade a Mythical Pokémon through Pokémon HOME?
While you can transfer Mythical Pokémon to Pokémon HOME, you cannot directly trade them with other players through the service. You may be able to transfer them from HOME to compatible core series games if you have met the specific criteria in that game.
3. Can I trade a Shiny Mythical Pokémon?
No. The Shiny status of a Mythical Pokémon does not override the trade restrictions. Mythical Pokémon, regardless of whether they are Shiny or not, are generally non-tradable.
4. Are there any exceptions to the Mythical Pokémon trading rule?
Technically, there are no direct exceptions to the rule itself within the standard trading mechanics of the games. You can’t trade them using in-game mechanics between players.
5. Why does the GTS allow me to request a Mythical Pokémon if I can’t trade one?
The GTS’s allowance of requesting Mythical Pokémon is a design oversight. While you can request one, the system will prevent the trade from actually occurring if a Mythical Pokémon is involved.
6. Can I trade a Mythical Pokémon to a friend in person using local wireless?
No. The trade restrictions apply regardless of whether you are trading online or locally. Mythical Pokémon are simply off-limits for trading with other players.
7. Can I trade a Mythical Pokémon that I caught in a Dynamax Adventure?
No. Catching a Mythical Pokémon in a Dynamax Adventure (or any other in-game method) does not circumvent the trade restrictions.
8. If I purify a Shadow Mythical Pokémon, can I trade it then?
Since Shadow Mythical Pokemon are not typically available, this is difficult to answer. If Niantic ever releases the possibility of having a Shadow Mythical pokemon, purification would not make it tradable. Mythical Pokémon are simply not available for trade. Shadow Pokémon are not available for trade as well.
9. Does friendship level in Pokémon GO affect my ability to trade Mythical Pokémon?
No. Even with Best Friend status, you cannot trade Mythical Pokémon in Pokémon GO. The restriction is absolute, regardless of friendship level.
10. Can I trade a Mythical Pokémon if I trade my entire Pokémon GO account?
Trading Pokémon GO accounts is against Niantic’s Terms of Service and is not recommended. Even if you were to do so, the Mythical Pokémon would remain locked to that account and untradeable via official means.
11. Can I trade a Mythical Pokémon in older Pokémon games, like Ruby and Sapphire?
In older Pokémon games that feature the GTS, the same restrictions generally apply to Mythical Pokémon. They are typically flagged as untradeable.
12. Why does Niantic/Game Freak make these restrictions?
As discussed earlier, the restrictions are in place to preserve the rarity of Mythical Pokémon, encourage event participation, prevent exploitation, maintain game balance, and reinforce the “mythical” narrative.
13. Will these trading restrictions ever be lifted?
It’s highly unlikely that these restrictions will be lifted entirely. Niantic and Game Freak have consistently upheld them to protect the integrity of the Pokémon experience. There may be limited-time, specific circumstances in the future where certain Mythical Pokémon might be temporarily tradeable, but this is purely speculative.
14. What’s the best way to obtain a Mythical Pokémon if I missed the original event?
The best way to obtain a Mythical Pokémon if you missed the original event is to wait for a re-distribution or a new event featuring that Pokémon. Keep an eye on official Pokémon news channels and community forums for announcements.
15. Where can I learn more about the design and educational aspects of Pokemon?
To delve deeper into the game design and educational potential of games like Pokémon, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. This organization investigates how games can contribute to learning and development, offering valuable insights into the broader impact of gaming on society.
Conclusion: Embracing the Rarity of Mythical Pokémon
While the inability to trade Mythical Pokémon can be frustrating, it’s important to recognize the rationale behind these restrictions. By preserving the scarcity and unique status of these creatures, Niantic and Game Freak maintain the allure of Mythical Pokémon, encouraging players to engage with events and experience the thrill of encountering these legendary beings. So, instead of seeking workarounds, embrace the challenge of obtaining these elusive creatures through legitimate means and cherish the accomplishment of adding them to your collection.