Yes, You Can Transfer Meltan and Melmetal to Sword and Shield: A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is yes, you absolutely can transfer both Meltan and its evolution, Melmetal, into Pokemon Sword and Shield. But, like navigating a tricky Dynamax Adventure, the process has a few nuances. Let’s dive into the specifics of how to get these Mythical Pokémon into the Galar region.
Understanding the Transfer Process: Pokemon Home is Key
The core of transferring Meltan and Melmetal relies on Pokemon HOME, the cloud-based service for Pokemon storage and management. This service acts as the bridge between different Pokemon games, allowing you to move your beloved creatures across various platforms.
Here’s the general workflow:
- Capture Meltan in Pokemon GO: This is the starting point. Meltan appears in Pokemon GO by opening a Mystery Box, obtained by transferring a Pokemon from Pokemon GO to either Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee!.
- Evolve Meltan into Melmetal (Optional): This requires 400 Meltan Candies in Pokemon GO.
- Transfer Meltan/Melmetal to Pokemon HOME: Use the Pokemon HOME mobile app to transfer your Meltan or Melmetal from Pokemon GO to your Pokemon HOME account.
- Access Pokemon HOME on Nintendo Switch: Use the Nintendo Switch version of Pokemon HOME to connect to the same account used in the mobile app.
- Transfer to Sword and Shield: From Pokemon HOME on the Switch, you can move your Meltan or Melmetal into your Pokemon Sword or Pokemon Shield game.
Important Considerations:
- One-Way Trip: Once transferred to Sword and Shield, Meltan and Melmetal cannot be transferred back to Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee!
- Pokemon HOME Account: Make sure you’re using the same Nintendo Account across both the mobile and Switch versions of Pokemon HOME.
- Pokemon GO Link: Ensure your Pokemon GO account is linked to your Nintendo Account for the Pokemon HOME transfer to work.
- G-Max Melmetal: A special Gigantamax Melmetal was distributed as a Mystery Gift in Pokemon HOME. This is the only way to obtain a Melmetal with the Gigantamax Factor. Standard Melmetal evolved in Pokemon GO cannot be given the Gigantamax Factor using Max Soup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Transferring Meltan
H3 FAQ 1: Can I transfer other Mythical Pokémon to Sword and Shield?
Yes! Aside from Meltan and Melmetal, other Mythical Pokemon can be transferred via Pokemon HOME. These include Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, and some others that were previously unavailable in Sword and Shield.
H3 FAQ 2: Is there a limit to how many times I can transfer Meltan?
There’s no explicit limit to the number of Meltan you can transfer, as long as you have them in Pokemon GO and have available space in your Pokemon HOME boxes and Sword/Shield boxes. Getting Meltan Candies, however, will limit the amount of Melmetal you can have.
H3 FAQ 3: How do I get a Mystery Box in Pokemon GO?
The Mystery Box is obtained by transferring a Pokemon from Pokemon GO to either Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! on the Nintendo Switch. It closes after use, requiring you to repeat the transfer process after a cooldown period to reopen it. You can also get it by connecting your Pokemon Go account to Pokemon HOME and transferring a Pokemon to Pokemon HOME.
H3 FAQ 4: Can a transferred Meltan/Melmetal be used in online battles in Sword and Shield?
Yes, once transferred to Sword and Shield, Meltan and Melmetal can be used in online battles and raids, provided they meet the game’s competitive regulations.
H3 FAQ 5: What if I don’t have Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! or Let’s Go, Eevee!? Can I still get Meltan?
Yes! You can now get a Mystery Box by connecting your Pokemon GO account to Pokemon HOME and transferring a Pokemon. This allows you to get the Mystery Box without needing the Let’s Go games.
H3 FAQ 6: Is Shiny Meltan available?
Shiny Meltan is available for capture within Pokemon GO, but only during special in-game events. Keep an eye out for announcements about these events. These events give you the chance to get the shiny version of the mythical Pokemon.
H3 FAQ 7: How do I quickly get 400 Meltan Candies?
The fastest way to get 400 Meltan Candies is to use Pinap Berries when catching Meltan from the Mystery Box. Trading Meltan with friends also grants you more candies. You can also use Rare Candies, but these are generally more valuable to use for other Pokemon. 20 Meltan with pinapps = 120 candy plus another 19 for handing all but one back to the professor; three boxes and you’ve got 400 candy.
H3 FAQ 8: Can Melmetal breed in Sword and Shield?
No, Melmetal cannot breed with any Pokemon, including Ditto, in Sword and Shield. Mythical Pokemon are typically unable to breed in the main series Pokemon games.
H3 FAQ 9: Can I give Max Soup to my Melmetal to make it Gigantamax?
No, only the specific G-Max Melmetal distributed as a Mystery Gift in Pokemon HOME can Gigantamax. Other Melmetal cannot be given the Gigantamax Factor using Max Soup.
H3 FAQ 10: Once a Meltan has been to Sword or Shield, can it go back to Let’s Go Pikachu or Eevee?
No. The only way for a Meltan or Melmetal to go to LGEP is for it to have originally gone from GO to LGEP. Once it’s been in LGEP, it can transfer to and from HOME as long as it doesn’t go to SwSh. If it bypassed LGEP to reach HOME, it can’t go to LGEP.
H3 FAQ 11: How rare is a perfect IV Meltan in Pokemon GO?
The odds of catching a perfect IV (15/15/15) Meltan from the wild in Pokemon GO are 1/4096. These odds improve in research encounters, raids, and eggs.
H3 FAQ 12: What other Legendary Pokemon can be transferred to Sword and Shield?
Many legendary Pokemon can be transferred to Pokemon Sword and Shield even though they were not part of the Pokemon Sword and Shield Galar Pokedex including:
- Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur.
- Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise.
- Mewtwo.
- Mew.
- Celebi.
- Jirachi.
- Cobalion.
- Virizion.
H3 FAQ 13: What Pokemon cannot be transferred to Pokemon Home?
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 not able to be selected for transfer directly from Pokemon Go. You need to transfer these through a main series Pokemon game first.
H3 FAQ 14: Can all Pokemon be transferred to Sword and Shield using Pokemon Home?
No, not all Pokemon can be transferred to Sword and Shield. Only Pokemon that are present in the Sword and Shield’s game data can be brought over. Check a comprehensive list of compatible Pokemon to be sure.
H3 FAQ 15: How do I get the free Melmetal in Pokemon Home?
The first time you transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME, you’ll receive the Mythical Pokémon Melmetal as a Mystery Gift in Pokémon HOME. It will be available in the mystery gift section.
Conclusion
Transferring Meltan and Melmetal to Pokemon Sword and Shield is a rewarding process that adds these unique Mythical Pokémon to your Galar team. By understanding the steps and nuances of Pokemon HOME, you can successfully bring these Steel-types into a new adventure. Remember that these transfers are one-way trips out of the Let’s Go games. Be sure to consult resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights into the world of gaming and the educational value it provides.