Can You Transfer Pokémon to Another Player? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, the ability to transfer Pokémon to another player is a core mechanic in several Pokémon games, primarily facilitated through the trading system. However, the specific mechanics and limitations of this transfer process vary significantly depending on the particular game in the Pokémon franchise you’re playing. From the mobile sensation Pokémon GO to the mainline Nintendo Switch titles, understanding the nuances of trading is crucial for expanding your collection, completing your Pokédex, and even strategically building your battle teams.
Pokémon GO: Trading with Friends
Pokémon GO implements a trading system that emphasizes real-world interaction. Here’s how it works:
Initiating a Trade
- Navigate to the Trading Screen: In Map View, tap your Trainer Profile, then the Friends tab.
- Select a Friend: Tap on the Trainer that you wish to trade with. Note that you need to be within close physical proximity to the trainer.
- Enter the Trading Screen: Tap on the Trade button.
Trading Requirements and Restrictions
- Friendship Level: You must be at least Great Friends to trade. Higher friendship levels (Ultra Friend, Best Friend) unlock additional benefits, such as reduced Stardust costs and increased chances of Lucky Pokémon.
- Stardust Cost: Trading requires Stardust. The amount depends on your friendship level and the rarity of the Pokémon being traded. Special Pokémon, like Legendaries or Shinies, require significantly more Stardust.
- Distance Limitation: You need to be within a relatively short distance (approximately 100 meters) of the other player to initiate a trade.
- Trade Limits: You can only perform a limited number of Special Trades (Legendary, Shiny, or Pokémon not yet in your Pokédex) per day. Standard trades are also limited to a certain number per day.
Pokémon That Cannot Be Traded in Pokémon GO
- Mythical Pokémon: Pokémon like Mew, Celebi, and Deoxys cannot be traded.
- Shadow Pokémon: Shadow Pokémon cannot be traded.
- Pokémon That Have Already Been Traded: Once a Pokémon has been traded, it cannot be traded again. This is a one-way transaction.
- Pokémon Obtained Through Hacking: Any Pokémon obtained through illegitimate means is ineligible for trading.
Lucky Pokémon
Trading offers the chance for both Pokémon to become Lucky Pokémon. Lucky Pokémon require less Stardust to power up, making them valuable assets. The chance of a Pokémon becoming Lucky increases with the age of the Pokémon (the older the Pokémon, the higher the chance). Having a Lucky Friend also guarantees that the next trade will result in Lucky Pokémon.
Mainline Pokémon Games: Nintendo Switch and Beyond
In the mainline Pokémon games (like Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet), trading is typically facilitated through online connectivity and local wireless communication on the Nintendo Switch.
Trading Methods
- Link Trades: This method involves trading directly with another player. You set a Link Code, share it with your trading partner, and connect online to trade.
- Surprise Trades: In games like Sword and Shield, you can participate in Surprise Trades, where you trade a Pokémon blindly and receive a random Pokémon from another player somewhere in the world.
- Pokémon HOME: Pokémon HOME acts as a cloud-based storage service that allows you to transfer Pokémon between compatible games. You can move Pokémon from older games (via Pokémon Bank on the 3DS) to Pokémon HOME and then transfer them to newer Switch titles.
Restrictions and Considerations
- Nintendo Switch Online: A Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to trade with other players online.
- Pokémon HOME Limitations: Not all Pokémon can be transferred between all games. Compatibility depends on the specific game titles involved. Mythical Pokémon, for example, often have restrictions on where they can be transferred.
- Hacked Pokémon: Trading hacked or illegitimate Pokémon can lead to penalties, including account suspension.
FAQs: Transferring Pokémon
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of transferring Pokémon:
Can you trade a Pokémon traded to you to someone else?
No, Pokémon GO does not allow you to trade a Pokémon that has already been traded to you. Once a Pokémon has been traded once, it becomes permanently bound to the new owner. In main series games there is no restrictions to a Pokémon being traded multiple times.
Can you trade Pokémon with yourself?
In Pokémon GO, you can’t directly trade with yourself without using two separate accounts and two separate devices. In the mainline Nintendo Switch games, you can use Pokémon HOME to transfer Pokémon between different save files on the same console, effectively trading with yourself. In old Nintendo DS and 3DS titles, you can perform this task by using two systems at once.
Can two users on the same Switch account trade Pokémon?
No. Each user needs their own Nintendo Account and Nintendo Switch Online subscription to trade online. While multiple accounts can exist on the same Switch, only one account can claim the console as its primary console.
Can you give Pokémon away without trading?
No, Pokémon cannot be simply given away. The mechanics of the games require a trade, which involves an exchange of Pokémon.
Can you trade Pokémon back to the original owner?
Once a trade is completed, it is generally irreversible. In Pokémon GO, the Pokémon cannot be traded back at all. In mainline games, while technically possible to trade back, there’s no built-in mechanic to enforce this.
Can you trade Pokémon with strangers?
In Pokémon GO, you can only trade with players on your Friends List. In mainline games, you can trade with strangers using Link Codes or the Surprise Trade feature.
What Pokémon cannot be traded?
In Pokémon GO, Mythical Pokémon, Shadow Pokémon, and Pokémon that have already been traded cannot be traded. Additionally, Pokémon currently defending a Gym or those that are fainted cannot be traded.
Is Zarude a Mythical Pokémon?
Yes, Zarude is classified as a Mythical Pokémon.
Can I trade a Lucky Pokémon?
Yes, you can trade a Lucky Pokémon. However, keep in mind that once a Pokémon has been traded, it cannot be traded again in Pokémon GO.
Can you transfer Poké Balls to friends?
No, you cannot directly transfer Poké Balls to friends in Pokémon GO. However, you can send gifts, which may contain Poké Balls and other useful items.
Do you need Nintendo Online to trade Pokémon with friends?
Yes, a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to trade with other players online in the mainline Nintendo Switch games.
Can Mythical Pokémon be friend traded?
In Pokémon HOME, Mythical Pokémon can be traded with friends, provided they are transferable between the specific game titles involved.
Can my Boy trade Pokémon?
When using emulators like MyBoy, you can only trade Pokémon with yourself.
How do you get Lucky Pokémon?
Lucky Pokémon are obtained through trading with friends in Pokémon GO. The chance of receiving a Lucky Pokémon increases with your friendship level and the age of the Pokémon being traded.
Can you trade Pokémon from old games?
You can transfer Pokémon from older games to newer games using Pokémon HOME, provided the games are compatible. This allows you to bring Pokémon from Game Boy Advance titles (via Pokémon Bank) to modern Switch games.
What happens if you trade a perfect Pokémon?
In Pokémon GO, the IVs (Individual Values) of a Pokémon are rerolled when it is traded. This means that a perfect Pokémon will likely lose its perfect stats upon being traded. Therefore, it’s not recommended to trade perfect IV Pokémon in Pokémon GO.
The ability to transfer Pokémon to another player adds a social and strategic dimension to the Pokémon gaming experience. Understanding the rules and limitations of the trading system is essential for maximizing your enjoyment and success in the game. Whether you’re trading with friends in Pokémon GO or utilizing Pokémon HOME to transfer Pokémon between different game generations, trading is a core element of the Pokémon universe.
If you’re interested in learning more about the educational aspects of gaming, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.