How do you get trade evolutions in soul silver?

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Mastering Trade Evolutions in Pokémon SoulSilver

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Trade evolutions are a classic, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding part of the Pokémon experience. In Pokémon SoulSilver, certain Pokémon can only reach their final forms by being traded to another player. This requires a friend (or a very trusting stranger!) and can be a bit of a process. The core mechanic is simple: you trade a specific Pokémon, and upon arriving in the other player’s game, it evolves.

How do you get trade evolutions in Soul Silver? The straightforward answer is that you need to trade the specific Pokémon that is able to evolve through trade with another player. However, there are a couple of caveats and nuances to be aware of in SoulSilver, particularly if the Pokémon needs to hold a specific item during the trade to trigger the evolution.

Understanding Trade Evolutions

Trade evolutions are Pokémon that only evolve when traded between players. This is a unique evolution method that has been present in the Pokémon series since its inception. It encourages interaction between players and adds a social element to the game.

Pokémon That Evolve Through Trade in SoulSilver

In SoulSilver, the primary Pokémon that evolve through trade are:

  • Haunter evolves into Gengar
  • Kadabra evolves into Alakazam
  • Machoke evolves into Machamp
  • Graveler evolves into Golem

Additionally, some Pokémon need to hold a specific item during the trade to evolve:

  • Onix holding a Metal Coat evolves into Steelix
  • Scyther holding a Metal Coat evolves into Scizor
  • Porygon holding an Up-Grade evolves into Porygon2
  • Porygon2 holding a Dubious Disc evolves into Porygon-Z
  • Slowpoke holding a King’s Rock evolves into Slowking
  • Poliwhirl holding a King’s Rock evolves into Politoed

The Trading Process

The trading process itself is fairly simple, but it requires another Nintendo DS or DS Lite system and a copy of a Gen 4 Pokémon game (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold or SoulSilver) to trade with.

  1. Prepare your Pokémon: Make sure you have the Pokémon you want to evolve in your party. If it needs an item, equip it with the necessary item by selecting “Hold Item” in the party menu.
  2. Connect with another player: You’ll need to connect with another player locally using the DS Wireless Communication. Go to any Pokémon Center in the game and head to the second floor. Speak to the lady in the middle of the room to enter the Trade Center. Both players must do this.
  3. Initiate the trade: Once inside the Trade Center, you’ll see the other player. Speak to them and select “Trade.”
  4. Choose your Pokémon: Select the Pokémon you want to trade. The other player will then select the Pokémon they want to offer in return.
  5. Confirm the trade: Review the trade details to make sure you’re happy with the exchange. Once both players confirm, the trade will occur.
  6. Witness the evolution: If the Pokémon evolves upon arrival in the other player’s game, you’ll see the evolution sequence.
  7. Trade back (Optional): If you want your evolved Pokémon back, you’ll need to trade again.

Important Considerations

  • Trust: Since you’re trading your Pokémon away, you need to trust the other player to trade it back to you (if that’s your intention). Trade with friends or someone from a reputable online Pokémon community to minimize the risk of getting scammed.
  • Communication: Clear communication with the other player is essential. Agree on the terms of the trade beforehand to avoid misunderstandings.
  • Item Trading: Some items cannot be traded in Pokémon SoulSilver. Be sure to check if the required item for the trade evolution is tradeable.
  • GTS Exploit (Removed): An old glitch, once talked about online, involving the GTS (Global Trade Station) to trick the game into initiating a trade evolution without a real trade is not reliable and may corrupt your save data.

FAQs About Trade Evolutions in SoulSilver

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about trade evolutions in Pokémon SoulSilver to further clarify the process:

  1. Can I evolve Haunter into Gengar without trading in SoulSilver? No, you cannot evolve Haunter into Gengar without trading in SoulSilver. This is the classic method of getting a Gengar in these games.

  2. What item does Scyther need to hold to evolve into Scizor? Scyther needs to hold a Metal Coat to evolve into Scizor when traded.

  3. Where can I find a Metal Coat in SoulSilver? You can find Metal Coat on Route 37, Route 9, and held by wild Magnemite and Steelix in certain locations.

  4. Can I use the GTS (Global Trade Station) to evolve my Pokémon without a friend? The GTS used to have a glitch that some players abused, however, this glitch is highly unreliabe and could mess up your system.

  5. Is there any way to get Alakazam, Machamp, Golem or Gengar without trading in SoulSilver? No, there is no legitimate way to obtain Alakazam, Machamp, Golem, or Gengar without trading in SoulSilver. You would need to either trade with another person or find a rom hack that removes the need for trades.

  6. What level does Kadabra evolve into Alakazam through trading? Kadabra evolves into Alakazam immediately upon being traded, regardless of its level.

  7. What happens if I trade a Pokémon that is holding an item, and it doesn’t evolve? Does the other player get the item? Yes, the item will be traded along with the Pokémon to the other player.

  8. Do both players need to have the same version of the game (SoulSilver) to trade? No, players can trade between SoulSilver and HeartGold.

  9. Can I trade with someone who has Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, or Platinum? Yes, you can trade between Pokémon SoulSilver/HeartGold and Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum.

  10. Is it possible to trade with someone online in SoulSilver? No, the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, which enabled online trading in SoulSilver, has been discontinued. You can only trade locally.

  11. If a Pokémon evolves through trade while holding an item, does it learn any special moves? No, evolving through trade while holding an item does not inherently grant any special moves that it wouldn’t otherwise learn.

  12. Can I breed a Gengar, Alakazam, Machamp, or Golem? Yes, you can breed these Pokémon once you obtain them through trade.

  13. Can the Pokémon I receive in a trade have a different language tag than my game? Yes, Pokémon received in trades can have different language tags, which can be useful for breeding Pokémon with better stats.

  14. Are there any Pokémon that evolve by trade and level up at the same time? No, Pokémon in SoulSilver evolve immediately upon arrival in the other player’s game if the trade conditions are met. No leveling up needs to happen during the trade.

  15. Where can I find people to trade with for Pokémon SoulSilver? Online forums, GamesLearningSociety.org, and local game communities are great places to find people to trade with. Check Reddit communities dedicated to Pokémon or local gaming groups to find potential trading partners.

Conclusion

Trade evolutions in Pokémon SoulSilver add a unique and challenging aspect to completing your Pokédex. While it requires coordination and trust with another player, the reward of obtaining powerful Pokémon like Gengar, Alakazam, Machamp, and Steelix is well worth the effort. Remember to communicate clearly, trade responsibly, and enjoy the social element that trade evolutions bring to the Pokémon experience. The journey to becoming a Pokémon Master is often best shared with others.

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