What are Considered Hacked Pokémon?

Hacked Pokémon are those that have been introduced into a Pokémon game through unofficial, third-party software or methods, often involving modified gaming consoles. These Pokémon deviate from the standard parameters established by the game developers, and are therefore considered illegitimate. They are distinct from legitimate Pokémon, which are obtained through normal gameplay such as catching, breeding, or receiving as gifts within the game’s intended mechanics. Understanding the nuances of hacked Pokémon, their characteristics, and the implications of using them is essential for all Pokémon players, especially those engaging in online interactions.

What Defines a Hacked Pokémon?

The core characteristic of a hacked Pokémon is its creation or alteration through methods outside the intended game mechanics. This alteration can manifest in various ways:

• Impossible Stats: A Pokémon might possess impossible combinations of stats, such as exceptionally high Individual Values (IVs) or Effort Values (EVs) beyond the game’s limitations.
• Illegal Abilities: A hacked Pokémon may have an ability that is not normally available for that species, such as a hidden ability that is not released yet or an ability the Pokémon cannot naturally possess.
• Invalid Movesets: Pokémon can be hacked to know moves that they are not capable of learning through leveling up, Technical Machines (TMs), breeding, or any other official method.
• Invalid Locations or Encounter Data: A hacked Pokémon might have an encounter location that is impossible, such as a Legendary Pokémon caught in a starting area.
• Shiny Status Discrepancies: While shiny Pokémon are legitimate if obtained through the correct channels, some Pokémon are shiny-locked, meaning they are coded in the game to not appear as shiny under normal circumstances. A shiny version of such a Pokémon is a strong indicator that it is hacked.
• Unusual Items or Balls: Some hacked Pokémon may be holding items or be caught in Pokéballs that are not allowed in the game. This could include items not found or released yet or special event-only items.

In essence, a hacked Pokémon is anything that has been manipulated beyond the possibilities within the designed game environment.

Hacked vs. Other Non-Legitimate Pokémon

It’s crucial to understand the difference between hacked Pokémon and other forms of non-legitimate Pokémon, such as genned and cloned Pokémon:

• Genned Pokémon: These are created using third-party tools but adhere to all legal parameters. They have legitimate stats, abilities, moves, etc. If a genned Pokemon looks completely legitimate, and it falls within all parameters, it is legal and accepted by the game.
• Cloned Pokémon: These are copies of legitimate Pokémon, created usually by exploiting the game code using glitches or third party tools. They are legit in the sense that they are duplicates of a valid Pokémon.
• Legal Pokémon: This term often causes confusion. The term legal refers to a Pokémon that, while obtained through cheating or external tools, appears legitimate to the game, adhering to all game-defined rules. A legal Pokémon can be cheated, while a legit Pokémon is obtained using only legitimate and allowed methods.
• Illegal Pokémon: These are Pokémon with characteristics or circumstances that are simply impossible within the game’s rules, such as those mentioned above in the definition of a hacked Pokémon. Therefore, all illegal Pokémon are also considered illegitimate.

A hacked Pokémon, therefore, is an illegal Pokémon. All hacked pokemon are illegitimate, whereas cloned Pokémon are not. Genned Pokémon are legal, while also illegitimate. A hacked pokemon has aspects that are directly illegal, making it illegitimate.

The Risks of Using Hacked Pokémon

Using hacked Pokémon comes with several risks:

• Online Bans: The most significant risk is being banned from online features. This ban can affect all Pokémon games on a console and even the associated Pokémon HOME account, thus restricting online trading, battles, and other online interactions.
• Corrupted Save Files: Although less common, severely glitched or altered Pokémon could potentially corrupt a game’s save file in some instances, although this is considered rare.
• Reputational Risk: Using hacked Pokémon in online competitions is frowned upon and may lead to a negative reputation within the community, leading to ostracization and distrust among other players.
• Ethical Concerns: Many players and the Pokémon community consider using hacked Pokémon as an unfair advantage, which can detract from the fun and integrity of the game.

Identifying Hacked Pokémon

Identifying hacked Pokémon can be challenging, particularly if the hacked Pokémon has been well-generated to adhere to the game’s rules. Some of the things you can do to identify one are:

• Shiny Status: If a Pokémon is shiny but is shiny-locked (meaning it can’t legitimately be shiny), it’s very likely hacked.
• Stats and IVs: A Pokémon with six perfect IVs (or a perfect 0 IV in certain stats) and a shiny status is suspect. While possible to obtain through legitimate methods, it raises suspicion since it is statistically rare.
• Unusual Moves: A move a pokemon cannot learn through typical means, such as breeding, TMs, level up etc., raises a red flag.
• Encounter Location: An impossible location for the pokemon, such as a legendary pokemon found in an early game route, points to illegitimate manipulation.
• Event Checks: If the Pokémon is supposed to be an event Pokémon, make sure the original trainer (OT) ID (TID) matches a known event Pokémon. If you can not find that event Pokémon on the EventDex, there’s a very high chance it’s hacked.
• Hacking Tools: There are third-party tools that can check the legitimacy of the Pokemon. However, using them may have legal implications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can a hacked Pokémon affect my game?

Generally, hacked Pokémon won’t physically damage your game or console. However, they can potentially cause issues with the game’s save file if the Pokémon is extremely glitched or corrupt.

2. Is it okay to use hacked Pokémon offline?

Yes, it’s usually safe to use hacked Pokémon offline as long as you don’t connect online. However, bear in mind some hacked pokemon may corrupt save files, or have game-breaking glitches. Using them offline can also cause save file corruption, though this is rare.

3. What is the punishment for using hacked Pokémon?

The penalties for using hacked Pokémon online include restrictions from online play across all Pokémon titles, limitations on trading in Pokémon HOME, or a complete suspension from Pokémon HOME.

4. How can you tell if a Pokémon is genned?

Genned Pokémon are difficult to distinguish from legit Pokémon unless you’re able to analyze the data on a deeper level with third-party software. However, if the Pokémon has a rare combination such as shiny and flawless IVs or a specific 0 IV stat, it is highly suspicious of being genned.

5. Is it illegal to sell hacked Pokémon?

Yes, selling hacked Pokémon is considered illegal, and The Pokémon Company has been cracking down on such activities, sometimes banning accounts found to be trading and selling them.

6. Can I get banned for having a hacked Pokémon?

There is a risk, but Nintendo typically focuses on those who create or distribute hacked Pokémon and those who use them in online battles, rather than those who have simply received them. However, possession can still lead to repercussions if found out.

7. Can hacked Pokémon pass down illegal traits through breeding?

No. Offspring of hacked Pokémon are legal if they don’t inherit illegal traits, such as a hidden ability the parent didn’t have, or a ball that is not allowed for that species. Parent data is not stored by the game in Pokemon.

8. What happens if I breed with a hacked Ditto?

The offspring of a hacked Ditto won’t inherit illegal characteristics as long as they are otherwise legal (for example, the offspring has a normal ball for the species), meaning they are treated as regular Pokémon. The offspring are generated according to normal in-game procedures.

9. What is the difference between a hacked and a cloned Pokémon?

A hacked Pokémon is created or altered through external software. A cloned Pokémon is a copy of a legitimate Pokémon. It is still considered a legit Pokémon by the game, even if it is cloned.

10. Can you tell if a Pokemon is bred with a hacked Pokémon?

No, the game does not store parent data. As long as the offspring is obtained through normal game mechanics and the resulting Pokémon does not possess any illegal characteristics, it is indistinguishable from any other legitimately bred Pokemon.

11. Should I get rid of hacked Pokémon?

It’s advisable to release hacked Pokémon or keep them in a box for collection purposes only. Do not use them in online activities to avoid getting banned.

12. What are the signs of a hacked Pokémon?

Signs include impossible movesets, abilities, or locations, shiny status when the Pokémon is shiny-locked, and unusual stats or items.

13. What’s the difference between a “legal” and a “legit” Pokémon?

A legal Pokémon is one that appears legitimate to the game’s software, even if it was obtained through cheating. A legit Pokémon is obtained through the game’s allowed mechanics (e.g. catching, breeding, gifts) and has never been manipulated by third-party tools.

14. Can you tell if a Pokémon is hacked at home?

Check the EventDex. If it isn’t there, it’s a strong sign of being hacked. Check the OT and TID, if they don’t match known sources, it’s most likely hacked.

15. Is it illegal to sell fan art Pokémon?

Selling fan art based on Pokémon IP can be a violation of copyright law and requires appropriate licensing from The Pokémon Company.