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Which Pokémon Cannot Be Transferred to Pokémon HOME?

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So, you’re trying to get your favorite Pokémon into Pokémon HOME, the cloud-based storage system for all things pocket monster, and you’ve hit a snag? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Transferring Pokémon between games and devices can be a surprisingly complex process with several restrictions. Let’s cut to the chase and lay out which Pokémon simply cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME.

The list of Pokémon that cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME depends on the source game. Pokémon GO, the Nintendo Switch titles (Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Legends: Arceus, Scarlet, and Violet), and even previous generations via the Pokémon Bank all have their own sets of limitations. These limitations stem from various factors including event exclusives, game mechanics, and version compatibility. While many creatures can make the journey, specific circumstances and Pokémon remain grounded.

Pokémon GO Restrictions

Pokémon GO, while generous with its capture mechanics, has quite a few restrictions on what can be sent over to Pokémon HOME. These are primarily in place to preserve the integrity of the core games. You’ll quickly discover there are certain types of Pokémon that refuse to board the transporter.

Spinda: This spotty Pokémon is notoriously difficult to collect every variation. Currently, Spinda cannot be sent to Pokémon HOME.
Favorited Pokémon: Pokémon that you have marked as favorites within Pokémon GO are locked in place. Unfavorite them first!
Buddy Pokémon: Your current Buddy Pokémon can’t leave your side (at least, not to go to HOME). Swap them out first.
Pokémon Defending Gyms: Loyal to the end, Pokémon stationed at Gyms can’t be transferred until they’re recalled.
Costumed Pokémon: Those adorable costumed Pikachu, holiday Raichu, and party hat starters? Sadly, they’re generally stuck in Pokémon GO. These are tied to specific events and game mechanics within Pokémon GO itself. There are exceptions however. Some costumed Pokémon can be sent to Pokémon HOME during specific transfer events.
Shadow Pokémon: Purify them first! Shadow Pokémon carry special data from Team GO Rocket encounters and must be purified before they can leave Pokémon GO.
Mega-Evolved Pokémon: Mega Evolution is a temporary state in Pokémon GO. Revert your Pokémon before transferring.
Mythical Pokémon: Some Mythical Pokémon, like Mew, Celebi, Deoxys, Jirachi, Victini, Keldeo, Meloetta, and Genesect, require that you have already caught one in the game, or have it registered in your Pokedex, before they can be transferred to Pokémon HOME.
Specific Transfer Limitations: You cannot transfer multiple Shiny Pokémon, Lucky Pokémon, or Buddy Pokémon with whom you’ve reached Good Buddy status or above at a time.

Nintendo Switch Game Restrictions

The restrictions on transferring Pokémon from Pokémon HOME to the Nintendo Switch games are a different beast altogether. These limitations are primarily based on game compatibility and which Pokémon are programmed into each game.

Missing Pokémon in the Target Game: This is the biggest hurdle. If a Pokémon species isn’t coded into the game you’re trying to transfer to (e.g., Scarlet and Violet, Sword and Shield, Legends: Arceus), it simply cannot be moved over, even if it’s sitting pretty in your Pokémon HOME boxes. This has led to quite a few Pokémon being temporarily “stuck” in HOME until future game updates.
- Scarlet and Violet Example: Pokémon like Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, and many others were initially unavailable in Scarlet and Violet, preventing their transfer. However, updates and DLC have added many of these back in. Always check current game compatibility lists!
Pokémon Not Supported in Sword and Shield: Darkrai, Deoxys, Manaphy, Shaymin, and Arceus were not supported in the Crowned Tundra release of Pokémon Sword and Shield, preventing their transfer.
Form Differences: Certain Pokémon with multiple forms, like Pirouette Meloetta and Zen Mode Darmanitan, might revert to their base forms when transferred to Pokémon HOME due to compatibility issues.
Gigantamax Forms in Legends: Arceus and BDSP: Gigantamax Pikachu, Eevee, and Meowth cannot be moved to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Similarly, Gigantamax Pikachu, Eevee, and Meowth can’t be moved over to Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

Pokémon Bank Restrictions (Legacy)

While Pokémon Bank is a legacy system from the 3DS era, it’s still relevant for some players looking to consolidate their collections. Remember, Pokémon Bank is required as an intermediary step for transferring Pokémon from older generations (like Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Black, White, Black 2, and White 2) to Pokémon HOME.

Hacked Pokémon: If Pokémon Bank detects a hacked Pokémon, it will likely prevent the transfer or even delete the Pokémon to preserve the game’s integrity.
Pokémon Not Supported in Pokémon Bank: Some very specific event Pokémon might not be recognized by Pokémon Bank, preventing them from being moved forward.

Factors Influencing Transfer Restrictions

Here are the main reasons why transfer restrictions exist:

Game Balance: Developers carefully curate which Pokémon are available in each game to maintain game balance and a sense of progression.
Story Integration: Certain Pokémon are tied to specific plot points in certain games.
Event Exclusivity: Limited-time event Pokémon and their unique forms (like costumed Pokémon) are often intentionally restricted to maintain their rarity and value.
Technical Limitations: Older games and systems may not have the necessary data structures to fully support newer Pokémon or features.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions that should clear up any confusion.

1. Can I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon GO directly to Scarlet and Violet?

No. You must first transfer them from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME, and then, if the Pokémon is supported in Scarlet and Violet, you can transfer it to those games. Additionally, the one of the biggest limitations is that you cannot move Pokémon from Go to Scarlet and Violet if you do not have them in Scarlet and Violet already.

2. Why can’t I transfer my shiny Pokémon from Pokémon GO?

You can, but you can’t transfer multiple Shiny Pokémon, Lucky Pokémon, or Buddy Pokémon with whom you’ve reached Good Buddy status or above at a time. Try transferring them individually.

3. What happens if my Pokémon HOME subscription expires?

Fret not. If your home subscription lapses, your Pokémon will remain unharmed. You’ll just lose custody of a number of them. Non-premium Pokémon Home subscribers are only allowed to access a single box of 30 Pokémon.

4. Can I transfer Pokémon from Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl to Legends: Arceus?

No, you can only transfer Pokémon from Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl to Pokémon HOME, and then from Pokémon HOME to Legends: Arceus (if the Pokémon is supported in Legends: Arceus).

5. What happens if I try to transfer a hacked Pokémon to Pokémon HOME?

Triggering the hack check because of the mess of a pokemon you made generally won’t earn you a ban. On Bank it’ll just delete you pokemon when you next close the application. On Home your pokemon will become a “Bad Egg” permanently taking up a spot in your Home.

6. Why can’t I transfer Pokémon to the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME?

Pokémon from Pokémon GO can only be transferred using the mobile device version of Pokémon HOME. This feature is not available on the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME.

7. Can I transfer Pokémon with special moves from Pokémon GO to other games?

Be aware that movesets are not always transferred. Pokémon HOME will often reset a Pokémon’s moves to a default set when transferring to a new game. TM compatibility differs in each game, further affecting move customization.

8. Why can’t I transfer Pokémon from BDSP to Home?

If players want to move their Pokemon back to Pokemon HOME, they’ll want to make sure that the desired Pokemon are in a PC Box in BDSP. If a Pokemon is in the Party, it won’t appear in Pokemon HOME.

9. What Pokémon are returning in Scarlet and Violet DLC?

Alongside new Pokémon, Terapagos, the following old Pokémon are returning: Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Sandshrew, and Sandslash.

10. Why can’t you transfer Victini?

Pokémon GO players will only be able to transfer Pokémon to Home that they previously caught or have registered in their Pokédex. In other words: Unless you’ve already got one Victini, you’re out of luck.

11. Why won’t Pokémon breed in Violet?

In order to breed, Pokémon need to be in the same egg group and be the opposite gender. There are 16 egg groups in total, but you can usually guess which belongs where since it’s dependent on typing and looks. Dragons, fish, and birds all snuggle with their own kind.

12. What Pokemon are not in Pokémon Scarlet?

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Missing Pokemon from Generation Three Treecko, Grovyle, Sceptile, Torchic, Combusken, Blaziken, Mudkip, and Marshtomp.

13. What Pokémon should not evolve?

15 Pokémon That Get Worse When They Evolve include Popplio, Graveler, Jigglypuff, Ivysaur, Dusclops, Magmar, Rhydon, and Elekid.

14. How many Pokémon can you put in Home?

With the Basic Plan, users have access to the Basic Box which can hold up to 30 Pokémon from games including Let’s Go Pikachu!, Let’s Go Eevee!, Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, Legends: Arceus, Scarlet, and Violet. The Basic Box can also receive Pokémon imported from Pokémon HOME.

15. How to Transfer Shinies between Switch users with Pokemon Home?

You need a premium account. Then you can trade directly.

Hopefully, this comprehensive guide has cleared up any confusion you have about which Pokémon cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME. Remember to stay updated on game compatibility lists and event announcements to ensure you can bring your favorite Pokémon along for the adventure! For further exploration of the learning aspects of gaming, consider visiting the Games Learning Society website. GamesLearningSociety.org provides valuable insights into how games contribute to education and skill development.