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Why is it so Hard to Trade in Pokémon HOME?

Trading in Pokémon HOME, while seemingly straightforward, can often feel like navigating a Labyrinth filled with restrictions, limitations, and outright baffling decisions. The difficulty stems from a combination of factors, including limitations imposed by the free vs. premium tiers, the inherent constraints of the Pokémon ecosystem spanning multiple game generations, security measures aimed at preventing illegitimate Pokémon, and the need to balance trading fairness. Ultimately, these issues can complicate what should be a fun and easy function of the service.

Understanding the Core Challenges

Several factors contribute to the trading frustrations within Pokémon HOME:

Tiered Feature Sets: The Basic (free) plan severely restricts trading options. The number of Pokémon you can store is limited, and the number of Pokémon you can place in the Wonder Box, or do Friend Trades is limited.
Compatibility and Pokémon Availability: Not all Pokémon are transferable between all games. The existence of game-specific Pokémon and the unavailability of certain species in specific titles restricts trading partners.
Preventing Abuse: Features like the GTS (Global Trade System) are constantly under threat from hacked or illegitimate Pokémon. Security measures and restrictions are put in place to combat this.
The Complexity of Evolution: Pokémon that evolve through trading can further complicate the trading process as it requires you to trade the Pokémon, have the trade partner evolve it, and then trade it back.
The Pokémon Ecosystem: You can’t bring Pokémon from Sword and Shield back into older generation games. Likewise, some Pokémon are limited to certain games.

Pokémon HOME’s Trading Methods: Strengths and Weaknesses

Pokémon HOME offers a few different methods of trading, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages:

GTS (Global Trade System)

The GTS is the central hub for Pokémon trading in Pokémon HOME. Here’s what you need to know:

Functionality: You list a Pokémon you’re offering and request a Pokémon you want in return. Pokémon HOME then attempts to match you with another trainer who meets your criteria.
Advantages: It’s the most convenient method for trading with trainers around the world. You don’t need to coordinate with specific individuals.
Disadvantages: Certain Pokémon are restricted from the GTS. It is constantly bombarded with impossible requests, like level 1 Pokémon that can’t exist at level 1, or requests for legendary Pokémon that can’t be traded via the GTS.

Wonder Box

The Wonder Box is Pokémon HOME’s version of Wonder Trade, which is Surprise Trade in other Pokémon games.

Functionality: You place Pokémon in the Wonder Box, and they are randomly traded with other trainers. This occurs even when you’re not actively using Pokémon HOME.
Advantages: A fun and exciting way to get rid of unwanted Pokémon and receive surprise trades.
Disadvantages: The Pokémon you receive are entirely random, and you have no control over what you get. Also, the number of slots is limited.

Friend Trade

Friend Trade allows you to trade directly with users on your friend list.

Functionality: You must become friends with another user on Pokémon HOME. This requires exchanging friend codes, after which you can initiate trades.
Advantages: It allows you to trade specific Pokémon with trusted friends.
Disadvantages: Requires more coordination than other methods. Plus, the number of friend trades are limited for free accounts.

Room Trade

Room Trade allows you to trade Pokémon with a group of people.

Functionality: You create or join a room, and then trade Pokémon with other participants.
Advantages: Good for trading with multiple people at once.
Disadvantages: You don’t know who is in the room, so trades may not be ideal.

Pokémon HOME’s Limitations

Restricted Pokémon: Certain Pokémon cannot be traded at all.
Hacked Pokémon Detection: The system attempts to prevent the transfer of hacked Pokémon, but it is not always perfect.
Storage Limits: Free users have a severely limited storage capacity.
Game Compatibility: Pokémon must be compatible with the destination game. For instance, Pokémon from Pokémon GO can only be moved to Pokémon HOME, not directly to Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Strategies for Successful Trading

Despite the challenges, it is possible to conduct successful trades in Pokémon HOME. Here are some best practices:

Be Specific: When using the GTS, specify the exact Pokémon you want and offer a fair trade.
Coordinate with Friends: Friend Trades are the most reliable way to trade specific Pokémon.
Understand the Limitations: Be aware of which Pokémon can and cannot be traded.
Check Pokémon Legality: Ensure the Pokémon you’re offering are legitimate.
Patience: Trading in Pokémon HOME requires patience and persistence.

The world of Pokémon is vast and complex, and it can be explored via games. If you are interested in learning more about video games and learning, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What Pokémon cannot be traded in Pokémon HOME?

Partner Pikachu, Partner Eevee, fused forms of Necrozma, Kyurem, and Calyrex, and certain Gigantamax Pokémon cannot be transferred to Pokémon HOME, BDSP, or Legends: Arceus. Nincada cannot be transferred from BDSP to Sword and Shield or any other game to BDSP.

2. Why can’t I trade Legendary Pokémon on the GTS?

Most Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are banned from GTS trades to prevent the spread of hacked or cloned Pokémon. You can only trade them via Friend Trades.

3. Can I trade Pokémon directly from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Sword and Shield?

No, you cannot. Pokémon from Pokémon GO must first be transferred to Pokémon HOME before they can be moved to compatible games like Sword and Shield.

4. What is the Wonder Box, and how does it work?

The Wonder Box is similar to Surprise Trade. You place Pokémon in the Wonder Box, and they are randomly traded with other trainers worldwide, even when you’re not using Pokémon HOME.

5. Can Pokémon evolve during a trade in Pokémon HOME?

No, Pokémon cannot evolve during a trade in Pokémon HOME. Evolution through trade must be done via the trading mechanisms of the respective games.

6. What happens if I stop paying for Pokémon HOME Premium?

If your Pokémon HOME Premium subscription lapses, your Pokémon will remain unharmed. However, you will be downgraded to the Basic Plan with its storage and feature limitations.

7. How many Pokémon can I store in Pokémon HOME with the Basic Plan?

With the Basic Plan, you can store up to 30 Pokémon.

8. What is a Friend Trade, and how do I use it?

Friend Trade allows you to trade Pokémon with other users who you’ve become friends with in Pokémon HOME. You need to exchange friend codes and add them to your friend list.

9. Can hacked Pokémon be transferred to Pokémon HOME?

It depends on how hacked the Pokémon are. If the system detects irregularities, it may prevent the transfer. Transferring hacked Pokémon can lead to penalties.

10. What are the penalties for using hacked Pokémon?

Players caught using hacked Pokémon face penalties such as restriction of online play, restricted use of trading features in Pokémon HOME, or indefinite suspension from Pokémon HOME.

11. What is the trade limit in Pokémon HOME for Basic Plan users?

Basic Plan users can only make a limited number of Friend Trades each day. However, the exact limit is subject to change.

12. Why won’t my traded Pokémon obey me?

Traded Pokémon may not obey your orders if their level is too high and you don’t have the appropriate Gym Badges.

13. What level do traded Pokémon stop obeying you?

Traded Pokémon may stop obeying you after level 10 if you lack the necessary Gym Badges.

14. Can I trade Pokémon from Pokémon HOME back to older generation games?

No, you cannot. Pokémon transferred to Pokémon HOME cannot be moved back to older generation games.

15. Is there a way to guarantee a Lucky Trade in Pokémon GO?

The Trainer sending the guaranteed Lucky Pokémon must have been involved in fewer than 15 trades where at least one party was guaranteed.

Why is it so hard to trade in Pokémon HOME?