In-game trade
The subject of this article has no official name. The name currently in use is a fan designator; see below for more information. |
An in-game trade is a trade made with NPCs in the core series and spin-off Pokémon games. The process uses the same trading sequence as player trades and is usually done for Pokémon that are difficult or impossible to obtain through other means, or for Pokémon unavailable at that point of the game. In later games, the traded Pokémon often has special moves, like Egg Moves.
Prior to Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the NPC Trainer will always specify a Pokémon they want to trade for. The Pokémon the player receives in the trade will have a fixed Original Trainer and nickname; in later games the Trainer ID number, held item, Nature, IVs, and/or level can be fixed as well.
Like Pokémon traded externally, the traded Pokémon will be treated as an outsider, and gain a boosted amount of experience points in battle. Prior to Generation V, every Pokémon has the same level as the Pokémon it was traded for, except in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.
List of in-game trades
Generation I
All Trainer ID numbers and IVs are random in the Generation I games. The Original Trainer always uses the hardcoded text string 0x5D, which is displayed as "TRAINER" (Japanese: トレーナー Trainer) in the game's language. In Western language versions of the handheld games and Pokémon Stadium, this string is displayed in ALLCAPS ("TRAINER" in English), whereas in Pokémon Stadium 2 it is displayed in title case ("Trainer" in English). When transferred using Poké Transporter, this string is permanently converted to title case in the language of the game it was transferred from, being changed to use a literal string instead of a language-sensitive control character.
The held item column refers to the item the Pokémon will be holding if it is traded to a Generation II game. With the exception of Pokémon that evolve during that trade and Krabby in Japanese Blue, they have the same item a wild Pokémon of the same species would have if it were traded to a Generation II game; Pokémon that evolve during the trade have the item their evolved form would have, while Krabby has TM13 (Snore) instead of TM33 (Ice Punch).
Pokémon Red and Green (Japan), Pokémon Red and Blue (Western)
In Pokémon Red and Blue, Nidoran♂ is traded for Nidoran♀; in Pokémon Red and Green, Nidoran♀ is traded for Nidoran♂.
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Pokémon Blue (Japan)
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Pokémon Yellow
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- ↑ This Pokémon will evolve due to being traded but Pokédex data for the unevolved Pokémon will be registered first.
Unused trades
There are a few in-game trades in the game data of Generation I games which are not assigned to any NPC.
Red and Blue (West) / Red, Green, and Blue (Japan) | |||||||||||||||
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Yellow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Generation II
Pokémon Gold and Silver
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Pokémon Crystal
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Unused trades
This (full) data is stored in Mobile System GB related code for Japanese Pokémon Crystal. It also appears earlier in the ROM, but with the Original Trainer data not included. Kabīn is possibly a reference to the Game Freak Kōji Nishino and Snorlax (Japanese: カビゴン) in-jokes, and the early 'Kabīn battle' concept art. The code remains in English Crystal, however, the Japanese names were not translated; resulting in garbage text, and the game causes problems as it expects the English name length.
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Generation III
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
These Pokémon all have one Contest condition that is raised by 30 while the others are all raised by 5, but have a sheen of 10.
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Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
These Pokémon all have one Contest condition that is raised by 30 while the others are all raised by 5, but have a sheen of 10.
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Pokémon Emerald
These Pokémon all have one Contest condition that is raised by 30 while the others are all raised by 5, but have a sheen of 10.
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 If this Pokémon is evolved in a Generation IV or V game, its Ability will become its second Ability.
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
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Generation IV
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
In the English language version of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Kazza, Charap, and Gaspar are functionally Japanese in origin. While this has no effect in the Generation IV games (since their species do not have foreign Pokédex entries in the Generation IV games), it becomes noticeable when sent to later generations. These Pokémon have the correct language of origin if obtained in any other game language or Pokémon Platinum.
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- ↑ Chatot has all five Contest conditions raised by 20, with a sheen of 0.
- ↑ Due to holding an Everstone, this Haunter will not evolve when obtained in this trade.
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
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- ↑ Brock's Rhyhorn knows Thunder Fang.
My Pokémon Ranch
- Main article: Hayley's trades
Generation V
Unique to this generation, some of the Pokémon that are traded to the NPC can be battled again by that NPC. These are marked with a † icon. The gender and Ability traded is kept in the new battle, and in Black and White, the traded Pokémon evolves, but the moves may change, even if HMs were taught to the Pokémon when traded. The new level is based on the level of the Pokémon traded to the NPC: 65 if it was below 65, 5 more than the initial level if it was at least 65 but below 96, and 100 if it was at least level 96.
Except for trades with Yancy and Curtis, all traded Pokémon are guaranteed to have 1 perfect IV and all others set to 20.
Pokémon Black and White
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Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
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Yancy/Curtis
In Nimbasa City, after returning the Dropped Item to the owner and calling them 15 times, Yancy or Curtis (depending on the player's gender), will trade the player a different Pokémon each day, in this order. Each Pokémon has its Hidden Ability and can be either male or female.
- If the player is male
Yancy's Pokémon have the Original Trainer Yancy (Japanese: ルリ Ruri) and Trainer ID number 10303.
- If the player is female
Curtis's Pokémon have the Original Trainer Curtis (Japanese: テツ Tetsu) and Trainer ID number 54118.
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Generation VI
Pokémon X and Y
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Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
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Generation VII
Pokémon Sun and Moon
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- ↑ This Pokémon will evolve due to being traded, but Pokédex data for the unevolved Pokémon will be registered before it evolves.
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
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Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, all in-game trades can be repeated an unlimited amount of times. These trades are the only way to obtain Alolans outside of GO Park or trading with other players. All traded Pokémon have no nicknames, have randomized Natures, and can be either gender and Shiny.
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Generation VIII
Pokémon Sword and Shield
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The Isle of Armor
This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: If the Pokémon offered changes between days/Regina's model |
Regina's trades can be done an unlimited number of times. After trading with her, she will randomly relocate elsewhere on the Isle of Armor, offering another Pokémon, randomly, from the table below. All traded Pokémon have no nicknames, have randomized Natures, can be either gender, can be Shiny, and have a static Egg Move. Normal form Pokémon have their Hidden Ability, while Alolan Form Pokémon can have either of their standard Abilities. The trades for Farfetch'd and Darumaka are only available to players whose base game is Pokémon Sword, while the trades for Ponyta and Corsola are are only available to players whose base game is Pokémon Shield.
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Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
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- ↑ Chatot has all five Contest conditions raised by 20, with a sheen of 0.
- ↑ Due to holding an Everstone, this Haunter will not evolve when obtained in this trade.
Underleveled Pokémon
Since the Pokémon received in an in-game trade is the same level as the one traded prior to Generation V, it is sometimes possible to receive a Pokémon at a lower level than normally possible.
Pokémon | Obtained level | Lowest natural level | Underleveled trade | Games |
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Electrode | Lv 3 | Lv 30 (evolve) | Catch a level 3 Pikachu in Viridian Forest and evolve it by Thunderstone | RB/RG FRLG |
Poliwag | Lv 2 | Lv 5 (breed in Generation II) | Catch a level 2 Rattata on Routes 1 or 2 | Bᴶ |
Golem | Lv 15 | Lv 23 (Route 43GSC/evolve) | Catch a level 15 Kadabra on Route 8 in Gold or Silver and transfer it to Blue via Pokémon Stadium 2 | Bᴶ |
Gengar | Lv 14 | Lv 15 (Rock TunnelC/evolve) | Catch a level 14 Machoke in Rock Tunnel in Gold or Silver and transfer it to Blue via Pokémon Stadium 2 | Bᴶ |
Mr. Mime | Lv 3 | Lv 5 (breed in Generation II) | Catch a level 3 Jigglypuff on Route 3 | Bᴶ |
Farfetch'd | Lv 3 | Lv 5 (breed in Generation II or III) | Catch a level 3 Spearow on Route 22 | RB/RG FRLG |
Lv 2 | Catch a level 2 Pidgey on Route 1 | Bᴶ | ||
Parasect | Lv 5 | Lv 24 (evolve) | Breed a level 5 Tangela in Generation II and trade it to Yellow | Y |
Dugtrio | Lv 5 | Lv 26 (evolve) | Breed a level 5 Lickitung in Generation II and trade it to Yellow | Y |
Machamp | Lv 5 | Lv 14 (Rock TunnelGS → evolve) | Breed a level 5 Cubone in Generation II and trade it to Yellow | Y |
Dewgong | Lv 5 | Lv 34 (evolve) | Breed a level 5 Growlithe in Generation II and trade it to Yellow | Y |
Muk | Lv 5 | Lv 38 (evolve) | Breed a level 5 Kangaskhan in Generation II and trade it to Yellow | Y |
Rhydon | Lv 10 | Lv 42 (evolve) | Catch a level 10 Golduck on Route 6 in Generation II and trade it to Yellow | Y |
Catch a level 10 Dragonair on Route 45 | GS | |||
Rapidash | Lv 14 | Lv 40 (evolve) | Catch a level 14 Gloom on Route 24 in Crystal and trade it to Gold or Silver | GS |
Magneton | Lv 5 | Lv 30 (evolve) | Make an in-game trade for an underleveled level 5 Dugtrio in Yellow and trade it to Crystal | C |
Lv 19 | Catch a level 19 Dugtrio in Diglett's Cave | HGSS | ||
Dodrio | Lv 10 | Lv 31 (evolve) | Catch a level 10 Dragonair on Route 45 | C |
Lv 15 | Catch a level 15 Dragonair in Mt. Coronet in Diamond or Pearl | HGSS | ||
Xatu | Lv 15 | Lv 25 (evolve) | Catch a level 15 Haunter in Rock Tunnel | C |
Lv 16 | Catch a level 16 Haunter in the Safari Zone | HGSS | ||
Skitty | Lv 3 | Lv 5 (breed) | Catch a level 3 Pikachu at Viridian Forest in FireRed or LeafGreen | RS |
Meowth | Lv 3 | Lv 5 (breed) | Make an in-game trade for an underleveled level 3 Skitty in Ruby or Sapphire and trade it to Emerald | E |
In addition, several Pokémon obtained from in-game trades with fixed levels after Generation IV are underlevelled.
Pokémon | Obtained level | Lowest natural level | Games |
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Bisharp | Lv 50 | Lv 52 (evolve) | XY |
Poliwhirl | Lv 22 | Lv 24 (Malie Garden) | SM |
Weezing | Lv 15 | Lv 35 (evolve) | SwSh |
Alolan Marowak | Lv 15 | Lv 28 (evolve) | SwSh |
Trivia
- In Pokémon Red and Green and Pokémon Red and Blue, four Pokémon are exclusive to in-game trades: Lickitung, Jynx, Farfetch'd, and Mr. Mime.
- In Japanese Pokémon Blue, Lickitung and Jynx were made available in the wild. In Pokémon Yellow, Lickitung and Farfetch'd were made available in the wild as well. Therefore, Mr. Mime (in all languages) and Jynx (in languages other than Japanese) remained unavailable in the wild until Generation II.
- Due to being exclusive to in-game trades, until the release of later games in which they could be obtained in the wild, they could only have their traded nicknames and the Original Trainer of "TRAINER".
- In Pokémon Red and Blue, the Scientist at the Pokémon Lab on Cinnabar Island who trades Electrode for Raichu claims that Raichu evolved, which is not possible. This is due to a context-ignorant translation of the Japanese Pokémon Blue text, in which the player trades Kadabra for Graveler, both of which evolve by trade.
- Similarly, the old man who trades the player Jynx for Poliwhirl in Cerulean City claims that Poliwhirl "went and evolved". Poliwhirl does not evolve by trade in the Generation I games but rather through the use of a Water Stone. In the context of the Japanese Pokémon Blue, the old man trades away Haunter for Machoke, both of which evolve by trade.
- In Pokémon Crystal, even if the player has their Haunter hold an Everstone and trades it for Chris's Xatu "Paul", Chris will still comment that it evolved into Gengar.
- In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Elyssa and Darrell's names do not traditionally match their genders. Since their names are switched in the games' remakes, it is likely this was a mistake.
- Pokémon received from in-game trades in the Generation VI and VIII games have memories set. For example, in Pokémon Sword and Shield, the Togepi the player can trade for has the memory "Snips hatched from an Egg and saw Holly for the first time in a castle".
- Kapoor's name and Artist Trainer class are likely a reference to British artist Anish Kapoor. The Duraludon he trades furthers this reference, since the real-life Kapoor has worked on numerous architectural projects.
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This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |