Trainer ID number
A Pokémon Trainer's ID number is a five-digit number that is assigned to a Trainer when they begin their Pokémon journey. It is used, in conjunction with the Trainer's name and gender, to identify whether the Pokémon is an outsider Pokémon by the games. The highest possible ID number in any game is 65535.
Special ID numbers
- Main article: List of notable ID numbers
Sometimes, there are special ID numbers assigned to Pokémon if they come from a non-standard Pokémon game or are received as a prize. Also, for Pokémon not yet hatched from their Eggs, the ID ????? is used. It will turn into the ID number of the Trainer who hatches the Pokémon. It is also used for unpurified Shadow Pokémon. Once purified, the ID number will change to that of the Trainer who snagged it.
Secret ID
From Generation III onward, there is a second, secret ID number, different from the visible one. This number exists purely to make sure that even if two Trainers share the exact same name and gender and the exact same Trainer ID number, the game will still recognize their Pokémon as coming from different Trainers. Usually, this number cannot be viewed; however, certain cheating devices can be used to view it, and there are also calculators to determine it. It also comes into play along with the normal ID number and the personality value in determining if a Pokémon is Shiny. If two different Trainers have the same Trainer name, identical ID numbers and identical hidden ID numbers (a 1 in 4,294,967,296 chance if the names do not differ), the game will recognize the two Trainers as the same, so the Pokémon are not considered to be outsider Pokémon.
Pokémon Lottery Corner
- Main article: Pokémon Lottery Corner
From Generation II through Generation IV, the player may take part in the Pokémon Lottery Corner every day (every week in Generation II). This involves the generation of a random 5 digit number, which is compared with the player's Pokémon's original Trainer's ID numbers. Depending on the game and the nature of the match-up of digits, the player can receive a prize. This feature was not included in the Generation V games.
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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. |