Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Trading Pokémon with friends allows you to complete your Pokédex and obtain version-exclusive Pokémon
- You can trade Pokémon locally with nearby friends or online with friends from anywhere
- Trading is essential for evolving certain Pokémon and obtaining rare Pokémon you can’t easily catch yourself
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield for the Nintendo Switch have revived the long-standing tradition of trading Pokémon with friends. Trading is a core aspect of the Pokémon games, allowing you to fill your Pokédex, obtain version-exclusive Pokémon, and evolve certain species that require trading to reach their final forms.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods for trading Pokémon with friends in Pokémon Sword and Shield, whether you’re playing locally or online.
Trading Pokémon Locally
One of the easiest ways to trade Pokémon is by connecting locally with friends who are physically nearby. This method doesn’t require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, making it accessible to all players.
To initiate a local trade, follow these steps:
- Open the Y-Comm Menu: Press the Y button on your Nintendo Switch controller to open the Y-Comm menu.
- Select Link Trade: Choose the “Link Trade” option from the Y-Comm menu.
- Set a Link Code (Optional): If you want to trade with a specific friend, select “Set Link Code” and enter a 4-digit code of your choice. Share this code with your friend so they can enter the same code.
- Start Trading: If you didn’t set a Link Code, the game will automatically search for any nearby players who are also initiating a local trade. If you did set a code, you’ll be matched with the friend who entered the same code.
- Choose Your Pokémon: Once a trading partner is found, you’ll be prompted to select the Pokémon you want to trade from your Boxes.
- Confirm the Trade: After both players have chosen their Pokémon, review the trade details and confirm if you want to proceed.
- Complete the Trade: If both players accept the trade, the Pokémon will be swapped successfully.
Remember, local trading requires both players to be in relatively close proximity, as it uses a local wireless connection to establish the trade.
Trading Pokémon Online
If you want to trade Pokémon with friends who aren’t physically nearby, you can do so online using a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Online trading allows you to connect with players from anywhere in the world.
Here’s how to initiate an online trade:
- Open the Y-Comm Menu: Press the Y button to open the Y-Comm menu.
- Connect to the Internet: Press the + button to connect your Nintendo Switch to the internet.
- Select Link Trade: Choose the “Link Trade” option from the Y-Comm menu.
- Set a Link Code: Select “Set Link Code” and enter a unique 4-digit code. Share this code with the friend you want to trade with, and have them enter the same code.
- Start Trading: Once your friend has entered the same Link Code, the game will match you together for trading.
- Choose Your Pokémon: Both players will be prompted to select the Pokémon they want to trade from their Boxes.
- Confirm the Trade: Review the trade details and confirm if you want to proceed.
- Complete the Trade: If both players accept the trade, the Pokémon will be swapped successfully.
Online trading is convenient for connecting with friends who live far away, but it does require an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription for both players.
Surprise Trade
In addition to traditional trading, Pokémon Sword and Shield introduce a new feature called “Surprise Trade.” This mode allows you to trade a Pokémon randomly with another player from anywhere in the world, without knowing what you’ll receive in return.
To initiate a Surprise Trade, follow these steps:
- Open the Y-Comm Menu: Press the Y button to open the Y-Comm menu.
- Connect to the Internet (Optional): Press the + button to connect your Nintendo Switch to the internet for online Surprise Trades. You can also do local Surprise Trades without an internet connection.
- Select Surprise Trade: Choose the “Surprise Trade” option from the Y-Comm menu.
- Choose Your Pokémon: Select the Pokémon you want to trade from your Boxes.
- Wait for a Trade Partner: The game will automatically search for a random trade partner online or locally.
- Complete the Trade: Once a trade partner is found, the trade will be completed automatically, and you’ll receive a random Pokémon in exchange for the one you traded.
Surprise Trades can be a fun way to obtain Pokémon you might not have access to otherwise, but keep in mind that the Pokémon you receive will be completely random.
Benefits of Trading Pokémon
Trading Pokémon with friends offers several benefits beyond just completing your Pokédex:
- Obtain Version-Exclusive Pokémon: Pokémon Sword and Shield each have a set of Pokémon that are exclusive to that version. Trading with friends who have the opposite version allows you to obtain these exclusives.
- Evolve Trade-Evolution Pokémon: Certain Pokémon, like Machoke, Haunter, and Kadabra, can only evolve by being traded. Trading with friends is necessary to evolve these Pokémon.
- Faster Experience Gain: Pokémon that you receive through trading gain experience points at a faster rate than Pokémon you catch yourself.
- Rare Pokémon and Items: Friends can trade you rare Pokémon or Pokémon holding valuable items that are difficult to obtain on your own.
- Shiny Pokémon: While extremely rare, it’s possible to receive a Shiny Pokémon (a Pokémon with a different color palette) through trading with friends.
Trading Pokémon is an integral part of the Pokémon experience, and Pokémon Sword and Shield make it easier than ever to connect with friends and exchange Pokémon, whether you’re playing locally or online.
So, grab your Nintendo Switch, connect with your friends, and start trading to complete your Pokédex and build the ultimate team of Pokémon!
