Back in the old days, we were forced to buy and use awkward link cables to trade our beloved Pokemon. Now, in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, we can use a wireless connection or the internet to perform this action. Here’s how to trade in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
- Keep up with all of the cooking available in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet with our handy guide.
How To Trade Normally in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Trading in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is fairly easy to understand once you get a handle on it. There are multiple ways to trade with players, friends and strangers alike. Before any of that, however, you’ll want to pause the game with the Y button and then head down to “Poke Portal.” Select that and wait for a new menu to boot up.
After that, you’ll see a variety of options including Union Circle and Tera Raid Battle. If you want to connect with a friend or a stranger online, tap the L button to initiate connectivity. Next, ignore Union Circle and Tera Raid Battle for now, and you’ll see two selections, “Link Trade” and “Surprise Trade.” For normal trading situations, pick “Link Trade.”
Now, you can pick between two situations. The first “Begin Searching” lets you pick an online player at random to trade with. Below that is “Set Link Code.” This option lets you join a room with your friend. In this box, press the A button and then pick a strange number. If you choose “1111,” you’ll likely get matched with someone you don’t know. Go for something like “5439” as it’s a random password rather than a predictable one. It’s not as easy as Pokemon GO to connect to other players.
After your friend and yourself use the same number, you’ll get connected and trading will begin. Keep in mind that some Pokemon can only be evolved through trading, such as Haunter into Gengar or Scyther into a Scizor with a Metal Coat. If you play the game in the correct order, you’ll find these Pokemon eventually throughout the adventure.
- Want to change your Pokemon Scarlet and Violet hairstyle? No problem.
Feeling Lucky? Try Surprise Trade
The Surprise Trade is certainly interesting, but you’ll be playing with luck. In this mode, you can submit a random Pokemon from your PC, and you’ll get a Pokemon that an unknown player has selected. You may get lucky if someone feels generous, but you may get a weaker Level 3 common Pokemon as well.
When you select a Pokemon to trade, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will match you up with another player as you explore more of the Paldea region. It will then give you a notification when it’s done; it’s usually very fast. Go back to the Poke Portal and then you should see a green tick next to the Surprise Trade tab. Press the A button to discover what it is. We got a Tarountula during our test, but you may have better results. Take a picture of the Pokemon you get and send it to us!
For more Pokemon Scarlet and Violet guides, keep reading The Games Cabin.