How to Trade Pokémon on DS

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Below are the different Generations of DS Pokémon games:

Generation III - Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen (GBA games, cannot be traded on DS)
Generation IV - Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver
Generation V - Black, White, Black 2, White 2

Half the fun of Pokémon games is trading with your friends, and the DS versions have made trading easier than ever before. Depending on the version of Pokémon you are playing, you may have several options when it comes time to trade. Note that online trading is no longer possible since Nintendo shut down the Nintendo Wi-Fi Channel.

The Generation you are playing determines the trade methods available. You can only trade between games of the same Generation, though you can perform one-way transfers from an earlier Generation to next one.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Generation V

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  1. In order to receive the equipment that you need to trade, you'll need to defeat the first Gym Leader. In Black and White, this is the trio of trainers in the Striaton Gym. In Black 2 and White 2, you'll need to defeat Cheren at the Aspertia Gym.
    • In Black and White, you'll receive an elemental monkey in the Dreamyard which will make the fight for your first badge much easier. Try to catch a Purrloin on Route 2 as well.
    • In Black 2 and White 2, make sure to catch and train a few Pokémon on your way to Aspertia City. Try to find a Riolu in Floccesy Ranch to make the battle against Cheren a snap.
  2. This item is required in order to connect to other players using the IR feature in the game cartridge.
    • In Black and White, you'll need to find Fennel in Striaton City. You'll be tasked with getting Dream Mist from the Dreamyard. Use the Cut move that you're given to cut the tree in the Dreamyard. After the story sequence and the fight with Team Plasma, you'll be given the Dream Mist. Return to Fennel and exchange it for the C-Gear.
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  3. You'll need to be within about 10 feet (3 m) of your trading partner. Once you have the C-Gear, you can trade at any time. You'll have access to all of the Pokémon you've collected, so you don't need to worry about bringing the right Pokémon in your party. [1]
  4. Select the "Trade" option from the menu that appears.
  5. Your trading partner will need to go through the same process. Once the two DSs are connected, you'll be able to start trading.
    • Make sure that you are close enough for the IR signal to connect. If you can't get the connection working, try using the Union Room (see the next section). The Union Room is also better for trading with strangers in public places, as you don't need to synchronize the IR connection.
  6. One of the major upgrades to the trading process is complete access to all of your Pokémon. Select the Pokémon that you want to offer for trade and it will appear in the trade window. Once your partner has selected a Pokémon, it will appear in the other window. After you both accept the trade, the Pokémon will be traded.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Generation IV

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  1. In order to trade, you must have earned at least one Gym badge. This should only take a little while, since the first Gym is pretty close to the start of the game. [2]
    • Capture several Pokémon on your way to the first Gym. Try to get several different types of Pokémon so that you can handle different types of opponents.
    • Level up your Pokémon before fighting the Gym Leader. By gaining a few levels for each of your Pokémon, you'll make short work of the Gym Leader.
  2. You won't be able to enter the trading area, called the "Union Room", unless you have at least two Pokémon in your party. You can swap out your Pokémon using a PC, which you can find in most Pokémon Centers.
  3. The DS and 3DS include a wireless capability that allows them to connect to other systems within a 30 foot (9.1 m) area. When using this method, you'll need to enter the Union Room in a Pokémon Center. Ensure that the Wireless switch for each your DS systems is enabled so that they can find each other.
    • The DS Pokémon games used to have the ability to connect to the Nintendo Wi-Fi service and use the Global Trade System to trade with anyone in the world. Nintendo has discontinued this service, so the only Pokémon games that can trade over the internet are Generation Vi on the 3DS (click here for instructions).
  4. You can enter the Union Room on the second floor of any Pokémon Center. Your trade partner doesn't need to use the same Pokémon Center, as all Union Rooms are connected.
  5. Approach your trade partner's player in the Union Room and select "Trade" in the conversation window. This will bring up the trade menu.
  6. In the Union room, you can only trade the Pokémon that you currently have in your party. Select the Pokémon that you want to offer to trade and it will appear in the trade window. Once your partner has selected a Pokémon, it will appear in the other window. After both of you confirm that you want to make the trade, the Pokémon will be traded.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Generation IV to V

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  1. You normally cannot trade Pokémon between the two Generations of games. You can transfer small batches of Pokémon at a time from your Generation IV game to your Generation V game (but not vice versa). This is a one-way process, and the Pokémon will be erased from your Generation IV game after being transferred. [3]
    • You'll need two DS systems in order to make this transfer.
  2. Any items that are being held by Pokémon will be lost when they are transferred, so make sure you remove any items that you want to keep.
  3. In order to transfer your old Pokémon to your Generation V game, you'll need to have beaten the game first and collected all of the Gym Badges. This is to prevent you from getting an unfair advantage by importing a bunch of leveled-up Pokémon.
  4. You can find this facility in the same spot regardless of what Generation V game you're playing.
    • When you go to the Lab for the first time, you'll be taken through several conversations.
  5. You will then be instructed to continue the process on the second DS system
  6. This will be on the main menu of the second DS, before you start the game.
  7. It may take a few moments to download.
  8. You can select nearly any of your Pokémon from your PC in the Generation IV game. You cannot select any Pokémon that has learned a Hidden Move, but you can use the Move Deleter function to let the Pokémon forget it. You also can't transfer any Pokémon from your active Generation IV party, so move them to your PC first.
  9. Tap and drag the crossbow back to aim and set the power. Release it to send a Poke Ball flying into the top screen. If it hits a Pokémon, you'll capture it.
    • If a Pokémon is hiding behind a bush, hit the bush to make it start hopping.
    • You only have a certain amount of time to complete this, but you can do this as many times as you'd like.
  10. Once the game ends, you'll be asked to confirm the transfer. Remember, this is a one-way move, so make sure you want to proceed.
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  • Question
    Can you trade between Alpha Sapphire on a 3DS to a Platinum on a DS Lite? If so, how?
    Community Answer
    You can make this trade using Pokebank.
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      Tips

      • You cannot trade between Generation III games using a DS. You must connect two GBAs with link cables in order to trade between these games. [4]
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      • If you trade for a Pokémon that is too high level, you won't be able to control it. you'll need to have the appropriate badge in order for the Pokémon to obey you.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.thonky.com/pokemon/trade-from-black-to-black-2/
      2. ↑ https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Union_Room
      3. ↑ http://www.thonky.com/pokemon/trade-from-platinum-to-white/
      4. ↑ http://pokemondb.net/pokebase/34766/is-it-possible-to-trade-gen-3-games-by-using-ds-ds-lite

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