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Since the Pokémon franchise’s inception in the mid-late ’90s, being able to trade these colorful creatures has been one of the game series’ biggest appeals. This was especially novel in a time when wireless or online connectivity wasn’t possible for something like the original Game Boy. However, developer Game Freak has consistently dropped batches of in-game Pokémon trades for players to do with NPCs found in each mainline entry.
This is a welcome gameplay feature in theory, but, admittedly, a fair number of these trades aren’t worth players’ time. But there are always diamonds in the rough. New Pokémon players venturing through the mainline games (and perhaps even veterans who may have missed this their first time around) would do well to discover the select top-tier trades from as far back as Gen I Pokémon Yellow to the latest Gen IX Scarlet and Violet. These trades reward players with rare, powerful, and/or trade-evolution-locked species.
10 Machamp Is a Can't-Miss Trade Evolution Pokémon
Location: Underground Tunnel, Kanto Region (Pokémon Yellow)
In-game trades in the mainline Pokémon games don’t necessarily announce themselves to the player. Therefore, even long-time fans would be forgiven if they don’t realize Pokémon Yellow players actually let them obtain the classic Fighting-Type Pokémon Machamp without trading with another player. When traveling through the Underground Path to get from Route 5 to Route 6, an NPC is willing to trade the player a Machine in exchange for a Cubone. There’s no catch, as the Machoke will evolve as usual upon being traded to the player and makes for an exciting power spike.
Machamp is a physically offensive stalwart in Pokémon Yellow (as well as Red and Blue, by extension). It boasts a staggering 130 Attack and a solid 90 and 80 in HP and Defense, respectively. Submission is its go-to Fighting-Type move, but it has strong coverage with attacks like Earthquake, Rock Slide, and even Hyper Beam. Considering how gatekept trade-evolution species normally are, this is easily one of Pokémon Yellow’s best additions.
9 Aerodactyl Is a Rare & Surprising Trade In Gen II Kanto
Location: Route 14, Kanto Region (Pokémon Gold, Silver & Crystal)
The overall quality of in-game trades from the Gen I games to Gen II’s Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal is a step down for anyone hoping for more trade-evolution swaps like Machamp. It’s disappointing, if unsurprising, but one trade in the Kanto region post-game story easily stands above the rest. On Route 14, players will find a woman NPC willing to trade their Aerodactyl for a Chansey. This is certainly a worthwhile trade, as the once-extinct Fossil Pokémon isn’t available in the games otherwise, since there isn’t an Amber fossil to be found.
The biggest hurdle will be how rare Chansey is in the wild, but after overcoming that, players will be rewarded with a fan-favorite Fossil Pokémon with blistering Speed (130) and hard-hitting Attack (105). Arriving so late in Gold, Silver, and Crystal does mean it will require level grinding to catch up with the rest of the players’ teams, but the 1.5x EXP gains bonus by being a traded Pokémon alleviates this somewhat. Those willing to put in the effort receive a strong battling partner to have against the Kanto Gym challenges and the end-game boss, Red.
8 Beldum Is an Extremely Rare Hoenn Pokémon
Location: Silph Co., Kanto Region (Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver)
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are among the series’ best games, remakes or otherwise. The number of worthwhile in-game trades may not have seen much improvement, but at least one is extremely welcome. The Kanto region post-game adds several new events with NPCs and previously unobtainable Pokémon. Steven Stone, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire‘s Elite Four Champion from the Hoenn region, is one such NPC and will trade players a Beldum for a Forretress. It even comes holding a Dawn Stone, which evolves Kirlia into Gallade and Snorunt into Froslass.
It’s a fitting trade, and Metagross (Beldum’s final evolution) is one of the strongest and most memorable Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon in the franchise. Players must have first received the Hoenn starter Pokémon from Steven after defeating Red, speaking to the champion in the Pewter City Museum, before finally trading a Beldum in the Silph Co. lobby in Saffron City. Arriving practically at the end of the game makes Metagross’ playthrough contributions limited. But it’s a welcome Pokédex filler, and its devastating 135 Attack and 130 Defense make Metagross a fun Pokémon to re-challenge the Elite Four and prep for the Battle Frontier.
7 Steelix Is a Respectable Trade In Johto's Post-Game
Location: Olivine City, Johto Region (Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver)
The Steel/Ground-Type evolution of Onix isn’t quite as elusive in the mainline Pokémon games since Gen IV’s Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Players can find wild Steelix outright in those games rather than needing to trade their Onix back and forth while holding a Metal Coat. But even if the standard for in-game trades in general is quite low, it’s hard to turn down the Steelix trade in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. After players beat the Johto region’s Steel-Type Gym Leader in a post-game rematch, she can be found in her own Gym in Olivine City most of the time.
Jasmine will offer an incredibly generous trade for the defensively stalwart Steelix (200 Defense) in exchange for any Pokémon the player wants to give her. While this is a late post-game trade, and Steelix can also be found in the wild in HeartGold and SoulSilver, they are much rarer and somewhat out of the player’s way. Being able to rematch Gym Leaders (including from Kanto), the Elite Four, and take on the Battle Frontier at least gives late trades like these some utility even after the credits roll.
6 Alakazam Is Among Gen V's Most Exciting In-Game Trades
Location: Accumula Town, Unova Region (Pokémon Black 2 & White 2)
In what’s perhaps the most high-profile trade in all of the Gen V Unova games, players can trade an NPC for the Psychic-Type icon Alakazam. This trade can be found in a specific house in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2‘s Accumula Town by speaking with a woman located on the southwestern side of the locale. There is a bit of a catch to this trade, albeit a fairly simple one. This NPC in Accumula will offer two trades for the player, the first being an Excadrill for her Ambipom.
After beating her in a battle using her former Ambipom, she’ll then offer an Alakazam for a Hippowdon. It might take some effort to track down a Hippowdon, but an Alakazam is well worth the trade. Psychic-Types, including Alakazam, were at the peak of their powers in Gen I, but it’s a Special Attack-focused powerhouse in Gen V regardless. Alakazam’s astonishing 120 Speed and 135 Special Attack make it a powerful addition to many teams, and the fact that this Pokémon is otherwise locked behind the trade-evolution mechanic means this trade is even more valuable.
5 Gigalith Gives Players Access to a Unovan Trade-Exclusive
Location: Route 7, Unova Region (Pokémon Black 2 & White 2)
Aside from the nostalgic excitement that comes from trading in-game for classics like Alakazam, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 also make one of their natives more accessible. The Roggenrola, Boldore, and Gigalith evolutionary line is one of the Unova region’s new trade-evolution Pokémon families. But in a house on Route 7, a hiker NPC is looking to trade an Emolga for the fully-evolved Gigalith. This is quite the high-value trade considering Emolga aren’t exactly in short supply in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.
Plus, this is the only other way to get a Gigalith without finding another player to trade with, and the Rock-Type itself is no slouch for a story playthrough. Gigalith is a physical behemoth in battle, featuring exceptional Attack (135) and Defense (130) stats to go with attacks like Earthquake, Rock Slide, and even Stealth Rock to set up stage hazards. Its Speed (25) is admittedly abysmal, but the Sturdy ability (preventing one-hit KOs) and perhaps holding the Quick Claw item give it enough staying power to set up or land at least one powerful hit.
4 Noibat Makes the Path to Noivern a Bit Easier in Gen VII
Location: Route 5, Alola Region (Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon)
The rarity of a Pokémon isn’t always necessary to make an in-game trade worth the trouble, even if it’s preferred more often than not. Gen VII’s Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon offer at least a couple of trades with good utility and timing. Noibat is one of these games’ earliest examples, with players able to trade a Lillipup to an NPC on Route 5 for one. Players can find wild Noibat outright in the earlier Verdant Cavern on Route 2.
Still, what makes this trade worth it is how much it cuts down on the tedium to evolve it into a Noivern. The Noibat evolutionary line has just those two species, with the evolution not arriving until Level 48. By receiving a traded Noibat with the 1.5x EXP multiplier, this makes level grinding notably faster. It’s certainly not without its drawbacks, as Noibat is quite weak, but it’s the fastest way to reach its powerful evolution.
3 Trevenant Unlocks Another Trade-Evolution Exclusive
Location: Tapu Village, Alola Region (Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon)
Trades like Noibat (and even Hawlucha) in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon do well to make species that are already available more convenient to run on a team. But that’s not to say these Gen VII games don’t have more enticing, rarer trades to offer. Phantump is a charming and cleverly designed Ghost/Grass-Type Pokémon from Gen VI’s X and Y, but its evolution requires trading. Thankfully, an NPC in the Tapu Village Pokémon Center also seems keen to try and get a trade-locked species.
This character offers one of the most sensible trades in the mainline games, looking to trade a Phantump for another Phantump. Naturally, the one given to the player evolves into a Trevenant upon being transferred. This trade is equal parts rare and useful, as the powerful Trevenant comes at Lv. 33 and eventually gets access to heavy-hitting attacks like Wood Hammer and Phantom Force. This Trevenant also comes with maxed-out IVs (Individual Values) in Special Defense, giving it a competitive edge in this stat over most of its competition.
2 Alolan Ninetales Gives Kanto a Welcome Change of Pace
Location: Celadon City, Kanto Region (Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!)
The Pokémon Yellow remakes, Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, have the most worthwhile in-game trades of any of the Kanto region games. A major reason for that is the ability to do in-game trades with NPCs all over the region for the Alolan Form variants of Kanto species. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! players can benefit from a young NPC willing to trade a regular, Kantonian Vulpix for its Alolan variant.
Alolan Ninetales, its evolution, is one of the best Alolan forms, and Vulpix can quickly evolve by purchasing the Ice Stone in the same city. All the Alolan Form Pokémon are high-value trades, but Alolan Ninetales is one of the best designs and most useful given the trade’s timing. Alolan Ninetales’ offensive stats aren’t great, but it compensates with its fast 109 Speed and admirable 100 Special Defense. The dual Fairy/Ice-Type is a great combination, giving it strong moves that make up for its lower stats, like Ice Beam, Dazzling Gleam, Hypnosis to put foes to sleep, and Nasty Plot to greatly boost its Special Attack.
1 Gengar Is an Overdue Course Correction in Mainline Pokémon Games
Location: Levincia, Paldea Region (Pokémon Scarlet & Violet)
The in-game trades in Gen IX’s Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are, by and large, not particularly exciting. However, Game Freak finally course-corrects one of the missed trading opportunities in the mainline series: Gengar. The dual Ghost/Poison-Type is the most beloved and recognizable Pokémon of its kind, and players can finally get their hands on one in the single-player story in the city of Levincia. For a surprisingly simple exchange for a Pincurchin, an NPC in Levincia’s Battle Court will trade players a Haunter that, crucially, actually evolves upon being traded.
Gengar has always had a reputation for being a strong Pokémon. Being surprisingly nimble with a 110 Speed and powerful 130 Special Attack is quite the asset in battle, making use of everything from Shadowball and Sludge Bomb to even the Fairy-Type Dazzling Gleam and Fighting-Type Focus Blast. This feels like an «apology» for the infamous NPC in the Gen IV games. There, Mindy trades players a Haunter holding an Everstone, which prevents evolution. It’s admittedly a bit humorous for the audacity of it all, but the gatekeeping nature of trade evolutions made it more frustrating than anything else.
Pokemon
Expanding across a multitude of media, including TCGs, video games, manga, live-action movies and anime, the Pokémon franchise is set in a shared world of humans and creatures with a wide variety of special abilities.
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