5 best in-game Pokemon trades of all time

Trading is pretty much one of the key features of playing the Pokemon games.

Along with being able to “catch ’em all,” trainers are also allowed to trade Pokemon with their friends and even players worldwide. Unfortunately, some people may not have a group of Pokemon-playing friends to trade away with at their heart’s content. This is where in-game trading comes in handy.

In-game trades are made specifically between the player and one of the characters within the game instead of a real person in the real world. In-game trades allow the players to get certain Pokemon that are otherwise impossible to get.

So with this neat feature all explained, here are the best choices for in-game trades.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the opinion of the writer.

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Top 5 all-time in-game Pokemon trades

#5 - Medicham for Haunter (Gen IV)

Image via Game Freak

Here’s a trade that teaches any wide-eyed trainer a lesson. If they are playing the Generation IV version of the games (Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum), then they have the option of a few in-game trades.

One trade that most regret, yet learn a valuable lesson from, is the Medicham for Haunter trade done with a woman in Snowpoint City.

Any well-versed trainer may think, “Trading a Haunter? That means a Gengar in return!” Wrong, unfortunately.

The woman’s trade comes with a loophole that most would never even think about: the Haunter is holding an Everstone! That’s right; trainers are duped all the time into thinking they receive an evolved Gengar but are stuck with just another Haunter with an Everstone.

Being the peak of irony, though, that is the only possible way to obtain an Everstone in the Generation IV games.

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#4 - Spearow for Hawlucha (Gen VII)

Image via The Pokemon Company

Honestly, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon don’t have much in the realm of decent in-game trades. There is perhaps one exemption from that list: trading Spearow for Hawlucha.

Moderately early in the games, trainers are given the option to conduct this trade. To hold up their end of this bargain, all a trainer has to do is visit either Route 2 or 3 and catch a lower level Spearow.

In return, they have the chance to obtain a very strong Hawlucha that will easily help win battle after battle throughout their journey.

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#3 - Luvdisc for Steelix (Gen VI)

Image via Game Freak

Pokemon X & Y are known for having a few pretty good in-game trades. The best of which is probably the opportunity to trade a Luvdisc for a Steelix. This trade is available because the person trading thinks that Luvdisc is simply the best Pokemon ever and is willing to give up a pretty strong Steelix in place of it.

To make this trade happen, all a user has to do is visit Cyllage City with the Old Rod, and a Luvdisc can easily be caught and soon traded for a mighty Steelix.

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#2 - Ralts for Any Pokemon (Gen VI)

Image via Game Freak

Another Kalos region trade, the option to trade any of the player's Pokemon for a Ralts after beating the Elite Four, is a trade that most will make happily.

When making this trade, the trainer not only receives a Ralts, as it arrives holding a Gardevoirite. It is a Mega Stone usable for turning Gardevoir into a Mega Gardevoir, making this way more than a fair trade.

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#1 - Any Pokemon for A Kalos Starter (Gen VI)

Image via The Pokemon Company

Another X & Y entry? This might be the best of them all!

This trade makes number one on this list simply because of the history it broke when added to the games. In the Kalos region, this is the first time ever in any Pokemon game that the trainer can simply trade any Pokemon in their party and have the option to receive a second starter from this region.

This trade is especially helpful to those trainers trying to finish up their Pokedex and unable to trade with friends or online.