Pokemon Sun and Moon Guide: How to Trade with Other Players

Ever since the very beginning of the franchise twenty years ago, Pokemon has been all about trading. This was true of Red and Blue, and it is true once again with Pokemon Sun and Moon. If you wanna catch ’em all, then you’ll have to either own two copies of the game, or find some people to trade with. Interestingly, Sun and Moon hide the trading feature just a little bit, removing it from the main menu. So, here’s a quick guide on how to trade in Pokemon Sun and Moon.

The key to knowing how to trade is hidden away in the Festival Plaza. Before that though, there is an easier way to trade with people, but they have to be physically near you to do it. If you are ready to trade with someone in the same room, you can both press X and select Quick Link. You’ll both have to hold down on the bottom screen until the systems connect to each other, then you can trade rather easily.

Of course, in today’s world you are almost never in the same room as the person you want to trade with. So, to trade with friends and strangers online just press X and go to the Festival Plaza, making sure you’re connected to the internet when you do. The first time you go here you’ll have to do some quick tutorial tasks. Once they’re done you can simply select Trade on the bottom screen.

You can now choose Link Trade to swap Pokemon with a specific friend, making sure you have added them as a friend on your 3DS first. Alternatively, you can go to the Global Trade System, or GTS to search for and swap specific Pokemon. This system works exceptionally well, allowing you to store a Pokemon online, selecting what you will take in exchange, and letting others browse your Pokemon and deliver you what you want.

Finally there is Wonder Trade. This random experience lets you throw any Pokemon out there, receiving a random one in return from some other player. This usually results in a lot of junk Pokemon, but sometimes a generous person will give you something wonderful.

And that’s it for how to trade in Pokemon Sun and Moon. If you’re looking for something specific, feel free to say something in the comments. Maybe we can start a trade network right here.