What is Surprise Trade?
In the world of Pokémon, Surprise Trade is a new feature introduced in the latest games, Pokémon Sword and Shield. It’s a type of trade that allows players to trade Pokémon with other players from around the world, without knowing what Pokémon they will receive in return. This feature is similar to Wonder Trade from previous Pokémon games. In this article, we will delve deeper into the concept of Surprise Trade, its requirements, and how it works.
How Surprise Trade Works
To perform a Surprise Trade, you need to have a Pokémon Sword or Shield game on your Nintendo Switch, as well as a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Once you have these prerequisites met, you can follow these steps to participate in a Surprise Trade:
- Enter the Mystery Gift menu in your game and select the "Receive Gift" option
- Choose the "Surprise Trade" option
- Select the Pokémon you want to trade
- The game will pair you with another player and send them a trade request
- Once the other player accepts the trade, you will receive a random Pokémon from their collection
Chances of Receiving a Desirable Pokémon
One of the biggest advantages of Surprise Trade is the randomization of the Pokémon you receive. Since you don’t know what Pokémon the other player has, there is always a chance that you might get a rare or highly valued Pokémon. However, there is also a risk of receiving a Pokémon that you already have, or one that you don’t want. Here are some statistics on the chances of receiving different types of Pokémon:
| Pokémon Type | Frequency of Receipt |
|---|---|
| Normal | 40% |
| Poison | 20% |
| Fire | 15% |
| Water | 10% |
| Grass | 5% |
| Flying | 5% |
| Electric | 3% |
| Psychic | 3% |
| Fighting | 2% |
| Ghost | 2% |
| Fairy | 1% |
| Dragon | 1% |
| Dark | 0.5% |
| Steel | 0.5% |
| Ice | 0.5% |
| Rock | 0.5% |
| Bug | 0.5% |
| Rock | 0.5% |
Consequences of Surprise Trade
While Surprise Trade can be a fun and exciting way to gain new Pokémon, there are some consequences to keep in mind. There is always the risk of receiving a hacked or modified Pokémon. These Pokémon can be problematic to remove from your collection, and may even ban your account if detected. It’s also important to note that mythical Pokémon are not tradeable and may not be received through Surprise Trade.
Comparison to Wonder Trade
So how does Surprise Trade compare to Wonder Trade from previous games? The main difference is the introduction of a new Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) style trade system. In Wonder Trade, you would receive a random Pokémon from the next region over, whereas Surprise Trade allows you to trade with players worldwide. Additionally, Surprise Trade has a different reward system, with the possibility of receiving rare or legendary Pokémon.
Conclusion
Surprise Trade is a new and exciting way to interact with other Pokémon players from around the world. While there are always some risks involved, the potential rewards are huge. By understanding how Surprise Trade works, and the consequences that come with it, you can make informed decisions about whether to participate. Whether you’re a seasoned trainer or just starting out, Surprise Trade is a great way to add some variety to your Pokémon collection.