Why Can’t I Transfer Pokémon in Shield?
Pokémon Home, a new cloud-based storage and transfer system, has been released by Nintendo, allowing players to transfer their Pokémon across different games. However, some players may experience issues with transferring their Pokémon, including those in Pokémon Shield. If you’re experiencing trouble transferring Pokémon in Shield, this article will help you understand the reasons behind this limitation.
Important Note
Before we dive into the details, it’s essential to know that Pokémon Home is a separate system from the traditional Pokémon games. Pokémon Shield, as well as other mainline games, have their unique methods of handling Pokémon transfers. In this case, Pokémon Home is designed to allow transfers between Pokémon Sword, Shield, Legends: Arceus, and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
Not All Pokémon Can Be Transferred
One of the most critical reasons why some Pokémon cannot be transferred in Shield is that not all Pokémon are available in the game. This includes some Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. These unique Pokémon are exclusive to specific events, games, or regions, making it challenging to transfer them between games.
Not All Legendary and Mythical Pokémon Can Be Transferred
Some Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, such as Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Victini, and Genesect, are specifically excluded from being transferred in Shield. These Pokémon were either event-exclusive or available in specific games, making it impractical for them to be transferred.
Pokémon That Can’t Be Transferred
Here’s a list of some Pokémon that cannot be transferred to Shield:
| Pokémon | Reasons |
|---|---|
| Mew | Event-exclusive |
| Celebi | Game-exclusive (FireRed and LeafGreen) |
| Jirachi | Event-exclusive (Mythical Pokémon) |
| Victini | Game-exclusive (Black and White) |
| Genesect | Game-exclusive (Black 2 and White 2) |
| Melmetal | Game-exclusive (Island of Giants) |
| Zeraora | Game-exclusive (Ultra Moon) |
| Marshadow | Game-exclusive (Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon) |
Pokémon That Can Be Transferred
On the other hand, some Pokémon can be transferred, including the starter Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander) and other Pokémon that are present in the wild or can be encountered through normal gameplay.
How Pokémon Shield Handles Transfers
Pokémon Shield, like other Pokémon games, has its unique method of handling Pokémon transfers. The game only allows players to transfer Pokémon that are already present in their Pokédex. This means that if you have a Pokémon that’s not in your Pokédex, it cannot be transferred.
Conclusive Thoughts
Transferring Pokémon from other games or events to Shield can be complicated due to the restrictions mentioned above. Nintendo has designed the Pokémon Home system to handle transfers between compatible games, but some unique Pokémon are not designed to be transferred. Understand the limitations of the game and explore other methods of obtaining the Pokémon you want, such as completing events or other games.
In conclusion, the inability to transfer certain Pokémon in Shield is due to game-specific exclusions, event-exclusive distributions, and game-specific availability. By understanding these limitations, players can better navigate the process of transferring their Pokémon and enjoy the thrill of catching new species in the world of Pokémon.