Pokemon Emerald
Pokemon Emerald

In-Game Trades

Acquire rare Pokémon through In-Game Trades with NPCs across the Hoenn region in Pokemon Emerald. Obtain specific Natures or movesets beneficial to your team.

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In-Game Trades

In Pokemon Emerald, you have several opportunities to trade your Pokémon with various NPCs throughout the Hoenn region. These in-game trades are a fantastic way to acquire Pokémon that might be difficult to find otherwise, or to obtain Pokémon with specific Natures or movesets that can be beneficial to your team. Always ensure you have the requested Pokémon in your party before initiating a trade.

Rustboro City: Abra for Seedot

  • Location: Rustboro City, in the house directly to the right of the Pokémon Center.
  • NPC: A girl named Gabby.
  • Your Pokémon: An Abra.
  • Traded Pokémon: A Seedot (Level 5).
  • Strategy: Abra can be found relatively early in the game on Route 102, 103, 116, and Granite Cave. Be aware that Abra's only move is Teleport, so catching it requires a quick ball or a Pokémon with a status-inducing move like Sleep or Paralysis. The Seedot you receive will be a great addition if you chose Mudkip or Torchic as your starter, providing a Grass-type option.

Fortree City: Skitty for Pikachu

  • Location: Fortree City, in the house located to the left of the Pokémon Center.
  • NPC: A boy named Wally's Cousin.
  • Your Pokémon: A Skitty.
  • Traded Pokémon: A Pikachu (Level 20).
  • Strategy: Skitty can be found on Route 116. This trade is an excellent way to get an Electric-type Pokémon relatively early in the game. Pikachu is a strong special attacker and can be very useful against Flying and Water-type Pokémon you'll encounter. The Pikachu received will also know the move Thunderbolt, which is a powerful Electric-type attack.

Pacifidlog Town: Horsea for Bagon

  • Location: Pacifidlog Town, in the house in the northeast corner of the town.
  • NPC: A fisherman.
  • Your Pokémon: A Horsea.
  • Traded Pokémon: A Bagon (Level 25).
  • Strategy: Horsea can be caught by fishing with a Good Rod or Super Rod in various water routes, including Route 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, and Slateport City. This is arguably one of the most valuable in-game trades in Emerald, as Bagon is a pseudo-legendary Pokémon that evolves into Shelgon and then the powerful Dragon/Flying-type Salamence. Bagon is typically found only in Meteor Falls, making this trade a convenient shortcut to obtaining one.

Sootopolis City: Gyarados for Sealeo

  • Location: Sootopolis City, in the house in the southeast part of town.
  • NPC: A woman.
  • Your Pokémon: A Gyarados.
  • Traded Pokémon: A Sealeo (Level 35).
  • Strategy: Gyarados can be obtained by evolving a Magikarp (caught with an Old Rod or Good Rod almost anywhere there's water) at Level 20. This trade offers you a powerful Ice/Water-type Pokémon in Sealeo, which evolves into Walrein. Walrein is a bulky special attacker that can be very useful against Dragon-type Pokémon and other late-game challenges.