Pokemon Fans Point Out Problem with Surprise Trades

Pokemon fans are pointing out that there are ongoing problems with Surprise Trades in the games being used for advertising. To make matters worse, these Pokemon Surprise Trades typically involve hacked Pokemon.

Pokemon games have featured Wonder Trades or Surprise Trades for several generations now. Unlike standard trades, Pokemon Surprise Trades pair players randomly, so traders have no way of knowing in advance what they’ll get when they participate, nor which trainer they’ll be partnered with. In some cases, this can lead to players getting some interesting or unusual Pokemon, or they may end up getting something largely worthless. However, players are trying to bring attention to an issue with Surprise Trades that still needs to be fixed.

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On Reddit, player Altruistic-Grape9776 shared a meme highlighting how they participate in Wonder or Surprise Trades only to get hacked Pokemon advertising websites. Many have since joined the comments, sharing their own similar experiences with the OP, and their thoughts on the matter. Players who participate in Surprise Trades sometimes find that they end up receiving a Shiny or Max IV Pokemon in return, typically in a Master Ball, with the Pokemon’s name changed to a web address. Usually, these websites are selling more hacked Pokemon, so the Pokemon is essentially an ad for an illicit service.

How Pokemon Fans Deal With Fake Surprise Trades

Many players have pointed out how annoying this issue is and how they personally deal with it. Some Pokemon players seem content to keep the Pokemon, either to use them as part of their team in offline battles, or to utilize them for breeding. Others choose to get rid of the Pokemon, releasing it, and in turn are able to claim the Master Ball they’re often housed in, and any item they were holding. However, it’s nonetheless discouraging for players who give up a Pokemon to get something hacked in return.

Players have been asking for a fix for this problem for quite some time now. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is supposed to prevent illegitimate Pokemon from being traded, but it seems there are ways around it. Outside of blocking these trades completely, players have suggested that the name of a Pokemon and its trainer be stripped before a Surprise Trade is completed. That would remove any advertisements by way of the Pokemon or trainer’s name, making this kind of hacked trade pointless for those who are using it as a way to generate sales. It remains to be seen what action is taken, if any, to prevent these problems in future games like Pokemon Legends: Z-A.

Pokemon

Created by

Satoshi Tajiri