Wonder Trade
Complete guide to Wonder Trade in Polished Crystal. Learn how to use the offline Wonder Trade system, item rewards, and strategies for getting rare Pokémon.
Introduction
Polished Crystal features an offline implementation of Wonder Trade, emulating the popular online feature from Generation VI–VII games. This system allows you to trade a Pokémon and receive a random Pokémon of equivalent level in return, with enhanced chances for valuable rewards like Shiny Pokémon, Hidden Abilities, and rare held items.
Wonder Trade is accessed through the machine behind the clerk in the center of the Goldenrod City Pokémon Communication Center (PCC).
How to Use Wonder Trade
Location
Visit the Goldenrod City Pokémon Communication Center and interact with the Wonder Trade machine behind the clerk in the center of the building.
Trading Process
- Select a Pokémon from your party to trade
- The game records the Pokémon's level
- Your Pokémon is removed from your party
- You instantly receive a random Pokémon of the same level
- The received Pokémon will be within valid level ranges for its species
What Determines the Trade
The Pokémon you receive is randomly selected based on:
- Level Matching: The received Pokémon will be the same level as the one you traded
- Species Pool: Only species that can naturally be at that level are eligible (based on valid level ranges)
- Form Variants: Pokémon with multiple forms may appear in any valid form
Features & Benefits
Increased Shiny Rate
Wonder Trade has a 4× increased chance of returning a Shiny Pokémon:
- Wonder Trade Shiny Rate: 1 in 1,024 (compared to 1 in 4,096 in the wild)
- This makes Wonder Trade one of the best methods for obtaining Shiny Pokémon
- Works alongside the Shiny Charm if you have it
Hidden Ability Chance
Unlike wild encounters (5% chance) or breeding, Wonder Trade has an exceptional equal 1/3 chance for each ability:
- 33.3% chance of Ability 1
- 33.3% chance of Ability 2
- 33.3% chance of Hidden Ability
This makes Wonder Trade the easiest way to obtain Hidden Abilities! See our Abilities Guide for more information on powerful Hidden Abilities.
Random Gender Distribution
For species with both genders, Wonder Trade gives a flat 50/50 chance of male or female, regardless of the species' natural gender ratio. This is useful for:
- Obtaining female starters (normally 12.5% chance)
- Getting specific genders for breeding purposes
- Completing gender-based evolution requirements
Random OT Names
Each Wonder Trade Pokémon comes with a randomly selected Original Trainer (OT) name from internal lists, giving the feeling of trading with other players.
Egg-to-Egg Trading
Unlike the main series games, Wonder Trade in Polished Crystal can accept Eggs:
- Trade an Egg to receive another random Egg
- The received Egg will have all the same Wonder Trade benefits (shiny chance, etc.)
- Great for surprise hatches and collecting rare species
Held Item Rewards
Wonder Trade Pokémon may come holding items, with better items available at higher levels. The system works similarly to the Pickup ability.
Item Chance by Level
| Item | 1–10 | 11–20 | 21–30 | 31–40 | 41–50 | 51–60 | 61–70 | 71–80 | 81–90 | 91–100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Nothing) | 70% | 60% | 50% | 40% | 30% | — | — | — | — | — |
| Oran Berry | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 30% | — | — | — | — |
| Sitrus Berry | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 30% | — | — | — |
| Lum Berry | 4% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 30% | — | — |
| Leppa Berry | 4% | 4% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 30% | — |
| Figy Berry | — | 4% | 4% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 30% |
| Starf Berry | — | — | 4% | 4% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Ganlon Berry | — | — | — | 4% | 4% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Petaya Berry | — | — | — | — | 4% | 4% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Leichi Berry | — | — | — | — | — | 4% | 4% | 10% | 10% | 10% |
| Salac Berry | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4% | 4% | 10% | 10% |
| Apicot Berry | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4% | 4% | 10% |
| Lansat Berry | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4% | 4% |
| Custap Berry | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4% |
| Ability Capsule | 1% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lucky Egg | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Rare Candy | — | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| Leftovers | — | — | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
Key Insights:
- Low-level trades (1–50): Higher chance of receiving no item, but exclusive access to Ability Capsule at levels 1–10
- Mid-level trades (51–70): Best for common berries like Oran Berry and Sitrus Berry
- High-level trades (71–100): Best for rare stat-boosting berries and competitive items
Restrictions
Wonder Trade has a few limitations to prevent exploitation:
- Cannot trade Eggs containing Legendary Pokémon: Regular Eggs work fine, but Legendary Eggs are blocked
- No duplicate species prevention: You might receive the same species you just traded
- Level must be valid: The traded Pokémon's level must fall within the valid range for its species
- Must have at least 2 Pokémon: You cannot trade your last Pokémon
Strategies & Tips
Shiny Hunting
- Wonder Trade is the best offline shiny hunting method with 4× the normal rate
- Trade at low levels (1–10) for fast trading sessions
- Breed common Pokémon in bulk for trade fodder
- With a 1/1,024 chance, you can expect a shiny roughly every 1,024 trades
Hidden Ability Farming
- With a 33% chance of Hidden Abilities, Wonder Trade is the easiest way to obtain them
- Trade for specific species you need Hidden Abilities for, or collect many different species
- Combine with breeding to pass Hidden Abilities to offspring
Item Farming
- Low Levels (1–10): Best for Ability Capsule and Lucky Egg
- Mid Levels (31–50): Balanced chance for Rare Candy and Leftovers
- High Levels (71–100): Best for stat-boosting berries and competitive items
- Level 100: Maximizes rare berry chances (Custap Berry, etc.)
Pokédex Completion
- Wonder Trade can help fill Pokédex gaps with version-exclusive or rare Pokémon
- Trade at various level ranges to access different species pools
- Save before trading if you want to keep your original Pokémon
Breeding Material
- 50/50 gender distribution makes it easy to get breeding pairs
- Random DVs mean you might get perfect IV Pokémon for breeding
- Hidden Abilities can be passed down through breeding
- Use Wonder Trade to get different OT Pokémon for faster egg production
Recommended Trade Fodder
Good Pokémon to breed or catch for mass Wonder Trading:
- Starters: Easy to breed, desirable species
- Eevee: Popular and breeds quickly
- Common Route Pokémon: Rattata, Pidgey, etc. (easy to catch in bulk)
- Magikarp: Levels up fast with Exp. Share
Pro Tips
- Save Before Major Trades: If you're trading a rare Pokémon you might want back
- Box Organization: Keep a box dedicated to Wonder Trade fodder for quick mass trading
- Level Range Testing: Try different level ranges to see which species pools you prefer
- Check Abilities: Always check if received Pokémon have their Hidden Ability (marked with "H" on the stat screen)
Related Guides
- Complete List of Quality-of-Life Improvements - Wonder Trade is one of many quality-of-life features in Polished Crystal
- Version History & Design Philosophy - Wonder Trade was added in version 3.1.0
- Beginner's Guide to Pokémon Polished Crystal - Get started with Wonder Trade and other beginner features