You’re staring at your Nintendo Switch screen, and that one version-exclusive Pokemon is mocking you. Maybe it’s a Larvitar if you’re on Violet, or perhaps you’re desperate for a Bagon in Scarlet. We’ve all been there. Getting a complete Pokedex in Paldea without friends who play the game is honestly a massive headache. That’s exactly why the community created pokemon scarlet trade codes. These aren't official codes from Nintendo or Game Freak, mind you. They are a grassroots, community-driven system of "link codes" that players use to find specific trades. It’s basically a massive, unspoken agreement among thousands of players worldwide.
The logic is simple: you enter a specific eight-digit number in the Poke Portal, and you match with someone else who is looking for the exact opposite of what you have. It sounds perfect on paper. In practice? It’s a bit of a Wild West situation. You might find your trade in thirty seconds, or you might spend twenty minutes matching with people who are trying to get the same thing you are.
Why Link Trade Codes are the Lifeblood of Paldea
The GTS (Global Trade System) used to be the gold standard, but it’s moved over to the Pokemon HOME mobile app. Within the actual Pokemon Scarlet and Violet games, the Link Trade feature is surprisingly bare-bones. You just enter a code and hope for the best. Without the community-standardized pokemon scarlet trade codes, you’d be guessing randomly or spamming 0000-0000 like a lost soul.
Austin John Plays, a massive figure in the Pokemon community, is largely credited with refining and popularizing these specific sequences. The beauty of the system is that the codes are usually just the Pokedex numbers of the two Pokemon being swapped. If you want to trade a Sprigatito for a Fuecoco, the code is 0001-0004. Simple. Effective. Kind of brilliant, actually.
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But here is the thing people forget: these codes are a two-way street. If you are using a code to get a Quaxly, you better have a Sprigatito or a Fuecoco ready to give back. If you show up with a random Lechonk, the other person is going to cancel the trade immediately. Don’t be that person. It slows down the whole ecosystem.
The Essential Starter and Version Exclusive Codes
Let's get into the actual numbers because that’s why you’re here. Most people are looking for the starters first. Since everyone wants a complete set of the Paldean trio, these rooms are almost always buzzing with activity.
For the starters, you use these combinations:
- 0001–0004: Sprigatito and Fuecoco
- 0001–0007: Sprigatito and Quaxly
- 0004–0007: Fuecoco and Quaxly
Version exclusives are where it gets slightly more competitive. You have to remember that because Scarlet sold slightly fewer copies than Violet in many regions, players looking for Scarlet exclusives (like Larvitar or Stonjourner) often outnumber the people offering them. You might have to try a few times.
Commonly used exclusive codes include:
- 0166–0167: Armarouge (Scarlet) and Ceruledge (Violet) — Usually swapped via the armor items, but direct trades happen too.
- 0313–0314: Oranguru and Passimian
- 0319–0320: Stonjourner and Eiscue
- 0316–0276: Larvitar and Bagon
- 0337–0339: Skrelp and Clauncher
- 0310–0311: Drifloon and Misdreavus
- 0370–0371: Deino and Dreepy
If you are looking for the Paradox Pokemon, the stakes are higher. These are the endgame heavy hitters. The codes follow the same logic. 0376 (Great Tusk) for 0382 (Iron Treads) is a classic swap. You’ll also see 0377 (Scream Tail) for 0383 (Iron Bundle), and 0378 (Brute Bonnet) for 0384 (Iron Hands). The list goes on through the entire Paradox roster including Flutter Mane, Slither Wing, and Sandy Shocks against their futuristic counterparts.
The Miraidon and Koraidon Problem
Trading the box legends—Koraidon and Miraidon—is the scariest part of using pokemon scarlet trade codes. The code is 0399-0400.
Let’s be real for a second. This is where people get scammed. Unlike the other trades where you’re just swapping a common Deino for a Dreepy, these are one-per-save-file Pokemon (unless you count the second one you catch at the bottom of Area Zero). Most people using this code are looking for a "touch trade" just to finish the Pokedex. A touch trade means you trade them, the Dex registers the entry, and then you immediately trade them back.
However, there is no "touch trade" button in Pokemon Scarlet. You are relying entirely on the honesty of a stranger on the internet. If you send your Koraidon over and the other person quits the trade, it’s gone. Forever. Honestly, if you value your box legend, do not use the public trade codes for this. Use a dedicated Discord server or a Reddit thread like r/pokemontrades where people have "flair" and reputations to uphold. It’s just not worth the risk of losing your dragon to a random person using code 0399-0400.
Hidden Mechanics: Why Your Trade Keeps Failing
You entered the code. You hit "Search." Then... "No partner could be found." Or worse, you keep matching with the same guy who also has the same Pokemon you're trying to get rid of.
This happens because the pokemon scarlet trade codes don't specify who gives what. If the code is 0319-0320 (Stonjourner/Eiscue), and 50 people are all searching that code while holding an Eiscue, nobody is getting a trade. Everyone is trying to buy, and nobody is selling.
If you keep matching with people offering the same Pokemon as you, try changing the order of the numbers. Instead of 0319-0320, try 0320-0319. It doesn't technically change the search pool, but sometimes it feels like it helps with the matchmaking "luck." More importantly, try trading during peak hours in different time zones. If it’s 3:00 AM in the US, Japan is wide awake and playing. Since Pokemon is a global game, the trade pools shift drastically depending on what part of the world is currently caffeinated and sitting on their couch.
Another thing: check your internet. I know it sounds like tech support 101, but the Nintendo Switch Wi-Fi chip is notoriously finicky. If your NAT type is Type C or D, you’re going to have a nightmare of a time connecting to anyone. You want Type A or B.
The Teal Mask and Indigo Disk Codes
When the DLC dropped, the community had to scramble to create new codes for the Kitakami and Blueberry Academy Pokedexes. It got a bit messy. For the Teal Mask, you’re looking at trades like Gligar for Aipom or Cramorant for Morpeko.
- 0207–0190: Gligar and Aipom
- 0845–0877: Cramorant and Morpeko
In the Indigo Disk, the big ones are the Alolan forms and the new Paradox variants like Gouging Fire or Iron Boulder. But a word of caution: the Paradox legendary trades (Gouging Fire/Raging Bolt for Iron Boulder/Iron Crown) are even more prone to "snatching" than the box legends. People are desperate for these because you can only get one set per DLC purchase.
If you’re looking for trade-evolution Pokemon like Gurdurr into Conkeldurr or Graveler into Golem, the universal code is often 0000-0000 plus the Pokedex number, but it’s much more reliable to find a dedicated partner. The generic "trade-back" rooms are full of people who might just keep your evolved Pokemon because, well, it's a Conkeldurr and they want it.
Regional Variants and Ditto Farming
One of the most popular uses for pokemon scarlet trade codes isn't even for completing the Pokedex—it’s for Masuda Method breeding. For those who don't know, if you breed two Pokemon from different real-world languages (like an English Ditto and a Japanese Ditto), your chances of hatching a Shiny Pokemon skyrocket.
The universal code for Ditto-for-Ditto trades is 4448-4448.
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When you get into the trade screen, check the language tag in the top right corner of the Pokemon's summary. If you see "JPN," "FRA," "GER," or "ITA," you’ve struck gold. If it doesn’t have a tag, it’s the same language as your game. Don't just accept the trade immediately. Wait, check the tag, and if it’s what you need, confirm. Most players in this room are very patient because they are looking for the exact same thing.
How to Stay Safe and Avoid Scams
Let's talk about the ugly side. There are people who sit in these trade pools specifically to mess with others. They might offer a Shiny Pokemon and then swap it out for a regular one at the last second, hoping you won't notice and will hit "Confirm" anyway. This is called "Switch-and-Bait."
Always, always, always hover over the Pokemon they are offering and press the button to "Check summary." This pauses the trade flow and lets you see the stats, the name, and whether it’s actually Shiny. If the other person keeps canceling and re-offering, they are likely trying to catch you off guard so you'll stop checking the summary. If someone acts suspicious, just leave. There are millions of other players. You don't need to risk your hard-earned Pokemon on someone acting shady in a link trade room.
Also, be aware of "item stealing." Some people use codes to trade Pokemon that evolve with items, like Scyther holding a Metal Coat. Sometimes, a person will take your Scizor and never send back their own. If you need an item-based evolution, your best bet is to find a friend or use a moderated community.
Moving Forward with Your Paldean Journey
Using pokemon scarlet trade codes is a rite of passage for any serious trainer. It’s a testament to how cool the Pokemon community can be when we all just want to help each other catch 'em all. Whether you are just starting your journey in Mesagoza or you’re finishing up the last few entries of the Blueberry Academy Pokedex, these codes are your best tool.
Just remember the etiquette:
- Have the correct Pokemon ready.
- Check the summary before confirming.
- Be patient; it might take five or six tries to find a partner.
- If you're trading a version exclusive, try to offer the equivalent from your version.
To get started right now, open your X menu, go to Poke Portal, select Link Trade, and enter one of the codes we discussed. Start with the starters or the basic version exclusives like Larvitar and Bagon to get a feel for how the timing works. Once you get the hang of the "search and cancel" rhythm, you’ll have your Pokedex filled out in a fraction of the time it would take to find these Pokemon through random luck.
Check your boxes for any duplicate Paradox Pokemon you caught in Area Zero—those are the best "currency" you have for getting the version exclusives you're missing. Good luck, and watch out for those fake-out trades.