Honestly, trying to finish the Paldean Pokédex without a buddy who owns Scarlet feels like trying to swim across the Casseroya Lake with a heavy pack on. It’s exhausting. You spend hours flying around, checking every corner, only to realize that no matter how many sandwiches you eat, a Great Tusk is never going to spawn in your copy of Violet. It's just not happening.
But that's where the community stepped in.
Because Game Freak didn't give us an official "Trade Version Exclusives" button, players—largely led by creators like Austin John Plays—established a "universal language" of eight-digit numbers. These are the legendary Pokemon Violet trade codes. They aren't official, and they aren't guaranteed, but they are the best tool we've got in 2026 to bridge the gap between the futuristic neon of Violet and the prehistoric grit of Scarlet.
The Secret Language of Link Trading
Most people hop into the Poke Portal, hit Link Trade, and type in a random code hoping for the best. Big mistake. You’ve gotta understand how these codes are actually built. Usually, they are the Pokedex numbers of the two Pokemon being swapped, smashed together.
For instance, if you’re looking for a Fuecoco and you have a Sprigatito to give away, you'd use 0001–0004. The order doesn't technically matter, but the community generally puts the lower number first.
It’s basically a digital handshake.
Starter Pokemon Swaps
If you picked Quaxly and you're regretting not having that fire-breathing crocodile, or if you just need the entries for your living dex, these are the codes you'll see used most often. Keep in mind, you usually need to be offering the "other" side of the trade for this to work smoothly.
- Sprigatito & Fuecoco: 0001–0004
- Sprigatito & Quaxly: 0001–0007
- Fuecoco & Quaxly: 0004–0007
Simple, right? Well, sort of. The problem is that everyone wants the "cool" starter, so you might find yourself connecting with five other Violet players all trying to ditch their Sprigatito at the same time. If the person on the other end offers the same Pokemon as you, just back out and try again. No hard feelings.
Getting Those Version Exclusives
This is the meat of the matter. If you’re playing Violet, you have the "Iron" Paradox Pokemon, but you’re likely dying for a Roaring Moon or a Flutter Mane. These codes are specifically for swapping those exclusive counterparts.
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Paradox Pokemon Pairings
The Paradox trades are usually the most active. You’ll find people here almost around the clock.
0376–0382 connects you for Great Tusk (Scarlet) and Iron Treads (Violet).
0377–0383 is for Scream Tail and Iron Bundle.
0378–0384 handles Brute Bonnet and Iron Hands.
0379–0385 pairs Flutter Mane with Iron Jugulis.
0380–0386 is for Slither Wing and Iron Moth.
0381–0387 links Sandy Shocks and Iron Thorns.
0397–0398 is the big one: Roaring Moon for Iron Valiant.
The Box Legendary Trade
The most stressful trade in the game. 0399–0400 is the code for Koraidon and Miraidon.
Wait. Before you hit "Confirm," realize that most people using this code are looking for a permanent trade, not a "touch trade" (where you trade and then trade back immediately). If you love your Miraidon, don't use this code unless you are 100% okay with never seeing it again. If you just want the Pokedex entry, you’re better off finding a dedicated Discord or a Reddit thread where you can talk to the person first.
Dealing With the DLC (Teal Mask & Indigo Disk)
When the DLC dropped, the list grew. Suddenly we had Aipom, Morpeko, and a bunch of returning starters to worry about. The community adapted.
If you're looking for the Kitakami exclusives, use these:
- Gligar & Aipom: 0207–0190
- Cramorant & Morpeko: 0845–0877
For the Indigo Disk, it gets even more specific. If you need the new Paradox beasts like Gouging Fire or Raging Bolt, the codes 1020–1022 and 1021–1023 are the standard. But be warned: these are incredibly rare. People are very protective of these Pokemon, and the trade rooms for them are often filled with people "fishing" for a lopsided deal.
Why Your Trades Keep Failing
You enter the code. You wait. You connect! And... they offer a Lechonk.
Frustrating? Yeah. Unexpected? Not really.
The biggest limitation of the Pokemon Violet trade codes system is that there is no way to filter who you connect with. You might be a Violet player looking for a Scarlet exclusive, but you keep matching with other Violet players using the same code.
If you see the same person three times in a row, wait two minutes. Let them find someone else.
Another tip: Check the nicknames. Sometimes people will nickname their Pokemon "NoThanks" or "TradeBack?" to communicate. It's a clunky system, but it's what we have. Also, make sure you are in "Online Mode." It sounds stupid, but you'd be surprised how many people try to Link Trade while still on Local Wireless and wonder why the search is taking forever. Hit the "L" button in the menu to connect to the internet first.
The Ditto Problem
If you're into breeding, you need a foreign Ditto. It’s the only way to effectively use the Masuda Method for shiny hunting. The universal code for Ditto-for-Ditto is 4448–4448.
The goal here is to trade a Ditto from your region (say, North America) for one from another region (like Japan or Italy). Check the summary of the Pokemon being offered. You’ll see a little language tag like JPN, ITA, or FRE in the top right. If there’s no tag, it’s from your region, and it won't help your shiny odds. Just cancel and try again.
Final Steps for Success
- Prepare your trade bait. Catch two or three extras of your version exclusives (like Iron Valiant or Iron Hands) before you start.
- Double-check the Held Items. If you're trading for a Scizor or Slowking, ensure the Pokemon is holding the Metal Coat or King's Rock. The code 0075–0075 is often used for trade-evolutions like Graveler, but it relies on trust.
- Be patient. It’s a 2026 gaming environment; people are still playing, but the "instant" matches of the launch window are gone. It might take 5 or 10 tries to find a Scarlet player on a Tuesday afternoon.
- Verify the Pokemon. Always, always, always check the sprite of the Pokemon being offered before you click through the final confirmation screen.
If you've followed these steps and still can't find that one elusive Paradox mon, your next best bet is to jump into a Union Circle. This allows you to literally run around in a Scarlet player's world, where their exclusives will spawn right in front of you. It's a bit more "hands-on," but it's foolproof.