Mastering Wonder Trade in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire: A Comprehensive Guide

The Wonder Trade feature in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is a fantastic way to add some surprise and excitement to your Pokémon journey. It’s a global lottery of sorts, where you trade one of your Pokémon for a random one from another trainer anywhere in the world. You might receive a rare, powerful creature, or you might get a common, lower-level one. It’s all part of the fun! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to effectively use Wonder Trade in these beloved games.

What is Wonder Trade?

Wonder Trade, first introduced in Pokémon X and Y, is a trading mechanic that allows you to trade one of your Pokémon with a random player online. Unlike regular trades where you pick the specific Pokémon you want to trade with a specific person, Wonder Trade is a gamble. You select a Pokémon from your party or PC boxes, and you’ll receive a random Pokémon in return from another player somewhere around the globe. The element of surprise is what makes it so appealing. You never know what you’ll get!

Why Use Wonder Trade?

There are several reasons why you might want to engage in Wonder Trades:

• The element of surprise: The unpredictable nature of Wonder Trade makes it incredibly exciting. You never know what kind of Pokémon you might receive, creating a sense of anticipation with each trade.
• Filling your Pokédex: Wonder Trade is a great way to encounter Pokémon you haven’t seen before, helping you to complete your Pokédex. You might receive region-exclusive Pokémon or Pokémon from other trainers that you’d not have access to normally.
• Getting breedjects: Many players use Wonder Trade to distribute Pokémon that are surplus from breeding projects. These “breedjects” often have high IVs (Individual Values) or desirable natures, which can be valuable for competitive battling or further breeding.
• Gaining access to early evolutionary stages: Some players might trade away Pokémon that are at early evolution stages that you might have difficulties catching yourself.
• Having some unexpected trades: Sometimes you might be lucky and get a shiny or legendary Pokemon, although the probability is very low.
• Clear out the trash: It is a great way to give away Pokémon you don’t want and replace them with new potentially more interesting ones.

How to Access Wonder Trade in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Before you can start Wonder Trading, you’ll need to reach a certain point in the game and ensure you have the proper set up:

1. Reach Mauville City: You’ll need to progress through the game until you reach Mauville City. This is typically after you’ve defeated the Rustboro Gym and reached Dewford Town.
2. Acquire the PokéNav Plus: Once in Mauville City, you’ll receive the PokéNav Plus device. This is crucial as it allows you to access the Player Search System (PSS) which is essential to Wonder Trading.
3. Connect to the internet: Make sure your Nintendo 3DS or 2DS system is connected to the internet. This is required to trade with other players online.
4. Access the PSS: Open the PokéNav Plus on your 3DS touch screen. Then, press the blue button at the bottom which has two people icon. This is the Player Search System or PSS.
5. Connect to the internet inside the PSS: Once in PSS, press the blue icon at the top of your touch screen which has two arrows. You will be prompted to connect to internet. Once connected, you will see a list of friends online, nearby players and strangers.
6. Find the Wonder Trade option: Once in the PSS menu, you will see several icons at the bottom of the screen. Look for an icon shaped like a globe with two arrows curving around it. This is the Wonder Trade icon. Select this icon.

Step-by-Step Guide to Performing a Wonder Trade

Now that you’ve set up your game, here’s how to perform a Wonder Trade:

1. Open the PSS: As described above. Access your PSS from your PokeNav Plus.
2. Select Wonder Trade: As described above. Select the wonder trade icon at the bottom of the PSS screen.
3. Choose a Pokémon to Trade: You’ll be taken to a screen where you can select a Pokémon from your party or your PC boxes. Consider which Pokémon you want to trade. Once you have made your choice, select the Pokemon.
4. Confirm your trade: The game will prompt you to confirm your selection. Double check the Pokemon you selected. Once you are ready, confirm the trade.
5. Wait for the Trade to Complete: Your Pokémon will be sent out into the Wonder Trade system, and you’ll have to wait for a trade to be found. This might take a few seconds or up to a few minutes if the server is busy. The game will display a “Searching for a trade” message.
6. Receive your new Pokémon: Once a match is found, the game will show the summary of the Pokemon you will be receiving. You’ll be presented with a confirmation screen, showing you the Pokémon you’ve received. Make sure to confirm and check out the information. This will be a Pokemon someone else has traded, not a Pokemon from the game itself.
7. Receive a Pokemon from a Trainer: The game will automatically trade the Pokemon you have offered and you will receive the Pokemon from the other trainer. You can finally check out your new Pokemon.
8. Repeat: You can continue Wonder Trading as many times as you like, provided you have Pokémon to trade.

Tips and Strategies for Wonder Trading

To maximize your experience with Wonder Trade, consider these helpful tips and strategies:

• Trade Often: The more trades you perform, the more chances you have of receiving a rare or useful Pokémon. Don’t be discouraged by getting common Pokémon, keep trying!
• Be Patient: Wonder Trade can be unpredictable. Sometimes you’ll get a fantastic Pokémon, and other times you’ll receive a common one. Don’t get frustrated and keep playing.
• Don’t Expect Too Much: While you might occasionally receive a rare or shiny Pokémon, the majority of trades will be for common, early-game Pokémon. Manage your expectations accordingly.
• Be Kind and Share: If you are breeding Pokémon, you might want to trade your breedjects as a kindness to others. Someone may also be kind and send you great Pokemon in return.
• Trade Pokémon that are not useless: You might want to trade some Pokemon with good stats or some evolutionary stages to increase your chances to receive better Pokemon in return.
• Use Multiple Wonder Trades: If you are serious about getting better Pokémon through wonder trades you might want to trade a number of Pokemon at once. This increases your chances of getting something good.
• Take Advantage of Events: Occasionally, there are community-driven events where players are encouraged to trade specific Pokémon or distribute certain breedjects. Pay attention to online communities and forums for such events.
• Check IVs and Abilities: If you get a Pokémon you’re interested in, be sure to check its IVs (Individual Values), ability, and nature. These details can make a significant difference for competitive battling or further breeding.
• Don’t Trade Pokémon you need: Only trade Pokemon that you do not mind losing. You never know what you might get in return, and that Pokemon will be gone from your inventory.
• Use the Pokemon bank: Use the Pokemon bank to move all the Pokemon you have received from wonder trades. This way you can look at all of them at once and not clog your PC boxes.

Commonly Received Pokémon

While you might receive something extraordinary, here are some of the more common Pokémon you’re likely to receive through Wonder Trade:

• Starter Pokémon: Pokémon like Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip are frequently traded, often as breedjects.
• Common Route Pokémon: Pokémon found on early routes in the game, such as Zigzagoon, Wurmple, and Wingull, are very common.
• Early Stage Evolution Pokemon: A lot of early stage evolution pokemon are sent through wonder trade.
• Breedjects: Pokémon with high IVs or desirable natures are often sent by people who are breeding Pokémon.
• Foreign Pokémon: You may receive Pokémon from different regions of the world (with a different language tag), which can be useful for breeding.

Pokémon to Consider Sending

If you want to participate in the giving side of Wonder Trade, here are a few suggestions of Pokémon you might consider sending:

• Breedjects: Send out Pokémon that have good IVs or natures that you don’t need anymore. This can be a great way to contribute to the community.
• Pokémon with hidden abilities: Some Pokémon with their hidden abilities can be a valuable asset for other players.
• Pokémon with egg moves: Pokémon that know certain unique moves through breeding that they would normally not learn is another good option.
• Hard to find Pokemon: Sending out hard to find Pokemon that other trainers might not have access to is a nice option.
• Shiny Pokémon: If you’re feeling generous, a shiny Pokémon could make someone’s day. Though you might get one through the trade too!
• Version Exclusives: If you have both Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, you might send version exclusives of your game to someone who might have the other version.

Conclusion

Wonder Trade in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is a fun and unpredictable feature that adds a layer of excitement to the game. Whether you’re looking to fill your Pokédex, acquire a new team member, or simply enjoy the thrill of the unknown, Wonder Trade has something to offer. Follow this guide, and you’ll be well-equipped to get the most out of this engaging mechanic. Happy trading, and may your trades be wondrous!