The official guidebook topic! This topic will try to list most of the current features in gameplay.

Don't post questions here.

Navigation

Basics
Signing Up
Pokégear / Achievements
Money

Features
Map / Event Pokémon (how to obtain legendary items) / Shiny Leaf/Shiny Leaf Crown
PC System (Pokémon storage, item giving/taking and releasing)
Bank (Deposit/withdraw money, earnings and ad points)
Poké Cell (Change partner, character name/gender/avatar)
Shops/Items
League Badges (Necessary for full map navigation)
Partners / Partner Data
Trading
Berry Planting
Berry Synthesis (Use berries to make items)
Gacha Corner (Gambling & Pokémon Adoption)
Capsule Service (Change your Pokémon's Poké Balls, sometimes with special effects)
Trial Arena (Improve EVs and conditions)
Dungeons (mini-game, money rewards)
NPCs
Misc. (Nicknaming/Trainer Card/Pal Pad)
Sprite Gallery
Goals

Pokémon
Catching Pokémon / Can starters be found in the wild?
Safari Zone/Bug-Catching Contest
Raising Pokémon
Pokémon Evolution
Pokémon Forms
Breeding Pokémon

Other
Donation Items
TMs (special items with effects)
Mirage Island

To sign up, simply register a forum account. An e-mail will be sent to you asking you to confirm your account.

Once your account is validated, when you click any of the links at the top, you'll be prompted to complete your registration to be able to play. This is a quick process in which you set the specifics for your character, and choose a starter Pokémon. When that is finished, you'll be able to play.

You're given 5 Poké Balls and 500 for signing up, plus another 500 in the Bank. Additionally, the price of Poké Balls is cut by half until you buy 30 or more of them.

Yun is the default partner for all new accounts, since his bonus (5% minimum discount at shops) is very useful for new players.

Between the 1st and 7th of November (2009), players were given an Old Sea Map for signing up, as well. This item enables reaching Faraway Island in Hoenn, where Mew can be caught.

There are a number of ways to make money:

The primary means of making money is by using the Bank. You can deposit money and cash in earnings after 24 hours (24% of the amount deposited when the 24 hours clock in), or you can exchange reward points for advertising the site by displaying your party images around for money. Full explanation here.

You also get 50 an hour, much like your Pokémon get some exp every hour. You don't need to be constantly online for this - however, you'll stop accumulating money after four hours of inactivity. Example:

You stay 1 hour active, then AFK for 3 hours, come back for 2 hours, then AFK for 10 hours.

You make 50, then 150 for the 3 hours of AFK-ing, 100 over the next 2 hours, and only 200 for those 10 hours (since it'll stop adding money after 4 hours).

This way, when you go to sleep or school and such, you'll always come home to enough money for a Poké Ball, at least.

Money is used, primarily, for purchasing items. It is now possible to trade money between accounts by attaching it to a Pokémon, provided that you have obtained a Trade Pass (see "Trading" for further information). Items can be sold for money through the Item Bag.

The map can be accessed from the link at the top of the page. Which town/region you start in depends on which starter you chose when signing up.

The map is based heavily on the game maps. Arrows help you find your way by pointing to whichever direction they lead to. Signs represent special locations contained within that map, and other images may represent events or obstacles (see below).

Some areas of the map may be blocked by small trees, rugged rocks, boulders, water, et cetera. To get past these obstacles, you need to have the proper HM. For the time being, HMs can be purchased at the VDex Shop. Once you have the appropriate HM, the obstacles are automatically cleared.

Kanto and Johto have routes blocked by Pokémon. To get past these Pokémon, you need to use the appropriate key item. Right now, both items can be bought at the VDex Shop as well.

Some places have events triggered automatically or by fulfilling certain conditions - right now, all events are related to Pokémon. See "Event Pokémon" for more information.

Towns and Cities may have Poké Marts. These shops are the only way to get more Poké Balls as well as certain other items. The shop's selection varies with the region and place.

Map areas with water will have Fishing Spots. Fishing Spots become available when you have either the Surf HM or at least one Rod (all of which can be purchased at the header shop).

To travel between each of the four major regions, you need to make use of the Ferry Service available in either Vermilion City (Kanto), Olivine City (Johto), Slateport City (Hoenn), Canalave City (Sinnoh) or Castelia City (Unova). In those cities, you can purchase S.S. Tickets for 50. In possession of a ticket, the ferry service option will become available. The ticket will be used up when you choose your destination (unless it's the place you were already in).

There's also a special, unlimited use Golden Ticket that lets you use the Ferry service for free, but it is normally unobtainable.

You can also cross between the Kanto and Johto regions on foot for free, but you'll need the Waterfall HM to be able to travel back and forth.

You don't have to navigate the map manually to go to previously visited places - you can just type in the place's name on the URL bar. Note that if you try to reach a place you've never been to using this method, or go to a place in a different region, it will fail.

The option of using Fly isn't available, but may be implemented in the future.

Map Items

Sometimes, you may notice a strange little icon on the map. Click it! It's an item.

Items' locations are fixed, and they're one-time only, just like the game's items. Some maps may have more than one, but you can only view one at a time. After you pick up one, the next will be there when you refresh or visit that map again.

This is meant to help players build up their inventories while they're still new to the site.

Pokémon Encounters

On the right side of the map, you may run into wild Pokémon. You can catch them by clicking the Poké Ball icons under them (Poké Balls are only spent when the catch is successful). You can find new Pokémon without needing to refresh the whole page by clicking the Poké Radar icon under the Pokémon.

If you already have enough Pokémon to fill up all your boxes and Party you will be stopped from catching more Pokémon, even if you still have one or two free slots from having some Pokémon in the Daycare. If you have Daycare Pokémon make sure you have enough slots open in your party or PC before attempting a catch.

Pokémon encounters in VDex follow the games' encounter rates based on these versions:

Kanto - Red/Blue
Johto - Gold/Silver
Hoenn - Ruby/Sapphire
Sinnoh - Pearl/Diamond

With only a few minor changes (most notably, Feebas can only be caught in Sinnoh, and Remoraid is only available with a Super Rod).

Because of this, some Pokémon aren't available in the wild (most notably Houndour, which can only be found in Kanto in G/S), and can only be obtained as event Pokémon, via gambling, breeding or trading.

Version exclusives (like Vulpix vs. Growlithe in Gen I) can both be found, at halved encounter rates.

If a Pokémon's name is in red, it means you haven't registered that Pokémon as "caught" in your Pokédex yet. It'll be black if you have.

There is a very small chance of running into a glitch in the system...

Time

In Johto and Sinnoh, some Pokémon can only be found during specific times of the day.

Morning is from 4 AM to 9:59 AM.
Daytime is from 10 AM to 7:59 PM.
Night is from 8 PM to 3:59 AM.

Those times are affected by the timezone you specify in the forums but not affected by Daylight Savings. You can check the exact time at the footer of every page (other than the forums), where it says when the page was loaded.

Mapdex

The Mapdex is a handy feature with a variety of information for every part of the map. A link to the information of the area you're in can be found at the bottom of the page when on the map.

A search feature is also available. With it, you can search for areas by name, search for where to buy a specific item, or where to catch a specific Pokémon and/or compare appearance rates.

When searching, make sure to double-check your spelling. Partial matches will usually bring up all the places that match the entered term, but for some items (berries and TMs, most notably) partial matches must be made searching for specific parts of the items: for berries, search for the berry's name rather than "berry", and for TMs likewise instead of "TM".

Items can be purchased in shops.

There are two types of shops: The VDex Shop, linked to from the top menu, and map shops, found in every city with an in-game shop. The former currently sells only key items that are normally unobtainable, while the latter sells regular items.

Key items are obtainable only once and never lost. They can't be traded.
Regular items are expendable and may be attached to Pokémon and traded.

Item types include:

Poké Balls - Any and all Balls used to catch Pokémon with;
Pokémon Food - Any items that may be fed to Pokémon;
Evolution Items - Any and all items used to evolve Pokémon;
Held Items - Items that have some kind of effect when they're held by Pokémon;
Special Items - Items that have no apparent effect but may activate events (or will have effects in the future);
Key Items - Special items that enable specific features. These items may not be traded away.

You can check your current inventory by clicking the item bag link at the Pokégear, or by clicking the bag icon in the shortcuts.

Note that not all items are available on the key items section of the VDex Shop from the get-go. Some of them have specific requirements (see "League Badges"). Additionally, to unlock the rods you need to purchase the "worse" version first (i.e. the Good Rod will be unavailable until you buy the Old Rod even if you have the appropriate badge).

New Player Discount

The price of the first 30 Poké Balls purchased in Poké Marts is halved ($100 instead of $200). After 30 Poké Balls have been purchased, their price is normalized.

Selling Items

You can sell most items in your bag (except for Key Items and the Master Ball). When you click any item in your bag, a "Sell This" option is displayed if you can sell it. Click it, and the selling options to select quantity and display how much you'll make will appear. Click the "sell" button to finalize the sale.

PP Shop

In the VDex Shop, there's a section called "PP Exchange" where you may exchange your PP (obtained by feeding other people's Pokémon) for items. Many unobtainable items are (or will be) available through this method.

GP Shop

Like the PP Shop, the GP Shop is a VDex Shop section wherein you may exchange your GP (obtained by completing Daily/Weekly/Monthly Goals) for items. Many unobtainable items are (or will be) available through this method.

Secondhand Shop

Also in the VDex Shop, there's a section for items that have been sold off by users. The Secondhand Shop sells items at a reduced price, but its stock is limited strictly to items that have been sold off - so if someone sold a single Moon Stone, there's just one in stock. As a result, if someone gets to an item before you do, you may be unable to purchase what you wanted.

There's a compensation system in place so that as long as there are still items of a specific type in stock, you'll be able to purchase one without being stopped in case someone already bought the specific item you clicked.

Only one item of each type is displayed at any time (so even if there's 15 Poké Balls, you'll only see one). Additionally, only up to 100 items will be accounted for at any given time - for more items to appear, the older ones need to be sold off.

To catch Pokémon, wander to any area in the map where wild Pokémon can be found, and they'll appear. You need to have Poké Balls with you - they can be purchased at the map shops. If you have no Poké Balls, wild Pokémon will not appear.

Once you've found a Pokémon you want, click a Poké Ball to throw at it. Wait for the confirmation message - if you catch the Pokémon, it'll be immediately added to your party, and you lose your Ball. If you fail to catch it, it'll escape, but you will not lose your Ball.

If you have no room in your party, the Pokémon will automatically be sent to your PC, to the last box a Pokémon was automatically sent to. This is by default Box 1; if at any point it's full, it'll change to Box 2 or the next box with an empty space even if you free up space in Box 1. You can manually set your default box in the PC when in organize mode.

To make room in your party, store your Pokémon in your PC. You can do this in a separate tab without any risk of the Pokémon escaping.

If you open a new map tab/window and try to catch a Pokémon in your previous map location, the catch will always fail. This is because you can only catch the last Pokémon you saw, and you can only catch it if you're at the location you last saw it at.

If you fail to catch a Pokémon and try to catch it again by pressing "Back" and "Forward" in your browser, the catch will always fail. You'll have to refresh or navigate the map again until you find the Pokémon you want.

Nicknaming

You are not automatically prompted to nickname your Pokémon. To give it a nickname, go to its full information page (where it can be fed) and click on its name. An input field will appear. Type in your desired nickname, and hit Enter.

Items Held By Caught Pokémon

When you catch a Pokémon, there's a 10% chance it'll come holding a random common berry. Common berries are Cheri, Chesto, Pecha, Aspear and Rawst.

Happiness Level

Most caught Pokémon start at 70 (out of 255) happiness. A few species, however, have different base levels - 0, 35, 90, 100 or 140. This website has a list.

Using the Heal Ball will give a +5 bonus to the base happiness of the caught Pokémon.

Using the Friend Ball will make happiness start at 200.

Having Jan as a partner gives a happiness bonus from 10 to 120 points depending on affection.

A Pokémon caught in a Luxury Ball will gain happiness twice as fast.

Fishing/Surfing

You can also fish Pokémon like you do in the games, or encounter Pokémon by surfing (in water/underwater routes).

Fishing works exactly like regular catching - you need Poké Balls to catch them. By clicking the "Fishing Spot" link on the map, you'll be prompted to use one of your Rods or Surf (only items you own are displayed). Which Pokémon are available depends on which rod you fish with or whether you're surfing.

Each of these Key Items (Old Rod/Good Rod/Super Rod/Surf) are purchasable in the header shop at differing prices:

• Old Rod: 50
• Good Rod: 200
• Super Rod: 1000
• Surf: 250

Water routes, like Route 105 in Hoenn, automatically display Pokémon found by surfing. The fishing spots in water routes do not have a surf option.

Hoenn's underwater routes don't have a fishing option.

Honey

Honey can be used at certain locations in Sinnoh to attract Pokémon normally obtainable by slathering honey on trees in the DPPt games. You can purchase Honey for 100 at Floaroma Town. Clicking the Honey icon where it can be used will automatically use up 1 Honey, whether or not you catch the Pokémon that appears.

Honey is the only method for catching Pokémon like Burmy and Combee right now. Also, where you use Honey determines Burmy's cloak. Some routes yield Plant Cloak Burmy, others yield Sandy Cloak Burmy, and Fuego Ironworks is the only place at the moment where Trash Cloak Burmy can be found.

Headbutt

TM02 (Headbutt) can be used on trees in some places in Johto to attract Pokémon caught similarly in Gen II/HGSS. You can find one on the ground somewhere, or if you lose/trade away/sell that one, you can buy one at Goldenrod for 1000.

To use Headbutt you must first give it for a Pokémon in your party to hold. Just having one in your inventory has no effect.

Headbutt is the only way to catch Pineco, and an alternative to Honey for Heracross and Aipom.

Rock Smash

The key item Rock Smash can also be used on rugged rocks in some places in Johto and Hoenn to attract Pokémon caught by smashing rocks in the games. It's available for purchase at the header shop for 100, but you need the Boulder Badge for it.

Rock Smash is the only way to catch Nosepass.

Shiny Pokémon

Any Pokémon has a 1 in 8,192 chance of being shiny. If you find a shiny Pokémon, its sprite will have the shiny colors when it appears - so you'll be able to tell from looking at it.

Retro/2nd Frame Sprites

99% of the time, you'll run into a Pokémon using a sprite from the HeartGold/SoulSilver games.

The other 1% of the time, you may find a Pokémon with a sprite from another game, or a sprite from the 2nd frame of the sprite animation.

See these topics for a better explanation.

Retro Rates



If you catch a Pokémon with a different sprite, its tiny icon doesn't change, but its larger sprite does.

The sprites stay retro even after evolution. In the event that you evolve a retro into a Pokémon that didn't exist in that generation/game (i.e. evolving a R/B Golbat into Crobat, which is a Gen II Pokémon), the sprite will change to the closest available generation (in this case, a Silver or Gold Crobat).

Missing Sprites

Note that only sprites for Generation I Pokémon and Teddiursa are available in their FR/LG versions, because the others are identical to R/S. Likewise, only Gen I and II sprites are available for frame2 HG/SS Pokémon, again because the others are identical to Platinum frame2. This means evolving your FRLG Golbat will give you a different gen Crobat, and evolving your HG/SS2 Eevee into Glaceon will give you a HG/SS Glaceon. (These sprites have been added as of Oct. 28th 2010). Other Pokémon may be missing sprites in each generation, make sure you check before evolving.

Etc.

The held item GB Player doubles the chances of finding retros in the map or through breeding if held by the first Pokémon in your party.

Pokémon will gradually gain experience (25% of the total needed to level up per hour) while they're in your party, and you don't need to be logged in for this. They'll also gain a bit of happiness along with it (1 per hour). This experience/happiness gain stops completely once a Pokémon reaches level 75, with the exception of the Pokémon in the first slot of your party, which gains half as much experience as it would if it were below level 75 from that point onwards.

You can give them an experience/happiness boost by feeding them a variety of Berries. You can find them (via partner or attached to wild Pokémon) or buy them at the Veilstone Department Store, Floaroma Town's Poké Mart, or the Secondhand Shop. Once you've obtained a Berry, you can multiply it by using the Berry Planter (see "Berry Planting").

Berry flavor (according to your Pokémon's nature) and rarity both affect how much experience/happiness your Pokémon will gain by eating it. There's an exp cap depending on the level, so at lower levels, all Berries have the same effect.

An alternative to berries is to buy Fresh Water, Soda Pop or Lemonade at any Department Store (Celadon, Goldenrod, Lilycove or Veilstone), or MooMoo Milk north of Solaceon Town in Sinnoh, which can all be fed to Pokémon as well.

To feed a Pokémon, you need to go to its detailed information page (by clicking "more info" from the Pokégear info, for instance) and click "interact". You can only feed Pokémon if you have something to feed it with.

You can feed other people's Pokémon. Feeding is registered in the "logs" section of Pokémon information page, so you can keep track of the last 10 feedings by you and the last 10 feedings by other people.

Feeding someone else's Pokémon earns you special points called PP (excepting MooMoo Milk; feeding a Pokémon with MooMoo Milk currently will not fetch you any PP). PP is usable to buy certain items on the header shop. You can check how much PP you have by clicking the Item Bag from your Pokégear or the shortcuts, and clicking the red card ().

You can also gain experience by putting your Pokémon through trials.

All Pokémon are capable of evolution. To evolve a Pokémon, either click the "evolve this Pokémon" link that'll appear on their info page when they're ready, or choose an evolution item at the bottom of the page (provided you have one and have met any additional requirements).

By Leveling

Pokémon that evolve by level up may evolve at any point after reaching the required minimum level.

With Stones

Pokémon that evolve through evolutionary stones will evolve if you click the corresponding stone in their info page. They can't be holding them - you need to go to their information page and scroll to the bottom, then click the stone.

At Places

Pokémon that evolve at specific locations (Magneton, Nosepass and Eevee) are able to evolve if your current location on the map is the desired area. The exception to this is the Spear Pillar at Mt. Coronet - this won't count for Magneton and Nosepass.

By Happiness

Pokémon that evolve by happiness can evolve once they've reached maximum (255) happiness. You can't see how much happiness your Pokémon currently has, so if it's not ready yet, just keep it in your party a bit longer. Pokémon caught in a Luxury Ball or holding a Soothe Bell will earn happiness twice as fast.
Note: If there's a time of the day factor in addition to happiness (Eevee, Budew, Riolu) that Pokémon can only evolve during the appropriate time of day - Morning/Day for daytime, and Night for nighttime).

By Holding Items

Pokémon that evolve by holding an item can evolve if they're given that item to hold.
Note: If there's a time of the day factor in addition to the item (and there usually is), that Pokémon can only evolve during the appropriate time of day - Morning/Day for daytime, and Night for nighttime).

By Trading

Pokémon that evolve by trade can evolve anytime after being traded, even if they're traded back to you.

Note: If they need to be holding an item while trading, you don't need to trade the item with them - you can just give them the item to hold at any point in time after they've been traded. If you trade a Scyther that's not holding anything to someone, and they attach a Metal Coat to it, it'll be able to evolve. If you trade the Scyther without an item, have it traded back to you, then give it the Metal Coat, it'll be able to evolve. So the method is - trade it at least once, and if/when it's holding the necessary item, it can evolve.

WARNING: If the person you trade it to evolves it for you, THEY will get the dex data, not you! Make SURE you and the other person are aware of this!

When doing trades strictly for evolution, remember you're supposed to do two trades - one to send the Pokémon, and one to get it back (so you can evolve them). Not returning a Pokémon in a tradeback qualifies as a scam and can be reported.

By Skill

Pokémon that evolve by skill need to be holding a TM item containing the necessary skill (TMs are sold in the Lilycove Department Store in Hoenn). Otherwise the method is identical to that of other Pokémon that need to hold an item to evolve.

Unique Methods

Burmy - evolves at level 20 and over into Mothim if male and Wormadam if female;
Combee - evolves at level 21 and over into Vespiquen if female;
Feebas - evolves into Milotic by holding a Prism Scale;
Mantyke - evolves into Mantine if a Remoraid is in the party;
Wurmple - evolves into Cascoon at nighttime, Silcoon at daytime;
Nincada - will produce a Shedinja when evolving into Ninjask if you have a free slot in your party and at least one available Poké Ball of any kind normally obtainable in-game (it'll always check for Poké Balls first; donation balls are not included);
Tyrogue - evolves at level 20 and over into:
Hitmonlee if its Attack is higher than its Defense;
Hitmonchan if its Defense is higher than its Attack;
Hitmontop if its Defense and Attack are equal;
Karrablast - evolves into Escavalier if it was traded at least once and a Shelmet is in the party;
Shelmet - evolves into Accelgor if it was traded at least once and a Karrablast is in the party.

Certain Pokémon are capable of changing forms. To do so, they must hold a specific item:

Castform


Sunny Form - holding a Heat Rock

Rain Form - holding a Damp Rock

Hail Form - holding an Icy Rock

Normal Form - not holding anything/holding something else

Deoxys
(Changing Deoxys's form will consume the item. Deoxys is by default caught in its normal form.)


Normal Form - given a Gray Meteorite. Also found in this form in the wild.

Speed Form - given a Pink Meteorite.

Attack Form - given a Red Meteorite.

Defense Form - given a Golden Meteorite.

Cherrim


Sunny Form - holding a Heat Rock

Normal Form - not holding anything/holding something else

Rotom
Rotom can change between all of its forms if you own a Secret Key and bring it to the appropriate NPC in Sinnoh (see the NPC section).

Giratina


Origin Form - holding a Griseous Orb

Altered Form - not holding anything/holding something else

Shaymin


Sky Form - holding a Gracidea

Land Form - not holding anything/holding something else

Arceus

Arceus can change into any of its forms by holding Plates. Not holding any plate will have Arceus in its Normal form.


Draco Plate, Dread Plate, Earth Plate, Fist Plate, Flame Plate, Icicle Plate, Insect Plate, Iron Plate, Meadow Plate, Mind Plate, Sky Plate, Splash Plate, Spooky Plate, Stone Plate, Toxic Plate, Zap Plate

These can change Arceus into Dragon, Dark, Ground, Fighting, Fire, Ice, Bug, Steel, Grass, Psychic, Flying, Water, Ghost, Rock, Poison and Electric forms respectively.

--------------------------

Some Pokémon have multiple forms, but are unable to change between them:

Burmy's cloak (and therefore Wormadam's) depends strictly on where it was caught.
Shellos and Gastrodon have their East and West forms depending on where they were caught.
Unown forms are randomly selected when they appear in the wild. In the Solaceon Ruins, which area of the dungeon you're in determines which Unown may appear there. That's also the only place where ! and ? forms will appear.
Deerling's forms are available on the same months as in the games. January, May and September for Spring form; February, June and October for Summer form; March, July and November for Autumn form; April, August and December for Winter form.

At the moment, Unova Pokémon are unable to change forms.

The PC, accessible from the Pokégear or the icon () in the shortcuts, can be used for four things:

a) Store and Organize Pokémon into Boxes.
You have 20 Boxes, each holding up to 42 Pokémon (for a total of 840 Pokémon). You can store Pokémon and sort your boxes and party in this mode.

By purchasing PC Tickets from the Key Items Shop (with in-game money for $20000 each or with Donation Points for 2 DP each), you can get up to 15 more boxes for storage. Pokémon in these boxes will only appear in sorting mode. They can't be fed, which helps if you don't want a Pokémon to be fed for whatever reason.

b) Give/Take items to/from Pokémon.
Select a Pokémon in your party or any box and an item, and you can give it to that Pokémon. If they're already holding an item, the item will be exchanged. If you select a Pokémon that's holding an item you also have the option to simply take the item from the Pokémon.

c) Release Pokémon.
You can choose any Pokémon in the party or PC and release it.

d) Search for specific Pokémon.
You can search for any Pokémon in your PC by species; the list of searchable Pokémon are in the order of their National Pokédex number. A positive search return will display the retrieved Pokémon's gender, name, level, nature, and specific box/slot location.

Note: Pokémon in pending trades can't have items given/taken or be released.

You can name your PC boxes anything you want. Just click the name of the box (in any PC mode), and an input field should appear. Box names can be up to 20 characters long.

In order to trade, you must fulfill a number of requirements:

- Have a Thunder Badge (be a member for over a week and catch more than 20 Pokémon)
- Purchase a Trade Pass at the Shop for 2,000.


Once you have the Pass, go to the userpage of anyone you want to trade with, and click the Trade Pass icon - note it'll only appear if that person also has one.

You can only trade one Pokémon at a time and, like in the games, the recipient must send a Pokémon in turn.

For your protection, trading takes place in three steps:

- You send a Pokémon in your party (it may be holding an item) with an optional message;
- The recipient is notified and responds with another Pokémon in their party (it may be holding an item) and an optional message;
- You confirm the trade, and the process is completed.

The trading process can be canceled at any time before completion by either player.

You can add money to a trade (you still need to trade Pokémon with it). Money is immediately deducted from your account when you send (or reply to) a trade request. It's returned if the trade is canceled, and sent to the other player only when the trade is confirmed.

Pokémon in pending trades may not be nicknamed, moved, have items taken/given to them, or be released.

Note: Trading Pokémon will NOT register the Pokémon you receive as caught, but it will register it as seen.

Certain Pokémon species are unobtainable in the wild normally. Others are available only once. Others may have special OTs/natures and be handed out to players by admins.

These Pokémon are referred to as "event" Pokémon.

Basically, Event Pokémon are any and all Pokémon that require a set of conditions to be met before they can be obtained.

Can Event Pokémon be shiny?

Absolutely. All event Pokémon except those manually manipulated by admins have the same chance as a normal Pokémon of being shiny. You should be able to tell immediately whether or not your event is shiny by the tiny icon that appears when you're able to activate it (though in some cases, like Spiritomb, you can only tell when the Pokémon itself appears).

This includes the "roadblockers" (Snorlax and Sudowoodo).

Refreshing will not change the Pokémon's shininess. It will, however, change its gender, in cases like Lapras and Spiritomb, and may turn up a retro sprite.

Can Event Pokémon hold items?

Like wild Pokémon, they may be holding an item when caught. Like wild Pokémon, this item is invariably random.

Where do I find roaming Pokémon?

Roamers may be found anywhere on the map, any region, EXCEPT water/underwater routes and fishing spots. There's a 1% chance of running into a roamer when you switch areas - refreshing will not bring them up, you have to move to the next area.

Available Events

Kanto

Two Snorlax must be caught by using the key item Poké Flute on Routes 12 and 16 to unblock the path. They'll be permanently gone once caught.

Aerodactyl can be caught if you bring an Old Amber to the Pokémon Lab in Cinnabar.

Omanyte can be caught if you bring an Helix Fossil to the Pokémon Lab in Cinnabar.

Kabuto can be caught if you bring a Dome Fossil to the Pokémon Lab in Cinnabar.

Articuno can be caught if you bring a Blue Flute to the bottom level of the Seafoam Islands.

Moltres can be caught if you bring a Red Flute to the Indigo Plateau side entrance of Victory Road.

Zapdos can be caught if you bring a Yellow Flute to the Power Plant.

Mewtwo can be caught if you bring a Diary to the deepest part of Cerulean Cave.

An Eevee can be caught on a Thursday, at a certain location. This is the only way to obtain Eevee currently, and this Eevee can only be caught once.

Johto

A Sudowoodo must be caught by using the key item Squirtbottle on Route 36 to unblock the path. It'll be permanently gone once caught.

A Lapras can be caught on a Friday on the bottom level of Union Cave if you use Surf. This is the only way to obtain Lapras currently, and this Lapras can only be caught once.

A Tyrogue can be caught on a certain day of the week, at a certain location. This is the only way to obtain Tyrogue currently, and this Tyrogue can only be caught once.

Raikou can be caught if you bring a Clear Bell to the basement of Burned Tower. It'll roam after you try to catch it, and can be caught anywhere in the map afterward.

Entei can be caught if you bring a Clear Bell to the basement of Burned Tower. It'll roam after you try to catch it, and can be caught anywhere in the map afterward.

Suicune can be caught if you bring a Clear Bell to the basement of Burned Tower. It'll roam after you try to catch it, and can be caught anywhere in the map afterward.

Lugia can be caught if you bring a Silver Wing to the deepest part of Whirl Islands.

Ho-Oh can be caught if you bring a Rainbow Wing to the highest floor of Tin Tower.

Celebi can be caught if you bring a GS Ball to the southern part of Ilex Forest.

Hoenn

Lileep can be caught if you bring a Root Fossil to the Devon Building in Rustboro.

Anorith can be caught if you bring a Claw Fossil to the Devon Building in Rustboro.

Mew can be caught if you bring an Old Sea Map to the Faraway Island (which itself will be available if you bring the Old Sea Map to Lilycove City).

A Castform can be caught during a certain time of the day at the Weather Institute. This is the only way to obtain Castform currently, and this Castform can only be caught once.

A Beldum can be caught on a certain day of the week, at a certain location. This is the only way to obtain Beldum currently, and this Beldum can only be caught once.

Regirock can be caught if you bring an Explorer Kit to the Desert Ruins.

Regice can be caught if you bring an Explorer Kit to the Island Cave.

Registeel can be caught if you bring an Explorer Kit to the Ancient Tomb.

Latias can be caught if you bring a Soul Dew to Southern Island. You need an Eon Ticket to get there from Lilycove City; it's purchasable for $500 in any shop in Hoenn if you have the Soul Dew. It'll roam after you try to catch it, and can be caught anywhere in the map afterward.

Latios can be caught if you bring a Soul Dew to Southern Island. You need an Eon Ticket to get there from Lilycove City; it's purchasable for $500 in any shop in Hoenn if you have the Soul Dew. It'll roam after you try to catch it, and can be caught anywhere in the map afterward.

Kyogre can be caught if you bring a Blue Orb to the bottom of the Cave of Origin.

Groudon can be caught if you bring a Red Orb to the bottom of the Cave of Origin.

Rayquaza can be caught if you bring a Green Orb to the top of the Sky Pillar.

Jirachi has a 0.1% chance of appearing in the wild at Mirage Island (which itself will only appear when certain conditions are met).

Deoxys can be caught if you bring a Life Orb to the Devon Building.

Sinnoh

A Drifloon can be caught on a Friday at Valley Windworks. This is the only way to get a Drifloon, and this Drifloon can only be caught once.

A Rotom can be caught at night on the second floor of the Old Chateau. This is the only way to obtain a Rotom, and this Rotom can only be caught once.

A Porygon can be caught on a certain day of the week, at a certain location. This is the only way to obtain Porygon currently, and this Porygon can only be caught once.

Cranidos can be caught if you bring a Skull Fossil to the Oreburgh Museum in Oreburgh.

Shieldon can be caught if you bring an Armor Fossil to the Oreburgh Museum in Oreburgh.

Spiritomb can be caught if you bring an Odd Keystone to Route 209.

Azelf can be caught if you bring a Red Chain to Valor Cave.

Uxie can be caught if you bring a Red Chain to Acuity Cave.

Mesprit can be caught if you bring a Red Chain to Verity Cave. It'll roam after you try to catch it, and can be caught anywhere in the map afterward.

Dialga can be caught if you bring an Adamant Orb to the Spear Pillar.

Palkia can be caught if you bring a Lustrous Orb to the Spear Pillar.

Heatran can be caught if you bring a Magma Rock to the deepest part of Stark Mountain.

Regigigas can be caught if you bring a Tide Bell to the deepest part of Snowpoint Temple.

Giratina can be caught if you bring a Black Flute to the Distortion World (which itself will open up if you bring the Black Flute to the deepest part of Turnback Cave).

Cresselia can be caught if you bring a Lunar Wing to Fullmoon Island. You need an Aurora Ticket to get there from Canalave City; it's purchasable for $500 in any shop in Sinnoh if you have the Lunar Wing. It'll roam after you try to catch it, and can be caught anywhere in the map afterward.

Darkrai can be caught if you bring a Member Card to Newmoon Island. You need a Mystic Ticket to get there from Canalave City; it's purchasable for $500 in any shop in Sinnoh if you have the Member Card.

Shaymin can be caught if you bring a White Flute to the Flower Paradise (which can be reached from Route 224 if you have a Recommendation Letter).

Arceus can be caught if you bring an Azure Flute to the Hall of Origin (which itself will open up if you bring the Azure Flute to Spear Pillar).

A Manaphy Egg can be obtained from an in-game NPC when certain conditions are met.

A Riolu Egg can be obtained from an in-game NPC when certain conditions are met.

Unova

A Togepi can be caught on a certain day of the week, at White Forest. This is the only way to obtain Togepi currently, and this Togepi can only be caught once.

A Houndour can be caught on a certain day of the week, at Black City. This is the only way to obtain Houndour currently, and this Houndour can only be caught once.

Victini can be caught if you bring a Liberty Pass to the Liberty Garden Basement. The basement is at Liberty Island, which can also be sailed to if you have a Liberty Pass and bring it to Castelia City. Once you've been to Liberty Island you can always map jump back there, but you can only catch Victini with the Liberty Pass in hand.

Tirtouga can be caught if you bring an Cover Fossil to the Nacrene Museum in Nacrene.

Archen can be caught if you bring a Plume Fossil to the Nacrene Museum in Nacrene.

Reshiram can be caught if you bring a Light Stone to the top of Dragonspiral Tower.

Zekrom can be caught if you bring a Dark Stone to the top of Dragonspiral Tower.

Cobalion can be caught if you bring a Fère Orb to Mistralton Cave.

Terrakion can be caught if you bring a Vallon Orb to the chamber in the sixth floor of Victory Road.

Virizion can be caught if you bring a Vannes Orb to Pinwheel Forest.

Keldeo can be caught if you bring a Castelmore Orb to Moor of Icirrus.

Kyurem can be caught if you bring a NeverMeltIce to the inner chamber of the Giant Chasm.

A Larvesta Egg can be obtained from an in-game NPC when certain conditions are met.

Events that require items will consume the item either after being caught (non-roamers) or after being made to roam (throwing a Pokéball at a roamer will do this - this will always miss even if you throw a Master Ball at it. You can only catch roamers after they start roaming). Items that can activate more than one event will also be consumed in such a way, so you'll need multiple items to get all event Pokémon.

Can I nickname my Pokémon?

You can, if you're the OT. You can't nickname a Pokémon you're not the OT of, even if that Pokémon hadn't been nicknamed by its OT.

To nickname your Pokémon, go to its detailed information page and click its name. An input field will appear. Type in the nickname you want and hit Enter. Voila! You've nicknamed your Pokémon.

How do I set my Trainer Card message?

Go to your public profile and click the empty space in the back of the card. You can input any message of up to 100 characters.

How do I add/remove people to my Pal Pad?

Go to their user profile pages, and click the Pal Pad icon at the bottom of the page (provided you have space in your Pal Pad - it can only store up to 80 friends). The process is identical for adding and removing. A green "+" symbol indicates adding, and a red "-" symbol is for removing.

As part of the still incomplete storyline, you're assigned a Partner when you sign up. As Yun's special effect (5% minimum discount at shops) is very useful when you're just starting out, he is the default partner for all new accounts.

The Partner will travel through the map with you, and say (ir)relevant things depending on which area you're at. Your partner will come to like you more as you spend time with them or meet certain requirements.

Additionally, the partner has a small chance (once per hour) of giving you an item. The more your partner likes you, the higher the chance is that s/he will give you something. Items partners send you are sent to your Mailbox in the form of a letter.

When a partner has reached maximum affection, an NPC hanging around in Pallet Town will give you a rare item.

The NPC will give you some indication of how your relationship with your partner(s) is going. When you select the "are you staring" etc option, what she says depends on how much your partner likes you. For instance, when affection is maxed out, she'll say "I was just thinking... You can almost smell the trust between you guys! It's pretty amazing."

There are different quotes for the following affection values:

0-20
21-50
51-100
101-150
151-200
201-254
255 (max)

The rare item she gives you depends on who your partner is (there is one item for each partner). In turn, another NPC will give you legendary summoning items for those rare items. Note that there are two different items for Hari and Nao, chosen at random - however, both items will yield the same legendary summon.

You'll only get the special item once. However, if you switch partners then switch back, you can get another one. So let's say you have Bel as a partner, and get his special item. Then you switch him with someone else, and switch back to him. His affection will have reset, and when it maxes out again, you can get his item again.

Note that this is ONLY when you SWITCH partners. Ada's affection resets if you catch a shiny, but if you already got her special item you will NOT get it again even if it maxes out again. You have to switch her out then back to be able to get another one.

The following is a list of which partner's item corresponds to which legendary summon:

Ada - Articuno
Allen - Shaymin
Ash - Zapdos
Bel - Giratina
Hari/Nao - Latias/Latios
Jan - Kyogre
Lyrit - Moltres
Rei - Rayquaza
Yun - Mewtwo
Z - Deoxys
Zan - Cresselia

Though your first partner - Yun - is automatically assigned to you, you have the ability to switch partners via PokéCell System. Note that switching partners will reset their affection.

IMPORTANT

The Partner System is still in its early stages, so many things aren't implemented yet, and many map quotes are missing. New partners are introduced over time.

Player suggestions for partners will not be taken due to issues related to ownership. Special event Pokémon will be molded after every partner, including a special nature and rare item attached.

For the purpose of storyline, the Safari Zone and Bug-Catching Contest don't exist literally - instead, there's a "simulation" mode for them that allows you to catch Pokémon that can't be caught any other way. You can access them from where in the map you'd normally find those places - i.e. the Kanto Safari Zone is in Fuchsia City.

To get Safari Zone/Bug Catching Contest Pokémon, purchase Safari Balls or Compé Balls at the entrance to the Safari Zone/National Park/Great Marsh. You can only use that kind of Ball in those places. They cost 500 a piece, have a catch rate of 1.5x (same as a Great Ball), and work like other Poké Balls as far as catching.

If you enter the Safari Zones/Contest Simulation without the necessary Balls, you won't see any Pokémon.

You can plant the berries you obtain while playing to get more berries. Every Berry you plant yields two berries when it's done growing.

Requirements

Before you can plant Berries, you need two items: the Berry Planter and the Squirtbottle.

The Berry Planter will appear in the header shop after you've purchased the Squirtbottle. Once you've purchased both, you can access the Berry Planter from your Pokégear, just below your item bag, or from the shortcuts.

The Berry Planter

The Berry Planter can hold up to 4 planted Berries at a time. To plant a berry, select one from your inventory and click an empty mini-planter. A pop-up confirmation will appear, click "yes" and you'll plant the berry.

Berries grow over time, from a seed to a sprout to a small plant to a blooming plant and, finally, a plant with ripe berries for the picking. When you pick the berries, the plant withers, and you can plant another berry where it was.

Berry Growth

How quickly a Berry grows depends on its rarity. Berry growth time was adjusted from the games' to better accomodate the fact you can only plant four at a time.

6 Hours
Cheri, Chesto, Pecha, Rawst, Aspear

8 Hours
Leppa, Oran, Persim, Lum, Sitrus

10 Hours
Figy, Wiki, Mago, Aguav, Iapapa, Razz, Bluk, Nanab, Wepear, Pinap

16 Hours
Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, Tamato, Cornn, Magost, Rabuta, Nomel

36 Hours
Spelon, Pamtre, Watmel, Durin, Belue, Occa, Passho, Wacan, Rindo, Yache, Chople, Kebia, Shuca, Coba, Payapa, Tanga, Charti, Kasib, Haban, Colbur, Babiri, Chilan

48 Hours
Liechi, Ganlon, Salac, Petaya, Apicot, Lansat, Starf, Enigma, Micle, Custap, Jaboca, Rowap

Once the necessary growth time has passed, Berries will be available for picking for 24 hours. After that period, they'll revert to seed stage and start growing again.

Having Allen as your partner will speed up berry growth. Having the first Pokémon in your party hold the Synthesis TM gives a small chance of berry trees yielding 3 berries instead of 2.

Berries are automatically watered, so you don't have to worry about that.

Pecha, Cheri, Rawst, Aspear and Chesto berries sell for $25. All other berries, regardless of rarity, sell for $50.

Since there is no battling on VDex, Badges are awarded for reaching certain milestones instead. They also make certain items available for purchase in the Shop.

Boulder Badge
Awarded to players who have caught at least 10 different kinds of Pokémon.
Enables: Rock Smash

Cascade Badge
Awarded to players who have caught at least 20 different kinds of Pokémon.
Enables: Surf, Strength, Good Rod

Thunder Badge
Awarded to players who have completed their registration at least a week ago, and have obtained the two previous badges. The time is counted down to the minute and second - even if your trainer card says you've been a member for 7 days, until exactly 7 days pass, you will not get your badge.
Enables: Trade Pass

Rainbow Badge
Awarded to players who have caught at least 50 different kinds of Pokémon, and have obtained all the previous badges.
Enables: Rock Climb, Dive, Super Rod

Soul Badge
Awarded to players who have caught at least 100 different kinds of Pokémon, and have obtained all the previous badges.
Enables: Whirlpool, Waterfall, Fire Seeker, Water Seeker, Grass Seeker

Marsh Badge
Awarded to players who have caught at least 300 different kinds of Pokémon, and have obtained all the previous badges.
Enables: N/A

Volcano Badge
Awarded to players who have caught at least 500 different kinds of Pokémon, and have obtained all the previous badges.
Enables: N/A

Earth Badge
Awarded to players who have caught all 649 different kinds of Pokémon, and have obtained all the previous badges.
Enables: N/A

All badges were tested on my own profile with the appropriate counts, and seem to be functional. Do report any bugs!

Note that you need all previous badges to get a badge - so even if you've been a member for a week, if you don't have the Cascade Badge you won't be able to trade.

Any items not listed here do not have badges as a prerequisite.

The PokéCell System, accessible by clicking the PokéCell icons below the header, allows you to modify certain things in your account that can't be done anywhere else.

Character Name

If you're tired of your character's name, you can change it for a low fee of 100. All languages and special characters are supported.

Partner Switching

You can also change your current partner for a fee of 500. Partner affection resets when you switch, so be cautious.

Gender Changing

You can change your character's gender for free. Options include "Male", "Female" and "Neither". Other than cosmetic changes ("Male" gives you a blue color scheme, "Female" pink, "Neither" green), this affects the quotes you get from Zan (the partner; "Female" gets unique quotes), and what the Pallet NPC addresses your character as (mister, lady or neither).

Avatar Changing

You can change your character's avatar as well. The fee varies from 100 to 30000 depending on the avatar itself. The character's gender does not change with the avatar.

An extra selection of avatars becomes available if you own at least one D/P or Pt sprite Pokémon, including frame2.
Another selection becomes available if you own a FR/LG sprite.
A third selection becomes available if you own a R/S or Emerald (R/S frame2) sprite.
A fourth becomes available if you own a Gold or Silver sprite.
A fifth if you own a Yellow sprite.
A sixth if you own a R/B or Green sprite.

Breeding works very similarly as it does in the games.

Daycare

The Daycare can be accessed from the map in places where it's normally found in all four regions (Route 5 in Kanto, Route 34 in Johto, Route 117 in Hoenn and Solaceon Town in Sinnoh), or by jumping straight to its page anytime.

You can leave up to two Pokémon in the Daycare. Pokémon left there DO NOT gain any extra experience, so the Daycare's sole function is to be used for breeding.

If the two Pokémon left there are able to breed, leaving them there long enough will produce an Egg. To withdraw the Egg you need an empty space in your party, and to pay a fee. The fee depends on which Pokémon is in the egg.

You don't need to pay any fees to withdraw your two Pokémon from the Daycare.

IMPORTANT: When you withdraw either one (or both) of two Pokémon that can breed, the timer for eggs is reset, and if they'd already found an egg, it will be gone. Be careful not to accidentally remove a Pokémon before removing the egg (unless you don't want the egg).

What Breeds With What

Breeding works the exact same as in the games in this sense. To be able to breed, two Pokémon need to be of opposite genders (genderless Pokémon can't breed with gendered Pokémon) OR one of them must be a Ditto (so genderless Pokémon can breed). They also need to be in compatible Egg Groups (Ditto is compatible with every Pokémon that can breed).

Can't Breed: All legendaries except Manaphy (which breeds Phione), all baby Pokémon (like Pichu and Bonsly), all donation Pokémon, Pokémon that share one or both parents (siblings), parent(s) and child(ren).

Note that, unlike in the games, Nidorina and Nidoqueen ARE able to breed.

Compatibility

Daycare Pokémon have varying levels of compatibility. Ditto+anything is the lowest. Then come any two Pokémon in the same egg group, and finally same species.

Having Rei as a partner automatically bumps compatibility up by one level.

If the message displayed says the two Pokémon aren't interested in frolicking at all, they're incompatible and can't breed.

Compatibility affects the speed at which eggs are produced. The longest it'll take to produce an egg is 24 hours.


Items Held While Breeding

Heart Scale



Everstone



BrightPowder



ShiningPowder



Incense



Bottled Love



SecretPotion



Eggs

Also like in the games, the species of the Pokémon in the egg is determined by the mother OR the Pokémon that isn't Ditto. So if you breed a male Roserade and a female Cherubi, the egg will be a Cherubi. If you breed a male Combee and a Ditto, the egg will be a Combee. If you breed Ditto and Rotom, the egg will be Rotom.

The only exception to this rule is the Nidoran line. If the egg is of the Nidoran line as well, it can be either the male or the female Nidoran (50/50 chance). So if you breed a male Nidoran with a Ditto, you could get a female Nidoran egg. If you breed Nidoqueen and a male Marowak, the egg could be a male Nidoran.

Gender and shininess are randomly determined when the Egg is withdrawn, in the same way a wild Pokémon's would be generated.

Nature and the type of sprite (ie retro or non) are, usually, randomly determined, unless one parent is holding an Everstone (see above).

Four out of six IVs are randomly determined. Two of them (randomly selected) will be inherited from the parents, one from each parent.

Eggs can be traded and released like normal Pokémon. They can't be made to hold items, however.

Egg trades don't get logged.

Fees

50 - Magikarp only.
100 - The vast majority of species.
200 - Rarer species (like Ralts), and Safari Zone/Bug Catching Contest exclusives (like Kangaskhan).
500 - All baby Pokémon (like Pichu), and Honey exclusives (like Combee).
1000 - Rare (1-2% map encounter) Unova Pokémon, event Pokémon that need items and can be caught multiple times (like Spiritomb and fossil Pokémon), and all starters (like Bulbasaur).
3000 - Feebas, Houndour, one-time only Event Pokémon (like Eevee), Togepi, Riolu and Phione.
6000 - Larvesta.

Egg Scope

The Egg Scope is a key item which can be purchased for $80,000 or 8 DP (donation points). It allows you to see what's inside a Daycare egg before you take it, and discard the egg if it's an unwanted Pokémon.



With an Egg Scope, you can tell species, gender, sprite, shininess and nature. It's particularly useful when trying to breed a specific Pokémon.

You can only use Egg Scopes in the Daycare. They also increase the chance of successful breeding with an Everstone.

Discard Fees

The fee to discard an egg is half the price to retrieve the egg, unless the retrieval fee is less than $500, in which case it's 90% of the base retrieval fee. When an egg is discarded it's destroyed, so it doesn't go to your party, and it doesn't clog up the database.

Everstone Breeding + Egg Scope

If you're using the Everstone to breed and own an Egg Scope, you'll pay an increased retrieval fee for withdrawing any egg that has the same sprite as the parent holding the Everstone. The fee depends on the rarity of the sprite. Sprites that aren't the same as that of the Everstone parent won't have the retrieval fee changed unless the child inherited a special nature from the parent (i.e. a VDex custom nature), in which case the retrieval fee will increase.

Hatching

To hatch an Egg, simply leave it in your party for a while. The amount of time an Egg takes to hatch varies with the kind of Pokémon inside it.

When the Egg is ready to hatch, you can hatch it from its information page. The OT will be the person who hatches the egg, not the person who bred it. The hatched Pokémon will also be registered in the seen/caught dex counts for the person who hatches it.

Hatched Pokémon start at 120 Happiness instead of 70.

Hatching Time

For every hour an Egg is in the party, it gains +250 "experience". The amount of "experience" needed to fully mature is exactly the same listed under "steps" in their Bulbapedia entries (so the average is 5535). Every time the egg receives 1/4 the total necessary "experience", the status message displayed in information pages changes.

The maximum time needed to hatch an egg is close to 48 hours for species like Beldum and Dratini. The minimum is about 7 hours for Magikarp.

Trading an egg away won't reset hatching time.

The Gacha Corner can be found where in the games you'd usually find a Game Corner: Celadon in Kanto, Goldenrod in Johto, Mauville in Hoenn or Veilstone in Sinnoh.

There, you can gamble your money away purchase a special kind of Poké Ball called a Gacha Ball that can only be used to catch Pokémon within the Gacha Corner. Pokémon caught with Gacha Balls will always be holding an item, and it can be virtually any item except for items in the "Special" pocket, donation items, event-exclusive items (like the Premier Ball), and partner-exclusive items (like the Lure Ball).

Gacha Balls

A special kind of Ball that can be only used in the Gacha Corner. They come in 15 different colors, have a perfect catch rate, and will always give the caught Pokémon an item to hold.



There's roughly a 50% the item will be something common. The other 50% of the time, it could be virtually anything except the ones listed above.

They can currently be purchased for 1000 at the Gacha Corner.

Regular Gacha Zone

At the Regular Gacha Zone, you can switch one of your party Pokémon into a Gacha Ball of your choice, and they'll be holding a random item like in any of the other features. There's no additional fee to use this feature, but you'll lose the Ball the Pokémon was originally in.

Note that the process will fail if:

a) Your Pokémon is already holding an item (to avoid accidentally overwriting items);
b) Your Pokémon is in a Shiny/POKé/Cross Ball;
c) Your Pokémon is in a Cherish Ball;
d) Your Pokémon is an Egg, in a pending trade or not in your party.

Here is an example of a recently Gacha'd Pokémon. As you can see in the log, it was caught in the wild. I changed it into a yellow Gacha Ball, and it was given a DeepSeaScale.

Adoption Center

You have the option of adopting a Pokémon another player has released. Adopting requires one Gacha Ball and has no additional fee. Four Pokémon are displayed at a time - you can see their species, gender, nature, level and experience. To adopt a Pokémon, just click a Gacha Ball.

If another user adopts a Pokémon before you do, you'll get an error message. Otherwise, adoption never fails.

You can't adopt Pokémon that have you listed as the OT.

When you adopt, all old logs are erased. You're listed as the OT and the nickname is reverted back to the Pokémon's species (it'll be nicknameable) - unless it's a donation Pokémon (like Yun), in which case the OT and nickname will be preserved (you can tell a donation Pokémon apart from the others by the fact its nickname is displayed rather than its species).

Mystery Eggs

You can use Gacha Balls to purchase Mystery Eggs (there's a service fee of 300 in addition to using up a Gacha Ball). The Pokémon inside can be anything except for Ditto, and it too will come holding an item.