How to trade Pokémon with friends in Legends Z-A

To trade Pokémon with friends in Pokémon Legends ZA, you need to unlock online functionalities first. You get them right after catching your first five Pokémon and unlocking Mable’s Rewards.

When you leave the building after this segment, simply open the main menu with X and you’ll see the Link Play option at the bottom. Select it. If you don’t have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you will need to start one to trade with friends in ZA.

On the new menu, select Link Trade. If you and your friend are next to each other, you can select the Nearby Players option to trade. Otherwise, you need to pick the Faraway Players to trade online using Link Codes.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Progress naturally through the ZA story until you unlock Mable’s rewards
2. Press X to open the game Menu
3. Select Link Play at the bottom left. Make sure you have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
4. On the new screen, select Link Trade from the menu on the right.
5. Select Nearby Players if you’re trading with someone in person, or Faraway Players if your trade partner is online.

How to use Link Codes to trade Pokémon

To trade Pokémon online using Link Codes in ZA, you and your trade partner must pick the Faraway Players option in the Link Trade menu and use the same eight-digit Link Code, at the same time.

You can use any code you come up with, but note that anyone entering that same string of numbers simultaneously will be able to match with you for a trade. For example:

1. Trade works: You and your trade partner use the Link Code 8264-0349 at the same time.
2. Trade doesn’t work: You use the code 8264-0349, but your friend uses 7264-0349.

That’s why, if you want to keep your trade restricted to your friend, you should avoid easy sequences like 1111-1111, because other people might also be using it, and you run the risk of matching with a random instead of with your friend.

If you and the other party are the only ones using that code at the same time, you will soon be connected and be able to trade Pokémon online.