Pokémon Champions is reshaping the competitive Pokémon scene by offering a dedicated ranked PvP hub where trainers can battle using their strongest teams. One of its most anticipated features is full compatibility with Pokémon Home, allowing players to bring in their favorite Pokémon from across the series, including Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Pokémon Sword & Shield, and even older titles like Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen.
If you have spent years training and collecting powerful Pokémon, here is exactly how to transfer them into Pokémon Champions, what happens to their stats, and how to send them back when needed.
Prerequisites Before Transferring
Before you can move any Pokémon, make sure you have completed these steps:
- Deposit the desired Pokémon from your other games into Pokémon Home boxes.
- Finish the tutorial in Pokémon Champions and unlock the Recruit Ranch.
- Have a linked Nintendo Account that works across Pokémon Home on both console and mobile (highly recommended for full functionality, including Pokémon GO transfers).
Step-by-Step: Transferring Pokémon from Pokémon Home to Pokémon Champions
- Open Pokémon Home on your Nintendo Switch or Switch 2.
- From the main menu, select the Transfer to Pokémon Champions option (located in the bottom right).
- Select Your Pokémon
- Browse your Pokémon Home boxes and manually select the ones you want to send (press A on Switch/Switch 2).
- Once finished, press Y and choose “Send Pokémon for a Visit to Pokémon Champions.”
- Switch to Pokémon Champions
- Launch Pokémon Champions and head to the Recruit Ranch menu.
- Select “Collect from Pokémon HOME” and confirm the second prompt.
Your transferred Pokémon will now appear in the Recruit Ranch and become permanently available for team building in Pokémon Champions.
Important Rules and Adjustments
When Pokémon arrive in Pokémon Champions, they undergo automatic adjustments:
- Their power level is scaled to fit the game’s competitive standards.
- Max-level and fully EV-trained Pokémon receive an equivalent power rating based on their current status.
- Once transferred, the Pokémon cannot be retrained or modified inside Pokémon Champions. This restriction helps prevent cheating and ensures fair play.
Changes made to the Pokémon in other games after transfer will generally not carry over. Held items, such as Mega Stones from Legends: Z-A, also do not transfer.
How to Send Pokémon Back to Pokémon Home
If you want to return a Pokémon to your main collection:
- Go back to the Recruit Ranch in Pokémon Champions.
- Select “Send Back to Pokémon HOME.”
- Choose the Pokémon you wish to return from the list.
- Open Pokémon Home again.
- You will see a notification marked with a “!” next to Pokémon Champions.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to move the Pokémon back into your Home boxes.
When returned, the Pokémon revert to their original state from before the visit, though certain traits like Nature, EVs, and learned moves are preserved.
Linking Pokémon Home Across Devices (Switch, Switch 2, and Mobile)
To make transfers smooth and enable future Pokémon GO compatibility, link your accounts properly:
On Nintendo Switch or Switch 2:
- Open the Nintendo eShop and download Pokémon Home.
- Launch the app and select the Nintendo Account you want to use.
- When prompted about using Pokémon Home on a mobile device, select Yes (recommended).
- Choose Pokémon Champions when asked which games to link.
On Mobile (iOS or Android):
- Download Pokémon Home from the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Launch the app and select “Link your account.”
- Sign in with the same Nintendo Account used on your console.
Linking the same Nintendo Account across console and mobile ensures seamless transfers and full access to all features.
Which Pokémon Are Currently Transferable?
At launch, Pokémon Champions supports transfers from all major recent titles stored in Pokémon Home. This includes:
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
- Pokémon Sword & Shield
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A
- Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus
- Older games via Pokémon Bank (where compatible)
Not every legendary or event Pokémon may be immediately usable due to balance rules, but the majority of your collection should transfer successfully.
Tips for Competitive Players
- Transfer only the Pokémon you plan to use in ranked battles, since they cannot be retrained inside Champions.
- Keep backup copies in Pokémon Home in case you want to experiment with different teams.
- Use the mobile version of Pokémon Home for easier management when you are away from your Switch.
The ability to bring your long-time favorites into a dedicated competitive environment is one of Pokémon Champions’ biggest draws. Whether you are a longtime collector or a serious PvP competitor, this transfer system makes it easy to build your dream team without starting from scratch.
With ranked battles now live and cross-title Pokémon support in place, Pokémon Champions is ready to become the central hub for competitive play. Head to the Recruit Ranch, bring in your strongest partners, and start climbing the ranks.