Massive ban wave coming in Pokemon Sword, Shield and Pokemon Home

Alex Garton
Pokemon Home/ Sword & Shield

The Pokemon Company has announced a new ban wave incoming for Pokemon Home and Pokemon Sword & Shield players who have been modifying their save data.

[jwplayer mGpFSfv1]

As seen in the majority of online games, both Pokemon Sword & Shield and Pokemon Home are strictly monitored by The Pokemon Company for any exploits or hacks.

It was only back in June 2020 that the company enforced a mass ban wave on players hacking the Max Raid Battles in Pokemon Sword & Shield. The players were using exploits to increase their chance of receiving a Shiny Pokemon from the events.

Of course, The Pokemon Company took action against the trainers who were found to have taken part in these hacked raids, with some even being permanently banned from the game.

Now, a new ban wave has been announced and it affects playing using exploits on both Pokemon Sword & Shield and Pokemon Home.

Pokemon Sword and Shield landscape
Pokemon Sword & Shield was released November 15, 2019.

New ban wave announced by The Pokemon Company

According to a report by Serebii, The Pokemon Company has announced a new ban wave coming for players who have been modifying save data on either Pokemon Sword & Shield or Pokemon Home.

Players who receive a ban will be unable to use online features, trade, or use Pokemon Home. The rules surrounding the modification of the game’s save data is listed in the title’s terms and conditions. There, it directly states that players should not modify save data in Pokemon Sword & Shield.

In terms of the length of these bans, they usually vary from player to player. In some cases, trainers may even be issued a permanent suspension of their account.

Pokemon Sword & Shield location
Modifying save data includes adding Pokemon to the game that you didn’t catch for yourself.

It’s obvious The Pokemon Company is looking to crack down on players modifying their save data as they believe it ruins the experience for other players.

Both Pokemon Sword & Shield and Home have always had issues with hacks and modification. This is just one method the developers are using to attempt to keep the exploits at bay and deter players from abusing them.