Here’s a made-up variation on an old quote. It goes like this: “To err is human; To hack one’s Nintendo Switch is morally divine, but legally dubious.” On the subject of hacking, today’s story is about hacking/modding the Nintendo Switch with PKHex.
Specifically, we’re going back into the world of save file editing. With PKhex, you can edit what pokemon are in your party. With PKHex, you can automatically check for legality on your mons (appropriate moves, stats, EVs, etc.). You can also edit what items it holds, and even edit your pokedex progress in games like Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet! You can even edit how many stakes were pulled in those games.
Through GBATemp and PKHex, a couple “remade” versions of Pokemon Sword and Shield, called Pokemon Sacred Sword and Pokemon King’s Shield, were made.
However, they are outdated in comparison to the new ROM hacks for Gen VIII, Pokemon Divine Sword and Pokemon Blessed Shield.
Here’s a screenshot of such ROM Hacks in action above. With that done, let’s move on to the installation guide.
Installation Guide for Pokemon Divine Sword & Blessed Shield
Here’s an Installation Guide, which is going off the assumption you are in ownership of a modded Switch console. Thanks to GBATemp for the info.
Installation (CFW):
- This is assuming you have Atmosphere CFW installed on your switch.
- Go to this link: https://gbatemp.net/threads/pokemon-divine-sword-blessed-shield-version-1-1-major-update-exp-candies-return.590250/
- Click on the download link, and you’ll be taken to folders for Divine Sword and Blessed Shield to download over on Google Drive or Google Docs. (I’m not sure which one)
- If you are gonna be playing Divine Sword, download and move the folder titled "0100ABF008968000" to atmosphere\contents from Google Drive, or download and move "01008DB008C2C000" for Blessed Shield from Google Drive. (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wDwrs3Ox13XkOZOEs22orvkWSg3nVb66)
- Return the SD card to your switch, enter CFW, and then Launch the game.
Simple as that.
NOTE: An easy way to tell if the mod is working is IF the Mystery Gift menu option is replaced with "Divine Sword & Blessed Shield", among other text edits.
Now, with regards to hacking a switch, it SHOULD be done easily with a V1 Switch
With that cleared up, let’s move onto the Comprehensive guide to PKHex.
How to Use PKHex on Switch: A Comprehensive Beginner's Guide
There are 2 ways to edit Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (as well as SwSh saves) in PkHex. Both of these require a modified switch running CFW (custom firmware), and either checkpoint (for lower firmwares) or JKSV (for higher firmwares).
Note: This guide is meant for CFW emuNAND extracting from/importing to CFW emuNAND, or CFW sysNAND extracting from/importing to CFW sysNAND. You’ll also probably need Ryujinx or Yuzu (both Switch emulators) to test this before doing it to an actual cartridge. In that case, a computer/laptop would be sufficient for the task, and a USB-c cable would also help. A modded Switch is a MUST.
For the uninitiated, PKHex is a Pokémon core series save editor, programmed in C#.
It supports the following files:
- Save files ("main", *.sav, .dsv, .dat, .gci) GameCube Memory Card files (.raw, .bin) containing GC Pokémon savegames
- Individual Pokémon entity files (.pk)
It also supports the following features: Mystery Gift files (.pgt, .pcd, .pgf, .wc), including conversion to .pk.
It supports the importing of teams from Decrypted 3DS Battle Videos, transferring from one generation to another while converting formats along the way, etc. Data is displayed in a view which can be edited and saved. The interface can be translated with resource/external text files so that different languages can be supported.
Pokémon Showdown sets and QR codes can be imported/exported to assist in sharing.
Nintendo 3DS savedata containers use an AES MAC that cannot be emulated without the 3DS's keys, thus a resigning service is required (svdt, save_manager, JKSM, or SaveDataFiler).
The Changelog for Version 22.11.26 indicates the following changes were made for compatibility with Scarlet and Violet:
Legality:
- Fixed: Encounter->PK9 small fixes added.
- Added: Distribution Raids (Eevee) now recognized.
- Fixed: Hidden Ability patch checks now behave correctly.
- Fixed: Minor tweaks to tera type and encounter recognition.
- Fixed: Gen8 technical records are checked correctly again.
- Fixed: Maushold / Dudunsparce %100 evolution calc fixed (From %25).
- Fixed: Gen9 obededience level for gift box legends now checked correctly (nonzero).
- Still Pending: Wandering/Crossover encounter locations & marks (next release!) Added: Form Argument now has a label if the Form combobox is not being shown.
- Added: Cheat button to unlock all fly locations, and collect all stakes (sub legendary event). Thanks @sora10pls!
- Fixed: Gen9 raid seeds can now be correctly set via the GUI.
- Fixed: Gen9 xyz coordinates now read/write correctly instead of swapping y/z coordinates. Thanks @ih8ih8sn0w!
- Fixed: Gen9 Pokédex set now applies seen forms, and the Seen All / Caught / Complete cheats now behave as intended for all entries. Changed: Updated translation files.
Now, all of the above is useless without having a V1 switch that is hackable. Make sure you have that first, then get Ryujinx or Yuzu for your laptop/computer.
Now, PKHeX can, in conjunction with Yuzu/Ryujinx, allow you to edit your save file to do amazing things. 60FPS? You got it! Make a pokemon you made in Showdown shiny before adding it to your game? Complicated, but it can be done!! Collect all 32 of those annoying stakes to unlock the legendary quartet of Ruin? You bet!
Now, Let’s move on to save editing.
Save Editing Pokémon Scarlet & Violet - How it works
In order to even be ABLE to do this, a modified Switch is required. Now, how does one do that? That is surprisingly simple.
Modifying your Switch: A Multi-step Guide
- You must get or have bought a 1st-Version Switch back in 2017.
- Order a “Switch jig” on Amazon, or use either a paper clip or a piece of aluminum foil cut with scissors.
- Insert the accessory of choice all the way down into the right side rail of the switch.
- Press and hold Power and Volume + to get the Switch into RCM mode.
- Connect your V1 Switch to your PC via a Micro USB-C cable, or a BLU Tracfone phone charger cable.
- Go to your computer and download Atmosphere (Best go to Youtuber Better Gaming for updated links and advice if you’re new to this!)
- Download TegraRcmGUI, and drag the application from WinRar & Drop it onto your desktop.
- Insert your Micro SD Card via MicroSD Card adapter into your laptop and drag all CFW files and whatnot onto the root of the Micro SD Card.
- Safely eject the SD Card, reinsert into Switch, and select Hekate to boot into CFW.
CONGRATS! You’ve done it. Your switch should now be hacked/jailbroken. IF you did everything right, then you SHOULD get something like the above image on your Switch. Just, make sure your switch is sufficiently charged beforehand with the SD card inside the Switch, then proceed. Speaking of proceeding, you may now proceed to the next section.
Adding Cheats to your Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Game
For this part, basically, you’re now gonna want to install Edizon onto your Switch via the Homebrew app store, then insert the game and start editing/cheating away if you want/are able to.
HackerNoon’s FAQ: Your Questions And More Answered
Q: Do these cheats work on Non-modded Switches?
A: No. Sadly, it only works on Modded Switches.
Q2: Will I get Banned for Modding my Switch?
A2: It depends. If you don’t follow guides and go in blind, then likely yes. If you’re following Better Gaming or anyone else, then maybe not.
Q3: How do I activate cheats in {Insert game here}?
A3: Use Edizon. Simple. Or, if nothing else, watch a guide before trying.
Q4: How are these three subjects connected?
A4: They all involve modding/hacking stuff like Scarlet/Violet, and your Switch.
Q5: Does this theoretically work for other mainline Pokémon games (SwSh, Let’s Go, etc.)?
A5: Yes.
CONCLUSION
So, in today’s article, we went over how to use PKHex on Switch, Save Editing, and Switch Modding. We went over them in significant detail, answered some common and uncommon questions, AND even went into how to mod a V1 switch.
IF you enjoyed this article, then comment down below, or feel free to email me your feedback. Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you next time.