How to Clone Pokémon on Pokémon Gold and Silver

Last Updated: March 17, 2021

Have an extremely powerful Pokémon that you want two of? Cloning is just the way to do this. By abusing a glitch in the game, you can become the most unstoppable Trainer in the world! It's easy to make another copy of a Pokémon and its hold item without using Gameshark or ActionReplay.

Steps

1
Move the Pokémon in your PC around, so that you have at least 2 empty boxes.
2
Move the Pokémon you want to duplicate into your party.

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3
Equip the Pokémon with valuable items that you might want to copy (e.g. Master Ball, Rare Candy, Nugget, etc.).
4
Switch to an empty box in your PC. When the game asks you if you want to save, select "yes".
5
Deposit the Pokémon you want to duplicate into the empty box of your PC.
6
Now, switch to another empty box in your PC. CAUTION: when it says do you want to save, select "yes", but keep an eye on the message at the bottom.
7
Text will flash across the bottom, saying "Saving, don't turn off the power." Right when the whole word "power" shows up on the screen, turn off the power immediately.
8
Turn on the power. Check your party and your PC box. If it worked, you should have the Pokémon in both your party and your PC box.

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Community Q&A

Question

I want to clone my master ball. How do I do that?

Community Answer

Click on your master ball and it will ask you if you want to toss, give, or use. Choose give and give in to your Pokémon and perform the glitch.
Question

Can I do this in Gold?

Community Answer

Yes, it works in both Gold and Silver, however it does not work in Crystal.
Question

What is so risky about doing this in Crystal?

Community Answer

In Crystal, the saving formula is different and has a higher chance of losing your Pokémon.
Question

Will this work for the other colors, too?

Community Answer

This glitch will only work on the Generation 2 games, Gold, Silver, and Crystal (though Crystal is risky). It might be possible on Red/Blue/Yellow, but it would be much more difficult due to the lack of visual cues. For Generation 3 (Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald) and onward, due to changes in how boxes work, this glitch does not work.
Question

Can I transfer cloned Pokemon into a copy of say, Pokemon Ultra Moon with Poke Transporter?

Community Answer

If the cloned Pokemon is "legitimate," as in it knows no weird moves and is not corrupt in any way, then it should be able to transport.
Question

Can I perform this glitch on the DS download of Silver?

Community Answer

It works on every version except HeartGold and SoulSilver; it also doesn't work on Pokemon Crystal.
Question

Can I do this on a 3DS?

Community Answer

Yes, this will work on a 3DS.

Warnings

Read all of the instructions before repeating!

Thanks!
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Things You'll Need

A Game Boy color, Game Boy Advance or Emulator.
A Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal game cartridge or ROM (beware, ROMs are illegal if you don't already own the game)
At least 2 empty boxes in your Pokémon PC.