If you love using cheats and spamming exploits, then you must’ve heard of PKHeX. It’s one of the most powerful tools ever created for Pokemon save file editing.
This all-around software allows you to view and modify nearly every aspect of a Pokemon game save, from individual Pokemon data to items and trainer information.
More experienced users here at Pokecoders use PKHeX to experiment, verify save legality, and customize single-player playthroughs.
The only issue you’ll have with PKHeX is that it feels overwhelming at first for new users.
In this guide, we’ll focus on the most used function of this tool—editing save files with PKHeX. This can be applied to all mainstream Pokemon games.
Learn more about PKHeX and Pokemon gaming:
- How to Use PKHex for Nuzlocke Challenge
- How to Transfer Save Files in Citra
- Where Does DeSmuME Store Save Files?
What Can PKHeX Do?
PKHeX is a tool/software for PC that can edit and modify your Pokemon game save files. PKHeX does not connect to your emulator or game directly.
It only works on save files you manually open and export. Here are some of the amazing things it can do:
- View and edit party and PC Pokemon
- Adjust IVs, EVs, Nature, Ability, and moves
- Fix broken or incorrectly generated Pokemon
- Edit items, money, and bag contents
- Modify your Trainer information
The tool is simple to use once you understand it. But it can be quite intimidating for beginners. Keep reading if you want to be an PKHeX expert in no time.
Before You Start Using PKHeX
Before editing anything, you need to see these warnings and do these precautionary steps. This ensures that you avoid corrupting your game files or making irreversible changes that will ruin your save.
- Always back up your original save file.
- Editing online or competitive Pokemon WILL result in bans.
- Save file editing is best used for offline or personal play only.
- PKHeX can be used for console saves, but we do not recommend it due to serious hardware risks.
What You’ll Need
- A computer.
- PKHeX program installed.
- Your Pokemon game save file.
For console users, you can use Save manager software like Checkpoint or JKSM.
On the other hand, emulator users can do this super easily since the save file is already accessible on their system.
How to Get Your Save File in Pokemon Games
Before you can do any edits using PKHeX, you first need to have access to your save file.
Step 1: Find your Save File
Most emulators use battery saves, usually stored as .sav files. If you’re using GBA emulators, these are usually located in the same folder as your GBA ROMs.
For DS emulators, the save files are in a folder named “Battery.” For Switch and 3DS, you can right-click on a game in your emulator and select “Open Save Data Location.”
Anyway, these are the files PKHeX edits.
There are two types of saves used in emulation:
- Battery save (.sav): The real game save (the one you load/continue in-game)
- Save state: A snapshot created by the emulator
PKHeX only works with battery saves. You can’t use it to edit a save state.
That means you can extract the save file from your cartridges, but I strongly advise against doing so because you might end up getting your console banned.
Step 2: Create a Backup
Never ever skip this step. Creating a backup will let you have a failsafe in case you mess anything up.
You don’t want to lose hours and hours of progress or even years of memories with one mistake, so back up your save file.
Create a separate folder in your PC, or if you want to preserve your save file for generations to come, you can upload it to an online cloud storage.
Never edit your only copy. Always work on a duplicate.
How to Edit Save Files With PKHeX
Now comes the exciting part. What you have at your disposal is an all-powerful tool that can literally distort the reality in your save file, but it’s not rocket science.
Here’s a full guide on what you can actually do with PKHeX and how you can edit your save files using it.
Step 1: Launch PKHeX
I assume you already have PKHeX installed on your PC. Start by opening the software. Then, go to your duplicate save file’s folder, and drag the save file into PKHeX to edit it.
Alternatively, you can right-click on the save file and click on “Open With,” then choose PKHeX.
This will load up the save file and allow you to modify it in PKHeX. You can confirm if a save file has loaded properly if the box slots on the right show Pokemon from your save.
Step 2: Learn the PKHeX Interface
When your save loads, you will see several tabs and sections. It may look overwhelming at first, but focus only on what you need.
Let’s divide the interface into two so you can understand better. The left side is the details section. It shows you the stats and information about your Pokemon.
The right side shows you the content and info of your boxes, party, and bag.
The right side has multiple tabs.
- Box: This tab shows the contents of your PC or Pokemon Storage System.
- Party: Shows the Pokemon you currently have in your party.
- Other: Pokemon in the Daycare or breeding Pokemon
- SAV: Items in your bag and PC and your save file’s info
Step 3: Edit Your Pokemon
All of the Pokemon in your box or party can be modified using PKHeX. Yes, you can also add any Pokemon you want.
Start by clicking on the Box or Party tab. Then, right-click on the Pokemon you want to modify.
Click on View. This will load up the Pokemon on the left side of the interface and show you everything about it, including its stats, nature, abilities, and more.
You can edit all of this info on the left side. From adding moves, changing its level, or making it Shiny all the way to giving it a new nickname and changing its encounter details.
PKHeX can do all of those. However, it will also show if a Pokemon is legal or hacked. The red danger icon indicates that a Pokemon isn’t legitimate.
Click on the image of the Pokemon above “Main” and drag it to your box or party to integrate it into your save file.
The “Other” tab allows you to manage daycare slots so you can view, edit, or remove Pokemon currently in the daycare/nursery.
Step 4: Edit Your Save File
The last tab lets you do advanced edits to your save file, but the most commonly used feature in this tab is the Items Editor. You can use this to add or modify items in your game.
Start by selecting the SAV tab, then go to Items. It will bring up a menu where you can find all items available in the game and stuff that is currently in your bag.
To add an item, go to its category, then look for a vacant slot in your Bag (None).
Click on “None” and choose the item you’re looking for. Then decide how many you want to add. After you have all the items you desire, hit Save to confirm the changes.
Here are the other options and what they do:
Beginner-Friendly Features:
- Verify Checksums: Checks if your save file is corrupted or structurally broken.
- Verify All PKMs: Scans every Pokemon in your save if they are legitimate or not.
- Export Backup: Creates a backup copy of your save. Always safe and recommended.
- Box Layout: Rename and reorganize your PC boxes.
- Items: Edit item quantities in your bag.
- Pokedex: Mark Pokemon as seen or caught.
- Trainer Info: Edit trainer name, money, playtime, and similar info.
- Misc Edits: Small game-specific tweaks.
Advanced Features (Use With Caution):
- Save Box Data++: Modifies deeper box data structures. Not needed for normal editing.
- Block Data: Direct access to raw save memory blocks. Can easily corrupt your save.
- Clock (RTC): Edits the internal real time clock. Incorrect use can break time-based events. It’s much better and easier to change your PC’s time.
- Event Flags: Controls story progression flags. Changing the wrong flag can keep you stuck in your game.
- Mailbox: Edits mail data attached to Pokemon. Rarely needed for most users.
- Roamer: Modifies roaming Pokemon data. Incorrect edits may cause them to disappear permanently.
Step 5: Export Your Save File
Once you’re done with your modifications, it’s time to put the save file back into your game properly.
This part is just as important as the editing itself. A lot of users mess up here by overwriting the wrong file or forgetting to close their emulator.
- Click on “File” at the top left of PKHeX.
- Select “Export Save.”
- Save the file in .sav format.
- Make sure the filename matches your ROM exactly. For example:
ROM Name: Pokemon Emerald.gba
Save File Name: Pokemon Emerald.sav
If the names do not match, your emulator may not recognize the save file.
Before replacing anything, completely close your emulator. Never overwrite a save while the emulator is running.
Now go to your emulator’s save folder and replace the old .sav file with your edited one. Again, make sure you have a safe backup of your original save file elsewhere.
All that’s left to do is load your new and modified save file on your Pokemon game or emulator. In this case, boot up Pokemon Emerald and load your save. Not the save state. Check your edits and look for any issues.
Conclusion
And with that, you now know how to edit save files with PKHeX.
While Emerald has been used as an example here, PKHeX can edit all types of Pokemon game save files and is compatible with all generations of mainstream Pokemon games.
Pokecoders is the leading authority when it comes to Pokemon games, ROM hacks, cheats, and mods. If you’re looking for helpful tutorials, guides, tips, and tricks, then we got ‘em all for you.
