PK8, PA8, and PB8 Classes

Generation 8 PKM format documentation

PK8, PA8, and PB8 Classes

Generation 8 introduced multiple format variations for different games: PK8 for Sword/Shield, PA8 for Legends: Arceus, and PB8 for Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl.

PK8 Class

Namespace: PKHeX.Core

File: PKHeX.Core/PKM/PK8.cs

Format Specifications

Property	Value
SIZE_STORED	328 bytes (0x148)
SIZE_PARTY	344 bytes (0x158)
Generation	8
Context	EntityContext.Gen8
Games	Sword, Shield

Key Features

Dynamax System

PK8 introduced Dynamax and Gigantamax:

public int DynamaxType { get; set; }  // Stored at 0x156
public byte DynamaxLevel { get; set; }
public bool CanGigantamax { get; set; }

Dynamax Type determines which Max Move variant the Pokémon uses.

Expanded Block Structure

• Uses 4 blocks of 80 bytes each (320 bytes total)
• Header: 8 bytes (Encryption Constant, Sanity, Checksum, Unused)
• Total stored: 328 bytes
• Party adds 16 bytes for battle stats

Side Transfer Detection

public bool IsSideTransfer => LocationsHOME.IsLocationSWSH(MetLocation);
public override bool SV => MetLocation is LocationsHOME.SWSL or LocationsHOME.SHVL;
public override bool BDSP => MetLocation is LocationsHOME.SWBD or LocationsHOME.SHSP;
public override bool LA => MetLocation is LocationsHOME.SWLA;

Detects if Pokémon was transferred from other Gen 8 games via HOME.

Important Properties

Tech Records

public ReadOnlySpan<bool> TechRecordFlags { get; }
public bool GetMoveRecordFlag(int index) { get; set; }

Tracks which TRs (Technical Records) the Pokémon has learned.

Ribbons

Expanded ribbon system:

• Battle ribbons
• Contest ribbons (transferred)
• Tower ribbons
• Mark ribbons (wild encounter marks)

Tracker System

public ulong Tracker { get; set; }

Unique 64-bit identifier for HOME tracking.

Data Differences from Gen 7

• Removed: Super Training, Resort Events, some Gen 6/7 ribbons
• Added: Dynamax, Gigantamax, Tech Records, Marks
• Modified: Larger block size (80 bytes vs 56)

---

PA8 Class

Namespace: PKHeX.Core

File: PKHeX.Core/PKM/PA8.cs

Format Specifications

Property	Value
SIZE_STORED	360 bytes (0x168)
SIZE_PARTY	376 bytes (0x178)
Generation	8
Context	EntityContext.Gen8a
Games	Legends: Arceus

Key Features

Grit System

Legends: Arceus uses Grit instead of EVs:

public byte GV_HP { get; set; }
public byte GV_ATK { get; set; }
public byte GV_DEF { get; set; }
public byte GV_SPE { get; set; }
public byte GV_SPA { get; set; }
public byte GV_SPD { get; set; }

Grit Values (GVs) range from 0-10 per stat.

Alpha Pokémon

public bool IsAlpha { get; set; }
public byte HeightScalarCopy { get; set; }

Alpha Pokémon are larger and have different properties.

Noble Pokémon

public bool IsNoble { get; set; }

Special flag for Noble Pokémon (Kleavor, Lilligant, etc.).

Move Mastery

Replaces PP system:

public bool GetMoveShopFlag(int index) { get; set; }
public ulong MoveShopPermitFlags { get; set; }
public ulong MasteredFlags { get; set; }

Tracks:

• Which moves can be learned from move shop
• Which moves are mastered (Strong/Agile style unlocked)

Unique Properties

Height and Weight Scaling

public byte HeightScalar { get; set; }
public byte HeightScalarCopy { get; set; }  // For Alphas
public byte WeightScalar { get; set; }
public byte WeightScalarCopy { get; set; }

PLA has more detailed size variation.

Sociability

public byte Sociability { get; set; }

Affects behavior in pastures.

Data Structure

Larger blocks (88 bytes each) to accommodate:

• Grit values
• Move mastery flags
• Alpha/Noble flags
• Enhanced size scalars
• Move shop data

Removed Features

• No Dynamax/Gigantamax
• No contest stats
• No affection (uses friendship only)
• No ribbons (different system)

---

PB8 Class

Namespace: PKHeX.Core

File: PKHeX.Core/PKM/PB8.cs

Format Specifications

Property	Value
SIZE_STORED	328 bytes (0x148)
SIZE_PARTY	344 bytes (0x158)
Generation	8
Context	EntityContext.Gen8b
Games	Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl

Key Features

Gen 4 Remake Format

PB8 is nearly identical to PK8 but adapted for Gen 4 remakes:

public override PersonalInfo8BDSP PersonalInfo { get; }
public override EntityContext Context => EntityContext.Gen8b;

Default Locations

public PB8()
{
    EggLocation = MetLocation = Locations.Default8bNone;
    AffixedRibbon = Core.AffixedRibbon.None;
}

BDSP uses different default location values.

DPR Illegal Flag

public bool IsDprIllegal { get; set; }  // At 0x52

Internal flag used by the game for legality.

Data Differences from PK8

Removed Features

• No Dynamax/Gigantamax (not in BDSP)
• No Galar-specific marks
• Different ribbon set

Modified Features

• Uses Gen 4 move pool
• Gen 4 ability distribution
• Different met locations
• Updated personal info table

Handler Update System

public void UpdateHandler(ITrainerInfo tr)
{
    if (IsEgg)
    {
        const ushort location = Locations.LinkTrade6NPC;
        if (MetLocation != location && !BelongsTo(tr))
        {
            var date = EncounterDate.GetDate3DS();
            SetLinkTradeEgg(date.Day, date.Month, date.Year, location);
        }
    }
    
    if (!TradeOT(tr))
        TradeHT(tr);
}

Note: BDSP updates handler even for eggs (unlike other games).

Comparison Table

Feature	PK8	PA8	PB8
Size (Stored)	328 bytes	360 bytes	328 bytes
Size (Party)	344 bytes	376 bytes	344 bytes
Block Size	80 bytes	88 bytes	80 bytes
Dynamax	Yes	No	No
Grit Values	No	Yes	No
Alpha	No	Yes	No
Noble	No	Yes	No
Move Mastery	No	Yes	No
Tech Records	Yes	Yes	Yes
Marks	Yes	Yes	Limited
Contest Stats	No	Yes	No

Code Examples

Creating a Dynamax PK8

var pk8 = new PK8
{
    Species = 812, // Rillaboom
    Form = 0,
    CurrentLevel = 50,
    DynamaxLevel = 10,
    CanGigantamax = true,
    Ball = 26, // Beast Ball
};
pk8.SetRandomIVs(6);
pk8.RefreshChecksum();

Creating an Alpha PA8

var pa8 = new PA8
{
    Species = 900, // Kleavor
    CurrentLevel = 65,
    IsAlpha = true,
    IsNoble = false,
    HeightScalar = 255,
    HeightScalarCopy = 255,
};

// Set Grit Values
pa8.GV_HP = 10;
pa8.GV_ATK = 10;
pa8.GV_DEF = 10;
pa8.GV_SPE = 10;
pa8.GV_SPA = 10;
pa8.GV_SPD = 10;

pa8.RefreshChecksum();

Setting Tech Records (PK8)

var pk8 = new PK8(data);

// Learn TR01 (Body Slam)
pk8.SetMoveRecordFlag(0, true);

// Check if TR learned
if (pk8.GetMoveRecordFlag(0))
{
    Console.WriteLine("Can learn Body Slam");
}

Converting Between Gen 8 Formats

Formats cannot directly convert to each other; they must go through HOME:

// PK8 → HOME → PA8 (not directly supported)
// Each format uses different PersonalInfo tables
// and game-specific features

See Also

• Format Overview
• PK6 & PK7 Classes
• PK9 & PA9 Classes