News

London, UK—June 2, in the year of our Lord 2020—Today, The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo announced new details for the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, downloadable content for the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games. The first set of content, The Isle of Armor, will launch on June 17, 2020, and the second, The Crown Tundra, launches in the autumn of 2020. The Expansion Pass is available for purchase in Nintendo eShop[1]. Newly discovered Pokémon, new Gigantamax forms, exclusive moves, and more were also revealed.

The Isle of Armor
The first new adventure unlocked by the Expansion Pass will take place on the Isle of Armor, an island of the Galar region. Many Pokémon make this island their home, living freely amid the lush nature. The island is also home to a dojo for Pokémon battles. Players and their Pokémon will train hard to become stronger under Mustard, the master of this dojo.

NEWLY DISCOVERED POKÉMON

Galarian Slowbro
Category: Hermit Crab Pokémon
Type: Poison/Psychic
Height: 5ʹ3″
Weight: 155.4 lbs.
Ability: Quick Draw

A Shellder bite set off a chemical reaction with the spices inside Galarian Slowpoke’s body, causing Galarian Slowbro to gain the Poison type. The Shellder that’s latched onto Slowbro sometimes unconsciously bites down harder on Slowbro’s arm, causing an itch that drives Slowbro to start wildly swinging its arm around and smashing its surroundings. With a speed that puts even the quickest reflexes to shame, Slowbro readies its Shellder and makes poisonous liquid shoot from the Shellder’s tip. This is Shell Side Arm, a Poison-type special move that may poison the target. The move inflicts either physical or special damage depending on which will damage the target more.

NEW GIGANTAMAX FORMS

Gigantamax Venusaur
Type: Grass/Poison
Height: 78ʹ9″+
Weight: ????.? lbs.
Ability: Overgrow

The power of Gigantamaxing has made Venusaur’s flower bloom so large that it covers the Pokémon’s body. During battle, the Pokémon uses these petals as a shield and swings its two thick vines around to thrash its target. Grass-type attacks used by Gigantamax Venusaur will change to G-Max Vine Lash. G-Max Vine Lash doesn’t just deal damage to an opponent when it hits—it will continue to deal damage for four turns to any Pokémon that isn’t Grass type.

Gigantamax Blastoise
Type: Water
Height: 82ʹ+
Weight: ????.? lbs.
Ability: Torrent

Blastoise’s shell has grown to match its body, and it boasts new extra-large water cannons as well. Gigantamax Blastoise can adapt to different situations by using different combinations of its 31 variously sized cannons. Gigantamax Blastoise can also move the 12 large cannons surrounding its central cannon independently, letting it orient its attacks in any direction, whether toward the ground or the sky. Water-type attacks used by Gigantamax Blastoise will change to G-Max Cannonade. G-Max Cannonade doesn’t just deal damage to an opponent when it hits—it will continue to deal damage for four turns to any Pokémon that isn’t Water type.

LEGENDARY POKÉMON URSHIFU’S EXCLUSIVE MOVES

Legendary Pokémon Urshifu has two forms—Single Strike Style and Rapid Strike Style—and each form can learn different moves and G-Max Moves. A Single Strike Style Urshifu that has followed the path of darkness can unleash a single, severe blow—a signature move known as Wicked Blow. This move always results in a critical hit, allowing Urshifu to attack while ignoring the target’s stat changes. A Rapid Strike Style Urshifu that has followed the path of water can unleash a flowing three-hit combo—a signature move known as Surging Strikes. This move always results in critical hits, allowing Urshifu to attack while ignoring the target’s stat changes.

Unseen Fist is a new Ability introduced with these expansions and one that only Single Strike Style Urshifu and Rapid Strike Style Urshifu possess. This Ability lets the Pokémon deal damage when it attacks with moves that make direct contact even if the target defends itself by using moves like Protect.

Dark-type attacks used by Single Strike Style Gigantamax Urshifu will change to G-Max One Blow. Water-type attacks used by Rapid Strike Style Gigantamax Urshifu will change to G-Max Rapid Flow. G-Max One Blow and G-Max Rapid Flow can deal damage even if a target defends itself by using moves like Max Guard or Protect.

NEW ADVENTURING FEATURES INTRODUCED IN THE ISLE OF ARMOR

Cram-o-matic
The dojo on the Isle of Armor houses a unique take on recycling in the form of a device called the Cram-o-matic. If players feed it four items, it will combine them and give out a new item in exchange. Trainers can receive any of a variety of items, including Poké Balls, PP Ups, and more. Some combinations might even produce rare items.

Tutor Moves
Completely new tutor moves will also be available on the Isle of Armor. Trainers can have their Pokémon learn them in exchange for Armorite Ore, a substance that can be found on the Isle of Armor through Max Raid Battles and other means.

Burning Jealousy is a new Fire-type move that can be taught starting with these expansions. When it hits, it deals damage to all opposing Pokémon and burns all opposing Pokémon that have had their stats boosted during the turn.

Grassy Glide is a new Grass-type move that can be taught starting with these expansions. This move has high priority when used on Grassy Terrain.

Max Soup
Max Soup is a special dish made from rare ingredients you can gather on the Isle of Armor. If a Pokémon with great hidden potential drinks Max Soup, it will become a special Pokémon capable of Gigantamaxing.
Some Pokémon that Trainers are already traveling with may also gain the ability to Gigantamax.

The Crown Tundra
The second area unlocked by the Expansion Pass is the snow-swept realm of the Crown Tundra. In this frigid yet beautiful landscape—with its jagged winter mountains and shining, silvery landscape—people live in small communities where they support and rely on one another. A man named Peony will appoint the player as the leader of his exploration team in the Crown Tundra and task them with investigating the reaches of this frozen land. Players will also be able to explore the depths of the Pokémon Dens seen during Max Raid Battles. What’s more, it seems several previously unseen Legendary Pokémon make the Crown Tundra their home.

NEWLY DISCOVERED LEGENDARY POKÉMON

Regieleki
Category: Electron Pokémon
Type: Electric
Height: 3ʹ11″
Weight: 319.7 lbs.
Ability: Transistor

Regieleki absorbs electrons to live. Regieleki’s signature Electric-type special move, Thunder Cage, fires furious bolts of electricity from its lower half, trapping opponents directly below it in a cage of lightning. Thunder Cage doesn’t only deal damage to opponents when it lands—the electrified cage will also cause damage every turn for four to five turns and prevent opponents from fleeing or being swapped out.

Regidrago
Category: Dragon Orb Pokémon
Type: Dragon
Height: 6ʹ11″
Weight: 440.9 lbs.
Ability: Dragon’s Maw

Regidrago’s body is composed of crystallized dragon energy. With Regidrago’s signature move, Dragon Energy, the Pokémon assumes a shape similar to a dragon’s head, then fires intense dragon energy from its mouth. The more HP the user has remaining, the higher the move’s power.

Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres?
Legendary Pokémon bearing strong resemblances to Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres have been spotted in the Crown Tundra. These Pokémon seem to bear Ice-type, Electric-type, and Fire-type characteristics, respectively, and were previously thought to be the same as the Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres seen in other regions. Recently gathered data from reported sightings and other sources about the Pokémon have bolstered the theory that they are, in fact, distinct variants.

Galarian Articuno
Category: Cruel Pokémon
Type: Psychic/Flying
Height: 5ʹ7″
Weight: 112.2 lbs.
Ability: Competitive

Once every several decades, this migratory Pokémon appears in the Crown Tundra. Galarian Articuno’s signature move, Freezing Glare, is a Psychic-type special move in which the Pokémon attacks by firing psychic power from both eyes. This move may also leave the target frozen.

Galarian Zapdos
Category: Strong Legs Pokémon
Type: Fighting/Flying
Height: 5ʹ3″
Weight: 128.3 lbs.
Ability: Defiant

Once every several decades, this migratory Pokémon appears in the Crown Tundra. Galarian Zapdos’s signature move, Thunderous Kick, is a Fighting-type physical move that overwhelms the target with lightning-like movement before delivering a kick. This also lowers the target’s Defense stat.

Galarian Moltres
Category: Malevolent Pokémon
Type: Dark/Flying
Height: 6ʹ7″
Weight: 145.5 lbs.
Ability: Berserk

Once every several decades, this migratory Pokémon appears in the Crown Tundra. Galarian Moltres’s signature move, Fiery Wrath, is a Dark-type special move in which the Pokémon transforms its wrath into a fire-like aura to attack. It may also make opposing Pokémon flinch.

NEW CHARACTERS
Upon arriving in the Crown Tundra, players will encounter Peony, who has brought his daughter along on an adventure to find the truth behind tales of Legendary Pokémon in the area. Listening isn’t his strong suit, and his bold behaviour draws plenty of attention, but he has a kind side and plenty of affection for his daughter.

DYNAMAX ADVENTURE
Trainers can team up with three other players to go on a Dynamax Adventure, where they will be able to venture into Pokémon Dens and even encounter Dynamax Pokémon. If Trainers do encounter a Dynamax Pokémon during their exploration, they’ll need to work together in a Max Raid Battle. Trainers will get a chance to catch the Dynamax Pokémon for their team if they triumph in the battle, but they’ll be kicked out of the den should they lose.

GALARIAN STAR TOURNAMENT
Once Trainers progress far enough in their adventure in the Crown Tundra, they’ll be able to participate in the Galarian Star Tournament, held in the city of Wyndon. In this tournament, Trainers will battle with various characters they met in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield—but not just as opponents. They can also pick a teammate and tackle the tournament together.

TRANSFER BONUS IN POKÉMON HOME
Starting Tuesday, June 2, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. BST, if Trainers transfer one or more Pokémon from Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield to the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME, they will be able to receive a Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble with their Hidden Abilities as Mystery Gifts in the mobile device version of Pokémon HOME.[2][3]

Grookey
Grookey’s Hidden Ability is Grassy Surge. It’s a rare Ability that normally wouldn’t be available.
Level: 5
Ability: Grassy Surge
Moves: Scratch, Growl

Scorbunny
Scorbunny’s Hidden Ability is Libero. It’s a rare Ability that makes its first appearance in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield.
Level: 5
Ability: Libero
Moves: Tackle, Growl

Sobble
Sobble’s Hidden Ability is Sniper. It’s a rare Ability that normally wouldn’t be available.
Level: 5
Ability: Sniper
Moves: Pound, Growl

GIGANTAMAX FESTIVAL
From Monday, June 1 PDT until Monday, June 30, at 00:59 a.m. BST, many different Gigantamax Pokémon can be encountered in Max Raid Battles in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. Some different Gigantamax Pokémon will appear depending on the version of the game being played.

The following Gigantamax Pokémon will appear in both versions of the game:

Snorlax

Gigantamax Pokémon that will appear only in Pokémon Sword:

Gengar, Kingler, Lapras, Garbodor, Corviknight, Appletun, Amped Form Toxtricity, Centiskorch, Grimmsnarl, Alcremie, Duraludon


Gigantamax Pokémon that will appear only in Pokémon Shield:

Charizard, Butterfree, Machamp, Orbeetle, Drednaw, Coalossal, Flapple, Sandaconda, Low Key Form Toxtricity, Hatterene, Copperajah

[1] Each version of the Expansion Pass is only compatible with the game version of the same name.

[2] In order to receive these Pokémon, you will need to link the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME and the mobile device version of Pokémon HOME to the same Nintendo Account. You will only be able to receive this gift once per Pokémon HOME account, even if you own multiple Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield games. To receive these Pokémon, follow these steps.
1. In the mobile device version of Pokémon HOME, tap the button at the bottom of the screen and open the menu.
2. Select Mystery Gifts.
3. Select Gift Box.
4. Select which gift in your Gift Box you’d like to claim.
5. Select Receive, and the Pokémon will be deposited in your Pokémon HOME Boxes.

[3] To take your Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble to Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield, follow these steps.
1. Start up the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME, and select Pokémon from the main menu.
2. Select the game you want to connect to, as well as which user’s save data you will access.
3. Select the Pokémon you want to move from Pokémon HOME to a linked game and the Box they’ll be moved to.
4. Make sure to press the + Button after completing the move to save your changes before quitting.

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