Newly Discovered Pokémon and More Revealed for The Isle of Armor
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
NEW GIGANTAMAX FORMS
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
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.
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’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’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’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
For more information about the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, please visit Pokemon.com/SwordShieldEX.