Pokémon Sword and Shield: Difference between revisions

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===Icons===
===Icons===
<gallery>
<gallery>
Sword icon EN.png|Sword Home Menu icon
Sword icon EN.png|English Sword Home Menu icon
Shield icon EN.png|Shield Home Menu icon
Shield icon EN.png|English Shield Home Menu icon
Sword icon JP.png|Japanese Sword Home Menu icon
Sword icon JP.png|Japanese Sword Home Menu icon
Shield icon JP.png|Japanese Shield Home Menu icon
Shield icon JP.png|Japanese Shield Home Menu icon

Revision as of 14:12, 28 February 2022

Sword and Shield redirects here. For the TCG expansion, see Sword & Shield (TCG). For the Pokémon Adventures chapter, see Sword & Shield chapter (Adventures).
Pokémon Sword
ポケットモンスター ソード
Sword EN boxart.png
Pokémon Sword's boxart, featuring Zacian in its Crowned Sword form
Pokémon Shield
ポケットモンスター シールド
Shield EN boxart.png
Pokémon Shield's boxart, featuring Zamazenta in its Crowned Shield form
Basic info
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Category: RPG
Players: 1-2, 4 players simultaneous
Connectivity: Wireless, Nintendo Switch Online
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company
Part of: Generation VIII core series
Ratings
CERO: A
ESRB: E
ACB: PG
OFLC: PG
PEGI: 7
GRAC: ALL
GSRR: 6+
Release dates
Japan: November 15, 2019
North America: November 15, 2019
Australia: November 15, 2019
Europe: November 15, 2019
South Korea: November 15, 2019
Hong Kong: November 15, 2019
Taiwan: November 15, 2019
Websites
Japanese: Pokémon.co.jp
English: Official site
Pokémon.com
Nintendo.com (Sword)
Nintendo.com (Shield)
Japanese boxart
Sword JP boxart.png
Pokémon Sword Japanese boxart
Shield JP boxart.png
Pokémon Shield Japanese boxart

Pokémon Sword (Japanese: ポケットモンスター ソード Pocket Monsters Sword) and Pokémon Shield (Japanese: ポケットモンスター シールド Pocket Monsters Shield) are the primary paired versions of Generation VIII. The games were released on the Nintendo Switch worldwide on November 15, 2019 for both retail sale and download. All copies of the game are playable in nine languages: Japanese, English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean, and Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

During E3 2017, Tsunekazu Ishihara announced that the next core series titles would be available on the Nintendo Switch, but they were not prepared to release any more information at the time. On May 30, 2018, The Pokémon Company gave a press conference and announced that the new core games would have more traditional gameplay, as opposed to that found in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.

The games were formally announced on Pokémon Day, February 27, 2019 at 11 pm JST during a worldwide announcement through Nintendo Direct hosted by Tsunekazu Ishihara, Junichi Masuda, and Shigeru Ohmori. An official trailer was shown, giving information on the region and the starter Pokémon players can choose from.

The Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass was revealed during a Pokémon Direct on January 9, 2020; it adds two new areas to the game, The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra.

Plot

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

The player is a young child who lives with their mother in the town of Postwick in the Galar region. One day, the player's friend Hop invites them to meet his big brother Leon, the Champion of the Galar League, so that they both can receive a starter Pokémon from him. After receiving their starters, the player and Hop follow a runaway Wooloo into the Slumbering Weald. Inside the foggy forest, they encounter a mysterious Pokémon that is completely unaffected by moves. They are soon rescued by Leon, and then they set out to receive an endorsement from him so that they can participate in Galar's Gym Challenge. After some convincing by Professor Magnolia, Leon agrees to give both the player and Hop an endorsement. Just then, two Wishing Stars fall out of the sky, and Professor Magnolia converts them into Dynamax Bands for the player and Hop, allowing them to Dynamax their Pokémon. The player and Hop then travel together to Motostoke to attend the Gym Challenge's opening ceremony, where they meet Rose, the president of Macro Cosmos and the chairman of the Galar Pokémon League, as well as a band of hooligans known as Team Yell.

After the opening ceremony, the player sets out to collect the eight Badges required to compete in the Champion Cup tournament from Gym Leaders across the region. Along the way, Professor Magnolia's granddaughter and assistant Sonia tells them about Galar's history and a mysterious event known as the Darkest Day. The player ends up uncovering pieces of the Darkest Day's history during their journey, much to Sonia's pleasure. Eventually, the player manages to successfully collect the eight Badges and travels to Wyndon, where the Champion Cup is held. They win their way through the Champion Cup semifinals, where they defeat Hop and end his dream of surpassing his brother. After confronting Macro Cosmos's vice-president Oleana at Rose Tower, the player participates in the Champion Cup finals and wins their way through it, earning themselves the right to challenge Leon.

However, just before the player and Leon's battle can begin, Rose makes a public announcement, revealing that he's going to bring about the second Darkest Day to save Galar from an energy crisis a thousand years in the future. To stop Rose's plans, the player and Hop travel to the Slumbering Weald again to seek help from the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta, one of whom had been the mysterious Pokémon they saw at the start of their journey. They find and take along a Rusted Sword and a Rusted Shield from the heart of the forest and go to confront Rose in Hammerlocke, where it is revealed that the Darkest Day is the result of Rose awakening a Legendary Pokémon known as Eternatus. After defeating Rose, the player and Hop go to face Eternatus at the top of the Hammerlocke Stadium, where Leon unsuccessfully tries to catch it, forcing the player to battle it. Once Eternatus seems to have been defeated, however, it suddenly transforms into its even more powerful Eternamax form. However, thanks to the sword and the shield they found, the player and Hop are able to summon Zacian and Zamazenta to their aid, and together, they defeat Eternatus in a Max Raid Battle, allowing the player to catch it and thus end the crisis. Three days later, the player finally takes on Leon in a battle at Wyndon Stadium and defeats him, ending his career as the undefeated Champion and making the player the new Champion of Galar.

During the post-game, the player and Hop travel to the heart of Slumbering Weald to return the Rusted Sword and the Rusted Shield, only to be confronted by the rich brothers Sordward and Shielbert, who try to steal the artifacts. Although the player manages to defeat one of the brothers and recover one of the stolen items, the two still manage to get away with the other one. The player and Hop are then forced to travel around Galar to stop the Dynamax Pokémon the brothers have let loose at the Gym Stadiums. They finally confront them again at Hammerlocke Stadium, where they reveal their plan being to reinstate the Galarian monarchy and denigrate Zacian and Zamazenta. Using the artifact they stole, the brothers lure in one of the Legendary Pokémon and drive it berserk, forcing the player to battle it. After it has been defeated, the other Legendary Pokémon appears as well, which the player battles and catches. During the battle, Hop follows the first Legendary to the heart of Slumbering Weald, where he successfully calms it down. Deeming Hop worthy of its trust, the Legendary Pokémon then willingly joins his party. The player and Hop then battle for one last time, after which Hop declares that his new dream is to become a Pokémon Professor, and Sordward and Shielbert briefly reappear to apologise for their actions.

The Isle of Armor

Main article: The Isle of Armor

The player travels to the Isle of Armor off the coast of Galar and becomes an apprentice in the local Master Dojo, a battle facility run by former Champion Mustard. They also develop a new rivalry with a Gym Leader-in-training and fellow apprentice named KlaraSw/AverySh.

The Crown Tundra

Main article: The Crown Tundra

The player travels to the Crown Tundra in southern Galar, where they meet Peony, an enthusiastic former Steel-type Gym Leader, and take his daughter Peonia's place in his explorations of solving the legends lurking around the Tundra.

Blurb

A wild new adventure with Pokémon!

You can battle to be the best!

Carve a path to the future!Sw / Protect the world from disaster!Sh

Band together in new co-op battles!

Features

The games mix some of the changes introduced in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! with the more traditional gameplay last seen in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Wild Pokémon now appear on the overworld, known as "symbol encounters", similar to the Let's Go games, as well as random encounters shaking in tall grass.

Known as the Gym Challenge, Gyms that the player must battle with the goal of becoming the Champion return to the games, after being replaced by trials in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. The challenge culminates in the annual Champion Cup tournament where the player may challenge the Champion.

Wild Area

Main article: Wild Area

The Wild Area is a vast, open area that connects several towns in the Galar region. It is home to a wide variety of wild Pokémon.

Dynamax and Gigantamax

Main article: Dynamax and Gigantamax

Dynamax is a new type of transformation that allows any Pokémon from the Galar region to power up and become larger using the Dynamax Band. After Dynamaxing, a Pokémon can use a Max Move.

Gigantamax is a special phenomenon that also changes the appearance of a few individuals of certain species of Pokémon. Like Dynamaxing, the Pokémon is increased in power and becomes bigger. A Gigantamax Pokémon can use a G-Max Move.

Max Raid Battles

Main article: Max Raid Battle

Max Raid Battles are a new cooperative feature that allows up to four players to challenge a Dynamax Pokémon together over local wireless or Nintendo Switch Online.

Rotom Phone

Main article: Rotom Phone

Replacing the Rotom Pokédex of the Generation VII games, the Rotom Phone acts not only as a Pokédex but also has additional features, such as the Town Map. It also acts as the main interface for the game's menu.

Y-Comm

Main article: Y-Comm

The Y-Comm serves as an interface to connect with other players over local wireless or on the internet through Nintendo Switch Online. Players can trade (either a Link Trade or Surprise Trade), battle, swap League Cards, and join Max Raid Battles.

Battle Stadium

Main article: Battle Stadium

Replacing the Battle Spot from the Generation VI and VII games, the Battle Stadium allows players to participate in battles over the internet through Nintendo Switch Online. Players can participate in Ranked Battles, Casual Battles, and Official Competitions as well as host or join Friendly Competitions.

Rotomi

Main article: Rotomi

Rotomi replaces the PCs in previous games and has several features including allowing players to send their Pokémon on Poké Jobs, design their League Card, and draw for the Loto-ID.

Pokémon Camp

Main article: Pokémon Camp

Pokémon Camp allows players can go camping and interact with their Pokémon, cook curry, and visit other player's camps.

Gym Challenge

Trainers must receive an endorsement in order to participate in the Gym Challenge. Those who defeat the eight Gym Leaders and collect the eight Badges can participate in the annual Champion Cup for a chance to challenge the current Champion of Galar. The Gym Leaders are Milo (Grass), Nessa (Water), Kabu (Fire), Bea (Fighting)Sw/Allister (Ghost)Sh, Opal (Fairy), Gordie (Rock)Sw/Melony (Ice)Sh, Piers (Dark), and Raihan (Dragon).

During the game, Opal and Piers retire from their positions as Gym Leaders and are succeeded by Bede and Marnie, respectively. During The Crown Tundra, Klara (Poison)Sw/Avery (Psychic)Sh is revealed to have become minor division Gym Leader.

Champion Cup

Unlike previous games, there is no Elite Four in the Galar region. Their place is instead taken by the Champion Cup, a tournament where Trainers compete for the right to challenge the current Champion. In the semifinals, Gym Challengers compete against each other, and the winner proceeds to the finals, where they join a tournament otherwise completely occupied by the Gym Leaders. The winner of the finals is granted the right to challenge the Champion.

Pokémon

See Category:Generation VIII Pokémon

Game-exclusive Pokémon

Main Game

Sword
0083 Farfetch'd Farfetch'd
Fighting
0273 Seedot Seedot
Grass
0274 Nuzleaf Nuzleaf
Grass Dark
0275 Shiftry Shiftry
Grass Dark
0303 Mawile Mawile
Steel Fairy
0338 Solrock Solrock
Rock Psychic
0550 Basculin Basculin
Water
0554 Darumaka Darumaka
Ice
0555 Darmanitan Darmanitan
Ice
0559 Scraggy Scraggy
Dark Fighting
0560 Scrafty Scrafty
Dark Fighting
0574 Gothita Gothita
Psychic
0575 Gothorita Gothorita
Psychic
0576 Gothitelle Gothitelle
Psychic
0627 Rufflet Rufflet
Normal Flying
0628 Braviary Braviary
Normal Flying
0633 Deino Deino
Dark Dragon
0634 Zweilous Zweilous
Dark Dragon
0635 Hydreigon Hydreigon
Dark Dragon
0684 Swirlix Swirlix
Fairy
0685 Slurpuff Slurpuff
Fairy
0766 Passimian Passimian
Fighting
0776 Turtonator Turtonator
Fire Dragon
0782 Jangmo-o Jangmo-o
Dragon
0783 Hakamo-o Hakamo-o
Dragon Fighting
0784 Kommo-o Kommo-o
Dragon Fighting
0841 Flapple Flapple
Grass Dragon
0865 Sirfetch'd Sirfetch'd
Fighting
0874 Stonjourner Stonjourner
Rock
0888 Zacian Zacian
Fairy
Shield
0077 Ponyta Ponyta
Psychic
0078 Rapidash Rapidash
Psychic Fairy
0222 Corsola Corsola
Ghost
0246 Larvitar Larvitar
Rock Ground
0247 Pupitar Pupitar
Rock Ground
0248 Tyranitar Tyranitar
Rock Dark
0270 Lotad Lotad
Water Grass
0271 Lombre Lombre
Water Grass
0272 Ludicolo Ludicolo
Water Grass
0302 Sableye Sableye
Dark Ghost
0337 Lunatone Lunatone
Rock Psychic
0453 Croagunk Croagunk
Poison Fighting
0454 Toxicroak Toxicroak
Poison Fighting
0550 Basculin Basculin
Water
0577 Solosis Solosis
Psychic
0578 Duosion Duosion
Psychic
0579 Reuniclus Reuniclus
Psychic
0629 Vullaby Vullaby
Dark Flying
0630 Mandibuzz Mandibuzz
Dark Flying
0682 Spritzee Spritzee
Fairy
0683 Aromatisse Aromatisse
Fairy
0704 Goomy Goomy
Dragon
0705 Sliggoo Sliggoo
Dragon
0706 Goodra Goodra
Dragon
0765 Oranguru Oranguru
Normal Psychic
0780 Drampa Drampa
Normal Dragon
0842 Appletun Appletun
Grass Dragon
0864 Cursola Cursola
Ghost
0875 Eiscue Eiscue
Ice
0889 Zamazenta Zamazenta
Fighting

The Isle of Armor

Sword
0127 Pinsir Pinsir
Bug
0692 Clauncher Clauncher
Water
0693 Clawitzer Clawitzer
Water
Shield
0214 Heracross Heracross
Bug Fighting
0690 Skrelp Skrelp
Poison Water
0691 Dragalge Dragalge
Poison Dragon

The Crown Tundra

Sword
0138 Omanyte Omanyte
Rock Water
0139 Omastar Omastar
Rock Water
0250 Ho-Oh Ho-Oh
Fire Flying
0371 Bagon Bagon
Dragon
0372 Shelgon Shelgon
Dragon
0373 Salamence Salamence
Dragon Flying
0381 Latios Latios
Dragon Psychic
0383 Groudon Groudon
Ground
0483 Dialga Dialga
Steel Dragon
0641 Tornadus Tornadus
Flying
0643 Reshiram Reshiram
Dragon Fire
0716 Xerneas Xerneas
Fairy
0791 Solgaleo Solgaleo
Psychic Steel
Shield
0140 Kabuto Kabuto
Rock Water
0141 Kabutops Kabutops
Rock Water
0249 Lugia Lugia
Psychic Flying
0380 Latias Latias
Dragon Psychic
0382 Kyogre Kyogre
Water
0443 Gible Gible
Dragon Ground
0444 Gabite Gabite
Dragon Ground
0445 Garchomp Garchomp
Dragon Ground
0484 Palkia Palkia
Water Dragon
0642 Thundurus Thundurus
Electric Flying
0644 Zekrom Zekrom
Dragon Electric
0717 Yveltal Yveltal
Dark Flying
0792 Lunala Lunala
Psychic Ghost


  • Wild male Indeedee is exclusive to Pokémon Sword, while wild female Indeedee is exclusive to Pokémon Shield. However, both genders can be obtained in either game through breeding.
  • Wild male Meowstic is exclusive to Pokémon Sword, while wild female Meowstic is exclusive to Pokémon Shield. However, both genders can be obtained by evolving Espurr of the appropriate gender.
  • Wild Sawk is exclusive to Pokémon Sword, while wild Throh is exclusive to Pokémon Shield. However, there is an in-game trade in Circhester where the player can trade a Vanillish to obtain ThrohSw or SawkSh.
  • Wild Escavalier is exclusive to Pokémon Sword, while wild Accelgor is exclusive to Pokémon Shield. However, Karrablast and Shelmet can be evolved in both games. Additionally, both evolved forms can be caught on the Isle of Armor in both games.
  • Cosmoem evolve into Solgaleo in Pokémon Sword, and Lunala in Pokémon Shield.
  • With the exception of Zacian and Zamazenta, all of these Pokémon can be obtained in either version by joining other players' Max Raid Battles via the Y-Comm or Max Lair.

Game-exclusive Gigantamax Pokémon

Sword
0068 Machamp Machamp
Fighting
0839 Coalossal Coalossal
Rock Fire
0841 Flapple Flapple
Grass Dragon
Shield
0094 Gengar Gengar
Ghost Poison
0131 Lapras Lapras
Water Ice
0842 Appletun Appletun
Grass Dragon
  • During normal gameplay, Gigantamax Machamp are exclusive to Sword, and Gigantamax Gengar to Shield. However, they have been made available by Wild Area News. Additionally, if the player has purchased the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass or the Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, they can obtain any Gigantamax Pokémon by feeding their Pokémon Max Soup, regardless of which version they are playing.

Compatibility

Pokémon Sword and Shield can connect with Pokémon HOME. This allows it to store and receive Pokémon from Pokémon HOME, including Pokémon from previous generations that were transferred into Pokémon HOME. Users of HOME can transfer Pokémon freely between other Sword and Shield savefiles on the console, even if the files belong to different profiles. Through the mobile version of HOME, players can trade those Pokémon through the GTS, not natively featured in Sword and Shield, and the Wonder Box, a feature similar to Sword and Shield's Surprise Trade and the Wonder Trade of previous games.

Only Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex and a select few "foreign" Pokémon can be transferred to Pokémon Sword and Shield. Two patches were released with each iteration of the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass which increased the number of Pokémon that can exist in Pokémon Sword and Shield, regardless of whether or not the player purchased the Expansion Pass.

Supported Pokémon

All Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex, Isle of Armor Pokédex, and Crown Tundra Pokédex (including all regional forms that existed at the time of release) can be transferred to Pokémon Sword and Shield.

In addition to Pokémon in the Galar, Isle of Armor, and Crown Tundra Pokédexes, the following select Pokémon can also be transferred to Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Ndex MS Pokémon Type
#0150 Mewtwo Mewtwo
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Psychic
#0151 Mew Mew
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Psychic
#0243 Raikou Raikou
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Electric
#0244 Entei Entei
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Fire
#0245 Suicune Suicune
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Water
#0249 Lugia Lugia
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Psychic
#0250 Ho-Oh Ho-Oh
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Fire
#0251 Celebi Celebi
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Psychic
#0252 Treecko Treecko
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Grass
#0253 Grovyle Grovyle
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Grass
#0254 Sceptile Sceptile
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Grass
#0255 Torchic Torchic
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Fire
#0256 Combusken Combusken
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Fire
#0257 Blaziken Blaziken
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Fire
#0258 Mudkip Mudkip
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Water
#0259 Marshtomp Marshtomp
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Water
#0260 Swampert Swampert
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Water
#0380 Latias Latias
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dragon
#0381 Latios Latios
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dragon
#0382 Kyogre Kyogre
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Water
#0383 Groudon Groudon
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Ground
#0384 Rayquaza Rayquaza
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dragon
#0385 Jirachi Jirachi
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Steel
#0480 Uxie Uxie
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Psychic
#0481 Mesprit Mesprit
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Psychic
#0482 Azelf Azelf
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Psychic
#0483 Dialga Dialga
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Steel
#0484 Palkia Palkia
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Water
#0485 Heatran Heatran
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Fire
#0486 Regigigas Regigigas
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Normal
#0487 Giratina Giratina
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Ghost
#487O Giratina Giratina
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Ghost
#0488 Cresselia Cresselia
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Psychic
#0494 Victini Victini
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Psychic
#0641 Tornadus Tornadus
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Flying
#641T Tornadus Tornadus
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Flying
#0642 Thundurus Thundurus
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Electric
#642T Thundurus Thundurus
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Electric
#0643 Reshiram Reshiram
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dragon
#0644 Zekrom Zekrom
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dragon
#0645 Landorus Landorus
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Ground
#645T Landorus Landorus
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Ground
#0646 Kyurem Kyurem
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dragon
#646W Kyurem Kyurem
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dragon
#646B Kyurem Kyurem
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dragon
#0647 Keldeo Keldeo
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Water
#0649 Genesect Genesect
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Bug
#0716 Xerneas Xerneas
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Fairy
#0717 Yveltal Yveltal
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dark
#0718 Zygarde Zygarde
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dragon
#718T Zygarde Zygarde
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dragon
#718C Zygarde Zygarde
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dragon
#0719 Diancie Diancie
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Rock
#0721 Volcanion Volcanion
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Fire
#0722 Rowlet Rowlet
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Grass
#0723 Dartrix Dartrix
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Grass
#0724 Decidueye Decidueye
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Grass
#0725 Litten Litten
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Fire
#0726 Torracat Torracat
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Fire
#0727 Incineroar Incineroar
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Fire
#0728 Popplio Popplio
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Water
#0729 Brionne Brionne
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Water
#0730 Primarina Primarina
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Water
#0785 Tapu Koko Tapu Koko
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Electric
#0786 Tapu Lele Tapu Lele
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Psychic
#0787 Tapu Bulu Tapu Bulu
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Grass
#0788 Tapu Fini Tapu Fini
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Water
#0789 Cosmog Cosmog
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Psychic
#0790 Cosmoem Cosmoem
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Psychic
#0791 Solgaleo Solgaleo
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Psychic
#0792 Lunala Lunala
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Psychic
#0793 Nihilego Nihilego
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Rock
#0794 Buzzwole Buzzwole
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Bug
#0795 Pheromosa Pheromosa
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Bug
#0796 Xurkitree Xurkitree
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Electric
#0797 Celesteela Celesteela
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Steel
#0798 Kartana Kartana
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Grass
#0799 Guzzlord Guzzlord
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Dark
#0800 Necrozma Necrozma
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Psychic
#800DM Necrozma Necrozma
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Psychic
#800DW Necrozma Necrozma
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Psychic
#0801 Magearna Magearna
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Steel
#0802 Marshadow Marshadow
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Fighting
#0803 Poipole Poipole
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Poison
#0804 Naganadel Naganadel
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Poison
#0805 Stakataka Stakataka
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Rock
#0806 Blacephalon Blacephalon
style="background:#Template:2 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 2 Fire
#0807 Zeraora Zeraora
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Electric
#0808 Meltan Meltan
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Steel
#0809 Melmetal Melmetal
style="background:#Template:1 color" align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" | 1 Steel

Unusable moves

Main article: List of moves by availability (Generation VIII)

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, many moves are no longer usable. Pokémon do not normally learn these moves in the game, and if a Pokémon does know one of these moves (e.g. due to being transferred from Pokémon HOME), it will not be able to use it. If the move is forgotten, Jack will not be able to teach it again, even if it is a special move that the Pokémon normally would be able to relearn.

In lieu of their usual descriptions, most of these moves instead have the following generic description: "This move can't be used. It's recommended that this move is forgotten. Once forgotten, this move can't be remembered." The unusable moves that do not have this description are usually moves that cannot be legitimately known by any Pokémon that exists in Pokémon Sword and Shield, typically being signature moves or moves which only a small group of Pokémon can know.

Unusable moves
Move Type Generic
description
Assist Normal
Baddy Bad Dark
Barrage Normal
Barrier Psychic
Beak Blast Flying
Bestow Normal
Bide Normal
Bone Club Ground
Bouncy Bubble Water
Bubble Water
Buzzy Buzz Electric
Camouflage Normal
Captivate Normal
Chatter Flying
Chip Away Normal
Clamp Water
Comet Punch Normal
Constrict Normal
Dark Void Dark
Dizzy Punch Normal
Double Slap Normal
Dragon Rage Dragon
Egg Bomb Normal
Embargo Dark
Feint Attack Dark
Flame Burst Fire
Flash Normal
Floaty Fall Flying
Foresight Normal
Freezy Frost Ice
Frustration Normal
Glitzy Glow Psychic
Grass Whistle Grass
Heal Block Psychic
Heal Order Bug
Heart Stamp Psychic
Heart Swap Psychic *
Hidden Power Normal
Hyper Fang Normal
Hyperspace Fury Dark
Hyperspace Hole Psychic
Ice Ball Ice
Ice Hammer Ice
Ion Deluge Electric
Judgment Normal
Jump Kick Fighting
Karate Chop Fighting
Light of Ruin Fairy
Lucky Chant Normal
Magnet Bomb Steel
Magnitude Ground
Me First Normal
Meditate Psychic
Miracle Eye Psychic
Mirror Move Flying
Mirror Shot Steel
Mud Bomb Ground
Mud Sport Ground
Natural Gift Normal
Needle Arm Grass
Nightmare Ghost
Odor Sleuth Normal
Ominous Wind Ghost
Pika Papow Electric
Powder Bug
Psycho Boost Psychic *
Psywave Psychic
Punishment Dark
Pursuit Dark
Rage Normal
Razor Wind Normal
Refresh Normal
Relic Song Normal
Return Normal
Revelation Dance Normal
Rock Climb Normal
Rolling Kick Fighting
Rototiller Ground
Sappy Seed Grass
Secret Power Normal
Seed Flare Grass
Sharpen Normal
Signal Beam Bug
Silver Wind Bug
Sizzly Slide Fire
Sketch Normal
Sky Drop Flying
Sky Uppercut Fighting
Smelling Salts Normal
Snatch Dark
Sonic Boom Normal
Sparkly Swirl Fairy
Spider Web Bug
Spike Cannon Normal
Splishy Splash Water
Spotlight Normal
Steamroller Bug
Synchronoise Psychic
Tail Glow Bug *
Telekinesis Psychic
Toxic Thread Poison
Trump Card Normal
Twineedle Bug
Veevee Volley Normal
Wake-Up Slap Fighting
Water Sport Water
Wring Out Normal
Zippy Zap Electric
  • In addition, all Z-Moves are also unusable in these games.
  • In version 1.2.0, which was released alongside The Isle of Armor, several previously unusable moves were made usable again. These were mostly signature moves of Pokémon that were added in that update. Further moves were made usable in version 1.3.0, coinciding with The Crown Tundra.
Formerly unusable moves
Move Type Enabled in
Aeroblast Flying 1.3.0
Bonemerang Ground 1.2.0
Conversion Normal 1.2.0
Conversion 2 Normal 1.2.0
Core Enforcer Dragon 1.3.0
Crush Grip Normal 1.3.0
Diamond Storm Rock 1.3.0
Dragon Ascent Flying 1.3.0
Dragon Hammer Dragon 1.2.0
Fiery Dance Fire 1.2.0
Fleur Cannon Fairy 1.2.0
Floral Healing Fairy 1.2.0
Geomancy Fairy 1.3.0
Head Charge Normal 1.2.0
Kinesis Psychic 1.2.0
Land's Wrath Ground 1.3.0
Lovely Kiss Normal 1.3.0
Lunar Dance Psychic 1.3.0
Luster Purge Psychic 1.3.0
Magma Storm Fire 1.3.0
Milk Drink Normal 1.2.0
Mind Blown Fire 1.3.0
Mist Ball Psychic 1.3.0
Nature's Madness Fairy 1.3.0
Oblivion Wing Flying 1.3.0
Origin Pulse Water 1.3.0
Precipice Blades Ground 1.3.0
Roar of Time Dragon 1.3.0
Sacred Fire Fire 1.3.0
Searing Shot Fire 1.3.0
Shadow Bone Ghost 1.2.0
Shadow Force Ghost 1.3.0
Shore Up Ground 1.2.0
Spacial Rend Dragon 1.3.0
Steam Eruption Water 1.3.0
Techno Blast Normal 1.3.0
Thousand Arrows Ground 1.3.0
Thousand Waves Ground 1.3.0
V-create Fire 1.3.0

Save data bonuses

If the player has save data for Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, a Pikachu and/or Eevee with the Gigantamax Factor is received at the Meetup Spot. The Pikachu specifically requires Let's Go, Pikachu!, while the Eevee requires Let's Go, Eevee!. Gigantamax Pikachu and Eevee are no longer exclusive to this method, as The Isle of Armor expansion provides Max Soup as a means to give the Gigantamax Factor to other Pikachu and Eevee.

Pokémon Sword and Shield save data unlocks bonus content in the following Nintendo Switch games:

Reception

The games received positive reviews among critics, but lower than most other core series releases. Gaming magazine Famitsu gave them a score of 38 out of 40.[1] IGN rated the games an "Amazing" 9.3/10,[2] praising the simple battling system and Dynamaxing, but criticizing the basic graphics and lack of a full Pokédex. Both Pokémon Sword and Shield hold a rating of 80% on Metacritic,[3][4] with a much lower user score of 4.6/10.

Sales

The games sold over 6 million units in their launch weekend.[5] In the fiscal year of their release, they sold 17.37 million units.[6] As of December 31, 2021, Pokémon Sword and Shield have sold 23.90 million copies worldwide, making them the second best selling Pokémon games of all time, behind only the original games.[7]

Japanese sales

Pokémon Sword and Shield sold 894,123 individual units on their first week on the Japanese market, being 534,306 from Pokémon Sword and 359,817 from Pokémon Shield, with a sell-through of 84.96% and 90.26% respectively.[8] By January 3, 2021, the end of their 60th week, they had sold 3,094,075 copies, being 1,851,319 from Pokémon Sword and 1,242,756 from Pokémon Shield.[9]

Pokémon Sword and Shield Dual Pack sold 329,525 units on its first week, with a sell-through of 73.46%.[8] By January 3, 2021, the end of its 60th week, it had sold 545,200 copies.[9] Combining all releases, the games sold 4,184,475 units, being 2,396,519 from Pokémon Sword and 1,787,956 from Pokémon Shield.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Week Week ending Ranking Units sold Total units sold
1 November 17, 2019 1st 894,123 894,123
7 December 29, 2019 1st - 2,170,364
60 January 3, 2021 - - 3,094,075

Pokémon Sword and Shield Dual Pack

Week Week ending Ranking Units sold Total units sold
1 November 17, 2019 2nd 329,525 329,525
7 December 29, 2019 - - 492,789
60 January 3, 2021 - - 545,200

Staff

Main article: Staff of Pokémon Sword and Shield

Music

The game's music was primarily composed by Gō Ichinose and Minako Adachi.[10] Additional music was composed by Keita Okamoto and Toby Fox, the latter only composing one track.[11]

Version history

Version[12][13] Release date Official note More information
1.0.0 November 15, 2019 N/A Initial release
1.1.0[14] January 9, 2020
  • Added a feature to jump to the eShop
  • Added a bonus for Expansion Pass purchasers
  • Additional Pokémon will be added
  • Fixed various issues to improve gameplay
1.1.1[15] March 17, 2020
  • Fixed several issues to improve gameplay experience.
  • Patched an exploit that allowed players to send maliciously altered Pokémon via Surprise Trade, causing the game to crash whenever victims tried to access online services via Y-Comm.
  • Fairy Lock crash glitch is fixed.
1.2.0[16] June 16, 2020
  • Part 1, The Isle of Armor, has been released as downloadable content
  • Additional Pokémon now appear
    • Even without purchasing an Expansion Pass, customers can use network connections to play and have additional Pokémon appear.
  • Link Codes are now 8-digits long
  • Battle regulation marks
    • Pokémon carried over from other regions via Pokémon HOME can now participate in online competitions and ranked battles. A battle regulation mark can be replaced on the Pokémon at the Battle Tower in order to participate in online competitions and ranked battles.
    • Please check game news for more information.
  • Addressed issue with online battles
    • We've fixed an issue with online battles where the battle results could be arbitrarily invalidated.
  • Additional updated content
    • In addition, various issues were addressed to create a more enjoyable gaming experience.
1.2.1[17] July 7, 2020
  • A bug in regards to the number of digits for password settings has been fixed.
    • In regards to the passwords that can be set for Y-Comm and Max Raid Battles, we fixed the bug where players could be matched with others whose passwords were not coinciding.
  • Other updated content
    • We fixed several other issues to improve game play experience.
1.3.0[18] October 22, 2020
  • Expansion Pass Part 2, The Crown Tundra, has been released as downloadable content
    • Customers who have purchased the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass or Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass can now explore The Crown Tundra
  • Additional Pokémon now appear
    • Even if you have not purchased the expansion pass, you can find additional Pokémon through online gameplay.
  • Other updates
    • Fixed a number of issues so that gameplay is more enjoyable.
1.3.1[19] December 21, 2020
  • Fixed some issues for a better gameplay experience.
1.3.2[20] May 11, 2021
  • Fixed the issue where some Pokémon icons were not properly displaying during online or local wireless battles.
  • Several issues have been fixed to improve gameplay experience.

Beta elements

Main article: Pokémon Sword and Shield beta

Trailers

Teaser

By Pokemon
This video is not available on Bulbapedia; instead, you can watch the video on YouTube here.


First trailer

By Pokemon
This video is not available on Bulbapedia; instead, you can watch the video on YouTube here.


Gallery

Logos

Icons

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Japan Flag.png Japanese ポケットモンスター ソード・シールド
Chinese Cantonese 寶可夢 劍/盾
Mandarin 寶可夢 劍/盾
宝可梦 剑/盾
France Flag.png French Pokémon Épée et Bouclier
Germany Flag.png German Pokémon Schwert und Schild
Italy Flag.png Italian Pokémon Spada e Scudo
South Korea Flag.png Korean 포켓몬스터 소드・실드
Spain Flag.png Spanish Pokémon Espada y Escudo

References

  1. Famitsu review scores - 12/4/19 - Nintendo Everything
  2. Pokémon Sword and Shield Review - IGN
  3. Pokémon Sword for Switch Reviews - Metacritic
  4. Pokémon Shield for Switch Reviews - Metacritic
  5. Pokémon Sword and Shield sell 6 million copies in launch weekend - CNET
  6. Fiscal Year Ended March 2020 - Financial Results Explanatory Material - Nintendo Co., Ltd.
  7. Top Selling Title Sales Units - Nintendo Switch Software
  8. 8.0 8.1 Media Create Sales: CY 2019 (2018 Dec 31 - 2019 Dec 29) Sales | ResetEra
  9. 9.0 9.1 Media Create Sales: CY 2020 (2019 Dec 30 - 2021 Jan 03) Sales | ResetEra
  10. We Interview Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori about Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield | Pokemon.com
  11. A Special Letter and Song from Undertale Game Creator Toby Fox | Pokemon.com
  12. Nintendo Support: How to Update Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield
  13. How to Update Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield | Nintendo Switch | Support | Nintendo
  14. 『ポケットモンスター ソード・シールド』更新データ(Ver.1.1.0)配信のお知らせ|ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト
  15. 『ポケットモンスター ソード・シールド』更新データ(Ver.1.1.1)配信のお知らせ|ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト
  16. 『ポケットモンスター ソード・シールド』更新データ(Ver.1.2.0)配信のお知らせ|ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト
  17. 『ポケットモンスター ソード・シールド』更新データ(Ver.1.2.1)配信のお知らせ|ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト
  18. 『ポケモン ソード・シールド』更新データ(Ver.1.3.0)配信のお知らせ|ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト
  19. 『ポケモン ソード・シールド』更新データ(Ver.1.3.1)配信のお知らせ|ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト
  20. 『ポケモン ソード・シールド』更新データ(Ver.1.3.2)配信のお知らせ|ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト


Generation I: Red & GreenBlue (JP)Red & BlueYellow
Generation II: Gold & SilverCrystal
Generation III: Ruby & SapphireFireRed & LeafGreenEmerald
Generation IV: Diamond & PearlPlatinumHeartGold & SoulSilver
Generation V: Black & WhiteBlack 2 & White 2
Generation VI: X & YOmega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Generation VII: Sun & MoonUltra Sun & Ultra Moon
Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!‎
Generation VIII: Sword & Shield (The Isle of Armor / The Crown Tundra)
Brilliant Diamond & Shining PearlLegends: Arceus
Generation IX: Scarlet & Violet (The Teal Mask / The Indigo Disk)
Legends: Z-A
Pokémon game templates


Project Games logo.png This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.