The Pokémon Sword and Shield games are the latest entries of the Pokémon series, and they’re also the first Pokémon games to receive official DLC Expansions! In the past, fans would rush to buy the new “ultimate” version of the game (like Yellow Version for Gen 1 or Crystal Version for Gen 2). However, thanks to modern technology, Pokémon Sword and Shield players can easily access expanded content by purchasing the Expansion pass via the Nintendo Switch eShop!
What is Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass?
The Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass is the first major DLC expansion in Pokémon history, and it’s HUGE. According to the main website, “The Wild Area was only the beginning,” and that has proven true with the massive scope of this expansion pass. With the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass, players get access to two all new story arcs and vast new Wild Areas. The Expansion Pass released in two parts: The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra. Both expansions add new areas, new and returning Pokémon (including new Legendary Pokémon and Galar Forms!), new characters, new items, new mechanics and much more!
What does the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass include?
1.The Isle of Armor
The Isle of Armor is a large, temperate island off the northern coast of the Galar region. It’s home to a number of Pokémon that don’t live on the Galar mainland, and it features a number of biomes that can’t be found elsewhere in Galar, including sandy beaches, the open ocean, dense forests, steamy bogs, dark caves, and sprawling sand dunes!
The Isle of Armor is also a popular training ground for many advanced Pokémon Trainers of the Galar region. It features multiple themed dojos, and a community focused on becoming better battlers through strategy and training.
The Isle of Armor adds utility as well. You’ll find multiple new Move Tutors, Apricorns which can be turned into Poké Balls, and an Exp. Charm that increases the amount of experience your party receives. You’ll also gain access to Max Soup, which can give individual Pokémon of certain species the ability to Gigantamax, if they don’t already have the Gigantamax Factor.
The Isle of Armor also adds new Legendary Pokémon, new Gigantamax Forms, and new Galar Forms, along with a long list of returning Pokémon.
- New Legendary Pokémon
- Kubfu
- Urshifu
- Zarude
- New Galar Forms
- Galarian Slowpoke
- Galarian Slowbro
- New Gigantamax Forms
- Gigantamax Venusaur
- Gigantamax Blastoise
- Gigantamax Rillaboom
- Gigantamax Cinderace
- Gigantamax Inteleon
- Gigantamax Urshifu
- Gigantamax Melmetal
- Returning Pokémon
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Jigglypuff
- Wigglytuff
- Psyduck
- Golduck
- Poliwag
- Poliwhirl
- Poliwrath
- Abra
- Kadabra
- Alakazam
- Tentacool
- Tentacruel
- Slowpoke
- Slowbro
- Magnemite
- Magneton
- Exeggcute
- Exeggutor
- Cubone
- Marowak
- Lickitung
- Chansey
- Tangela
- Kangaskhan
- Horsea
- Seadra
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Scyther
- Pinsir
- Tauros
- Porygon
- Igglybuff
- Marill
- Azumarill
- Politoed
- Slowking
- Dunsparce
- Scizor
- Heracross
- Skarmory
- Kingdra
- Porygon2
- Miltank
- Blissey
- Whismur
- Loudred
- Exploud
- Azurill
- Carvanha
- Sharpedo
- Shinx
- Luxio
- Luxray
- Buneary
- Lopunny
- Happiny
- Magnezone
- Lickilicky
- Tangrowth
- Porygon-Z
- Lillipup
- Herdier
- Stoutland
- Venipede
- Whirli[ede
- Scolipede
- Petilil
- Lilligant
- Sandile
- Krokorok
- Krookodile
- Zorua
- Zoroark
- Emolga
- Foongus
- Amoonguss
- Mienfoo
- Mienshao
- Druddigon
- Bouffalant
- Larvesta
- Volcarona
- Fletchling
- Fletchinder
- Talonflame
- Skrelp
- Dragalge
- Clauncher
- Clawitzer
- Dedenne
- Klefki
- Rockruff
- Lycanroc
- Fomantis
- Lurantis
- Comfey
- Sandyghast
- Palossand
- Magearna
2. The Crown Tundra
The Crown Tundra is a vast, mountainous tundra south of the Galar region. It’s home to many Pokémon that aren’t found in the northern part of the Galar mainland, and it features a number of new characters, unique challenges, and special items! Additionally, many Legendary Pokémon call the Crown Tundra home!
The Crown Tundra is an area of particular interest to many Pokémon researchers due to its high concentration of Dynamax energy and the prevalence of many Legendary Pokémon. When you arrive at the Crown Tundra, you’ll quickly join a research expedition headed by Pokémon Researcher Peony. Peony tasks you with leading the exploration of the far reaches of the Crown Tundra, where you’ll discover frozen secrets and brand-new Pokémon.
The Crown Tundra adds a new advanced challenge for players who’ve already beaten the main game: the Galarian Star Tournament, which features high level battles against trainers from earlier in the game.
Additionally, The Crown Tundra features Dynamax Adventures, a special feature that allows trainers to borrow teams of rental Pokémon and explore Pokémon Dens with friends or NPCs to battle and catch rare and legendary Dynamax Pokémon.
The Crown Tundra also adds new Legendary Pokémon, new Gigantamax Forms, and new Galar Forms, along with a long list of returning Pokémon.
- New Legendary Pokémon
- Regieleki
- Regidrago
- Glastrier
- Spectrier
- Calyrex
- New Galar Forms
- Galarian Articuno
- Galarian Zapdos
- Galarian Moltres
- Galarian Slowking
- Returning Pokémon
- Nidoran ♀
- Nidorina
- Nidoqueen
- Nidoran ♂
- Nidorino
- Nidoking
- Zubat
- Golbat
- Jynx
- Electabuzz
- Magmar
- Omanyte
- Omastar
- Kabuto
- Kabutops
- Aerodactyl
- Articuno
- Zapdos
- Moltres
- Dratini
- Dragonair
- Dragonite
- Crobat
- Smoochum
- Elekid
- Magby
- Raikou
- Entei
- Suicune
- Lugia
- Ho-Oh
- Treecko
- Grovyle
- Sceptile
- Torchic
- Combusken
- Blaiziken
- Mudkip
- Marshtomp
- Swampert
- Aron
- Lairon
- Aggron
- Swablu
- Altaria
- Lileep
- Cradily
- Anorith
- Armaldo
- Absol
- Spheal
- Sealeo
- Walrein
- Relicanth
- Bagon
- Shelgon
- Salamence
- Beldum
- Metang
- Metagross
- Regirock
- Regice
- Registeel
- Latias
- Latios
- Kyogre
- Groudon
- Rayquaza
- Spiritomb
- Gible
- Gabite
- Garchomp
- Electivire
- Magmortar
- Uxie
- Mesprit
- Azelf
- Dialga
- Palkia
- Heatran
- Regigigas
- Giratina
- Cresselia
- Victini
- Audino
- Tirtouga
- Carracosta
- Archen
- Archeops
- Cryogonal
- Tornadus
- Thundurus
- Landorus
- Genesect
- Tyrunt
- Tyrantrum
- Amaura
- Aurorus
- Carbink
- Xerneas
- Yveltal
- Zygarde
- Diancie
- Volcanion
- Tapu Koko
- Tapu Lele
- Tapu Bulu
- Tapu Fini
- Nihilego
- Buzzwole
- Phermosa
- Xurkitree
- Celesteela
- Kartana
- Guzzlord
- Poipole
- Naganadel
- Stakataka
- Blacephalon
What is the difference between Sword and Shield Expansion Pass?
Pokémon Sword and Shield each have their own Expansion Pass in the Nintendo Switch eShop, so make sure you purchase the correct one for your version of the game!
The Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass costs $30 USD / £27.
Key Differences - Isle of Armor
- Pokémon Sword
- Klara will be your new rival on the Isle of Armor. She prefers Poison-type Pokémon.
- These Pokémon will only appear in Pokémon Sword: Clauncher, Clawitzer, and Pinsir
- Pokémon Shield
- Avery will be your new rival on the Isle of Armor. She prefers Psychic-type Pokémon.
- These Pokémon will only appear in Pokémon Shield: Skrelp, Dragalge, and Heracross.
Key Differences - Crown Tundra
- Pokémon Sword
- These Pokémon will only appear in Pokémon Sword: Omanyte, Omastar, Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence, Latios, Groudon, Dialga, Tornadus, Reshiram, Xerneas, Solgaleo, Ho-Oh
- Pokémon Shield
- These Pokémon will only appear in Pokémon Shield: Kabuto, Kabutops, Gible, Gabite, Garchomp, Latias, Kyogre, Palkia, Thundurus, Zekrom, Yveltal, Lunala, Lugia
Trivia
- The new Legendary Pokémon Kubfoo is one of a short list of legendary Pokémon capable of evolution. Kubfoo evolves into Urshifu upon completion of either the Tower of Water or the Tower of Darkness. If the player completes the Tower of Darkness, Kubfoo will evolve into Urshifu (Single Strike Style), a Fighting/Dark type that learns the move Wicked Blow. If the player completes the Tower of Water, Kubfoo will evolve into Urshifu (Rapid Strike Style), a Fighting/Water type that learns the move Surging Strikes.
- The new Legendary Pokémon Glastrier, Spectrier, and Calryex have a special fusion mechanic. If the player uses the Reigns of Unity item on Glastrier and Calyrex, the two Pokémon will fuse to become Ice Rider Calyrex, a Psychic/Ice type Pokémon that learns the move Glacial Lance. If the player uses the Reigns of Unity item on Spectrier and Calyrex, the two Pokémon will fuse to become Shadow Rider Calyrex, a Psychic/Ghost type Pokémon that learns the move Astral Barrage.
- Players can access The Crown Tundra even if they lose to Peony. This allows players to access Dynamax Adventures and capture high-level Legendary Pokémon before even challenging the first gym.
Final Words
The Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass packs lots of awesome content in a never-before-seen format for the Pokémon franchise! Pick up the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass on the Nintendo eShop to discover a host of new characters, Pokémon, and items today!
Enjoy exploring!
