Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have revealed more information and media for the upcoming Expansion Pass content for Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. The first wave of the Expansion Pass, titled The Isle of Armor, will be available on June 17. The second wave, titled The Crown Tundra, will be available in Fall 2020.
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While the Isle of Armor content was previously detailed, more information has been revealed, such as the inclusion of Galarian Slowbro, Gigantamax forms for Venusaur & Blastoise, as well as details on new legendary Pokemon Urshifu, and more.
We also get our first substantial look at the content found in The Crown Tundra, which will see appearances of Galarian forms for the original legendary bird Pokemon - Articuno, Zapdos, & Moltres - as well as new characters, Pokemon, and the Galarian Star Tournament.
A new trailer outlining content found in both parts of the Expansion Pass can be found below, as well as a ton of new media and the press release in full. You can find the original Expansion Pass announcement here.
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.
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.
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.
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 OFARMOR
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’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.
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.
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 behavior 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 6:00 a.m. PDT, 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.
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 29, at 4:59 p.m. PDT, 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:
