Expansion Pass Announced for Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield
An expansion pass is coming to Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, adding new Pokémon, characters, locations, and more!
The expansion will be split into two parts: The Isle of Armor which will be available in June, and The Crown Tundra arriving in Fall. Each expansion will feature new areas accessible from the Wild Area, within which Pokémon will be available that can not be found in areas of the base game, ranging from returning Pokémon from previous generations, new Galarian forms, and new Legendaries. Both will also come with their own Pokédex, new characters, new outfits, and include Pokémon Dens with brand new Max Raid Battles. Players without the Expansion Pass can be invited into these new Max Raid Battles by those who do own it.
The Isle of Armor is a giant island full of brand new environments, and includes a dojo where players can learn new moves, earn new items, and even learn to Gigantamax the final evolutions of their Starter Pokémon! One new Pokémon available on the Isle is the Legendary Pokémon Kubfu, a Fighting-type that evolves into Urshifu, which can be a Fighting- and Dark-type; or a Fighting- and Water-type depending on its Form. Which Form it evolves into will depend on choices the player makes in The Isle of Armor's story.
Meanwhile, The Crown Tundra is a freezing, mountainous area, where players can explore the full depth of Pokémon Dens familiar from Max Raid Battles. These Dens can include encounters with just about every Legendary Pokémon from previous games in the series, some of which are getting new Galarian forms, such as Zapdos, Moltres, and Articuno. The Tundra will also introduce Calyrex, a new Legendary Pokémon, who is a Psychic- and Grass-type.
There will be at least 200 returning Pokémon, and some such as the Kanto starters will also be receiving Gigantamax forms.
Here is a full list of confirmed returning Pokémon. Keep in mind that you will be unable to capture any returning Pokémon without the Expansion Pass. You can however receive them via trades and transferring them in from Pokémon Home.
Players can begin the adventures of the Expansion Pass today by heading to Wedgehurst Station and meeting a new trainer – Klara in Sword, and Avery in Shield. Meeting these trainers marks the start of the Expansion Pass story, and allows players to catch a Galarian Slowpoke right now.
The Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass is available now for $29.99, and pre-purchasing it will give you Pikachu and Eevee uniforms to use in-game immediately.