Pokémon Sword and Shield

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 (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, Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

Pokémon Sword
ポケットモンスター ソード
Sword EN boxart.png
Pokémon Sword's boxart, featuring Zacian
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
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

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, and adds two new post-game areas to the game, The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra.

Plot

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

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 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 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.

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 mixes 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 will return to the games, after being replaced by trials in Pokémon Sun and 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. 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.

Pokémon

See Category:Generation VIII Pokémon

Game-exclusive Pokémon

Sword
0068   Machamp
Fighting
0083   Farfetch'd
Fighting
0273   Seedot
Grass
0274   Nuzleaf
Grass Dark
0275   Shiftry
Grass Dark
0303   Mawile
Steel Fairy
0338   Solrock
Rock Psychic
0550   Basculin
Water
0554   Darumaka
Ice
0555   Darmanitan
Ice
0559   Scraggy
Dark Fighting
0560   Scrafty
Dark Fighting
0574   Gothita
Psychic
0575   Gothorita
Psychic
0576   Gothitelle
Psychic
0627   Rufflet
Normal Flying
0628   Braviary
Normal Flying
0633   Deino
Dark Dragon
0634   Zweilous
Dark Dragon
0635   Hydreigon
Dark Dragon
0684   Swirlix
Fairy
0685   Slurpuff
Fairy
0766   Passimian
Fighting
0776   Turtonator
Fire Dragon
0782   Jangmo-o
Dragon
0783   Hakamo-o
Dragon Fighting
0784   Kommo-o
Dragon Fighting
0839   Coalossal
Rock Fire
0841   Flapple
Grass Dragon
0841   Flapple
Grass Dragon
0865   Sirfetch'd
Fighting
0874   Stonjourner
Rock
0888   Zacian
Fairy
Shield
0077   Ponyta
Psychic
0078   Rapidash
Psychic Fairy
0094   Gengar
Ghost Poison
0131   Lapras
Water Ice
0222   Corsola
Ghost
0246   Larvitar
Rock Ground
0247   Pupitar
Rock Ground
0248   Tyranitar
Rock Dark
0270   Lotad
Water Grass
0271   Lombre
Water Grass
0272   Ludicolo
Water Grass
0302   Sableye
Dark Ghost
0337   Lunatone
Rock Psychic
0453   Croagunk
Poison Fighting
0454   Toxicroak
Poison Fighting
0550   Basculin
Water
0577   Solosis
Psychic
0578   Duosion
Psychic
0579   Reuniclus
Psychic
0629   Vullaby
Dark Flying
0630   Mandibuzz
Dark Flying
0682   Spritzee
Fairy
0683   Aromatisse
Fairy
0704   Goomy
Dragon
0705   Sliggoo
Dragon
0706   Goodra
Dragon
0765   Oranguru
Normal Psychic
0780   Drampa
Normal Dragon
0842   Appletun
Grass Dragon
0842   Appletun
Grass Dragon
0864   Cursola
Ghost
0875   Eiscue
Ice
0889   Zamazenta
Fighting
  • 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 on Circhester where the player can trade a Vanillish to obtain ThrohSw/SawkSh.

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.

Only Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex and a select few "foreign" Pokémon can be transferred to Pokémon Sword and Shield. The Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass will increase the number of Pokémon that can exist in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Supported Pokémon

All Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex (including all regional variants) can be transferred to Pokémon Sword and Shield.

In addition to Pokémon in the regional Pokédex, the following select Pokémon can also be transferred to Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Gdex Ndex MS Pokémon Type
  #0001   Bulbasaur Grass Poison
  #0002   Ivysaur Grass Poison
  #0003   Venusaur Grass Poison
  #0007   Squirtle Water
  #0008   Wartortle Water
  #0009   Blastoise Water
  #079G Slowpoke Slowpoke Psychic
  #0150   Mewtwo Psychic
  #0151   Mew Psychic
  #0251   Celebi Psychic Grass
  #0385   Jirachi Steel Psychic
  #0638   Cobalion Steel Fighting
  #0639   Terrakion Rock Fighting
  #0640   Virizion Grass Fighting
  #0643   Reshiram Dragon Fire
  #0644   Zekrom Dragon Electric
  #0646   Kyurem Dragon Ice
  #646B Kyurem Kyurem Dragon Ice
  #646W Kyurem Kyurem Dragon Ice
  #0647   Keldeo Water Fighting
  #647R Keldeo Keldeo Water Fighting
  #0722   Rowlet Grass Flying
  #0723   Dartrix Grass Flying
  #0724   Decidueye Grass Ghost
  #0725   Litten Fire
  #0726   Torracat Fire
  #0727   Incineroar Fire Dark
  #0728   Popplio Water
  #0729   Brionne Water
  #0730   Primarina Water Fairy
  #0789   Cosmog Psychic
  #0790   Cosmoem Psychic
  #0791   Solgaleo Psychic Steel
  #0792   Lunala Psychic Ghost
  #0800   Necrozma Psychic
  #800DM Necrozma Necrozma Psychic Steel
  #800DW Necrozma Necrozma Psychic Ghost
  #0802   Marshadow Fighting Ghost
  #0807   Zeraora Electric
  #0808   Meltan Steel
  #0809   Melmetal 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, the Move Relearner 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 Pokémon Sword and Shield, the description of moves of these moves is replaced by "This move can't be used. It's recommended that this move is forgotten. Once forgotten, this move can't be remembered."

Unusable moves
Move Type
Assist Normal
Baddy Bad Dark
Barrage Normal
Barrier Psychic
Bestow Normal
Bide Normal
Bone Club Ground
Bouncy Bubble Water
Bubble Water
Buzzy Buzz Electric
Camouflage Normal
Captivate Normal
Chip Away Normal
Clamp Water
Comet Punch Normal
Constrict Normal
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
Hidden Power Normal
Ice Ball Ice
Ion Deluge Electric
Jump Kick Fighting
Karate Chop Fighting
Kinesis Psychic
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
Psywave Psychic
Punishment Dark
Pursuit Dark
Rage Normal
Razor Wind Normal
Refresh Normal
Return Normal
Rock Climb Normal
Rolling Kick Fighting
Rototiller Ground
Sappy Seed Grass
Secret Power Normal
Sharpen Normal
Signal Beam Bug
Silver Wind Bug
Sizzly Slide Fire
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
Telekinesis Psychic
Trump Card Normal
Twineedle Bug
Wake-Up Slap Fighting
Water Sport Water
Wring Out Normal
Zippy Zap Electric

In addition, all Z-Moves and the Partner Power moves Pika Papow and Veevee Volley were also removed from the game.

Reception

Pre-release

The removal of the National Pokédex caused a lot of backlash from fans of the series. The controversy was referred to as "Dexit" (a combination of Pokédex and Brexit).[1]

Post Release

Pokémon Sword and Shield received positive reviews among release. IGN rated the games a 9.3/10,[2] praising the simple battling system and Dynamaxing, but criticizing the basic graphics and lack of a full Pokédex.

Sales

The games sold 6 million units in their launch weekend.[3] As of December 31, 2019, Pokémon Sword and Shield have sold 16.06 million copies worldwide.[4]

Staff

Main article: Staff of Pokémon Sword and Shield

Music

The game's music was primarily composed by Gō Ichinose and Minako Adachi.[5] Additional music was composed by Keita Okamoto and Toby Fox, the latter of which only composing one track.[6]

Version history

Version Release date Official changelog More information
1.0.0 November 15, 2019 N/A Initial release
1.1.0 January 9, 2020 N/A
  • Galarian Slowpoke is added to the game, and can be obtained through a new event added to Wedgehurst Station. Its Kantonian counterpart is also added into the game's code.
  • Expansion passes for The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra are now available for purchase, and show in the X menu. Two outfits have also been added to the game as a pre-order bonus, and can be redeemed via Mystery Gift code.


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

  • These are the first core series games to not feature:
    • A Victory Road.
    • A named mountain.
    • An Elite Four.
      • A similar role is fulfilled by the Champion Cup, although no new characters are introduced at that point in the game.
  • These are the first core series games to feature:
    • An Expansion Pack.
    • Version exclusive rivals.

In other languages

Language Title
  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
  French Pokémon Épée et Bouclier
  German Pokémon Schwert und Schild
  Italian Pokémon Spada e Scudo
  Korean 포켓몬스터소드・실드
  Spanish Pokémon Espada y Escudo

References


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


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