Expansion Pass: Pokémon Sword and Shield

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.

1. New Legendary Pokémon
2. Kubfu
3. Urshifu
4. Zarude

1. New Galar Forms
2. Galarian Slowpoke
3. Galarian Slowbro

1. New Gigantamax Forms
2. Gigantamax Venusaur
3. Gigantamax Blastoise
4. Gigantamax Rillaboom
5. Gigantamax Cinderace
6. Gigantamax Inteleon
7. Gigantamax Urshifu
8. Gigantamax Melmetal

1. Returning Pokémon
2. Sandshrew
3. Sandslash
4. Jigglypuff
5. Wigglytuff
6. Psyduck
7. Golduck
8. Poliwag
9. Poliwhirl
10. Poliwrath
11. Abra
12. Kadabra
13. Alakazam
14. Tentacool
15. Tentacruel
16. Slowpoke
17. Slowbro
18. Magnemite
19. Magneton
20. Exeggcute
21. Exeggutor
22. Cubone
23. Marowak
24. Lickitung
25. Chansey
26. Tangela
27. Kangaskhan
28. Horsea
29. Seadra
30. Staryu
31. Starmie
32. Scyther
33. Pinsir
34. Tauros
35. Porygon
36. Igglybuff
37. Marill
38. Azumarill
39. Politoed
40. Slowking
41. Dunsparce
42. Scizor
43. Heracross
44. Skarmory
45. Kingdra
46. Porygon2
47. Miltank
48. Blissey
49. Whismur
50. Loudred
51. Exploud
52. Azurill
53. Carvanha
54. Sharpedo
55. Shinx
56. Luxio
57. Luxray
58. Buneary
59. Lopunny
60. Happiny
61. Magnezone
62. Lickilicky
63. Tangrowth
64. Porygon-Z
65. Lillipup
66. Herdier
67. Stoutland
68. Venipede
69. Whirli[ede
70. Scolipede
71. Petilil
72. Lilligant
73. Sandile
74. Krokorok
75. Krookodile
76. Zorua
77. Zoroark
78. Emolga
79. Foongus
80. Amoonguss
81. Mienfoo
82. Mienshao
83. Druddigon
84. Bouffalant
85. Larvesta
86. Volcarona
87. Fletchling
88. Fletchinder
89. Talonflame
90. Skrelp
91. Dragalge
92. Clauncher
93. Clawitzer
94. Dedenne
95. Klefki
96. Rockruff
97. Lycanroc
98. Fomantis
99. Lurantis
100. Comfey
101. Sandyghast
102. Palossand
103. 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.

1. New Legendary Pokémon
2. Regieleki
3. Regidrago
4. Glastrier
5. Spectrier
6. Calyrex

1. New Galar Forms
2. Galarian Articuno
3. Galarian Zapdos
4. Galarian Moltres
5. Galarian Slowking

1. Returning Pokémon
2. Nidoran ♀
3. Nidorina
4. Nidoqueen
5. Nidoran ♂
6. Nidorino
7. Nidoking
8. Zubat
9. Golbat
10. Jynx
11. Electabuzz
12. Magmar
13. Omanyte
14. Omastar
15. Kabuto
16. Kabutops
17. Aerodactyl
18. Articuno
19. Zapdos
20. Moltres
21. Dratini
22. Dragonair
23. Dragonite
24. Crobat
25. Smoochum
26. Elekid
27. Magby
28. Raikou
29. Entei
30. Suicune
31. Lugia
32. Ho-Oh
33. Treecko
34. Grovyle
35. Sceptile
36. Torchic
37. Combusken
38. Blaiziken
39. Mudkip
40. Marshtomp
41. Swampert
42. Aron
43. Lairon
44. Aggron
45. Swablu
46. Altaria
47. Lileep
48. Cradily
49. Anorith
50. Armaldo
51. Absol
52. Spheal
53. Sealeo
54. Walrein
55. Relicanth
56. Bagon
57. Shelgon
58. Salamence
59. Beldum
60. Metang
61. Metagross
62. Regirock
63. Regice
64. Registeel
65. Latias
66. Latios
67. Kyogre
68. Groudon
69. Rayquaza
70. Spiritomb
71. Gible
72. Gabite
73. Garchomp
74. Electivire
75. Magmortar
76. Uxie
77. Mesprit
78. Azelf
79. Dialga
80. Palkia
81. Heatran
82. Regigigas
83. Giratina
84. Cresselia
85. Victini
86. Audino
87. Tirtouga
88. Carracosta
89. Archen
90. Archeops
91. Cryogonal
92. Tornadus
93. Thundurus
94. Landorus
95. Genesect
96. Tyrunt
97. Tyrantrum
98. Amaura
99. Aurorus
100. Carbink
101. Xerneas
102. Yveltal
103. Zygarde
104. Diancie
105. Volcanion
106. Tapu Koko
107. Tapu Lele
108. Tapu Bulu
109. Tapu Fini
110. Nihilego
111. Buzzwole
112. Phermosa
113. Xurkitree
114. Celesteela
115. Kartana
116. Guzzlord
117. Poipole
118. Naganadel
119. Stakataka
120. 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

1. Pokémon Sword
2. Klara will be your new rival on the Isle of Armor. She prefers Poison-type Pokémon.
3. These Pokémon will only appear in Pokémon Sword: Clauncher, Clawitzer, and Pinsir
4. Pokémon Shield
5. Avery will be your new rival on the Isle of Armor. She prefers Psychic-type Pokémon.
6. These Pokémon will only appear in Pokémon Shield: Skrelp, Dragalge, and Heracross.

Key Differences - Crown Tundra

1. Pokémon Sword
2. These Pokémon will only appear in Pokémon Sword: Omanyte, Omastar, Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence, Latios, Groudon, Dialga, Tornadus, Reshiram, Xerneas, Solgaleo, Ho-Oh
3. Pokémon Shield
4. These Pokémon will only appear in Pokémon Shield: Kabuto, Kabutops, Gible, Gabite, Garchomp, Latias, Kyogre, Palkia, Thundurus, Zekrom, Yveltal, Lunala, Lugia

Trivia

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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!