Pokémon Sword and Shield: trailer, details, and pictures for the Expansion Pass; release date for The Isle of Armor

As announced yesterday, The Pokémon Company have shared the latest set of details about the Expansion Pass for Pokémon Sword and Shield. While The Crown Tundra is still set for a November release, The Isle of Armor, the first DLC, now has a release date: November 17th. There’s even a Pokémon distribution via Pokémon Home: check out for the bottom part of this post for all the details!

Here’s the latest trailers for the Expansion Pass:

Pokémon Sword and Shield – The Isle of Armor

Here’s some details about the Isle of Amor DLC:

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.

This DLC will introduce a new Pokémon: Galarian Slowbro!

Galarian Slowbro

Category: Hermit Crab Pokémon
Type: Poison/Psychic
Height: 5ʹ3″
Weight: 155.4 lbs.
Ability: Quick Draw

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.

There’s also two new Gigantamax Pokémon:

Gigantamax Venusaur

Type: Grass/Poison
Height: 78ʹ9″+
Weight: ????.? lbs.
Ability: Overgrow

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.

Gigantamax Blastoise

Type: Water
Height: 82ʹ+
Weight: ????.? lbs.
Ability: Torrent

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.

The Pokémon Company also shared details about Urshifu, the new Legendary Pokémon, and more precisely its two forms:

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.

But that’s not all! The DLC will also introduce several new features:

• 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.

Pokémon Sword and Shield – The Crown Tundra

The Pokémon Company also shared some new, juicy details about 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.

The DLC will also introduce not one, but two new 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

Category: Dragon Orb Pokémon
Type: Dragon
Height: 6ʹ11″
Weight: 440.9 lbs.
Ability: Dragon’s Maw

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.

And good news for fans of the Legendary birds from Gen 1: they’re getting a Galarian variant!

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.

Galarian Articuno

Category: Cruel Pokémon  
Type: Psychic/Flying
Height: 5ʹ7″
Weight: 112.2 lbs.
Ability: Competitive

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.

Galarian Moltres

Category: Malevolent Pokémon  
Type: Dark/Flying
Height: 6ʹ7″
Weight: 145.5 lbs.
Ability: Berserk 

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.

And here’s some additional details about the DLC:

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 behaviour 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.

Finally, here’s tons of screenshots and artworks for both The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra:

As an extra, The Pokémon Company have announced a new Pokémon distribution via Pokémon Home. Starting today, if you transfer one or more Pokémon from Pokémon Sword and Shield to the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon Home, you can get the three Starters with their Hidden Ability as Mystery Gift in the mobile version of the app.

Here’s details about the Pokémon:

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

Check out this page for more details about all the Pokémon distributions for both Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Home!

Pokémon Sword and Shield – The Isle of Amor (Switch) comes out on June 17th worldwide.
Pokémon Sword and Shield – The Tundra Crown (Switch) comes out in November worldwide. The Upcoming Games page has been updated!

Source: The Pokémon Company PR