Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass announced: Difference between revisions

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{{Article|
{{Article|
type=news |
type=news |
picture=MD_Rescue_Team_DX_EN_boxart.png |
picture=Sword Shield Expansion Pass logo.png |
caption=Rescue Team DX is a remake of the first installment of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon side series. |
caption=Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass logo |
weekday=Friday |
weekday=Friday |
day=10 |
day=10 |
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user=Blazing Larvesta |
user=Blazing Larvesta |
userlink=User:Blazing Larvesta |
userlink=User:Blazing Larvesta |
tagline=Remake of PMD: Rescue Team, SwSh get expansion pass |
publisher=SnorlaxMonster |
blurb=Nintendo has just released a new Nintendo Direct earlier today providing two major announcements regarding the series: the announcement of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, as well as an expansion pass for Pokémon Sword and Shield, bringing over 200 more Pokémon to the game, including new Pokémon. }}
publisherlink=User:SnorlaxMonster  |
tagline=Planned for release June, November |
blurb=Two expansions for Pokémon Sword and Shield have been announced: ''The Isle of Armor'' and ''The Crown Tundra''. These expansions will introduce brand-new Pokémon to the games, as well as make over 200 more old Pokémon available. }}
{{CategorizeIn|Games|1|20}}
{{CategorizeIn|Games|1|20}}
[[File:Sword Shield Expansion Pass logo.png|thumb|Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass logo]]
Two expansions for {{bp|Pokémon Sword and Shield}} have been announced: ''{{bp|The Isle of Armor}}'' and ''{{bp|The Crown Tundra}}''. These expansions will introduce brand-new Pokémon to the games, as well as make over 200 more old Pokémon available. These expansions were revealed in a {{bp|Pokémon Direct}} presentation.


Nintendo has just released a new Nintendo Direct earlier today providing two major announcements regarding the series: the announcement of {{bp|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX}}, as well as an expansion pass for {{bp|Pokémon Sword and Shield}}, bringing over 200 more Pokémon to the game, including new Pokémon.
The expansions are bundled together in the {{bp|Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass}}. The pass, which is currently available for purchase, entitles customers to each of the two expansions once it is released. ''The Isle of Armor'' are planned to be released in June 2020, while ''The Crown Tundra'' is planned to be released in November 2020. These expansions are instead of releasing an {{bp|upper version}} like {{game|Platinum}}, as Game Freak have done in the past. The expansion for each version of the game must be purchased separately; in order to access the expansion content in both Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, the player must buy the expansion pass for each game.


The Nintendo Direct begins with Tsunekazu Ishihara, President and CEO of the Pokémon Company, greeting viewers of the Direct and bringing up that there will be two topics to the direct, the first of which being {{bp|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX}} for the Nintendo Switch, a remake of 2006's {{bp|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Team}} for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. The game will receive a 3D graphical overhaul to look more in line with the 3DS installments, {{bp|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity}} and {{bp|Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon}}, as well as watercolor-inspired graphics. It is currently unconfirmed if all Pokémon, including those from after {{bp|Generation III}} will be returning to this game, though a {{p|Lucario}} is shown in the player's party in one clip. A {{p|Charizard}} is also seen {{bp|Mega Evolution|Mega Evolving}} into Mega Charizard X in another clip. The game has a set release date for March 6, 2020, though a demo for the game was also made available today. Similar to the demo for Gates to Infinity, save data can be transferred into the full version.
Each expansion will add over 100 new Pokémon (over 200 combined) not previously seen in the Galar region into the game. The expansion pass is not required to obtain these Pokémon: they can still be obtained by trading with other players or by transferring them from past games using {{bp|Pokémon HOME}}, which is planned to launch as a paid service in February 2020.


Afterwards, Ishihara switches focus over to Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori of Game Freak to discuss the second topic of the direct: a two-part expansion pass for the {{bp|Generation VIII}} core series games, {{bp|Pokémon Sword and Shield}}. This contrasts previous releases such as {{bp|Pokémon Platinum}} and {{bp|Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon}} by expanding an already existing title instead, allowing players of Sword and Shield to continue their adventure with their current save data. The two parts of the pass are named The Isle of Armor, planned for June 2020, and The Crown Tundra, planned for Fall 2020.
A new {{bp|regional form}}, Galarian Slowpoke, was also revealed. Galarian Slowpoke is a {{type|Psychic}} Pokémon. It can evolve into Galarian {{p|Slowbro}} with an item from the Isle of Armor or Galarian {{p|Slowking}} with an item from the Crown Tundra, although neither of those Pokémon have been fully revealed yet. Galarian Slowpoke can be obtained in Pokémon Sword and Shield now, regardless of whether the player has purchased the expansion pass.  


Hiroyuki Tani of Game Freak later goes into detail on both parts of the expansion pass, going over designs and concept art, as well as many of the new characters, in these two parts. The Isle of Armor focuses on the theme of "Growth" and takes place in the titular island, just off the shore of the Galar region. On the island is a dojo for Pokémon battles, where the player takes up apprenticeship under {{bp|Mustard}}, who once mentored Champion {{bp|Leon}} and is also a former champion of Galar. The player will also gain a new rival depending on the version. In Pokémon Sword, the player trains with {{bp|Klara}}, who uses Poison-types, while in Pokémon Shield, {{bp|Avery}}, who uses Psychic-types, will be their training rival instead. Both seek to one day have gyms and stadiums to call their own. Of significance to the game is a Legendary Pokémon that Mustard entrusts the player with, {{p|Kubfu}}, which evolves into {{p|Urshifu}} once the training is complete. Urshifu has a brand new ability, as well as two different fighting styles, the Fighting/Dark-type Single Strike style and the Fighting/Water-type Rapid Strike style. Urshifu also has a {{bp|Gigantimax}} form, having a different appearance and G-Max Move depending on the style. Alongside Urshifu, the final evolved forms of the Galar starters will also be able to Gigantimax during the adventure in the Isle of Armor. Concept art of Gigantimax forms for {{p|Venusaur}} and {{p|Blastoise}} were also shown earlier in the Direct. More content aside from all this is also planned in the works, such as Tutor Moves, {{bp|Apricorns}} (returning from {{bp|Generation II}}, and the Exp. Charm. New fashion items and looks for the {{bp|Rotom Bike}} will also be made available.
An update for Pokémon Sword and Shield was also released introducing Klara and Avery to the game, as well as letting the player catch a Galarian {{p|Slowpoke}} in {{bp|Wedgehurst|Wedgehurst Station}}. The Nintendo eShop can be accessed directly from the game after installing the latest update. The Expansion Pass is now available for pre-purchase. Special clothing items featuring {{p|Pikachu}} and {{p|Eevee}} are available now as a bonus for purchasing the expansion pass.


The Crown Tundra, meanwhile, focuses on the theme of "Exploration" and takes place in the titular tundra. In this frigid winter area, with its towering mountains, people live in small communities that support and rely on each other. A certain person will appoint the player as the leader of their exploration team in the Crown Tundra. Blizzard-swept fields and even {{bp|Pokémon Den|Dens}} can be explored in this second part of the expansion pass. The Legendary Pokémon of this part is {{p|Calyrex}}, whom legends say once ruled over a part of Galar that included the Crown Tundra and is characterized by its graceful, regal movements. The Crown Tundra also comes with a new Co-op mode as well, allowing players to explore Pokémon Dens deep underground of the Crown Tundra and meet Legendary Pokémon from past games Dynamaxing before their eyes, as well as make allies with them. Other new Legendary Pokémon were teased as well, including what appear to be new members of the {{bp|Legendary titans}} and {{bp|regional form|Galarian forms}} of the {{bp|Legendary birds}}. More clothing items will also be added in The Crown Tundra, including accessories belonging to {{bp|Team Plasma}} and {{bp|Team Flare}}.
==Expansions==
In both the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra, the player can move freely and explore {{bp|Pokémon Den}}s, similar to the {{bp|Wild Area}} in the base game.


Both the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra allow the player to move freely and explore Pokémon Dens similar to the {{bp|Wild Area}} in the base game. Furthermore, both parts will also add over 200 new Pokémon not previously seen in the Galar region into the game. The expansion pass is not needed in order to obtain the new Pokémon from the DLC, as players can trade with others who have them as well as import Pokémon from previous installments via {{bp|Pokémon Home}}, planned to launch as a paid service in February 2020. Starting today, players are more likely to run into Gigantimax {{p|Coalossal}} and {{p|Flapple}} (Sword), as well as Gigantimax {{p|Lapras}} and {{p|Appletun}} (Shield). An update was also released today introducing Klara and Avery to the game, as well as letting the player catch a Galarian {{p|Slowpoke}} in {{bp|Wedgehurst|Wedgehurst Station}}, which can evolve into Galarian {{p|Slowbro}} with an item from the Isle of Armor or Galarian {{p|Slowking}} with an item from the Crown Tundra. The expansion pass is available for pre-purchase starting today. The Nintendo eShop can also be accessed directly from the game after installing the latest update. Special clothing items featuring {{p|Pikachu}} and {{p|Eevee}} are also available as a purchase bonus from launch.
Players will be able to play the expansion content with their current save data. Players can access the expansion content as soon as they reach the {{bp|Wild Area}}.


==Information==
===The Isle of Armor===
*https://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct/01-09-2020/
[[File:The Isle of Armor logo.png|thumb|The Isle of Armor logo]]
The first expansion, ''{{bp|The Isle of Armor}}'', is planned for release in June 2020. It focuses on the theme of "Growth" and takes place in the eponymous {{bp|Isle of Armor}}, just off the shore of the Galar region.
 
This expansion introduces the new {{bp|Legendary Pokémon}} {{p|Kubfu}} and {{p|Urshifu}}.
*Kubfu is a {{type|Fighting}} Pokémon that has the Ability {{a|Inner Focus}}. After it has undergone sufficient training, it will evolve into Urshifu.
*Urshifu has two forms: Single Strike Style and a Rapid Strike Style. Single Strike Style is {{t|Fighting}}/{{type|Dark}} whereas Rapid Strike Style is Fighting/{{type|Water}}. Both forms have the new Ability, {{a|Unseen Fist}}. Both forms also have distinct {{bp|Gigantamax}} forms. It also has a new move for each of its two styles.
 
The Isle of Armor expansion includes:
*A dojo for Pokémon battles, where the player takes up apprenticeship under {{bp|Mustard}}, who once mentored Champion {{bp|Leon}} and is also a former champion of Galar.
*A new rival, depending on the version. In Pokémon Sword, the player trains with {{bp|Klara}}, who uses Poison types. In Pokémon Shield, {{bp|Avery}}, who uses Psychic-types, will be their training rival instead. Both seek to one day have Gyms and Stadiums to call their own.
*The new character {{bp|Mustard}}, who entrusts the player with {{p|Kubfu}}. Kubfu evolves into {{p|Urshifu}} once the training is complete. Urshifu has a brand new ability, as well as two different fighting styles, the Fighting/Dark-type Single Strike style and the Fighting/Water-type Rapid Strike style. Urshifu also has a {{bp|Gigantamax}} form, having a different appearance and G-Max Move depending on the style.
*The fully-evolved forms of the Galar starter Pokémon ({{p|Rillaboom}}, {{p|Cinderace}}, and {{p|Inteleon}}) will also receive Gigantamax forms. During the player's adventure in the Isle of Armor, they can train their starter Pokémon to be able to Gigantamax.
*Gigantamax forms of {{p|Venusaur}} and {{p|Blastoise}} will also be available.
*New {{bp|Move Tutor}}s will appear.
*{{bp|Apricorn}}s will be available, which can be made into Apricorn Poké Balls.
*The Exp. Charm, a new item which grants more experience to party Pokémon, will be available.
*New fashion items and looks for the {{bp|Rotom Bike}} will be made available.
 
<gallery>
079Slowpoke-Galar.png|Galarian Slowpoke
080Slowbro-Galar.png|Galarian Slowbro
Kubfu.png|Kubfu
Urshifu-Single Strike.png|Urshifu: Single Strike Style
Urshifu-Rapid Strike.png|Urshifu: Rapid Strike Style
Gigantamax Urshifu models.png|Gigantamax Urshifu
003Venusaur-Gigantamax.png|Gigantamax Venusaur
009Blastoise-Gigantamax.png|Gigantamax Blastoise
812Rillaboom-Gigantamax.png|Gigantamax Rillaboom
815Cinderace-Gigantamax.png|Gigantamax Cinderace
818Inteleon-Gigantamax.png|Gigantamax Inteleon
Sword Shield Mustard.png|Mustard
Sword Shield Klara.png|Klara
Sword Shield Avery.png|Avery
Sword Shield Male Trainer Isle of Armor.png|Male player character's ''The Isle of Armor'' outifit
Sword Shield Female Trainer Isle of Armor.png|Female player character's ''The Isle of Armor'' outifit
Isle of Armor artwork.png|Isle of Armor artwork
</gallery>
 
===The Crown Tundra===
[[File:The Crown Tundra logo.png|thumb|The Crown Tundra logo]]
The second expansion, ''{{bp|The Crown Tundra}}'', is planned for release in November 2020. It focuses on the theme of "Exploration" and takes place in the eponymous {{bp|Crown Tundra}}. In this frigid winter area, with its towering mountains, people live in small communities that support and rely on each other. A certain person will appoint the player as the leader of their exploration team in the Crown Tundra.
 
This expansion introduces the new {{bp|Legendary Pokémon}} {{p|Calyrex}}. It is a {{2t|Psychic|Grass}}-type Pokémon. The player will encounter it during this expansion.
*Kubfu is a {{type|Fighting}} Pokémon that has the Ability {{a|Inner Focus}}. After it has undergone sufficient training, it will evolve into Urshifu.
 
This expansion includes:
*Players can co-operate to explore underneath {{bp|Pokémon Den}}s in the Crown Tundra. There, they will be able to see Legendary Pokémon Dynamaxing, then catch those Pokémon.
**Pokémon that can be encountered this way include {{p|Mewtwo}}, {{p|Entei}}, {{p|Raikou}}, {{p|Suicune}}, {{p|Lugia}}, {{p|Ho-Oh}}, {{p|Latios}}, {{p|Latias}}, {{p|Kyogre}}, {{p|Groudon}}, {{p|Rayquaza}}, {{p|Uxie}}, {{p|Mespirit}}, {{p|Azelf}}, {{p|Dialga}}, {{p|Palkia}}, {{p|Giratina}}, {{p|Tornadus}}, {{p|Landorus}}, {{p|Thundurus}}, {{p|Reshiram}}, {{p|Zekrom}}, {{p|Xerneas}}, {{p|Yveltal}}, {{p|Zygarde}}, {{p|Tapu Koko}}, {{p|Tapu Lele}}, {{p|Tapu Bulu}}, {{p|Tapu Fini}}, {{p|Solgaleo}}, and {{p|Lunala}}.
*{{p|Regice}}, {{p|Regirock}}, and {{p|Registeel}} will also appear in the Crown Tundra.
*Other new Legendary Pokémon were teased as well, including what appear to be new Pokémon that appear to be {{bp|Legendary titans}} and what appear to be {{bp|regional form|Galarian Forms}} of the {{bp|Legendary birds}}.
*New fashion items will be made available, including accessories belonging to {{bp|Team Plasma}} and {{bp|Team Flare}}.
 
<gallery>
Calyrex.png|Calyrex
199Slowking-Galar.png|Galarian Slowking
New Legendary Pokémon 1.png|New Legendary resembling a Legendary titan
New Legendary Pokémon 2.png|New Legendary resembling a Legendary titan
New Legendary Pokémon 3.png|New Legendary that appears to be Galarian Moltres
New Legendary Pokémon 4.png|New Legendary that appears to be Galarian Articuno
New Legendary Pokémon 5.png|New Legendary that appears to be Galarian Zapdos
Exploring underneath a Pokémon Den.png|Exploring underneath a Pokémon Den
Sword Shield Peony.png|A key NPC in ''The Crown Tundra''
Sword Shield Male Trainer Crown Tundra.png|Male player character's ''The Crown Tundra'' outifit
Sword Shield Female Trainer Crown Tundra.png|Female player character's ''The Crown Tundra'' outifit
Crown Tundra artwork.png|Crown Tundra artwork
</gallery>
 
==Video==
{{youtubevid|o5afasEAiN0|Nintendo}}

Latest revision as of 21:26, 2 June 2020

Planned for release June, November
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  • Friday, January 10, 2020

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Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass logo

Two expansions for Pokémon Sword and Shield have been announced: The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra. These expansions will introduce brand-new Pokémon to the games, as well as make over 200 more old Pokémon available. These expansions were revealed in a Pokémon Direct presentation.

The expansions are bundled together in the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass. The pass, which is currently available for purchase, entitles customers to each of the two expansions once it is released. The Isle of Armor are planned to be released in June 2020, while The Crown Tundra is planned to be released in November 2020. These expansions are instead of releasing an upper version like Pokémon Platinum, as Game Freak have done in the past. The expansion for each version of the game must be purchased separately; in order to access the expansion content in both Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, the player must buy the expansion pass for each game.

Each expansion will add over 100 new Pokémon (over 200 combined) not previously seen in the Galar region into the game. The expansion pass is not required to obtain these Pokémon: they can still be obtained by trading with other players or by transferring them from past games using Pokémon HOME, which is planned to launch as a paid service in February 2020.

A new regional form, Galarian Slowpoke, was also revealed. Galarian Slowpoke is a Psychic-type Pokémon. It can evolve into Galarian Slowbro with an item from the Isle of Armor or Galarian Slowking with an item from the Crown Tundra, although neither of those Pokémon have been fully revealed yet. Galarian Slowpoke can be obtained in Pokémon Sword and Shield now, regardless of whether the player has purchased the expansion pass.

An update for Pokémon Sword and Shield was also released introducing Klara and Avery to the game, as well as letting the player catch a Galarian Slowpoke in Wedgehurst Station. The Nintendo eShop can be accessed directly from the game after installing the latest update. The Expansion Pass is now available for pre-purchase. Special clothing items featuring Pikachu and Eevee are available now as a bonus for purchasing the expansion pass.

Expansions

In both the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra, the player can move freely and explore Pokémon Dens, similar to the Wild Area in the base game.

Players will be able to play the expansion content with their current save data. Players can access the expansion content as soon as they reach the Wild Area.

The Isle of Armor

The Isle of Armor logo

The first expansion, The Isle of Armor, is planned for release in June 2020. It focuses on the theme of "Growth" and takes place in the eponymous Isle of Armor, just off the shore of the Galar region.

This expansion introduces the new Legendary Pokémon Kubfu and Urshifu.

  • Kubfu is a Fighting-type Pokémon that has the Ability Inner Focus. After it has undergone sufficient training, it will evolve into Urshifu.
  • Urshifu has two forms: Single Strike Style and a Rapid Strike Style. Single Strike Style is Fighting/Dark-type whereas Rapid Strike Style is Fighting/Water-type. Both forms have the new Ability, Unseen Fist. Both forms also have distinct Gigantamax forms. It also has a new move for each of its two styles.

The Isle of Armor expansion includes:

  • A dojo for Pokémon battles, where the player takes up apprenticeship under Mustard, who once mentored Champion Leon and is also a former champion of Galar.
  • A new rival, depending on the version. In Pokémon Sword, the player trains with Klara, who uses Poison types. In Pokémon Shield, Avery, who uses Psychic-types, will be their training rival instead. Both seek to one day have Gyms and Stadiums to call their own.
  • The new character Mustard, who entrusts the player with Kubfu. Kubfu evolves into Urshifu once the training is complete. Urshifu has a brand new ability, as well as two different fighting styles, the Fighting/Dark-type Single Strike style and the Fighting/Water-type Rapid Strike style. Urshifu also has a Gigantamax form, having a different appearance and G-Max Move depending on the style.
  • The fully-evolved forms of the Galar starter Pokémon (Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon) will also receive Gigantamax forms. During the player's adventure in the Isle of Armor, they can train their starter Pokémon to be able to Gigantamax.
  • Gigantamax forms of Venusaur and Blastoise will also be available.
  • New Move Tutors will appear.
  • Apricorns will be available, which can be made into Apricorn Poké Balls.
  • The Exp. Charm, a new item which grants more experience to party Pokémon, will be available.
  • New fashion items and looks for the Rotom Bike will be made available.

The Crown Tundra

The Crown Tundra logo

The second expansion, The Crown Tundra, is planned for release in November 2020. It focuses on the theme of "Exploration" and takes place in the eponymous Crown Tundra. In this frigid winter area, with its towering mountains, people live in small communities that support and rely on each other. A certain person will appoint the player as the leader of their exploration team in the Crown Tundra.

This expansion introduces the new Legendary Pokémon Calyrex. It is a Psychic/Grass-type Pokémon. The player will encounter it during this expansion.

  • Kubfu is a Fighting-type Pokémon that has the Ability Inner Focus. After it has undergone sufficient training, it will evolve into Urshifu.

This expansion includes:

Video

By Nintendo