New information has been released about the DLCs!
After many months since their initial announcement, we have finally received more information about the Pokémon Sword and Shield DLC. The Isle of Armor DLC is set to debut on June 17, and with it comes a ton of new features. From new forms to new locations and more, there’s a lot to cover here, so let’s get started!
Galarian Forms
Several new Galarian forms are set to appear in the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs. We’ve already had sneak peeks of a few, and even been able to catch one, Galarian Slowpoke. But now we have more details surrounding some of the new Galarian forms we’ll be able to encounter, so let’s take a look.
Galarian Slowbro
First of the new Galarian forms we are being introduced to in the DLC, we finally have been able to meet Galarian Slowbro! Unlike its Kantonian counterpart, this Slowbro is a Poison/Psychic type and has the new ability Quick Draw. Galarian Slowbro also gets access to the signature move, Side Arm Smash. This move poisons the opponent and does Physical or Special damage based on which does the more damage to the opponent. It’s not known exactly what Quick Draw does at this time, but the new info released about Galarian Slowbro may give us some indication as to how Galarian Slowbro evolves and what Quick Draw does.
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 sometimes unconsciously bites down harder on Slowbro’s arm, causing an itch that drives Slowbro to start swinging its arm around indiscriminately and smashing its surroundings. This makes Galarian Slowbro a highly dangerous Pokémon.
Although this Pokémon is normally zoned out, facing off against strong opponents activates the stimulants in its body, sending them coursing through its nervous system and delivering a jolt. When this happens, Slowbro’s expression sharpens. 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.
Galarian Articuno
Next up is the first of the three legendary birds. Also originally hailing from Kanto, these migratory birds appear a little bit different when they appear in the Crown Tundra DLC. Said to be a rare sight, Galarian Articuno is Psychic/Flying type, using its abilities to keep it floating in the air. Its ability is Competitive, which boosts the special attack stat when a stat is lowered. It still retains some traits of its Kanto counterpart though. Galarian Articuno is able to learn the move “Freezing Glare”, which may leave the target frozen.
Once every several decades, this migratory Pokémon appears in the Crown Tundra. For a long time, it was thought to be the same Legendary Pokémon as the Articuno previously discovered in other regions. Though cold and callous in personality, it moves in a highly refined manner. It keeps itself airborne through constant use of its psychic powers, almost never flapping its wings.
This Pokémon battles using intense psychic powers that act directly on the cells of living beings. The beams of psychic energy fired from its eyes have a particularly potent effect. The slightest touch of these beams leaves the victim totally immobilized, as if frozen. The Pokémon finishes off immobilized opponents using the condensed psychic power of its wings.
Galarian Zapdos
Trading its large wings for a pair of sturdy legs, Galarian Zapdos takes the form of a road runner that appears in the Crown Tundra. It’s said to be quick and aggressive, which is reflected by its ability, Defiant. This ability boosts the Pokemon’s attack stat when its stats are lowered. Despite Galarian Zapdos being a Fighting/Flying type, it still retains some of its electrical abilities as shown through its new move “Thunderous Kick”, which does damage and lowers Defense.
Once every several decades, this migratory Pokémon appears in the Crown Tundra. For a long time, it was thought to be the same Legendary Pokémon as the Zapdos previously discovered in other regions. This belligerent, battle-hungry Pokémon seems unable to resist challenging Pokémon it senses may be stronger than itself.
In battle, this Pokémon overwhelms opponents with speedy movements and ferocious kicks using its naturally mighty legs. When it leaps down cliffs and rocky mountainsides in ultra-high-speed zigzag movements, it is said to resemble a bolt of lightning. However, its wings seem to have atrophied, and it appears to be a poor flier.
Galarian Moltres
Changing from light to shadows, Galarian Moltres gives up its Fire typing in favor of its new Dark/Flying type. In addition, it has gained a haughty personality and only listens to its own whims when conducting itself. As a result, it has gained the ability Berserk, which boosts the Pokémon’s Sp. Atk stat when it takes a hit that causes its HP to become half or less. It still has some fire in it though with its new move “Fiery Wrath” that does damage and can cause the opponent to flinch.
Once every several decades, this migratory Pokémon appears in the Crown Tundra. For a long time, it was thought to be the same Legendary Pokémon as the Moltres previously discovered in other regions. It has a haughty personality and conducts itself calmly, according to its own whims.
It exudes the energy churning within its body as an aura akin to a column of raging fire, leaving ordinary Pokémon unable to even approach it. It is especially skilled at attacking opponents’ minds by spreading its wings wide and unleashing a wicked aura. Opponents hit by such attacks are overcome with deep fatigue, as if all their energy has been burned away.
New Pokémon
In addition to several new Galarian forms, the DLCs are also welcoming several new Pokémon. We were introduced to a few of them last time, but now we have even more information about them.
Kubfu
One of the first new Pokémon to be introduced, Kubfu is a fighting type legendary Pokémon that will accompany you during your journey in the Isle of Armor. It chooses you as its partner on a journey through the Isle of Armor. While there, you will have the opportunity to help Kubfu grow stronger by evolving it. This can be done through taking on one of the two towers available on the Isle of Armor. Kubfu will evolve into Urshifu Single Strike Style after beating the Darkness tower in the Tower of Two Fists or Urshifu Rapid Strike Style after beating the Water Tower.
This Pokémon is hardworking and strives to train both its body and mind. It uses each defeat as motivation, training itself with even more vigor after a loss in order to grow stronger. It has an organ that produces “fighting energy” in its lower abdomen, and before heading into battle, Kubfu will increase this energy through unique breathing techniques and intense focus. Wild Kubfu live in mountainous areas far away from the Galar region, but it was once a species that called Galar its home. It’s noted in historical texts that this species used to head to uncharted lands with people as they set out to trade or explore. Records suggest that the Kubfu living in faraway mountains today may have descended from Kubfu that became naturalized to the distant lands they visited in their journeys.
Urshifu
The evolved form of Kubfu, Urshifu has two possible forms depending on which tower Kubfu trains in. If it evolves into Single Strike form, it will be a Dark/Fighting Type, and if it evolves into Rapid Strike form, it will be Water/Fighting type. Both forms have the new ability “Unseen Fist”, which allows Urshifu to attack through moves like Protect. Both forms also have unique Gigantamax forms that the player can access.
Kubfu will evolve into Urshifu after it has undergone sufficient training. It seems that Urshifu has two forms—a Single Strike Style and a Rapid Strike Style—and it appears that each form has different types as well. Urshifu in Single Strike Style form favor battling without holding anything back. When enraged, they will mercilessly attack an opponent until it is utterly defeated. A Single Strike Style Urshifu’s movements are often direct and involve rushing forward in a straight line. It will keep its distance from its opponents at first only to leap in close instantly to deliver a powerful blow. Urshifu in Rapid Strike Style form maintain a calm demeanor, observing their opponents and measuring their strength while dodging attacks. A Rapid Strike Style Urshifu will use flowing movements in battle to smoothly parry an opponent’s moves and then overwhelm the opponent with a flurry of rapid strikes.
Calyrex
Not much is known yet about Calyrex, likely due to its debut being set for the Crown Tundra. Presumably, we will learn more about this legendary once we draw closer to that DLC’s release date. However, we have learned that Calyrex is a Psychic/Grass type with the ability Unnerve. It is also known as the King Pokémon, and is said to have once ruled all of Galar. Perhaps this is where the Crown Tundra gets its name from.
Trainers will encounter Calyrex in The Crown Tundra. This Pokémon ruled all of Galar in ancient times. Though it appears delicate and slight, its every move is filled with grace and dignity. It also has extremely high intelligence, and it’s said to see every past, present, and future event.
Regieleki
Two new Regis are set to make their debut in the Crown Tundra. The first is Regieleki, an electric type Regi based on an electron that’s said to pack more electrical power in its body than any other Pokémon. It has a new move called “Thunder Cage” which deals damage and traps the target in an electrified cage for four to five turns. It also has the new ability Transistor, though it is not known what the ability does at this time.
This Pokémon absorbs electrons to live. Electrical energy makes up most of its body. Its Electric-type moves are said to pack the greatest power of any used by Electric-type Pokémon.
Regidrago
Regidrago is the other of the two new Regis set to debut in the Crown Tundra. This dragon type legendary is said to have been made by Regigigas from crystallized dragonic energy, but remains unfinished due to Regigigas running out of crystals. It has access to the new move “Dragon Energy” which does more damage to the target the higher their HP. It also has the new ability Dragon’s Maw, but it is not known what this ability does at this time.
Regidrago’s body is composed of crystallized dragon energy. The energy is densest in its central core. Thanks to its body composition, Regidrago can use Dragon-type moves with greater power than other Pokémon.
Folklore tells that the Legendary Pokémon Regigigas tried to create a Pokémon from crystallized dragon energy but ran out of crystals and was only able to complete the head. People of old feared that if Regidrago were to be completed, it would rain destruction on their land, so they sealed it away within a temple. Regidrago
Gigantamax Forms
After being briefly seen back in January, we finally have more information on the Gigantamax Forms of Blastoise and Venusaur. Gigantamax Venusaur’s G-Max Move is G-Max Vine Lash. This attack does damage and continues to do damage for 4 turns to any non-Grass-type Pokémon. Gigantamax Blastoise’s G-Max Move is G-Max Cannonade which does damage and continues to do damage for 4 turns to any non-Water-type Pokémon. It appears that one or both of the starters will be made available to the player in the Isle of Armor as Bulbasaur and Squirtle can both be briefly seen in the trailer. For more information on the new forms, read below.
The power of Gigantamaxing has made Venusaur’s flower bloom so large that it covers the Pokémon’s body. The flower’s petals are extremely thick and springy enough to repel halfhearted attacks. During battle, the Pokémon uses these petals as a shield and swings its two thick vines around to attack its target.
The flower on the Pokémon’s back spews so much pollen that it resembles a volcanic eruption. Inhaling the pollen can cause uncontrollable sneezing, and breathing in too much of it can even cause fainting. However, the pollen also stimulates plant growth. Places where the pollen falls are said to grow thick with large plants.
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. In battle, it doesn’t bother to aim. Instead, it fires dynamic, powerful torrents from multiple cannons to overwhelm opponents.
The main cannon on the center of Blastoise’s shell is staggeringly powerful. Legend says this cannon has blasted holes into mountains. 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.
Other New Features
A variety of new features are set to become available to players in both the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra. Starting in the Isle of Armor, a new item, tentatively known as Cram-o-matic, allows you to combine up to four items together to make new items. You get different items based on the items you put into it. It is not known exactly what types of items can be produced by this Cram-o-matic, but it definitely seems like something that will be useful to players during their journey in the Isle of Armor. In addition, the Move Tutor makes a return with new exclusive moves to the Isle of Armor. The Move Tutor services are given in exchange for Armorite Ore, a substance found through Max Raid Battles in the Isle of Armor. The first, a Fire-type move, Burning Jealousy damages all opponents and has a chance of burning the opponent if they have had their stat boosted during this turn. The Grass-type one, Grassy Glide, is boosted in priority in Grassy Terrain.
Finally, while in the Isle of Armor, you can make “Max Soup”, which when a Pokémon with the potential to Dynamax drinks it, it can become Gigantamax. It is possible that this is the method by which players can obtain the Gigantamax forms of their starters.
In the Crown Tundra, Dynamax Adventure is a game where four players together investigate the Dynamax Raid dens. In The Crown Tundra, this feature allows you to join with up to 3 players to venture into the Pokémon Dens. As you explore the caves in the area, you will find paths blocked by various Pokémon that have Dynamaxed. To proceed, you need to defeat the Dynamax Pokémon to clear a path. However, if you are defeated, you will be sent out of the den. At the end of the den, you will often come up with against various strong Pokémon, these include various Legendary Pokémon including Solgaleo, Lunala, Mewtwo, Giratina and more. Defeat them and you will have a chance to capture them.
After completing enough of The Crown Tundra, a new feature is unlocked in Wyndon. This is the Galarian Star Tournament and is a new twist on the rematches. Rather than facing off against the various entrants of the Champion Cup, with you selecting one opponent, this time you will enter Multi Battles against various pairs. With this, you have the ability to select your own Multi Battle partner to join you through the tournament.
So with all this and more to come, we’ll see you on the Isle of Armor, trainers!
