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Pokémon Sword and Shield version differences, including version exclusive Pokémon in DLC

Our guide on the differences between Pokémon Sword and Shield explained, including exclusive Pokémon and Gym Leaders.

Like all Pokémon games, there are a number of differences between Pokémon Sword and Shield, including a number of exclusive Pokémon.

Having Pokémon that only appear in one version of a mainline Pokémon game encourages trainers to trade and battle with their friends (and buy both versions of the game...). You'll also be able to battle different gym leaders depending on whether you're playing Pokémon Sword or Shield.

This page is currently in-progress as we're still waiting for all the version differences to be revealed.

On this page:

Pokémon Sword & Pokémon Shield - Overview trailerWatch on YouTube

Pokémon Exclusive to Pokémon Shield, including DLC exclusives

Below you'll find a list of the Pokémon that have are currently confirmed to be exclusive to Pokémon Shield, including the Galarian form of Ponyta:

Thank you to Centro Pokémon LEAKS from Twitter for the help with this information!

No. PokémonType
#77Galar Pontya Psychic
#78Galar RapidashPsychic / Fairy
#140Kabuto
Crown Tundra DLC
Rock / Water
#141Kabutops
Crown Tundra DLC
Rock / Water
#214Heracross
Isle of Armor DLC
Bug / Fighting
#222Galar CorsolaGhost
#246LarvitarRock / Ground
#247PupitarRock / Ground
#248TyranitarRock / Ground
#249Lugia
Crown Tundra DLC
Psychic / Flying
#270LotadWater / Grass
#271LombreWater / Grass
#272LudicoloWater / Grass
#302SableyeDark / Ghost
#337 LunatoneRock / Psychic
#380Latias
Crown Tundra DLC
Dragon / Psychic
#382Kyogre
Crown Tundra DLC
Water
#443Gible
Crown Tundra DLC
Dragon / Ground
#444Gabite
Crown Tundra DLC
Dragon / Ground
#445Garchomp
Crown Tundra DLC
Dragon / Ground
#453CroagunkPoison / Fighting
#454ToxicroakPoison / Fighting
#484Palkia
Crown Tundra DLC
Water / Dragon
#550 Blue-Striped BasculinWater
#538ThrohFighting
#577SolosisPsychic
#578DuosionPsychic
#579ReuniclusPsychic
#629VullabyDark / Flying
#630MandibuzzDark / Flying
#642Thundurus
Crown Tundra DLC
Electric / Flying
#644Zekrom
Crown Tundra DLC
Dragon / Electric
#682SpritzeeFairy
#683AromatisseFairy
#690Skrelp
Isle of Armor DLC
Poison / Water
#691Dragalge
Isle of Armor DLC
Poison / Dragon
#704GoomyDragon
#705SliggoDragon
#706GoodraDragon
#717Yveltal
Crown Tundra DLC
Dark / Flying
#765OranguruNormal / Psychic
#780DrampaNormal / Dragon
#792Lunala
Crown Tundra DLC
Psychic / Dragon
#842AppletunGrass / Dragon
#864CursolaGhost
#875EiscueIce
#876Indeedee (Female Form)Psychic / Normal
#889ZamazentaFighting (Steel)

Pokémon Exclusive to Pokémon Sword, including DLC exclusives

Below you'll find a list of the Pokémon that have are currently confirmed to be exclusive to Pokémon Sword, such as Sirfetch'd:

Thank you to Centro Pokémon LEAKS from Twitter for the help with this information!

No. PokémonType
#83Galar Farfetch'dNormal / Flying
#127PinsirBug
#138Omanyte
Crown Tundra DLC
Rock / Water
#139Omastar
Crown Tundra DLC
Rock / Water
#250Ho-Oh
Crown Tundra DLC
Fire / Flying
#273SeedotGrass
#274NuzleafGrass / Dark
#275ShiftryGrass / Dark
#303MawileSteel / Fairy
#338SolrockRock / Psychic
#371Bagon
Crown Tundra DLC
Dragon
#372Shelgon
Crown Tundra DLC
Dragon
#373Salamence
Crown Tundra DLC
Dragon / Flying
#381Latios
Crown Tundra DLC
Dragon / Flying
#383Groudon
Crown Tundra DLC
Ground
#483Dialga
Crown Tundra DLC
Steel / Dragon
#539SawkFighting
#550Red-Striped BasculinWater
#554Galar DarumakaIce
#555Galar DarmanitanIce
#559ScraggyDark / Fighting
#560ScraftyDark / Fighting
#574GothitaPsychic
#575GothoritaPsychic
#576GothitellePsychic
#627RuffletNormal / Flying
#628BraviaryNormal / Flying
#633DeinoDark / Dragon
#634 ZweilousDark / Dragon
#635HydreigonDark / Dragon
#641Tornadus
Crown Tundra DLC
Flying
#643Reshiram
Crown Tundra DLC
Dragon / Fire
#684SwirlixFairy
#685SlurpuffFairy
#692Clauncher
Isle of Armor DLC
Water
#693Clawitzer
Isle of Armor DLC
Water
#716Xerneas
Crown Tundra DLC
Fairy
#766PassimianFighting
#776TurtonatorFire / Dragon
#782Jangmo-oDragon
#783Hakamo-oDragon / Fighting
#784Kommo-oDragon / Fighting
#791Solgaleo
Crown Tundra DLC
Psychic / Steel
#865Sirfetch'dFighting
#841FlappleGrass / Dragon
#874StonjournerRock
#876Indeedee (Male Form)Psychic / Normal
#888ZacianFairy (Steel)

With it finally in the wild, here's how to start the Crown Tundra DLC and our full Pokémon Crown Tundra walkthrough. Plus, here's how to catch Calyrex, Glastrier and Spectrier, the Regieleki and Regidrago puzzle solution and Regirock, Regice, Registeel locations, details on how to catch Legendary Birds Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres in the Crown Tundra, the Ultra Beasts and Necrozma adventure, Dynamax Adventures, including the legendries you can catch on these adventures, and the new Crown Tundra Pokédex and returning Pokémon explained. For Isle of Armor players, here's how to find the Slowpoke, where to find Max Mushroom locations, and how to get Kubfu, become best friends and evolve it, plus all Diglett locations too! For the base game, here's info on the ability to transfer Pokémon to Pokémon Home, the Wild Area, lists of all TM locations and TRs, all Galarian forms and finally our main Pokémon Sword and Shield walkthrough for the whole game.


What else is exclusive in Pokémon Sword and Shield?

Continuing the tradition started by Pokémon Gold and Silver, Pokémon Sword and Shield each have an exclusive legendary Pokémon.

These Pokémon are displayed on the game's box art - Zacian for Pokémon Sword and Zamazenta for Pokémon Shield.

You'll find Zacain in Pokémon Sword and zamazenta in Pokémon Shield.

With its sword firmly clutched within its mouth, Zacian is described as having attacks 'so graceful that its movements captivate opponents. Holding what appears to be a sword in its mouth, Zacain's shining blade can cut through anything.'

Zamazenta, whose shield has been incorporated into its full body, is described as having 'majestic movements and what appears to be a shield covering its body, Zamazenta can turn back any attack and overwhelm any opponents that dare face it.'

Just like the exclusive Pokémon, Zacain and Zamazenta will be tradable between Pokémon Sword and Shield allowing you to add their entry to your Pokédex.

Like in Pokémon Black and White, you'll also be able to fight different gym leaders depending on which version, Sword or Shield, you're playing.

Battle Allister in Pokémon Shield and Bea in Pokémon Sword.

In Pokémon Sword, you'll be able to challenge Bea, who specialises in fighting-type Pokémon, while in Pokémon Shield, you'll find yourself battling the spooky Allister, leader of the ghost-type gym.

Whether there are more exclusive gym leaders is yet to be seen, so check back with this guide regularly!

The sixth Pokémon Gym in Circhester will also differ depending on which version of the game you're playing.

In Pokémon Sword, you'll be battling Gordie and his rock-type Pokémon. Meanwhile, in Pokémon Shield, you'll be challenging Melony and her team of ice-type Pokémon.

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