Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass guide - new features, locations and returning Pokémon explained

Everything we know about the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass

The Pokémon Sword and Shield expansion pass consists of two different adventures, entitled The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra.

The Isle of Armor expansion will be released on the 17th June 2020 and includes:

• Access to the Isle of Armor - a new Wild Area styled area with a variety of environments, including beaches, dunes, caves, bogs and forests
• Over 100 returning Pokémon, including new regional variants, such as Galarian Slowpoke and a specific Isle of Armour Pokédex to help you keep track of your new Pokémon
• A new storyline where you train under the Pokémon dojo masters Mustard and receive the new legendary Pokémon, Kubfu. By challenging the Towers of Two Fists, you'll be able to evolve Kubfu into Urshifua.
• A new rival character depending on your version:
• Klara, the poison-type specialist, in Pokémon Sword
• Avery, a psychic-type trainer, in Pokémon Shield

• Restricted Sparring - a new form of battling, where you're limited to a certain number of Pokémon types and have to battle under a specific under of conditions
• An Exp. Charm, which will help you train your Pokémon
• New hairstyles and clothes for your trainer
• New backgrounds, effects and frames for League Cards
• Apricorn that can be made into Poké Balls
• The Cram-o-matic - a device that, in return for four items, will create rarer items such as PP Ups
• New move tutors
• New moves, including Burning Jealousy (fire-type) and Grassy Glide (grass-type)
• Max soup - a special dish only found on the Isle of Armour, which, if given to a certain Pokémon, will allow them to Gigantamax
• Gigantamax forms for Rillaboom, Cinderace and Inteleon. The names of their G-Max moves are:
• Rillaboom - G-Max Drum Solo
• Cinderace - G-Max Fireball
• Inteleon - G-Max Hydrosnipe

The Crown Tundra expansion will be released on Friday 23rd October and will include:

• Access to the Crown Tundra a dangerous, yet beautiful, winterous landscape
• Over 100 returning Pokémon and a special Crown Tundra Pokédex, including new regional variants, such the Galarian version of the original legendary birds, and legendary Pokémon from previous generations
• The legendary Pokémon Calyrex, which is a psychic and grass-type Pokémon
• Two new Regi legendary Pokémon - Regieleki and Regidrago
• A new storyline where you're recruited by a Peony to explore the uncharted landscape of the Crown Tundra
• Dynamax Adventures - a new co-op mode where you delve into the depths of the Pokémon Dens that riddle the Galar region and discover legendary Pokémon from all of the previous generation
• The Galarian Star Tournament, which allows you to pick a teammate and, through a series of double battles, battle the various Gym Leaders and trainers who founght in the main storyline for Pokémon Sword and Shield
• New hairstyles and clothes for your trainer

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Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass cost and how each version works explained

The Pokémon Sword and Shield expansion pass will cost £26.99 / $29.99.

This cost will include both expansion passes - The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra.

It doesn't matter whether you've got Pokémon Sword or Shield - you'll be able to play both of expansions.

What you do need to do, however, is buy the expansion version that is compatible with the game, Sword or Shield, that you originally brought.

This is because, just like with previous Pokémon games, each expansion will have a set of Pokémon which are exclusive to the version, be it Sword or Shield, that they're compatible with.

If you buy the wrong expansion version, then you won't be able to play it! So be careful when you purchase the expansions.

Currently, there are two pre-order bonuses to entice you into buying the Pokémon Sword and Shield expansion pass - a Pikachu Uniform and an Eevee Uniform.

You'll also receive Leon's cap and tights if you purchase the Expansion Pass between the release date of The Isle of Armour and the 31st August.

Returning and new Pokémon in the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass explained

The expansion pass will give you the opportunity to add both new and old Pokémon to your Galar Pokédex.

If you decide that you don't want to buy the expansion pass, you'll still be able to add these returning Pokémon to your Pokédex.

On the release days of both The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra, a free update will be released for both Pokémon Sword and Shield. This update will allow all players to receive both the new and returning Pokémon including in the expansion pass through methods such as trading and Max Raid Battles.

You'll also be able to bring Pokémon across using Pokémon Home, which is going to be released before the expansion passes in February 2020.

New Pokémon in the Sword and Shield Expansion Pass

Both The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra introduce a new legendary Pokémon.

In The Isle of Armor, you'll be given the legendary fighting-type Pokémon, Kubfu, by Mustard the Dojo Master.

Eventually you'll be tasked with challenging the Towers of Two Fists; you'll have a choice of the Tower of Darkness or the Tower of Water. Make your decision carefully, you can only challenge one tower and you must do with Kubfu as the only Pokémon in your party. The tower you pick will also determine the type of Kubfu's evolution - Urshifu.

If you challenge the Tower of Darkness, Kubfu will evolve into Single Strike Style Urshifu, but, if you choose the Tower of Water, it will become a Rapid Strike Style Urshifu.

Single Strike Style Urshifu is a more offensive Pokémon, which is a fighting and dark-type. Meanwhile, the fighting and water-type Rapid Strike Style Urshifu is targeted towards the more defensive player.

In The Crown Tundra, you'll encounter Calyrex. This legendary psychic and grass-type Pokémon once ruled over the Galar region.

The Crown Tundra DLC will also see the introduction of two new members to the legendary Regi family - Regidrago and Regieleki.

Regidrago is a dragon-type with the signature move, Dragon Energy. The damage Dragon Energy inflicts increases depending n the amount of HP the opponent has left.

According to mythology, Regigigas ran out of dragon energy while creating Regidrago and that is why it's body only consists of a dragon's head.

Regieleki is an electric-type and it's believed that that the metal rings on it's body are not decorations, but are actually insulation equipment.

It's signature move is called Thunder Cage. This electric-type move not only deals a good amount of damage to the opponent, but also traps the opposing Pokémon in an cage that deals damage for four to five turns.

Returning Pokémon in the Sword and Shield Expansion Pass

Across both expansions over 200 Pokémon from previous generation will be added to Pokémon Sword and Shield.

This includes new regional Pokémon, such as Galarian Slowpoke, which you can currently catch in the free pre-expansion pass event at Wedgehurst Station.

We don't know the full list of returning Pokémon at the moment, but, thanks to the expansion pass trailer and dedicated website, we know what some of these Pokémon are.

In the below lists we've also included the pre and post-evolutions for these Pokémon. Even though they haven't been directly confirmed, you can't have a Crobat without a Zubat or Golbat.

In The Isle Armor, we'll see the return of:

• Bulbasaur (Directly confirmed)
• Ivysaur
• Venusaur (Directly confirmed)
• Squirtle (Directly confirmed)
• Wartortle
• Blastoise (Directly confirmed)
• Poliwag
• Poliwhirl (Directly confirmed)
• Poliwrath
• Politoed (Directly confirmed)
• Galarian Slowpoke (Directly confirmed)
• Galarian Slowbro (Directly confirmed)
• Magnemite
• Magneton
• Magnezone (Directly confirmed)
• Exeggcute
• Exeggutor (Directly confirmed)
• Happiny
• Chansey (Directly confirmed)
• Blissey
• Tangela
• Tangrowth (Directly confirmed)
• Kangaskhan (Directly confirmed)
• Horsea
• Seadra
• Kingdra (Directly confirmed)
• Staryu (Directly confirmed)
• Starmie (Directly confirmed)
• Scyther (Directly confirmed)
• Tauros (Directly confirmed)
• Azurill (Directly confirmed)
• Marill
• Azumarill
• Whismur (Directly confirmed)
• Loudred (Directly confirmed)
• Exploud
• Sandile (Directly confirmed)
• Krokorok
• Krookodile
• Emolga (Directly confirmed)
• Zorua (Directly confirmed)
• Zoroark
• Mienfoo
• Mienshao (Directly confirmed)
• Druddigon (Directly confirmed)
• Bouffalant (Directly confirmed)
• Larvesta
• Fletchling
• Fletchinder (Directly confirmed)
• Talonflame
• Skrelp
• Dragalge (Directly confirmed)
• Dedenne (Directly confirmed)
• Volcarona (Directly confirmed)
• Rockruff
• Lycanroc (Directly confirmed)

In Fall 2020, with the release of The Crown Tundra, we'll see the return of:

• Nidoran ♂
• Nidorino (Directly confirmed)
• Nidoking
• Zubat
• Golbat
• Crobat (Directly confirmed)
• Elekid (Directly confirmed)
• Electabuzz
• Electivire
• Galarian Articuno (Directly confirmed)
• Galarian Zapdos (Directly confirmed)
• Galarian Moltres (Directly confirmed)
• Dratini
• Dragonair
• Dragonite (Directly confirmed)
• Mewtwo (Directly confirmed)
• Galarian Slowking (Directly confirmed)
• Raikou (Directly confirmed)
• Entei (Directly confirmed)
• Suicune (Directly confirmed)
• Lugia (Directly confirmed)
• Ho-Oh (Directly confirmed)
• Swablu (Directly confirmed)
• Altaria
• Absol (Directly confirmed)
• Spheal (Directly confirmed)
• Sealeo (Directly confirmed)
• Walrein
• Relicanth (Directly confirmed)
• Beldum (Directly confirmed)
• Metang
• Metagross
• Regirock (Directly confirmed)
• Regice (Directly confirmed)
• Registeel (Directly confirmed)
• Latias (Directly confirmed)
• Latios (Directly confirmed)
• Kyogre (Directly confirmed)
• Groudon (Directly confirmed)
• Rayquaza (Directly confirmed)
• Gible
• Gabite
• Garchomp (Directly confirmed)
• Uxie (Directly confirmed)
• Mesprit (Directly confirmed)
• Azelf (Directly confirmed)
• Dialga (Directly confirmed)
• Palkia (Directly confirmed)
• Heatran (Directly confirmed)
• Regigigas (Directly confirmed)
• Giratina (Directly confirmed)
• Cresselia (Directly confirmed)
• Cryogonal (Directly confirmed)
• Cobalion (Directly confirmed)
• Terrakion (Directly confirmed)
• Virizion (Directly confirmed)
• Tornadus (Directly confirmed)
• Thundurus (Directly confirmed)
• Reshiram (Directly confirmed)
• Zekrom (Directly confirmed)
• Landorus (Directly confirmed)
• Kyurem (Directly confirmed)
• Amaura
• Aurorus (Directly confirmed)
• Carbink (Directly confirmed)
• Xerneas (Directly confirmed)
• Yveltal (Directly confirmed)
• Zygarde (Directly confirmed)
• Silvally (Directly confirmed)
• Tapu Koko (Directly confirmed)
• Tapu Lele (Directly confirmed)
• Tapu Bulu (Directly confirmed)
• Tapu Fini (Directly confirmed)
• Solgaleo (Directly confirmed)
• Lunala (Directly confirmed)

You'll encounter the legendary Pokémon in Dynamax Adventures, the new co-op mode introduced in The Crown Tundra, and we're yet to find out exactly how many legendaries will be returning.

There are also some Pokémon that we know are returning, thanks to the trailer, but we don't know exactly which part of the expansion pass they'll be introduced with. These Pokémon are:

• Magby
• Magmar (Directly confirmed)
• Magmortar
• Aron
• Lairon
• Aggron (Directly confirmed)
• Shinx
• Luxio
• Luxray (Directly confirmed)
• Fomantis
• Lurantis (Directly confirmed)

Both Venusaur and Blastoise will also have Gigantamax forms. It does appear that these two Pokémon will appear in the Isle of Armor, while the Titan trio will appear in The Crown Tundra.

Everything we know about The Isle of Armor expansion location for Pokémon Sword and Shield

The Isle of Armor expansion sees you travelling to the titular Isle of Armor, where you become an apprentice of Mustard, the owner of the island's Pokémon dojo. Amongst his other apprentices, you'll find yourself a new rival.

In Pokémon Sword, your new rival will be Klara, a poison-type specialist. The psychic-type trainer, Avery, will be your new rival in Pokémon Shield.

During your stay on the island, Mustard will entrust you with the legendary fighting-type Pokémon, Kubfu, which will evolve into Urshifu.

The Isle of Armor has its specific Pokédex as well that will encourage you to explore the new environment exclusive to the island, including beaches, dunes, forests, caves and bogs. Throughout these new areas you'll be able to find Pokémon Dens for Max Raid Battles and a host of new Pokémon, including new regional forms, that you can't find on mainland Galar.

This expansion will also introduce a selection of new tutor moves for you to learn, new clothes, new hairstyles, an Exp. Charm to help you train your Pokémon and apricorns that can be made into Poké Balls, which were previously seen in the Gen 2 Pokémon games.

You'll also be able to try out Restricted Sparring, a new form of battling, in The Isle of Armor. In this mode, you'll be limited to a certain number of Pokémon types and have to battle under a number of set conditions.

Finally, The Isle of Armor expansion will also introduce Gigantamax forms for the final evolutions of each of the Galar starter Pokémon - Rillaboom, Cinderace and Inteleon.

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.

Everything we know about The Crown Tundra expansion location for Pokémon Sword and Shield

In The Crown Tundra expansion, you'll be travelling to the dangerous, yet beautiful, Crown Tundra. In this frozen kingdom, Peony, who is accompanied by his daughter, will recruit you for their exploration team to discover the mysterious of the Tundra.

You and your Pokémon team will be tasked with exploring the mostly uncharted mountains, venturing out from the small communities that are dotted about the landscape. During your travels you might discover a temple, a giant tree or maybe even the legendary Pokémon Calyrex.

Like with the previous expansion, The Crown Tundra will have its own Pokédex for you to complete and Pokémon from previous generation, which can't be found in the rest of the Galar region. There will also be new regional forms and a range of new Pokémon Dens for Max Raid Battles.

This expansion also introduces a new co-op mode, which will send and your fellow trainers into the depths of the Pokémon Dens that riddle the Galar region. Down in the dark you might find yourself facing a legendary Pokémon from a previous generation.

There are also some new legendary Pokémon hiding in The Crown Tundra.

Finally, The Crown Tundra will also introduce a range of new clothing and hairstyles for you to customise your trainer with.