When they launch on November 15, Pokemon Sword and Shield will introduce players to the Galar region, home of Pokemon’s eighth generation. Perhaps the most exciting part of each new Pokemon game is discovering new Pokemon, capturing your favorites and forming bonds with them as you journey. Although the fact that Pokemon Sword and Shield have no National Pokedex means players won’t be able to catch all 800-plus Pokemon from past games, there are still sure to be a decent amount of all new Galar region Pokemon to collect. In this list, we’ll cover all the new Pokemon — including all Gigantamax Pokemon — revealed so far for Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, in alphabetical order.
All New Pokemon Revealed So Far | Pokemon Sword and Shield
Alcremie
“Its cream has a soothing effect.” The fairy-type Alcremie is known as the Cream Pokemon. It can produce whipped cream at will, making it a sought-after partner Pokemon for pastry chefs. Its ability is Sweet Veil.
Gigantamax Alcremie is an alternate form the Cream Pokemon can enter when Gigantamaxed by its trainer. When Gigantamaxed, Alcremie forms a massive cake-like shape, growing to almost 100 feet tall. Gigantamax Alcremie’s fairy-type moves become G-Max Finale, which simultaneously damages opponents and heals all Pokemon on Alcremie’s side.
Butterfree (Gigantamax)
According to The Pokemon Company, Gigantamax Butterfree can be caught as a reward for defeating it in a “very rare” Max Raid Battle. This Butterfree transformation gives the Pokemon beautiful, green, glowing wings, which can generate extremely strong winds and scatter poisonous scales in the air. The scales from its wings also allow it to use G-Max Befuddle, which deals damage and causes opponents to randomly become poisoned, paralyzed, or asleep. Gigantamax Buterfree’s ability is Compound Eyes.
Charizard (Gigantamax)
It already had two Mega Evolution forms, but Charizard gets yet another special form in Pokemon Sword and Shield with Gigantamaz Charizard (which has caused controversy in the Pokemon community). Gigantamax Charizard loses its blue accents, gaining orange, diamond-shaped scales and wings made entirely of flame. It retains it typing, Fire/Flying, and its ability, Blaze.
Gigantamax Charizard’s G-Max move is G-Max Wildfire, which continually deals damage to all non-Fire-type Pokemon for four turns. Like Gigantamax Butterfree, Gigantamax Charizard can apparently only be caught as a reward for defeating it in a “very rare” Max Raid Battle encounter.
Corviknight
The Raven Pokemon, Corviknight, is a dual-type flying/steel Pokemon. It is very intelligent and is said to be the strongest Pokemon in Galar’s skies, making it the perfect flying transportation for the Galar citizens via the Galar Taxi company. Its abilities are Pressure and Unnerve.
As Gitantamax Corviknight, parts of the Pokemon’s armor sprout wings and fly around it independently. Flying-type moves used by Gigantamax Corviknight will become G-Max Wind Rage, which damages opponents and nullifies the effects of moves like Reflect, Light Screen, Spikes, and Electric Terrain.
Cramorant
Known as the Gulp Pokemon, Cramorant appears to be based on some kind of sea bird. Cramorant is a Flying/Water-type, a typing it shares with other water birds like Pelipper. According to The Pokemon Company, Cramorant is forgetful, though it never forgets a trainer it’s formed a bond with. Apparently it will even attack trainers it trusts if they steal its food. This is because Cramorant has an insatiable hunger, attempting to swallow anything that will fit in its mouth. Sometimes it swallows things that aren’t its intended prey, and it will then spit them out quickly.
This leads to Cramorant’s new, unique ability, Gulp Missile. After Cramorant uses either the Surf or Dive moves, it will return with a fish in its mouth. (Note: The fish’s design could be that of a new Pokemon, though The Pokemon Company has not addressed this possibility directly.) While in this “Gulping Form,” Cramorant will automatically spit the catch out at its attacker at high speed, causing damage in return without using up a turn.
Drednaw
Drednaw, known as the Bite Pokemon, is skilled at doing just that. This dual-type water/rock Pokemon has fangs so sharp and strong it can bite through rock and iron. Its abilities are Strong Jaw and Shell Armor.
Drednaw can also be Gigantamaxed, turning into Gigantamax Drednaw. In this form, all of Gigantamax Drednaw’s water-type moves turn into G-Max Stonesurge, which deals damage and scatters sharp rocks that damage opponents entering the battlefield.
Duraludon
This steel/dragon-type Pokemon is known as the Alloy Pokemon. Despite being made of metal, Duraludon only weighs 88 pounds and is surprisingly quick, but its body is known to rust easily. Duraludon is often seen clashing with fan-favorite Pokemon Tyranitar, since the Pokemon share a habitat. Its abilities are Light Metal and Heavy Metal.
Eevee (Gigantamax)
The Gigantamax Eevee form is only accessible by a special Eevee that players can receive if they have a Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! save file. Like Gigantamax Pikachu, Gigantamax Eevee’s appearance is similar to that of its original Pokemon Red and Green sprite, with a more furrowed brow and fuller fur tufts around its neck. This fur is apparently so luscious that it allows Gigantamax Eevee to charm opponents with its G-Max move, G-Max Cuddle, which deals damage and makes any opposite-gender opponent fall in love with Gigantamax Eevee. Gigantamax Eevee’s possible abilities are Run Away and Adaptability.
Eldegoss
Eldegoss, the Cotton Bloom Pokemon, is the grass-type evolution of Gossifleur. The cotton fluff on its head helps protect it from damage and is dotted with nutritious seeds. Eldegoss’ abilities are Cotton Down and Regenerator.
Gossifleur
The grass-type Pokemon Gossifleur is known as the Flowering Pokemon. It travels long distances by being carried by the wind, and its pollen is known to heal both people and Pokemon. Its abilities are Cotton Down and Regenerator.
Grookey
The Galar region’s grass-type starter Pokemon, Grookey is known as the Chimp Pokemon. The stick it carries was once just a tree branch, but it now carries special properties as a result of absorbing energy from Grookey’s body. Grookey can give this energy to wilted plants in order to revitalize them. Grookey’s ability is Overgrow.
Impidimp
The only Pokemon on this list to not be officially revealed by the Pokemon Company, the dual-type dark/fairy Pokemon Impidimp appeared in-game within the Pokemon Sword and Shield demo at E3 2019. Its abilities of this pink imp creature are so-far unknown.
Meowth (Gigantamax)
Gigantamax Meowth is obtainable by players from November 15, 2019, through January 15, 2020, accessible through the “Get via Internet” option in the “Mystery Gift” sub-menu. This special Meowth gains an elongated body when Gigantamaxed. Its eyes glow with an intimidating yellow light, and the coin on its head gains additional power. This allows it to pull of a G-Max move called G-Max Gold Rush. This move damages and confuses opponents, and it also rewards Gigantamax Meowth’s trainer with additional in-game money after the battle ends. Gigantamax Meowth’s abilities are Pickup and Technician.
Morpeko
This cute-looking hamster-esque Pokemon holds a dark secret: It can get pretty hangry, pretty quickly. Morpeko is a hungry little fella and carries Berry seeds around with it at all times, seemingly in small pockets or pouches. No matter how much Morpeko eats, however, it is always hungry thanks to its constant electricity charging through its cheeks. That’s why it rotates between two different Forms during battle, which seems to happen at the end of each turn.
Morpeko appears to be always Dark and Electric Type, but it will switch between its happy Full Belly Mode and aggressive Hangry Mode between turns thanks to its Hunger Switch Ability. This means more than a change in looks and personality, however. The Two-Sided Pokemon’s signature move, Aura Wheel, changes Types depending on the little guy’s Form. In Full Belly Mode, Aura Wheel is Electric Type, while in Hangry Mode, Aura Wheel is Dark Type. Morpeko could be more than useful depending on the Types of your opposition Pokemon.
Obstagoon
It has been a while since we got a new evolution of a previously existing Pokemon, but that’s exactly what Obstagoon is. The newly discovered Galarian Forms of Zigzagoon and Linoone have a third evolution, exclusive to the Galar Form and region. Galarian Linoone evolves into Obstagoon while the classic design of Linoone does not thanks to its living in harsh conditions complete with fierce competition from rival Linoone.
To help fend off competition from its enemies, Linoone in Galar developed excellent survival instincts, leading them to evolve into Obstagoon. This 5’3”, 101.4 lbs Blocking Pokemon stands on its hind legs and is an expert in throwing its opponents off guard and attacking back with its sharp claws. Obstagoon will often wait for its opponent to attack with its unique Obstruct move before counterattacking with force. Obstagoon’s Abilities are Reckless and Guts.
Pikachu (Gigantamax)
While most Pikachu in Pokemon Sword and Shield will simply get bigger when Dynamaxed, those who have a Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! save file can receive a special Pikachu that is able to achieve a Gigantamax transformation. Gigantamax Pikachu adorably mimics the thick Pikachu design seen in the Pokemon’s original artwork. It also gains a longer tail made of pure lightning, where it stores the electricity it generates in its cheek sacs. Gigantamax Pikachu has the ability Static, and can use the G-Max move G-Max Volt Crash. This move deals heavy Electric-type damage and also paralyzes all opponents.
Polteageist
The Black Tea Pokemon, Polteageist, is new a Ghost-type Pokemon. Polteageist appears to be an adorable purple ghost hiding inside of a damage teapot, which brings to mind the sentient teaware, Mrs. Potts and Chip, from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The purple, ghostly part of Polteageist is said to be somehow made of black tea. It will let trainers it trusts drink its unique tea blend, but drinking too much can lead to indigestion.
Polteageist like to live among common tableware in hotels and restaurants, disguising themselves from those around them. They can apparently reproduce by “pouring their power” into leftover tea to create more Polteageist, so they’re seen more as pests than ghastly intruders. Polteageist’s ability is Weak Armor, which decreases Defense and raises Speed when hit with a physical attack.
Ponyta (Galarian)
Exclusive to Pokemon Shield, this Galarian form of Generation 1’s Ponyta takes on the Psychic type. Known as the Unique Horn Pokemon, Galarian Ponyta has a smaller and stockier build than its Kanto counterpart, with a short unicorn horn and a purple-and-blue mane. Galarian Ponyta can have the abilities Run Away and Pastel Veil. The new ability Pastel Veil prevents the Pokemon and its allies from becoming poisoned, and sending a Pastel Veil Pokemon into battle will cure any poisoned Pokemon there of the status effect.
Revealed in the 24-hour Pokemon Twitch stream, Galarian Ponyta favor the Luminous Maze forest that served as that stream’s setting. This forest is said to have given Ponyta “overflowing life energy” over long periods of time, which is what changed the Fire-type Pokemon’s form into this magical, Psychic-type creature. According to The Pokemon Company, Galarian Ponyta’s mane will become more colorful and begin to glow if it’s near a lot of energy (though it’s not known if this will actually happen in-game).
Rolycoly
The Coal Pokemon Rolycoly is a one-eyed rock-type. It uses the lumps of coal on its body to move through coal mines like a sentient wheel. Rolycoly’s brand-new ability, Steam Engine, gives the Pokemon a Speed boost when it’s hit with Fire- or Water-type moves. Rolcoly also has access to the Heatproof ability.
Scorbunny
Scorbunny is Pokemon Sword and Shield‘s fire-type starter Pokemon. Known as the Rabbit Pokemon, Scorbunny uses its strong legs to confuse opponents by running and jumping around them. Its ability is Blaze.
Sirfetch’d
Exclusive to Pokemon Sword, the long-awaited evolution for Generation 1’s Farfetch’d, Sirfetch’d, is a little white bird holding a huge leek. Known as the Wild Duck Pokemon, Sirfetch’d goes from the pure-Normal type of Farfetch’d to a pure-Fighting type and earns the Steadfast ability. According to The Pokemon Company, Sirfetch’d are calm and collected, seen as a symbol of nobility in the Galar region — so much so that a famous Galarian painting depicts a battle between Sirfetch’d and Escavalier.
Sirfetch’d uses its sharp leek as a lance and its leek’s leaves as a shield, jousting into opponents. This allows Sirfetch’d to perform a unique move called Meteor Assault. Using Meteor Assault, Sirfetch’d charges opponents with devastating speed, but it is not able to act during the following turn. Once a Sirfetch’d’s leek withers after years of combat, it will retire from battle.
Sobble
The water-type starter Pokemon Sobble is known as the Water Lizard Pokemon. It is able to disappear when it touches water by blending in with its surroundings, and it sometimes produces its own water to do this by itself if it is embarrassed. Its tears are able to make others cry uncontrollably. Sobble’s ability is Torrent.
Wooloo
The adorable normal-type Sheep Pokemon, Wooloo, is covered in thick wool. If it feels threatened, it will roll away in order to escape. Wooloo’s abilities are Fluffy and Run Away.
Yamper
The corgi-inspired, electric-type Puppy Pokemon, Yamper, generates electricity as it runs around. It has a tendency to chase moving objects, hence its brand-new ability, Ball Fetch. If a Pokemon with Ball Fetch is on your side when you fail to capture a Pokemon, your Pokemon will retrieve the Pokeball, essentially giving you infinite catch attempts.
Zacian
Pokemon Sword‘s “box legendary, Zacian’s category, type, and ability are unknown. All we know is that the blade in its mouth is said to be able to cut through anything, and that its movements have been known to “captivate” its opponents.
Zamazenta
Just like Zacian, we don’t know much about Zamazenta, Pokemon Shield‘s legendary mascot, besides that its shield is said to be able to block any attack and that its movements can overwhelm oppontents.
Those are all the new Sword and Shield Pokemon we know of so far. For more Pokemon Sword and Shield, check out our guide on the games’ version-exclusive Pokemon or head to our Pokemon Sword and Shield hub.
