Game Freak angered some Pokemon fans when they announced new details about Pokemon Sword and Shield at E3 2019. For one thing, the full 800+ strong roster of monsters from all the previous games will not be making the jump to the Galar region that’s the setting for the new Switch title. This is because the new Pokemon Home transfer system will only support the Galar region Pokedex, and no other games will be supported at launch.
It’s easy to understand why this decision was made though. the insane workload of porting more than 800 Pokemon, with full move lists, animations and 3D models is just too much to bear. There’s still the possibility of future updates expanding the roster, but that seems unlikely unless there is huge fan demand for such an addition.
To that end, players are eager to find out what Pokemon are actually included in the Pokedex, so we’ve collected all of the various details together to give fans a concrete list of what to expect in terms of which Pokemon will feature in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
But just because there’s not a huge roster of Pokemon doesn’t mean this new game will be any less an innovative addition to the franchise. Game Freak is putting in a lot of work to try and spice up the combat instead, the real focus for many players. New features including Dynamax abilities are just one layer. There’s also the cool Max Raid Battles that offer much more strategic choice in fights.
This list will of course include the previously teased starters, as well as the two new Legendary Pokes, Zacian and Zamazenta. There are dozens more yet to be confirmed, and we can expect more news as we get closer to release, but for now this is the information we have.
All that considered, here’s the current running tally of Pokemon based on previous announcements and the playable E3 demo’s Pokedex:
- Grookey
- Scorbunny
- Sobble
- Corviknight
- Gossifleur / Eldegoss
- Wooloo
- Drednaw
- Yamper
- Impidimp
- Pichu / Pikachu / Raichu
- Minccino / Cinccino
- Hoothoot / Noctowl
- Grubbin / Charjabug / Vikavolt
- Wishiwashi
- Deino / Zweilous / Hydreigon
- Trapinch / Vibrava / Flygon
- Rufflet / Braviary
- Wailmer / Wailord
- Espurr / Meowsticc
- Riolu / Lucario
- Larvitar / Pupitar / Tyranitar
- Munchlax / Snorlax
- Eevee / Vaporeon / Jolteon / Flareon / Espeon / Umbreon / Leafeon / Glaceon / Sylveon
- Bounsweet / Steenee / Tsareena
- Sawk
- Wynaut / Wobbffet
- Stufful / Bewear
- Snover / Abomasnow
- Rhyhorn / Rhydon / Rhyperior
- Onix / Steelix
- Duskull / Dusclops / Dusknoir
- Roggenrola / Buldore / Gigalith
- Golett / Golurk
- Gastly / Haunter / Gengar
- Frillish / Jellicent
- Mudbray / Mudsdale
- Caterpie / Metapod / Butterfree
- Tympole / Palpitoad / Seismitoad
- Charmander / Charmeleon / Charizard
- Bergmite / Avalugg
- Hawlucha
- Mantyke / Mantine
- Feebas / Milotic
- Wingull / Pelipper
- Chinchou / Lanturn
- Pancham / Pangoro
- Magikarp / Gyrados
- Budew / Roselia / Roserade
- Growlithe / Arcanine
- Inkay / Malamar
- Axew / Fraxure / Haxorus
- Vulpix / Ninetales
- Combee / Vespiqueen
- Bronzor / Bronzong
- Bunnelby / Diggersby
- Swirlix / Slurpuff
- Machop / Machoke / Machamp
- Goldeen / Seaking
- Joltik / Galvantula
- Vanillite / Vanillish / Vanilluxe
- Snorunt / Glalie / Froslass
- Electrike / Manectric
- Ralts / Kirlia / Gardevoir / Gallade
- Goomy / Sliggoo / Goodra
- Trubbish / Garbodor
- Mimikyu
- Zacian
- Zamazenta
- Mew
Pokemon Sword and Shield is due for a launch, exclusively to the Switch, on November 15th this year.
