New details for Pokémon Sword & Shield have been released

The Pokémon Company International have released new details of the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield showing off some new Pokémon, trainers as well more details about the new Gigantamax phenomenon.

Let’s look at the Gigantamax info first. You all know about Dynamaxing, it boosts the power of your Pokémon basically, but with the Gigantamax phenomenon it’ll boost your Pokémon’s attack power while also making it huge, or even gigantic. On top of that the newly gigantic Pokémon gets a unique move known as a G-Max Move. Only certain species can use Gigantamax though, and even amongst those specific species only rare specimens are able to use Gigantamax. The Pokémon Company revealed two of the species that are able to use Gigantamax: Drednae and Corviknight.

Gigantamax Corviknight
Type: Flying/Steel
Height: 45′11″+
Weight: Unknown
Ability: Pressure/Unnerve

Corviknight uses its massive wings to catch updrafts created by Gigantamax energy to hover in the air while it battles. The armor on its body has been reinforced, so attacks from Pokémon on the ground barely have any effect. Gigantamax energy has caused the armor covering Corviknight’s wings to separate and become blade birds, capable of flying independently. Flying-type moves used by Gigantamax Corviknight will change to G-Max Wind Rage, which removes any effects of moves like Reflect, Light Screen, Spikes, and Electric Terrain that the opponents may have.

Gigantamax Drednaw
Type: Water/Rock
Height: 78′9″+
Weight: Unknown
Ability: Strong Jaw / Shell Armor

The power of Gigantamaxing has allowed Drednaw to stand on its hind legs and become bipedal. From its standing position, it can come crashing down on opposing Pokémon and crush them with its massive body. Drednaw normally keeps its neck retracted within its shell, but when it attacks, it can rapidly shoot its neck out. Its jaws are also incredibly strong and can easily bite through huge metal towers. The strength of its jaws combined with the force of its neck gives Drednaw the power to punch a hole through a rocky mountain in a single strike. Water-type moves used by Gigantamax Drednaw will change to G-Max Stonesurge. G-Max Stonesurge doesn’t just deal damage to an opponent—it will scatter sharp rocks around the opponent and cause Pokémon entering the battlefield to take damage.

Onto the next announcement and that’s some of the new Pokémon you’ll come across, and attempt to catch, in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. There’s 5 Pokémon been announced so, without further ado, here are the new Pokémon you can expect to see:

Alcremie
Category: Cream Pokémon
Type: Fairy
Height: 1′
Weight: 1.1 lbs.
Ability: Sweet Veil

Alcremie can produce whipped cream, which becomes richer the happier Alcremie is feeling. Desserts made using this cream are invariably delicious, so many pastry chefs strive to have an Alcremie as their partner. When attacked by an opponent, Alcremie will throw sweet-scented cream to distract them or temporarily blind them, giving itself time to escape.

Gigantamax Alcremie
Type: Fairy
Height: 98′5″+
Weight: Unknown
Ability: Sweet Veil

The cream pouring out of its body hardens when subjected to impacts—the stronger the impact, the harder it becomes—giving Alcremie an impressive resistance to physical attacks. Additionally, the giant “Berry” decorations on Alcremie’s body are as hard as diamonds, and it’s said that most attacks won’t even be able to leave a scratch.    Alcremie will launch high-calorie cream missiles around itself to attack its opponents. Any Pokémon that touches this cream will be filled with energy and euphoria but at the same time will fall into a state of complete confusion. Fairy-type moves used by Gigantamax Alcremie will change to G-Max Finale, which will heal all Pokémon on Alcremie’s side while dealing damage to an opponent.

Duraludon
Category: Alloy Pokémon
Type: Steel/Dragon
Height: 5′11″
Weight: 88.2 lbs.
Ability: Light Metal / Heavy Metal

Duraludon live in caves and mountainous areas. Their two arms have slightly different shapes, and they use them to grind down rock surfaces for food. Its body is composed of incredibly durable metal but is also surprisingly light, so Duraludon can move quite quickly despite its appearance. Its body is susceptible to corrosion, however, and is known to rust easily. They share their habitat with Tyranitar, so these two Pokémon are often seen battling each other in the mountains of the Galar region.

Rolycoly
Category: Coal Pokémon
Type: Rock
Height: 1′
Weight: 26.5 lbs.
Ability: Steam Engine / Heatproof

Rolycoly’s red eye can illuminate dark areas, while it uses the lump of coal attached to its body like a wheel to move through coal mines and caves. It is able to travel smoothly even over rough terrain. Until about one hundred years ago, every household in the Galar region had a Rolycoly. The families would use the coal that dropped off its body for cooking and heating their homes. Rolycoly’s Ability, Steam Engine, is a new Ability that provides a Speed stat boost if it’s hit with a Fire- or Water-type move during battle.

Yamper
Category: Puppy Pokémon
Type: Electric
Height: 1′
Weight: 29.8 lbs.
Ability: Ball Fetch

Yamper tends to be drawn to things that are moving quickly. It can chase after people, Pokémon, or even vehicles. It has an organ in its body that generates electricity, and it’s activated when Yamper runs around. Yamper can’t store the electricity it generates, so it’s often seen running around with electric sparks crackling around it. Yamper’s Ability, Ball Fetch, is a new Ability that comes into play when the Trainer throws a Poké Ball at a wild Pokémon but fails to catch it. If Yamper isn’t holding an item, it will fetch the first Poké Ball that failed to catch the Pokémon, regardless of what type of Poké Ball it is.

As with previous Pokémon games each trainer will be aiming to become a Pokémon master by proving they have skills to take on and beat each Gym Leader and rack up all 8 gym badges throughout the Galar region. You’d also be expected to take on the Pokémon League and try and become the champion of the Galar region but no pressure. I’m not your dad, so if you don’t want to take on the Pokémon League then that’s totally up to you.

This leads me on to some of the people you’ll meet on your journey through the Galar region. There’s a few high profile people here so let’s get on and get you all introduced.

Leon
Leon is the strongest Trainer in the Galar region, and he won the Championship in his first-ever Gym Challenge—without being defeated in battle a single time. To this day, his winning streak continues to grow, and his formidable talent for Pokémon battles is unmatched. He’s aided in his countless victories by his partner Charizard, and he’s known to go all out during battles, no matter who he’s facing. His battle style has captured the hearts of the people of Galar.

Chairman Rose
Rose is the chairman of the Galar Pokémon League and the president of a large business conglomerate. He’s made the Galar Pokémon League famous by implementing Gym Battles featuring the Dynamax phenomenon. Chairman Rose was also the first to endorse Leon for the Gym Challenge.

Oleana
Oleana is Chairman Rose’s secretary and is known for her calm and collected personality. She also serves as the vice president of Rose’s company and is largely in charge of the day-to-day running of the company.

Bea
Bea is a prodigy in Galar karate, carrying on its century-old traditions and techniques. Known for her stoicism and rarely showing her emotions, Bea is also an expert on Fighting-type Pokémon. Her battle style remains very precise even when she’s backed into a corner.

Allister
Allister is a talented Trainer of Ghost-type Pokémon who has taken on the mantle of the Ghost-type Gym Leader at a young age. He’s extremely shy and fearful, and he always hides his face with a mask when around other people. Allister rarely makes public appearances and apparently spends most of his time around ruins or in cemeteries.

There’s a twist with these new iteration of Pokémon games in that certain towns will have certain trainers depending on which version you are playing. If you’re playing Pokémon Shield you’ll get to take on Allister whereas if you’re playing Pokémon Sword then you’ll be facing off against Bea.

Almost finally, for those that order the Dual Pack Steelbook Edition you’ll be treated to two codes (one for each game) that rewards you with  special item called a Dynamax Crystal. If you use these crystals in the Wild Area you will be able to face off against Dynamax Larvitar or Dynamax Jangmo-o in special Max Raid battles. Now Larvitar won’t appear normally in Pokémon Sword just like Jangmo-o won’t appear normally in Pokémon Shield but using these Dynamax Crystals will give you the chance to catch them

And finally, a trailer has been released showing the Gigantamax in action so after powering through such a long news post you get to relax and watch a nice Pokémon video for a few minutes. Enjoy!