No, You Cannot Get Froakie in Pokémon Sword and Shield

Despite Greninja‘s enduring popularity among fans, the Water-type ninja frog remains unavailable within Pokémon Sword and Shield‘s regional Pokédex. As of 2023, there is still no way to capture or import Froakie or its evolutions Frogadier and Greninja into these latest core roleplaying games on the Nintendo Switch.

Why Exclude Such a Fan Favorite?

Greninja‘s omission is likely not due to lack of fan demand. Alongside Lucario, the speedy frog ninja has consistently ranked among the most popular Pokémon in franchise polls and surveys. For instance, a 2020 Official Pokémon popularity poll in Japan saw Greninja place 3rd out of over 800 mons.

So what factors explain Froakie line‘s absence? As developers Game Freak have not provided official reasons, one can only speculate:

• Priority shifted towards highlighting newer Gen 7 and 8 species in Galar
• Resource constraints – animating new assets and programming additional behavior
• Tendency to package Kalos, Alola, Sinnoh starters together in trios

Indeed, the entire Kalos Pokédex seems underrepresented in Galar. Even Zygarde, Yveltal and fan favorite legendaries like Hawlucha failed to make the cut. With only 33 of those 72 species included, the odds were stacked against Froakie.

Some fans hoped the Expansion Pass DLCs might finally bring back Greninja. But alas, the ninja frog still remains locked out of Sword/Shield as of writing in 2024.

How Does Froakie Stack Up Competitively?

As a starter, Froakie boasts well-rounded stats that make it a versatile fighter and special attacker:

Key Attributes:

• Speed: 121 – Outpaces most foes to land first hits
• Sp. Attack: 103 – Decent power on water/ice moves
• HP: 63 – Fragile but offset by evasion

As Frogadier and Greninja, it learns Swift Swim to double speed in rain. And Protean morphs type to its last move, catching opponents off guard. With access to entry hazards, U-turn pivot, triple Axel, and a 123 base power Water Shuriken, one can see why players sought its return.

But in Sword and Shield, fans of the bubble frog are left disappointed.

Froakie‘s History: Kalos Starter to Ninja Master

As Pokemon X and Y ushered the franchise into 3D on Nintendo‘s new handheld, fans in 2013 were eager to discover brand new species for the Kalos region. Froakie immediately stood out among the three starter options with its bubbly frog motif and mischievous character:

Choose this agile amphibian, and you‘d soon discover Froakie‘s talent for throwing frubbles (bubbles blown from its back) to distract or damage faraway foes. In your travels, your faithful Froakie would acrobatically spring into combat, bombarding opponents with watery bubbles and strikes.

Upon evolving into Frogadier, its ninja mastery emerges – sharpened throwing stars replace frubbles while its Frogadier scarf allows graceful aerial movement. And as the mighty Greninja, it can summon giant Water Shurikens and watery doppelgangers via Mat Block clones, befitting its title as “Ninja Pokemon”.

In the years since that debut, Greninja gained fame as:

• Ash Ketchum‘s Froakie evolving into his powerhouse ace in the XY&Z anime seasons
• First fully playable Pokemon outside Pokken fighting games via Super Mystery Dungeon rescues
• One of few Pokemon to frequently receive alternate formes like Ash-Greninja and Battle Bond

So while overlooked for Galar, this battle frog has already left its mark through memorable game and anime appearances.

How To Acquire Froakie In Modern Games

As Sword and Shield do not support transferring the Froakie line into Galar or breeding it directly, fans have only a few options to acquire this popular species:

1. Transfer from Past Games via Pokémon Bank and Home

Transfer any Froakie or its evolution from 3DS games into Bank, shuffle into Pokémon Home, then trade into your game via Friend Trade or GTS:

• Froakie source games: Pokémon X, Pokémon Y
• Other: Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, Pokémon Battle Trozei

2. Trading Froakie from Friend or Fellow Player

If lacking your own in older games, find a friend or online trade partner in Discord/Reddit/forums willing to send you their spare. With Greninja only obtainable post-story after the Elite 4 in X/Y, you likely won‘t see level 1 Froakies offered. But Lv. 30-50 is reasonable.

3. Breeding in Pokémon HOME

When transferred into Pokémon HOME, any Greninja can breed with Ditto to eventually produce Froakie Offspring. Just shuffle any viable pair to titled games like Scarlet/Violet.

So while extra effort is required, fans still have avenues to reunite with this elusive frog…even in regions where it surprisingly remains absent.

Will Greninja Return to the Core Series?

With its enduring popularity yet continued absence even after DLC expansions, the Froakie line seems a prime candidate for a future return:

• Gen 9 in 2024 or beyond seems probable. Recent remakes like BDSP added previously missing Pokémon.
• DLC for SV could feasibly include more Kalos species…if fans speak up.
• Further Expansion Pass content for SWSH also possible but uncertain.

But only time will tell whether Game Freak opts to rectify one of its most puzzling recent exclusions. Until then, fans of this bubble-blowing battler must treasure their Greninjas acquired via older 3DS titles and Pokémon Home.

The Fan Appeal – Bring Back the Ninja Frog!

Between message boards and fan polls, players have continued to voice frustration over the baffling absence of such a starter staple:

"Greninja placed highly AGAIN in the recent popularity poll. What‘s it going to take to bring back this fan favorite starter?!" – PokémonSwordShield reddit

"Can you believe a top 5 most popular Pokémon among Japanese fans is STILL not catchable in any main Switch game?" – @PokeFacts2020 tweet

Judging by the outcry online, Froakie‘s return would be a welcome update. But only time will tell whether Pokémon Company listens. Until then, fans of this Kalosian ninja frog will have to admire their battle bonds from Pokémon past.