How many Pokémon are in Sword and Shield with DLC?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a longtime Pokémon fan and content creator, I was thrilled to get my hands on the new Expansion Pass DLC for Sword and Shield. And after digging in, I can confirm there are now over 600 catchable Pokémon available, a huge jump up from the 400 in the base games!

In this article, I‘ll break down exactly which Pokémon were added, discuss some of the most interesting new legendary and regional variant additions, and analyze what this greatly expanded Pokédex means for the competitive scene, collectors, and future of the franchise.

Full Breakdown of New Pokémon Added

Between the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra expansions, over 200 legacy Pokémon were added that were previously absent from the Galar Pokédex. This includes fan favorites from Kanto to Alola, powerful competitive battlers, and of course, plenty of collectible legendaries.

Here‘s a full breakdown of how many and which Pokémon were added in each piece of DLC:

Isle of Armor Additions

The Isle of Armor brought back over 100 older Pokémon, including:

  • Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and other Kanto classics
  • Powerhouses like Scizor, Azumarill, and Porygon-Z
  • Legendaries Kubfu and Urshifu, along with rare max raid battles vs past legendaries
  • Gigantamax forms for the Galar starters and fully evolved Kanto starters

I was particularly excited to see some competitive beasts like Tyranitar and Excadrill return, as these staples open up much more diversity in ranked battles.

Crown Tundra Additions

Then the Crown Tundra added over 100 more previously absent species, such as:

  • Starters like Chikorita, Torchic, and Froakie
  • Fossils Anorith, Lileep, Cranidos, and Shieldon
  • Legendary titans Regirock, Regice, Registeel, and more
  • New regional forms for the Legendary Birds and Forces of Nature!

The Galarian versions of Zapdos, Moltres, and Articuno look incredible and seem very competitively viable with their secondary fighting, dark, and psychic typings. Between these new regional forms and returning legendaries, the Crown Tundra meta will be incredibly diverse!

Competitive & Collecting Impacts

With over 200 legacy Pokémon added through the Expansion Pass, there are now over 600 catchable monsters when including the over 400 present in the base Sword and Shield games.

As a competitive player, I think this is fantastic for the diversity of ranked battle teams and available strategies. With so many new and returning species to choose from, I expect to see much more variety in the 2023 VGC format!

For collectors, over 600 total catchable Pokémon is an exciting milestone in a main series game. And with dozens of legendaries and rare max raid battles featuring past mythicals like Mew and Jirachi, completionists have their work cut out for them filling the Galar Pokédex!

The amount of content in these DLC expansions makes Sword and Shield definitively the best games yet for competitive trainers and collectors alike. And I think this level of post-launch support bodes very well for the future of Scarlet & Violet!

Let me know which returning Pokémon you‘re most excited to catch or battle with from the Galar region updates! And as always, keep an eye on my channel for more insights on new Pokémon games.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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