Galarian Slowpoke – The Rare Pokémon Find at Wedgehurst Station

The rare Pokémon that can be caught at Wedgehurst Station in Pokémon Sword and Shield is Galarian Slowpoke, a regional variant of the iconic Water/Psychic-type. This unique new version of Slowpoke arrived as part of a surprise game update in January 2020, thrilling players with the first chance to add this rare find to their collections.

Background on the Appearance of Galarian Slowpoke

According to official statements from developer Game Freak, the Galarian Slowpoke that players can encounter at Wedgehurst wandered there all the way from the Isle of Armor, the setting for the Sword and Shield Expansion Pass DLC content.

Presumably, this provides some canonical link between the Galarian form of Slowpoke and its connections to the Isle of Armor area. As one of the earliest opportunities to catch this new variant in the games, it creates a special opportunity for enterprising trainers.

Chance of Encountering Galarian Slowpoke at Wedgehurst

The exact odds of running into Galarian Slowpoke at Wedgehurst Station are uncertain. However, it spawns 100% of the time after downloading the January 9, 2020 surprise update for Pokémon Sword and Shield and entering that location.

This means that players wanting to add this unique new Pokémon to their party are guaranteed an opportunity to catch it by heading there after installing the update.

Level and Moveset

The Galarian Slowpoke that wanders into Wedgehurst Station is level 12 and knows the following moves:

  • Growl
  • Acid
  • Yawn
  • Confusion

With a modest but well-rounded moveset, it provides reasonable capability for players that add it into their party. Of course, as is standard for regional variants, it does not count as a new Pokédex entry — just a unique form of an existing species.

The Tricky Encounter‘s Shiny Status

One key question around this iconic special encounter is whether or not the Galarian Slowpoke that appears can be shiny.

Unfortunately, current information suggests the Wedgehurst station Slowpoke is indeed shiny locked, meaning its shiny status cannot be influenced or reset for. The exact technical reasons behind locking the shininess for certain special encounters remains unclear. However, it prevents players from repeatedly resetting to get an especially rare shiny version of this Pokémon here.

That said, Galarian Slowpoke that players breed in Pokémon Nurseries after catching this one can result in shiny offspring. So while Wedgehurst itself does not offer shiny hunting chances, catching this Slowpoke provides future opportunities to try for this desirable form.

Wedgehurst Galarian Slowpoke‘s Significance and Rarity

As the first easily accessible way to catch Galarian Slowpoke in Pokémon Sword and Shield, the Wedgehurst Station encounter holds special significance. It also provided an exciting surprise for players through the January 2020 update that introduced it.

Currently, outside specific Max Raid battles featuring it, this Wedgehurst appearance remains the only way to catch a Galarian Slowpoke without needing to trade for one or progress significantly farther in the games.

For these reasons, Wedgehurst Station Galarian Slowpoke stands out as an exciting and rare find for Sword/Shield players. Catching it offers a way to add an iconic regional variant to one‘s party and collection very early in the game.

Potential Competitive Utility

In addition to its rarity and novelty value, Galarian Slowpoke also brings some interesting utility for competitive players.

When it evolves into Galarian Slowbro, it gains access to a unique Poison/Psychic typing and the potent new move Shell Side Arm. In fact, early analyses already rates Galarian Slowbro as a strong pick for Trick Room teams and solid overwall tank in the current Sword/Shield metagame.

Between these competitive prospects and its hard-to-find status, determined players should make grabbing the Wedgehurst Slowpoke a top priority.

Techniques For Catching the Wedgehurst Slowpoke

Here are some key tips for players wanting to successfully capture their own Galarian Slowpoke at Wedgehurst Station:

  • Download the January 2020 surprise update to enable the encounter
  • Stock up on Ultra Balls and status condition moves to ease the catch
  • Bring a Pokémon with False Swipe to get it to low HP
  • Consider using Sleep or Paralysis to minimize its chances of escaping
  • A Quick Ball provides an alternate option on the first turn

While not enormously difficult with preparation, this unexpected wandering monster still warrants proper planning to successfully add to your roster!

The Wedgehurst Station appearance of Galarian Slowpoke provided an exciting piece of new content for Pokémon Sword/Shield through the January 2020 update. As the first widely accessible way to catch this unique regional form in the Galar games, it holds special rarity and significance as an event encounter.

Between shiny locking frustrations and its competitive potential, this unexpected monster makes for a top priority capture for trainers passing through Wedgehurst early in their adventures. For fans of unusual variants and surprise updates, this quirky wandering Psychic-type becomes an unmissable catch.

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