New Pokémon Sword / Shield details

Today, new details have been revealed about the Max Raids and Wild Area, the new features of the long-awaited Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. A new Gym Leader has also been revealed and the compatibility of these games with Poké Ball Plus. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, the new installments in the main Pokémon RPG series, will go on sale on November 15, 2019 exclusively for Nintendo Switch ™.

Pokémon in the Wild Area

In Galar there is a huge esplanade known as the Wild Area inhabited by a wide variety of Pokémon. When exploring it for the first time, Trainers will encounter very powerful wild Pokémon that are on constant alert. The Pokémon that will appear and the conditions of the battlefield in this place will be conditioned by the weather. For example, if a Trainer is involved in combat during a storm, he will see the strength of the Water or Electric type moves increase.

Max Raids

In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, players can join forces with three more Trainers in the Wild Area to take on a wild Maxi-Pokémon in Max Raids. To find other players to participate in them, they can use the Y Connection, a new feature of these games. Through Connection Y, it will also be possible to exchange Pokémon and participate in online battles through the internet or local connection.

The Dynamax phenomenon, which only occurs in the Galar region, gives Pokémon a gigantic appearance and tremendous power. Trainers will encounter different species of Maxi-Pokémon of varying strength when exploring the Pokémon nests that are scattered throughout the Wilderness Area. In combat, wild Maxi-Pokémon can use multiple moves in a single turn, neutralize the abilities of their rivals, or even eliminate changes in characteristics. In addition, they can create mysterious barriers that protect them against almost any type of damage. In order to truly damage a Pokémon protected by one of these barriers, Trainers will have to repeatedly attack it until it knocks it down. If the Pokémon of one of the participating Trainers weakens, you can encourage the others to help them. If a Trainer is victorious in the Max Raid, all participating Trainers will have a chance to catch the defeated Maxi-Pokémon and receive useful items as a reward.

Cathy, a Water-type Gym Leader

Pokémon Gyms are found within stadiums throughout Galar and attract Trainers who specialize in certain types. To become Champions, players will have to defeat the strongest Trainer in each Pokémon Gym: the Gym Leader. Cathy is an expert Gym Leader in Water-type Pokémon that Trainers will face in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. Her serene demeanor hides a competitive spirit and indomitable will that she displays when dominating her opponents with her powerful Water-type moves.

Poké Ball Plus compatibility

By syncing the Poké Ball Plus with Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield, Trainers can transfer their favorite Pokémon and take it for a walk in the real world. The Poké Ball Plus will light up and vibrate, and sometimes you can even hear the cry of the Pokémon inside! The new Poké Ball Plus will contain Mew, the Unique Pokémon. If players link a new Poké Ball Plus to Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield, they will be able to receive Mew in the game. Unlike Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee !, the Poké Ball Plus cannot be used as a controller in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield.