The exclusive Pokémon in Sword and Shield

Since the first generation launched in the world with the Red and Blue game cartridges, Pokémon games have always been created by two. Even if each of the two games always has the same story, several elements are implemented to make each version unique, including the presence of exclusive Pokémon in the Pokédex. Released on November 15, 2019, Pokémon Sword and Shield is no exception to this rule and it also has many differences from one game to another.

Do you want to buy the new generation of Pokémon but you do not know which version to choose? You have just acquired the game and you want to understand which Pokémon will be exclusive to Sword and Shield in order to form a team consistent with your version to progress in your adventure? Do you want to know the different Pokémon of each version in order to complete your Pokédex by trading with other players?

In this guide, we will see together the list of Pokémon that you will only find in one or the other of the two versions. This will notably help you make your choice from the Pokémon Sword or Shield games if you have not yet purchased the game. 

For each of the two versions, we will detail the list of Pokémon exclusive to Sword and Shield. We will start each time by listing the Pokémon that existed from previous generations before seeing what will be the new Pokémon as well as the Galarian forms exclusive to Sword or Shield. Finally, we will also mention the few Dynamax transformations that you will only find in one or the other of the two games.

Exclusive Pokémon in the Sword version

Symbolized by the legendary Zacian, the Sword version is obviously the only one to have this Pokémon. However, it differs from its twin cartridge by many other differences in the possibilities of meeting wild Pokémon throughout your adventure. Let's see together which are the exclusive Pokémon in Pokémon Sword that make this game so unique and unique in your progress as a trainer.

1 - Ancient Pokémon specific to Pokémon Sword

The Galarianian Pokédex is made up of 400 Pokémon, of which nearly 80 new creatures have appeared in the 8th generation. This means that the Sword and Shield game has more than 300 Pokémon selected from the 800 already existing in previous generations.

It is interesting to note that the different Pokémon that make up this list come from relatively different regions and that real balancing has been achieved in order to offer players a varied gaming experience that does not imprison it in an old version which would be over-represented.

Here is the list of old Pokémon exclusive to the Sword version by region of origin:

• Hoenn:  Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shiftry, Mawile and Solrock
• Unova: Scraggy, Scrafty, Gothita, Gothorita, Gothitelle, Rufflet, Braviary, Sawk, Deino, Zweilous and Hydreigon
• Kalos: Swirlix and Slurpuff
• Alola: Passimian, Turtonator, Jangmo-o, Hakamo-o and Kommo-o

2 - The Galarianian Pokémon exclusive to the Sword version

The eighth generation of Pokémon does not just take back the old games to enhance its Pokédex. Indeed, the eighth generation was able to be particularly inventive in order to bring new content and thus surprise the fans. 

If you fall in love with the idea of playing the new Galarianian Farfetch’d and its evolution into the valiant knight Sirfetch’d, you will be well advised to order the Sword version on Nintendo Switch. This will also be accompanied by the Galarianian forms of a Darumaka more icy than ever and its Darmanitan evolution. Finally, Stonjourner is a new Pokémon created in the Galarianian region, just like the legendary Zacian, serving as an emblem for this game. 

The exclusive Pokémon in the Shield version

Just like its alter ego, you will find many exclusive Pokémon in Pokémon Shield. The first and best known of them is none other than the legendary Zamazenta, so recognizable with its natural shield-like armor. Creating a real universe unique to this version, the list of singular Pokémon will make your adventure unique and allow you to discover the game from a whole new angle than if you had the Sword version.

1 - The old Pokémon specific to the Shield version

Among the 400 creatures that are present in the Pokédex, more than 300 come from older generations of Pokémon. A real choice on the part of the developers, this decision allows you to immerse yourself in an open world to explore while relating on elements known from previous games that you will enjoy rediscovering in your new version. 

Even more than in the Sword version, we can see that Pokémon from ancient regions have a relatively wide geographic diversity. This offers a great diversity of play and allows you to immerse yourself more easily in a world that will make you nostalgic for the hours spent traveling the roads of Johto, Hoenn or Kalos to the Pokémon League.

Here is the list of old Pokémon exclusive to the Shield version by region of origin:

• Johto:  Larvitar, Pupitar and Tyranitar
• Hoenn:  Lileep, Lombre, Ludicolo, Sableye and Lunatone
• Sinnoh: Croagunk and Toxicroak
• Unova:  Solosis, Duosion, Reuniclus, Vullaby, Mandibuzz and Throh
• Kalou:  Spritzee, Aromatisse, Goomy, Sliggoo and Goodra
• Alola:  Oranguru and Drampa

2 - Galarian Pokémon exclusive to Pokémon Shield

Much more than recycling old Pokémon, the open world of Galar brings with it its share of unpublished Pokémon that were not present in previous generations. What to satisfy fans who want to expand their Pokédex and discover new horizons. 

Elected among the most awaited creatures of the new versions, Galarian Ponyta and its evolution Galarian Rapidash will only be accessible on the Shield version. Corsola will also adopt a form of Galarian and will be endowed with a new evolution: Cursola. Finally, Eiscue the little ice penguin and Zamazenta the legendary wolf can only be captured if you acquire the Pokémon Shield version.

Pokémon Sword or Shield: which one to choose?

You now know all the Pokémon exclusive to Pokémon Sword and Shield . The question now is: which version will you want the most based on the Pokémon that make it up? Will you opt for the cute Galarian Ponyta unicorn or will you prefer the Galarian Farfetch’d? It is up to you to listen to your heart to select the game whose creatures will make you want the most.

And if you have already bought your version, we sincerely hope that this guide will have allowed you to see more clearly on the Pokémon that you will be able to meet in order to complete your Pokédex and which you will have to obtain through exchanges with other players for that. Note that we have deliberately not addressed the Gigamax form exclusive to Pokémon Sword and Shield: we will develop this subject soon in a more specific way on our blog.

In the meantime, we wish you a lot of fun roaming the vast plains of Galar and immersing yourself fully in the Pokémon universe. If you liked this article, we invite you to take a look at our Store to find clothes and stuffed animals of your favorite characters. See you soon !

See also our article on tricks and nicknames to get the Eevee evolution you are looking for