It’s finally here! More information regarding GameFreak’s second expansion for Pokémon: Sword Version and Pokémon: Shield Version! Let’s see what’s in store for us!
Just now, over on the official Pokémon YouTube Channel, we got a ten minute video detailing all of new stuff coming in the new expansion, named The Crown Tundra, for Pokémon: Sword Version and Pokémon: Shield Version!
The Release Date
The Crown Tundra is set to release on October 23rd, 2020. Those who purchased an expansion pass for either Pokémon: Sword Version or Pokémon: Shield Version will be able to download and play it on the day of release at no extra cost, with others being able to purchase the expansion for the Nintendo eShop. Additionally, if you missed getting an Expansion Pass or either of these expansions, you will be able to purchase a bundle that will include both The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra along with a copy of either the base game of Pokémon: Sword Version or Pokémon: Shield Version starting November 6th, 2020.
Brand New Pokémon!
Along with those release dates comes some information regarding the content of The Crown Tundra. The first of these is some information regarding two new Pokémon: Galarian Slowking and Gigantamax Melmetal. Here’s what the official word is on those two new Pokémon:
Galarian Slowking
Category: Hexpert Pokémon
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 175.3 lbs.
Type: Poison/Psychic
Ability: Curious Medicine
A Shellder bite set off a reaction between the chemicals secreted by Galarian Slowpoke’s brain and the spices inside its body, causing Slowpoke to gain the Poison type as it evolved into Galarian Slowking. Galarian Slowking have been observed uttering incantations in order to communicate with each other and appear to chant mysterious spells when using moves in battle. Galarian Slowking’s Ability, Curious Medicine, is a new Ability introduced in The Crown Tundra.
We got a taste of the Galarian forms of the Slowpoke line with the tease of Galarian Slowpoke being added into the base game via an update right before the release of The Isle of Armor.
Gigantamax Melmetal
Height: 82’+
Weight: ????.? lbs.
Type: Steel
Ability: Iron Fist
While Gigantamaxed, the Mythical Pokémon Melmetal can use its flexible and elastic liquid-metal body to land punches even when opponents keep their distance. Steel-type attacks used by Gigantamax Melmetal will change to G-Max Meltdown, a powerful move that slams opponents with shock waves and swirling liquid metal. This move doesn’t only deal damage to opponents—it also prevents them from using the same move consecutively.
Melmetal was originally introduced in Pokémon GO, and it’s nice to see it get some more attention within The Crown Tundra expansion.
New Features!
One of the biggest new features is the addition of something called Dynamax Adventures!
This feature will have players teaming up with three other Pokémon Trainers to explore Pokémon Dens, and bring along rental Pokémon to take with them into the branching pathways of the Dens. These Dens are filled with wild Dynamax Pokémon, and each of these battles function similarly to the Max Raid Battles in the Wild Area. This means that you’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch Dynamax Pokémon! Additionally, if a trainer is successful in catching the Dynamax Pokémon, they can replace their current Pokémon with the new catch.
There are also Endless Dynamax Adventures, which effectively act as a gauntlet where you can keep fighting and catching Dynamax Pokémon until they lose a battle.
Legendary Pokémon and Special Event Pikachus!
By far, one of the best, and most convienent, additions in The Crown Tundra is the inclusion of every single legendary Pokémon from all of the mainline Pokémon video games! You’ll be able to get the Kanto Birds, Johto Dogs, Hoenn Golems & Elementals, and more!
Make sure you pack plenty of Ultra Balls!
Additionally, Pikachu is here with a special event! As a way to celebrate the launch of The Crown Tundra, you’ll be able to receive a total of eight different Pikachus through an in-game event! This event spans from today, September 29th, 2020 all the way to Friday, October 30th, 2020. You can find the special passwords to get these special Pikachus in most Pokémon media outlets like the Play Pokémon Twitter feed and the official Trainer Club e-mail newsletter!
One Last Thing!
One last quick bit of news that came from this announcement was that you will soon be able to connect your Pokémon GO account with your Pokémon HOME account. This is super convienent, and can even, potentially, help you flesh out your Pokédex!
Send-Off
That’s it for this article! I’m really excited about all the new stuff coming with The Crown Tundra! We don’t know 100% about everything that comes with the expansion, but that’s the fun of the annoucement. Happy catching!