The equivalent of Pokémon Sword and Shield Mega Evolutions has come in the form of Gigantamaxing battles, which make big Pokémon even bigger.
Dynamax battles seemed to be the Pokémon Sword and Shield Mega Evolutions equivalent, but still, there was something lacking in those battles in that they didn’t change the appearances of the battling Pokémon. Game Freak revealed that there will indeed be new forms of Pokémon in SW and SH, and that they will be via Gigantamaxing battles.
Gigantamaxing will basically take the hugeness of Dynamax battles and bring them up a notch. Not all Pokémon that Dynamax can Gigantamax, and those that can are hard to find. Watch the new forms and Pokémon revealed in today’s SW and SH trailer.
🚨 Galar Research Update 🚨
✅ Gigantamaxing
✅ New Pokémon
✅ Galar Pokémon League
✅ New Gym LeadersTime to learn more about #PokemonSwordShield!
⚔️🛡️ https://t.co/v3lqiYNYtK pic.twitter.com/rImNTcgMKt
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) July 8, 2019
The Nintendo Twitter account showcased the new ‘mons, along with how some will look in their Gigantamax forms.
Dynamaxing only occurs in specific areas of the Galar region, but there is also a special phenomenon known as Gigantamaxing! Only certain species of Pokémon can Gigantamax, and those that do will also change appearance! #PokemonSwordShieldhttps://t.co/qABt8Lzo7G pic.twitter.com/iwV8i0xSpd
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 8, 2019
New ‘Pokémon Sword’ and ‘Shield’ ‘mon reveals
New Pokémon revealed in the trailer include Fairy-type Alcremie, who has the ability to Gigantamax. Boy, does this ‘mon look tasty…
Gigantamax Alcremie has resistance to physical attacks due to the cream pouring out of its body, which hardens when subjected to impact. Fairy-type moves used by Gigantamax Alcremie will change to G-Max Finale, healing all Pokemon on its side while dealing damage to foes. pic.twitter.com/ULL6LMuzJt
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 8, 2019
A new Steel-Dragon Type Pokémon will join Dialga in the unique dual typing. Duraludon’s design is being compared to the design of Generation V Rock-Type Gigalith.
New to #PokemonSwordShield, Duraludon is a Steel/Dragon-type Pokémon. It lives in caves and mountainous areas and has a light but sturdy body of metal. It only weighs about 88 lbs.! They share their habitat with Tyranitar and are often seen battling each other in the mountains! pic.twitter.com/wgyLYhOIpS
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 8, 2019
Yamper will have a really handy ability that will allow the Electric-Type to retrieve any sort of ball that fails to catch a wild Pokémon.
New ‘Pokémon Sword’ and ‘Shield’ characters
New NPCs Chairman Rose and vice president Oleana look like they’re not only the leaders of the Elite Four business organization, but also the game’s unannounced evil team.
The business savvy Oleana is Rose’s secretary and vice president of his company. She runs the day-to-day of the company with her calm and collected personality. #PokemonSwordShield pic.twitter.com/7J8TGYReEI
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 8, 2019
The two games will have different Gym Leaders. Bea is the Fighting-Type Gym Leader exclusive to Sword, and Allister is the Ghost-Type Gym Leader exclusive to Shield.
Certain towns will feature different Gyms to challenge depending on which version of #PokemonSwordShield you’re playing. Face-off against the Fighting-type Gym Leader Bea in Pokémon Sword or test your skills against the Ghost-type Gym Leader Allister in Pokémon Shield! pic.twitter.com/lcameFVava
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 8, 2019
‘Pokémon Sword’ and ‘Shield’ release date
The Pokémon Sword and Shield release date will see a dual pack bundle. Players that buy this dual pack will be rewarded with Dynamax Crystals. Nintendo is also offering up some Quick Balls to trainers who buy a digital copy of either game before January 15, 2020.
Purchase the #PokemonSwordShield Double Pack and receive special items known as Dynamax Crystals! Use these items to face Dynamax Larvitar & Dynamax Jangmo-o in special Max Raid Battles. These Pokémon normally can’t be encountered until later in the game! pic.twitter.com/Z5cjnBa3de
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 8, 2019
Pokémon Sword and Shield will see a release date this November 15, 2019 for the Nintendo Switch.