The cloud of negativity hanging over the Pokémon community parted somewhat this week when The Pokémon Company released a trailer for the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield titles. They also updated their website with even more information. Here's everything you need to know.
NEW POKEMON
First, let's start with the new Pokémon.
ALCREMIE: Alcremie is a new Fairy-type Pokémon. This Pokémon is inspired by strawberries and cream. It has the Ability Sweet Veil.
Alcremie is very reminiscent of Kalos' Swirlix and Slurpuff. They are all dessert-inspired, Fairy-types, and have the Sweet Veil Abilities. It is unclear what, if any, relationship these Pokémon will have.
ROLYCOLY: Rolycoly is a new Rock-type Pokémon reminiscent of Roggenrola. It uses a wheel of coal to transport itself around, and was used as a power source in households long ago.
Rolycoly has two possible Abilities: Heatproof and Steam Engine. Steam Engine is a new Ability that raises the Pokémon's Speed stat drastically whenever it is hit by a Fire-type or Water-type attack.
DURALUDON: Duraludon is a Steel- and Dragon-type Pokémon. Its Ability is Light Metal or Heavy Metal. Duraludon will be able to learn a new high-powered Steel-type move that had a naming contest in CoroCoro magazine.
Duraludon is a rival Pokémon to Tyranitar. Some Trainers have theorized that it may be part of this generation's pseudo-Legendary evolutionary line, although that remains to be seen. Alternatively, it could just be a one-stage Dragon-type like we have gotten in Druddigon, Drampa, and Turtonator in the past few generations.
YAMPER: Yamper also had its official reveal during this trailer. Yamper was first seen in the playable Sword and Shield demo last month at E3, along with Impidimp (which has still yet to be shown off officially).
Yamper is an Electric-type dog Pokémon. It generates electricity, and makes a crackling sound as it runs. Yamper are drawn towards objects in motion.
UNNAMED POKÉMON: Finally, we have an unnamed Pokémon that was very briefly shown in the trailer. At the beginning, when Chairman Rose throws his Poké Ball just before the screen cuts to Alcremie, an unrevealed Pokémon is briefly seen. This Pokémon is pink in color and resembles an elephant.
ALCREMIE: Alcremie is a new Fairy-type Pokémon. This Pokémon is inspired by strawberries and cream. It has the Ability Sweet Veil.
Alcremie is very reminiscent of Kalos' Swirlix and Slurpuff. They are all dessert-inspired, Fairy-types, and have the Sweet Veil Abilities. It is unclear what, if any, relationship these Pokémon will have.
ROLYCOLY: Rolycoly is a new Rock-type Pokémon reminiscent of Roggenrola. It uses a wheel of coal to transport itself around, and was used as a power source in households long ago.
Rolycoly has two possible Abilities: Heatproof and Steam Engine. Steam Engine is a new Ability that raises the Pokémon's Speed stat drastically whenever it is hit by a Fire-type or Water-type attack.
DURALUDON: Duraludon is a Steel- and Dragon-type Pokémon. Its Ability is Light Metal or Heavy Metal. Duraludon will be able to learn a new high-powered Steel-type move that had a naming contest in CoroCoro magazine.
Duraludon is a rival Pokémon to Tyranitar. Some Trainers have theorized that it may be part of this generation's pseudo-Legendary evolutionary line, although that remains to be seen. Alternatively, it could just be a one-stage Dragon-type like we have gotten in Druddigon, Drampa, and Turtonator in the past few generations.
YAMPER: Yamper also had its official reveal during this trailer. Yamper was first seen in the playable Sword and Shield demo last month at E3, along with Impidimp (which has still yet to be shown off officially).
Yamper is an Electric-type dog Pokémon. It generates electricity, and makes a crackling sound as it runs. Yamper are drawn towards objects in motion.
UNNAMED POKÉMON: Finally, we have an unnamed Pokémon that was very briefly shown in the trailer. At the beginning, when Chairman Rose throws his Poké Ball just before the screen cuts to Alcremie, an unrevealed Pokémon is briefly seen. This Pokémon is pink in color and resembles an elephant.
NEW CHARACTERS
Moving on, we have four new important characters.
CHAIRMAN ROSE: Rose is the chairman of the Galar region's Pokémon League. He also is the president of a conglomerate. Many Trainers have said they predict that Chairman Rose will have some evil intentions.
OLEANA: Oleana is Chairman Rose's secretary and vice president.
BEA: Bea is one of two new Gym Leaders. She specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon. You will only fight Bea in Pokémon Sword.
ALLISTER: Allister is the other new Gym Leader. He fights with Ghost-type Pokémon, such as Mimikyu. You'll fight Allister in Pokémon Shield in place of Bea.
CHAIRMAN ROSE: Rose is the chairman of the Galar region's Pokémon League. He also is the president of a conglomerate. Many Trainers have said they predict that Chairman Rose will have some evil intentions.
OLEANA: Oleana is Chairman Rose's secretary and vice president.
BEA: Bea is one of two new Gym Leaders. She specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon. You will only fight Bea in Pokémon Sword.
ALLISTER: Allister is the other new Gym Leader. He fights with Ghost-type Pokémon, such as Mimikyu. You'll fight Allister in Pokémon Shield in place of Bea.
VERSION EXCLUSIVES
In addition to the version-exclusive Gym Leaders, we have the first look at the version-exclusive Pokémon. The Hydreigon and Kommo-o families will only be found in Pokémon Sword. And the Tyranitar and Goodra families will be exclusive to Pokémon Shield.
SWITCH LITE
On Wednesday, Nintendo unveiled the Nintendo Switch Lite. This cheaper, scaled down version of the Nintendo Switch is releasing later this year in a variety of styles. One such style is inspired by Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, with Legendary mascots Zacian and Zamazenta appearing on the backside.
GIGANTAMAXING
The big thing revealed in this new information release was Gigantamaxing. Giganatamaxing is an enhanced form of Dynamaxing. The powered-up Pokémon not only gets a power boost and massive increase in size, but also changes appearance.
G-MAX MOVES: When a Pokémon Gigantamaxes, some of their moves will transform into G-Max Moves. G-Max Moves are similar to Dynamaxed Pokémon's Max Moves, but unique to the Pokémon species that has Gigantamaxed. A Dynamaxed Pokémon will be unable to use these G-Max Moves.
OBTAINING G-MAX POKÉMON: Unlike Dynamaxing, Gigantamaxing will not be able to be done by every Pokémon. In fact, not every Pokémon of a G-Max species will be able to use the power. "Only rare specimens will be able to Gigantamax," The Pokémon Company says. Pokémon able to Gigantamax will be found in Max Raid Battles, adding an incentive for the feature.
KNOWN G-MAX SPECIES: So far, we know of three species able to Gigantamax: Drednaw, Corviknight, and Alcremie. Drednaw's signature G-Max Move is G-Max Stonesurge, which transforms from Water-type moves. It will deal damage to the opponent, plus set up Stealth Rocks.
Corviknight's signature G-Max Move is called G-Max Wind Rage. Transforming from Flying-type moves, G-Max Wind Rage will deal damage to an opponent. It will also remove the effects of terrain moves, entry hazards, Reflect, and Light Screen on the opponent's side.
Finally, Gigantamax Alcremie. It's signature G-Max Move is called G-Max Finale. Transforming from Fairy-type moves, it will deal damage to the opponent and "heal all Pokémon on Alcremie's side." It is unclear whether this refers to literally all the Pokémon on Alcremie's side or just the ones on the field.
G-MAX MOVES: When a Pokémon Gigantamaxes, some of their moves will transform into G-Max Moves. G-Max Moves are similar to Dynamaxed Pokémon's Max Moves, but unique to the Pokémon species that has Gigantamaxed. A Dynamaxed Pokémon will be unable to use these G-Max Moves.
OBTAINING G-MAX POKÉMON: Unlike Dynamaxing, Gigantamaxing will not be able to be done by every Pokémon. In fact, not every Pokémon of a G-Max species will be able to use the power. "Only rare specimens will be able to Gigantamax," The Pokémon Company says. Pokémon able to Gigantamax will be found in Max Raid Battles, adding an incentive for the feature.
KNOWN G-MAX SPECIES: So far, we know of three species able to Gigantamax: Drednaw, Corviknight, and Alcremie. Drednaw's signature G-Max Move is G-Max Stonesurge, which transforms from Water-type moves. It will deal damage to the opponent, plus set up Stealth Rocks.
Corviknight's signature G-Max Move is called G-Max Wind Rage. Transforming from Flying-type moves, G-Max Wind Rage will deal damage to an opponent. It will also remove the effects of terrain moves, entry hazards, Reflect, and Light Screen on the opponent's side.
Finally, Gigantamax Alcremie. It's signature G-Max Move is called G-Max Finale. Transforming from Fairy-type moves, it will deal damage to the opponent and "heal all Pokémon on Alcremie's side." It is unclear whether this refers to literally all the Pokémon on Alcremie's side or just the ones on the field.
Thanks for reading, Trainers!
SOURCE: The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, Serebii | HEADER IMAGE CREDIT: The Pokémon Company