The Isle of Armor is now live for all to play and brings a new location added to the Galor region for the Pokemon Sword and Shield games and it arrives on the 17th June!
The franchise is introducing an Expansion Pass that will flesh out the Galar region, with The Crown Tundra expected later this year.
For those who won't be playing at launch, Pokemon have arranged a special livestream to detail what's new in the Isle of Armor.
Recent data mines have given us a host of new information about what is coming in our sunny Generation 8 adventure including moves, abilities and items!
After an official trailer released at the start of the month, Pokemon fans are eager to jump into the Isle of Armor and explore a whole new area and experience a fresh story.
Many would argue that the Sword and Shield's main game was a short but sweet tale that the expansion can help fulfil the empty feeling its ending left.
The Isle of Armor will bring a new adventure, new Pokemon for your Pokedex, and new costumes.
Be sure to bookmark this page and check back regularly for the latest information.
WATCH NOW: POKEMON SWORD AND SHIELD VIDEO GUIDES
You can find information about the following things here:
- Latest News
- What Is The Isle Of Armor
- Map
- Release Date
- Guides
- Platforms
- Trailer And Gameplay
- New Features
- New Pokemon/Pokedex
- New Legendaries - Zarude Coming?
- Gigantamax Starter Pokemon
- Mega Evolution
- Rivals
- Costumes
- Price
- Isle of Armor vs The Crown Tundra
- Pokemon Home
Latest News
Purchasing The Wrong Expansion Pass - 18th June
If you weren't already aware, there are two expansion passes available - one for each game.
It's important that you buy the correct expansion pass for your game, whether you own Sword or Shield.
If you have made this mistake, here's how to fix it.
Isle of Armor Is Live! - 17th June
The expansion pass is now LIVE for everyone to play!
Pokemon Presents - 16th June
A range of new games were announced today including Pokemon Sleep, Pokemon Cafe Mix, New Pokemon Snap and many updated to Pokemon GO.
Level Scaling - 15th June
Isle of Armor will feature level scaling, which means no matter what level you are you won't need to worry about the level of your opponents.
Nintendo product marketing specialist Demetrius Boggs confirmed that Pokemon in the Wild Area and those belonging to trainers will scale alongside yours - they can scale up to level 100!
Ash Ketchum's Hat Available In Sword And Shield! - 15th June
Ash Ketchum's hat will be available in the Isle of Armor DLC - here's how to get it!
Evolution Guide - 14th June
Be ready for a whole host of new Pokemon in the Isle of Armor DLC. New Pokemon means new ways to evolve!
Here's our evolution guide.
New Isle Of Armor And The Crown Tundra Expansion Trailer - 2nd June
The new trailer shows off plenty of new gameplay and confirms the launch date for the 17th June.
You can check out new artwork here.
Isle Of Armor Details Coming TOMORROW! - 1st June
New Isle of Armor details are coming tomorrow 2nd June.
The Official Japanese Pokemon Twitter account confirmed that the new details will be shown at 6am PT/9am ET/2pm BST regarding the Sword and Shield expansion pass.
New Items And Abilities Coming To Isle Of Armor - 28th May
Another Pokemon Home data mine has revealed that new items and abilities are arriving in the Isle of Armor expansion.
The new items are:
- Max Honey
- Max Mushrooms
- Galarica Twig
- Galarica Cuff
- Style Card
- Armor Pass
- Exp. Charm
- Armorite Ore
- Mark Charm
The new abilities are:
- Quick Draw
- Unseen Fist
New Moves Coming To Isle Of Armor - 23rd May
21 new moves have been discovered in a recent data mine of Pokemon Home.
These moves are expected to arrive with the Isle of Armor update as we receive brand new Pokemon.
The new moves are:
- Expanding Force
- Steel Roller
- Scale Shot
- Meteor Beam
- Shell Side Arm
- Misty Explosion
- Grassy Glide
- Rising Voltage
- Terrain Pulse
- Skitter Smack
- Burning Jealousy
- Lash Out
- Poltergeist
- Corrosive Gas
- Coaching
- Flip Turn
- Triple Axel
- Dual Wingbeat
- Scorching Sands
- Jungle Healing
- Wicked Blow
- Surging Strikes
Nintendo Direct Mini Reveals More Footage For Isle Of Armor - 26th March
To wrap up the Nintendo Direct mini, more footage of the new game was revealed about the Isle of Armor.
It gave some more information about the legendary Pokemon, new costumes, a pre-order bonus AND a small update on the release date.
The Pokemon Sword and Shield information starts at 25.30!
What Is The Isle Of Armor?
Isle of Armor is the first DLC from the Pokemon Sword and Shield expansion. The Isle of Armor appears to revolve around the theme of 'Growth'.
Set on an island, located to the east of the Galar region shores, players will be able to pick up from where their adventure left off in the main game.
Complete with new Pokemon, characters and costumes, the Isle of Armor is full of beautiful nature.
It also features a Dojo for Pokemon battles, where you'll take up an apprenticeship under the person that runs it - his name being Mustard. Mustard is your new mentor and the former mentor of champion Leon.
The expansion will feature open and seamless gameplay, much like the wild area, allowing players to roam around freely and control the camera; Max raid battles will also return.
The Isle of Armor is inspired by the Isle of Man.
Map
The Isle of Armor is set off the shore of the main Galar region.
So far a few landmarks stick out such as:
- The Dojo - located towards the south of the map.
- Wild Area - stretches down the coasts of the island
- Towers of Two Fists - The red one is the tower of darkness, which is located to the north and the blue one is the tower of water, which is located to the west.
- Cave - The cave can be found at the very north of the Island.
When Is The Isle Of Armor Release Date?
Pokemon Sword and Shield's expansion pass will launch on the 17th June 2020.
The expansion pass will launch with The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra will arrive later in Autumn 2020.
Read More: The Isle of Armor: Release Date And Expansion Pass Information For Pokemon Sword And Shield
Guides
Be sure to check out our Isle of Armor related tips, tutorials and guides:
- Isle of Armor Pre-Release Tips and Tricks
- Best New Pokemon In Isle Of Armor
- Worst New Pokemon In Isle Of Armor
- Isle of Armor Team Builder
- High Encounter Rate Pokemon In Isle Of Armor
- How To Evolve Magneton into Magnezone
- How To Evolve Chansey Into Blissey
- How To Evolve Nidorino Into Nidoking And Nidoqueen
- How To Evolve Marill Into Azumarill
- How To Evolve Tangela Into Tangrowth
- How To Evolve Scyther into Scizor
- How To Evolve Magmar Into Magmortar
- How To Evolve Staryu Into Starmie
- How To Evolve Snom Into Frosmoth
- How To Evolve Poliwhirl Into Poliwrath And Politoed
- How To Evolve Golbat into Crobat
- How To Evolve Amaura Into Aurorus
- How To Evolve Electabuzz into Electivire
- How To Change Your Pokemon's Nature
- How To Get Dynamax Soup
Platforms
The game is only available on the Nintendo Switch, through the Nintendo eShop.
Trailer & Gameplay
The trailer and gameplay were shown in the most recent Pokemon Direct on the Nintendo YouTube channel.
You can check out the full Pokemon Direct here:
New Features
New features in the game include:
- New costumes
- New Pokemon and legendaries
- A new area to explore
- New Gigantamax forms
There are also plenty of new features that we want to see such as a new evil team, improved Raid battles and a bigger challenge.
You can read about the new changes we want to see here.
New Pokemon
Within the Pokemon Expansions, there will be new Pokemon.
The expansion pass will bring different Pokemon to each version of the game and has brought forward 200+ well-known Pokemon from past entries.
While we can confirm at least 80 Pokemon, there is plenty still to be announced - although many have been released into the game already.
check out the Pokemon we would like to see return here.
Read More: Pokemon Sword and Shield: Isle of Armor And The Crown Tundra Returning Pokemon We Want To See!
Here is the list of confirmed new Pokemon, based on the Pokemon Direct and the recent trailer:
- Galarian Slowpoke
- Galarian Slowbro
- Galarian Slowking
- Larvesta
- Volcarona
- Horsea
- Seadra
- Kingdra
- Dedenne
- Rockruff
- Lycanroc (Day, Night and Dusk form)
- Bulbasaur
- Ivysaur
- Venusaur (Gigantamax)
- Squirtle
- Wartortle
- Blastoise (Gigantamax)
- Magnemite
- Magneton
- Magnezone
- Happiny
- Chansey
- Blissey
- Regice
- Regirock
- Registeel
- New Electric Regi Pokemon (Unconfirmed)
- New Dragon Regi Pokemon (Unconfirmed)
- Galarian Slowpoke
- Galarian Slowbro
- Galarian Slowking
- Amaura
- Auroras
- Nidoran (Male)
- Nidorino
- Nidoking
- Spheal
- Sealeo
- Walrein
- Gible
- Gabite
- Garchomp
- Zubat
- Golbat
- Crobat
- Elekid
- Electabuzz
- Azurill
- Marill
- Azumarill
- Beldum
- Metang
- Metagross
- Zorua
- Zoroark
- Cryogonal
- Fletchling
- Fletchinder
- Talonflame
- Absol
- Shinx
- Luxio
- Luxray
- Tauros
- Scyther
- Whismur
- Loudred
- Exploud
- Druddigon
- Sandile
- Krokorok
- Krookodile
- Rufflet
- Braviary
- Tangela
- Tangrowth
- Oranguru
- Exeggcute
- Exeggutor
- Poliwag
- Poliwhirl
- Poliwrath
- Politoed
- Wailmer
- Wailord
- Kangaskhan
- Bouffalant
- Emolga
- Mienshao
- Dragalge
- Staryu
- Starmie
- Wingull
- Pelipper
- Scraggy
- Scrafty
- Frosmoth
- Relicanth
- Swablu
- Altaria
- Magby
- Magmar
- Magmortar
- Sandshrew
- Sandslash
- Igglybuff
- Jigglypuff
- Wigglytuff
- Psyduck
- Golduck
- Abra
- Kadabra
- Alakazam
- Tentacool
- Tentacruel
- Cubone
- Marowak
- Lickitung
- Lickilicky
- Heracross
- Skarmory
- Porygon
- Porygon2
- Porygon-Z
- Carvanha
- Buneary
- Lopunny
- Happiny
- Foongus
- Amoonguss
- Mienfoo
- Clauncher
- Clawitzer
- Klefki
- Fomantis
- Lurantis
- Comfey
- Sandygast
- Palossand
- Magearna
- Pinsir
New Legendaries
The new Pokemon Sword and Shield expansions will feature the following new legendary Pokemon:
Isle of Armor
- Kubfu
- Urshifu
The Crown Tundra
- Galarian Articuno
- Galarian Moltres
- Galarian Zapdos
- Calyrex
- Mewtwo
- Lugia
- Ho-oh
- Entei
- Suicune
- Raikou
- Groudon
- Kyogre
- Rayquaza
- Uxie
- Mesprit
- Azelf
- Dialga
- Palkia
- Tornadus
- Thundurus
- Landorus
- Zekrom
- Reshiram
- Xerneas
- Yveltal
- Zygarde
- Tapu Koko
- Tapu Lele
- Tapu Bulu
- Tapu Fini
- Solgaleo
- Lunala
- Latias
- Latios
- Cresselia
- Lillipup
- Herdier
- Stoutland
- Venipede
- Whirlipede
- Scolipede
- Petilil
- Lilligant
Most legendary Pokemon that are available in The Crown Tundra will be obtained through co-op play.
Kubfu/Urshifu
In the Isle of Armor, your new mentor Mustard will intrust Kubfu to you. Kubfu is a fighting type Pokemon that evolves into Urshifu.
Once you have Kubfu, you will take on the Towers of Two Fists. You will enter either the Tower of Darkness or the Tower of Water (you may only choose one).
Kubfu must face this challenge alone and once it has conquered one, it will evolve into Urshifu.
Urshifu has two distinct styles and will learn one depending on which tower you take on:
- Single-strike style (Tower of Darkness) - a Fighting and Dark-type style that delivers a single strike at lightning speed
- Rapid-strike style (Tower of Water) - a Fighting and Water-type style that focuses on unleashing a torrent of rapid strikes.
He also has a Giganatamax form with a brand new ability and a new move for each of its two styles.
Zarude
Zarude is a genderless rogue monkey Pokemon - a Dark/Grass Pokemon.
Zarude is set to feature in the 23rd Pokemon movie and its currently unknown when or how it will feature in the games; could it appear in the expansion pass?
You can read all about Zarude here.
Starter Pokemon Gigantamax
Your starter Pokemon will gain a Gigantamax form as reward for their adventure on the Isle of Armor.
All three will have powerful and unique moves:
- Rillaboom - G-Max Drum Solo
- Cinderace - G-Max Fireball
- Inteleon - G-Max Hydrosnipe
Mega Evolution
Despite Game Freak deciding not to include Mega Evolutions, instead opting to have Dynamaxing, it seems some items have eluded to a potential return in the Expansion Passes.
Here's what data miners found:
- Blue Orb and Red Orb – help Groudon and Kyogre to undergo Primal Reversion
- All Mega Stones – this could point to the return of Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Sword and Shield
New Rivals
If you have Pokemon Sword your new rival will be Klara, who is a poison type user.
If you have Pokemon Shield your new rival will be Averym, who is a psychic type user.
New Costumes
New costumes will be arriving in Pokemon Sword and Shield's expansion pass.
There are now 100+ new ways to customize your look with clothing items and hairstyles added via the two expansions.
Price
The price for the expansion pass will be $29.99 and is available for pre-purchase.
The Expansion pass will cost £26.99 in the UK.
It is unknown whether you can purchase the two expansions separately.
Sword And Shield Updates
Pokemon Sword and Shield has also introduced a few new updates to the base game.
Rillaboom, Cinderace and Inteleon will receive brand new Gigantamax forms that can be used in new locations.
Sword and Shield also plan to introduce three new features:
- Tutor Moves - including all new moves
- Apricorns - can be made into Poke Balls
- Exp Charm - Earn more Exp. Points for your team
New costumes, accessories and looks will also be available for your bike.
Even if you don't have the expansion pass, you'll be able to get the new Pokemon only obtained through the expansion pass via Link Trades.
You will have an increased chance of running into Gigantamax:
- Coalossol (Sword)
- Lapras (Shield)
- Flapple (Sword)
- Appletun (Shield)
A software update that goes live today will go live today.
When you receive it head to Wedgehurst station where you will be Klara (Sword) or Avery (Shield). You'll then be able to encounter a Galarian Slowpoke, which you can catch.
You can then evolve with a specific item. It will evolve into Galarian Slowbro on the Isle of Armor and Galarian Slowking in The Crown Tundra.
Players can also now access the Nintendo eShop from the in-game menu. When you purchase the expansion pass you will gain access to a Pikachu and Eevee costume.
Isle of Armor VS The Crown Tundra
The new Sword and Shield expansion will bring so many new features. While the expansion is separated into two separate stories, they will share a lot of similarities and differences.
But which one will be better? We analysed the pros and cons for each expansion here.
Pokemon Home
Pokemon Home is now live and players can happily transfer their Pokemon from the app to their Sword and Shield game.
It's a great opportunity to prepare your team for the new expansion, as older Pokemon (not previously included in the game) will now be available.
We've also received information on new moves, abilities and items thanks to dataminers!
You can read more about Pokemon Home here.