The Pokemon Company has shared a new video trailer for Pokemon Sword and Shield, featuring a new mechanic called Gigantamaxing, three new Pokemon and more details about version exclusive differences between the two games.
Gigantamaxing
Gigantamaxing is a new mechanic that allows special members of certain Galar region Pokemon species to change in size and appearance, unlocking new unique G-Max moves and increasing in power. Unlike Dynamaxing, only rare specimens of select species have the ability to Gigantamax, making Gigantamax form hunting a likely new form of end game and competitive progression.
Three Pokemon families have been confirmed to have the ability to Gigantamax:
- Drednaw
- Corviknight
- Alcremie (new Pokemon!)
The details on which Pokemon features allow Gigantamaxing are unknown at the moment.
New Galar region Pokemon
Three new Pokemon were introduced in the new Sword and Shield trailer:
Duraludon is a Steel and Dragon Pokemon with the Light Metal and Heavy Metal abilities (introduced in Generation V). Duraludon’s body is made of incredibly durable but also surprisingly light metal and it only weighs about 88 lbs. Duraludon shares their habitat with Tyranitar, and these Pokemon are often seen battling each other in the mountains of the Galar region.
Rolycoly is a Rock Type Pokemon with the new Steam Engine ability. It also has Heatproof. Steam Engine is a new ability introduced in Sword and Shield, and it makes the Pokemon with this ability to get a Speed stat boost if it is hit with a Fire or Water type move during battle. Rolycoly looks like an animated rock and it was historically used in every household in the Galar region: the families would use the coal that dropped off its body for cooking and heating their homes.
Alcremie is a new Fairy type Pokemon that resembles a strawberry flavored ice cream. Alcremie’s has the Sweet Veil ability which prevents this Pokemon and its allies from falling asleep. Alcremie can produce whipped cream, which is then used to make pastries and desserts all across the Galar region. Rare members of the Alcremie family have the ability to Gigantamax.
Sword and Shield version exclusives
There are several differences between Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, and one such difference is the species of Pokémon that appear:
| Pokemon Sword | Pokemon Shield |
|---|---|
Deino
|
Larvitar
|
Jangmo-o
|
Goomy
|
Additionally, each version of the game has different Gym Leaders in certain towns:
| Pokemon Sword | Pokemon Shield |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Bea, a Fighting type specialist guards this gym. | Allister, a Ghost type specialist guards this gym. |
 |
 |
Pokemon Sword and Shield double pack
As a special bonus for purchasing the double pack, players will recieve two codes (one per game) that will reward you with special items known as Dynamax Crystals. By using the Dynamax Crystals received via the codes, you’ll be able to face Dynamax Larvitar and Dynamax Jangmo-o in special Max Raid Battles. These Pokémon normally can’t be encountered until later in the game!
Larvitar won’t appear in Pokémon Sword and Jangmo-o won’t appear in Pokémon Shield during normal gameplay, but you’ll be able to catch them in either version by using these Dynamax Crystals.
