{"id":107033,"date":"2020-01-09T16:50:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-09T16:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon"},"modified":"2020-01-09T16:50:00","modified_gmt":"2020-01-09T16:50:00","slug":"guide-pokemon-sword-and-shield-expansion-passes-all-you-need-to-know-including-new-pokemon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2020\/01\/09\/guide-pokemon-sword-and-shield-expansion-passes-all-you-need-to-know-including-new-pokemon\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide: Pok\u00e9mon Sword And Shield Expansion Passes &#8211; All You Need To Know, Including New Pok\u00e9mon"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"media_block\"><a href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/8ce17d63d645d\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/8ce17d63d645d\/small.jpg\" class=\"media_thumbnail\"><\/a><\/div>\n<figure class=\"picture strip\"><a title=\"Expansion\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/8ce17d63d645d\/expansion.original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/8ce17d63d645d\/expansion.900x.jpg\" alt=\"Expansion\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/pokemon_sword_and_shield_is_getting_an_expansion_pass_and_it_looks_mighty\">announcement of Expansion Passes<\/a> for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/games\/nintendo-switch\/pokemon_sword_and_shield\">Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield<\/a> has come with news that the DLC content for Game Freak&#8217;s latest entry in the mainline Pok\u00e9mon series will also bring new features to the game. The two parts of the Expansion Pass feature a brand-new area each &#8211; The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra &#8211; and both will bring with them new items, features and most importantly new (and old!) Pok\u00e9mon, too.<\/p>\n<p>Below we&#8217;ve collected all the information concerning the new features coming in the Expansion Passes, as well as general information. Read on to find the answers you&#8217;re after:<\/p>\n<nav role=\"navigation\" class=\"table-of-contents\">\n<h2>On this page:<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon#the-pokemon-direct-presentation-9th-january-2020\">The Pok\u00e9mon Direct Presentation 9th January 2020<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon#what-are-the-new-areas-from-the-pokemon-sword-and-shield-expansion-pass\">What are the new areas from the Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon#are-there-any-brand-spanking-new-pokemon-coming-with-the-expansions\">Are there any brand-spanking new Pok\u00e9mon coming with the Expansions?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon#are-there-any-new-returning-pokemon-from-previous-generations\">Are there any new returning Pok\u00e9mon from previous generations?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon#are-there-any-version-exclusive-pokemon-or-characters-in-the-expansions\">Are there any version-exclusive Pok\u00e9mon or characters in the Expansions?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon#what-new-features-are-included-in-the-pokemon-sword-and-shield-expansion-passes\">What new features are included in the Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield Expansion Passes?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon#do-i-need-to-buy-the-expansion-pass-to-access-the-max-raid-battles-in-the-new-areas\">Do I need to buy the Expansion Pass to access the Max Raid Battles in the new areas?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon#do-i-need-to-buy-the-expansion-pass-to-access-the-200plus-returning-pokemon-from-past-generations\">Do I need to buy the Expansion Pass to access the 200+ returning Pok\u00e9mon from past generations?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon#will-there-be-an-ultra-version-of-pokemon-sword-and-shield\">Will there be an &#8216;Ultra&#8217; version of Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon#when-is-the-pokemon-sword-and-shield-expansion-pass-launching\">When is the Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass launching?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/guide_pokemon_sword_and_shield_expansion_passes_-_all_you_need_to_know_including_new_pokemon#how-much-does-the-pokemon-sword-and-shield-expansion-pass-cost\">How much does the Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass cost?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h2 id=\"the-pokemon-direct-presentation-9th-january-2020\">The Pok\u00e9mon Direct Presentation 9th January 2020<\/h2>\n<aside class=\"object object-youtube\">\n<div class=\"youtube\">[youtube https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=o5afasEAiN0?rel=0&amp;hd=1&amp;showinfo=0&amp;modestbranding=0&amp;autohide=1&#038;w=900&#038;h=507]<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"what-are-the-new-areas-from-the-pokemon-sword-and-shield-expansion-pass\">What are the new areas from the Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass?<\/h2>\n<p>Here&#8217;s Nintendo&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/swordshield.pokemon.com\/en-gb\/expansionpass\/setting-of-new-adventure\/\">official blurb<\/a> for each of the two new areas found in the Galar region. First, The Isle of Armor:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture strip\"><a title=\"Armor\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/ae5cb8011b972\/armor.original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/static.nintendolife.com\/blank.gif\" data-original=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/ae5cb8011b972\/armor.900x.jpg\" alt=\"Armor\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p>In <em>The Isle of Armor<\/em> expansion, you\u2019ll head to <em>The Isle of Armor<\/em>, the stage of your new adventure in the Galar region. <em>The Isle of Armor<\/em> is a giant island full of environments not seen in Galar before\u2014you&#8217;ll find wave-swept beaches, forests, bogs, caves, and sand dunes!,There are also plenty of Pok\u00e9mon that make this island their home, living freely amid the lush natural surroundings.,There\u2019s even a dojo here that specializes in some very particular training styles! You and your Pok\u00e9mon will take up an apprenticeship under the master of this dojo and train hard to become even stronger.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><\/blockquote>\n<p>And second, The Crown Tundra:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture strip\"><a title=\"Tundra\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/23da2894c8324\/tundra.original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/static.nintendolife.com\/blank.gif\" data-original=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/23da2894c8324\/tundra.900x.jpg\" alt=\"Tundra\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>The Crown Tundra<\/em> expansion is set in the snow-swept realm of <em>The Crown Tundra<\/em>. See for yourself the beautiful scenery of this shining, silvery landscape! In this frigid area, with its jagged winter mountains, people live in small communities where they support and rely on one another.,A certain person will appoint you as the leader of their exploration team in <em>The Crown Tundra<\/em>. You\u2019ll then be tasked with investigating the reaches of this frozen land. And remember the Pok\u00e9mon Dens that you\u2019ve only been able to glimpse during Max Raid Battles? Well, now you\u2019ll be able to explore their full depths!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2 id=\"are-there-any-brand-spanking-new-pokemon-coming-with-the-expansions\">Are there any brand-spanking new Pok\u00e9mon coming with the Expansions?<\/h2>\n<p>Why yes there are. First, meet Kubfu and its two possible forms of its evolution Urshifu:<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"kubfu\"><strong>Kubfu<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"picture strip\"><a title=\"Pokemon Kubfu 2x\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/ca791982e9bf1\/pokemon-kubfu-2x.original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/static.nintendolife.com\/blank.gif\" data-original=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/ca791982e9bf1\/pokemon-kubfu-2x.900x.jpg\" alt=\"Pokemon Kubfu 2x\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Category: Wushu Pok\u00e9mon<\/li>\n<li>Type: Fighting<\/li>\n<li>Height: 2&#8242;<\/li>\n<li>Weight: 26.5 lbs.<\/li>\n<li>Ability: Inner Focus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Kubfu will appear in <em>The Isle of Armor<\/em>. This Pok\u00e9mon is hardworking and strives to train both its body and mind. It uses each defeat as motivation, training itself with even more vigor after a loss in order to grow stronger. It has an organ that produces \u201cfighting energy\u201d in its lower abdomen, and before heading into battle, Kubfu will increase this energy through unique breathing techniques and intense focus. Wild Kubfu live in mountainous areas far away from the Galar region, but it was once a species that called Galar its home. It\u2019s noted in historical texts that this species used to head to uncharted lands with people as they set out to trade or explore. Records suggest that the Kubfu living in faraway mountains today may have descended from Kubfu that became naturalized to the distant lands they visited in their journeys.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><\/blockquote>\n<h3 id=\"urshifu\"><strong>Urshifu<\/strong><br \/><\/h3>\n<aside class=\"gallery\">\n<div class=\"col\"><a title=\"Pokemon Urshifu 2x\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/fc6dcc29e1bee\/pokemon-urshifu-2x.original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/static.nintendolife.com\/blank.gif\" data-original=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/fc6dcc29e1bee\/pokemon-urshifu-2x.original.png\" alt=\"Pokemon Urshifu 2x\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"col\"><a title=\"Pokemon Urshifu 2 2x\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/6798485f6f7b8\/pokemon-urshifu-2-2x.original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/static.nintendolife.com\/blank.gif\" data-original=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/6798485f6f7b8\/pokemon-urshifu-2-2x.original.png\" alt=\"Pokemon Urshifu 2 2x\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p><strong>(Single Strike Style)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Category: Wushu Pok\u00e9mon<\/li>\n<li>Type: Fighting\/Dark<\/li>\n<li>Height: 6&#8217;3&#8243;<\/li>\n<li>Weight: 231.5 lbs.<\/li>\n<li>Ability: Unseen Fist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>(Rapid Strike Style)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Category: Wushu Pok\u00e9mon<\/li>\n<li>Type: Fighting\/Water<\/li>\n<li>Height: 6&#8217;3&#8243;<\/li>\n<li>Weight: 231.5 lbs.<\/li>\n<li>Ability: Unseen Fist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Kubfu will evolve into Urshifu after it has undergone sufficient training. It seems that Urshifu has two forms\u2014a Single Strike Style and a Rapid Strike Style\u2014and it appears that each form has different types as well. Urshifu in Single Strike Style form favor battling without holding anything back. When enraged, they will mercilessly attack an opponent until it is utterly defeated. A Single Strike Style Urshifu\u2019s movements are often direct and involve rushing forward in a straight line. It will keep its distance from its opponents at first only to leap in close instantly to deliver a powerful blow. Urshifu in Rapid Strike Style form maintain a calm demeanor, observing their opponents and measuring their strength while dodging attacks. A Rapid Strike Style Urshifu will use flowing movements in battle to smoothly parry an opponent\u2019s moves and then overwhelm the opponent with a flurry of rapid strikes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><\/blockquote>\n<p>Also say hello to Calyrex:<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"calyrex\"><strong>Calyrex<\/strong><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"picture strip\"><a title=\"Pokemon Calyrex 2x\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/9fbd73056d20b\/pokemon-calyrex-2x.original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/static.nintendolife.com\/blank.gif\" data-original=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/9fbd73056d20b\/pokemon-calyrex-2x.900x.jpg\" alt=\"Pokemon Calyrex 2x\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Category: King Pok\u00e9mon<\/li>\n<li>Type: Psychic\/Grass<\/li>\n<li>Height: 3&#8217;7&#8243;<\/li>\n<li>Weight: 17 lbs.<\/li>\n<li>Ability: Unnerve<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Trainers will encounter Calyrex in <em>The Crown Tundra<\/em>. This Pok\u00e9mon ruled all of Galar in ancient times. Though it appears delicate and slight, its every move is filled with grace and dignity. It also has extremely high intelligence, and it\u2019s said to see every past, present, and future event.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In addition to these, Gigantamax versions of the three fully evolved starters from Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield (Rillaboom, Cinderace and Inteleon) will feature, as well as regional forms of familiar Pok\u00e9mon such as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/galarian_slowpoke_is_waiting_for_you_in_todays_pokemon_sword_and_shield_update\">Galarian Slowpoke which you can catch right now by heading to Wedgehurst Station after downloading the 9th January 2020 update<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"are-there-any-new-returning-pokemon-from-previous-generations\">Are there any new returning Pok\u00e9mon from previous generations?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes! The Pok\u00e9mon Direct confirmed that <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/more_than_200_old_pokemon_are_being_added_to_sword_and_shields_national_dex\">over 200 &#8216;old&#8217; Pocket Monsters will be returning<\/a> in the two new regions. There&#8217;s no complete list of the returners just yet, although you may have glimpsed some in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/watch_pokemon_direct_january_2020_-_live\">the Pok\u00e9mon Direct presentation<\/a>. We&#8217;ll keep an eye out for updates and add them here when they&#8217;re announced.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gallery\">\n<div class=\"col\"><a title=\"More Pokemon\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/1f6fce3ad43e7\/more-pokemon.original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/static.nintendolife.com\/blank.gif\" data-original=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/1f6fce3ad43e7\/more-pokemon.original.png\" alt=\"More Pokemon\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"col\"><a title=\"More Pokemon 2\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/5768618151da7\/more-pokemon-2.original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/static.nintendolife.com\/blank.gif\" data-original=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/5768618151da7\/more-pokemon-2.original.png\" alt=\"More Pokemon 2\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"are-there-any-version-exclusive-pokemon-or-characters-in-the-expansions\">Are there any version-exclusive Pok\u00e9mon or characters in the Expansions?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes. Nintendo has stated <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NintendoAmerica\/status\/1215315913144066049?s=20\">on Twitter<\/a> that each version of the Expansion Pass will feature version-exclusive Pok\u00e9mon and characters. There&#8217;s no word on which Pok\u00e9mon are version exclusives just yet, but the rival Trainer you&#8217;ll face will depend on the version of the game you have. Pok\u00e9mon Sword players will face Klara, a Poison-type specialist training at the dojo of Pok\u00e9mon Master Mustard. Pok\u00e9mon Shield players will come up against Avery a Psychic-type user also under Mustard&#8217;s tutelage.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture strip\"><a title=\"PokemonDirect4\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/41b6a127077a3\/pokemondirect4.original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/static.nintendolife.com\/blank.gif\" data-original=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/41b6a127077a3\/pokemondirect4.900x.jpg\" alt=\"PokemonDirect4\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"what-new-features-are-included-in-the-pokemon-sword-and-shield-expansion-passes\">What new features are included in the Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield Expansion Passes?<\/h2>\n<p>Each expansion will bring different new Pok\u00e9mon, areas, features, items and moves that weren&#8217;t previously available in Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield. The information below comes from the official <a href=\"https:\/\/swordshield.pokemon.com\/en-gb\/expansionpass\/\">Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield website<\/a>:<\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Additional Features<\/strong><\/th>\n<th>The Isle of Armor<\/th>\n<th>The Crown Tundra<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>New areas<\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Kubfu and Urshifu<\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Calyrex<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Gigantamax forms for Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon<\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>New regional forms<\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Pok\u00e9mon that didn\u2019t appear in Pok\u00e9mon Sword or Pok\u00e9mon Shield<\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>New Pok\u00e9dexes<\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>New clothing items<\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>New Pok\u00e9mon added to Max Raid Battles<\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>New items<\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>New tutor moves<\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Restricted Sparring battle feature<\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"100%\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>New co-op play mode<\/td>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><em>Yes<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a brief overview of the features:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The new expansions will feature over 100 new items of clothing between them.<\/li>\n<li>In The Isle of Armor, you&#8217;ll be able to find an Exp. Charm which is used to level up Pok\u00e9mon.<\/li>\n<li>Brand new tutor moves will feature in The Isle of Armor expansion<\/li>\n<li>Restricted Sparring will enable Trainers Battles with Pok\u00e9mon Type limitations and set Battle conditions.<\/li>\n<li>Explorable Pok\u00e9mon Dens in The Crown Tundra will be home to Legendary Pok\u00e9mon from previous Pok\u00e9mon games.<\/li>\n<li>Players&#8217; Galar Pok\u00e9dexes will be updated to reflect the new additions &#8211; both the Isle of Armor, and the Crown Tundra will also have their own Pok\u00e9dexes.<\/li>\n<li>Both the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra will feature Pok\u00e9mon Dens just like in the Wild Area in the main game, although they&#8217;ll feature Pok\u00e9mon you won&#8217;t find in the Wild Area. Max Raid Battles will be available in the ones emitting a shard of red light enabling a team of up to three players to battle a Dynamax Pok\u00e9mon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"do-i-need-to-buy-the-expansion-pass-to-access-the-max-raid-battles-in-the-new-areas\">Do I need to buy the Expansion Pass to access the Max Raid Battles in the new areas?<\/h2>\n<p>No. Friends who don&#8217;t have the Expansion Pass will still be able to join in these battles.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"do-i-need-to-buy-the-expansion-pass-to-access-the-200plus-returning-pokemon-from-past-generations\">Do I need to buy the Expansion Pass to access the 200+ returning Pok\u00e9mon from past generations?<\/h2>\n<p>No. Following a free update that will launch alongside the Expansion Passes, players of vanilla Pok\u00e9mon Sword or Shield will be able to trade those Pok\u00e9mon with players who have purchased the expansion and caught them all. Therefore, it will be entirely possible to get your hands on those new Pok\u00e9mon via trading.<\/p>\n<p>Players without the expansion will <em>also<\/em> be able to bring Pok\u00e9mon over from past games using <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/news\/2020\/01\/pokemon_bank_successor_pokemon_home_launches_next_month\">Pok\u00e9mon Home<\/a>, the new service launching in February 2020 (as long as those Pok\u00e9mon feature in Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield or its expansions).<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"will-there-be-an-ultra-version-of-pokemon-sword-and-shield\">Will there be an &#8216;Ultra&#8217; version of Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield?<\/h2>\n<p>From the way the designers discussed the Expansion Passes in the announcement, these expansions will take the place of the more traditional updated &#8216;third&#8217; versions we&#8217;ve seen in previous generations.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"when-is-the-pokemon-sword-and-shield-expansion-pass-launching\">When is the Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass launching?<\/h2>\n<p>Part 1 of the Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass &#8211; The Isle of Armor &#8211; is scheduled for release by the end of June 2020. Part 2 &#8211; The Crown Tundra &#8211; is planned for Fall 2020.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-much-does-the-pokemon-sword-and-shield-expansion-pass-cost\">How much does the Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass cost?<\/h2>\n<p>Parts 1 and 2 of the Expansion Pass are purchased together for \u00a326.99 \/ $29.99 and are up for pre-purchase right now. You&#8217;ll need to purchase the corresponding pass according to which copy of the game you own. If you own both games and want to access the new areas in <em>both<\/em>, that means buying both the Pok\u00e9mon Sword Expansion Pass and the Pok\u00e9mon Shield Expansion pass.<\/p>\n<p>Pre-purchasing before the Pass arrives will get you an early purchase bonus of a Pikachu uniform and an Eevee uniform (see below) that you&#8217;ll be able to equip right away.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"picture strip\"><a title=\"Early Purchase Bonus Uniforms\" href=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/4ce89516f42a4\/early-purchase-bonus-uniforms.original.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/static.nintendolife.com\/blank.gif\" data-original=\"http:\/\/images.nintendolife.com\/4ce89516f42a4\/early-purchase-bonus-uniforms.900x.jpg\" alt=\"Early Purchase Bonus Uniforms\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<hr>\n<aside class=\"object object-youtube\">\n<div class=\"youtube\">[youtube https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=RvpAEw_gW60?rel=0&amp;hd=1&amp;showinfo=0&amp;modestbranding=0&amp;autohide=1&#038;w=900&#038;h=507]<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<hr>\n<p><em>We&#8217;ll update this guide with more information as we get it.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The announcement of Expansion Passes for Pok\u00e9mon Sword and Shield has come with news that the DLC content for Game Freak&#8217;s latest entry in the mainline Pok\u00e9mon series will also bring new features to the game. The two parts of the Expansion Pass feature a brand-new area each &#8211; The Isle of Armor and The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-107033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nintendo-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/107033","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=107033"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/107033\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=107033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=107033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=107033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}