The release date for the next adventure in the Galar region has been revealed, as the Crown Tundra DLC for Pokémon Sword & Shield will be released on October 22. Pokémon Sword & Shield are the first games in the series to receive DLC updates through its Expansion Pass, which adds the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra areas to the Galar region.
The two DLC areas for Pokémon Sword & Shield collectively bring hundreds of Pokémon back to the series, after they were infamously cut during the transition from the Nintendo 3DS to the Switch. They are also adding some new Legendary and Mythical Pokémon to the games, including Kubfu in the Isle of Armor and Calyrex in the Crown Tundra.
After announcing a new update regarding the Crown Tundra on Twitter, The Pokémon Company has revealed the release date for the DLC. A new trailer for the DLC has been uploaded to The Official Pokémon YouTube channel, where it was revealed that Crown Tundra will be released on October 22, 2020. Players who have already purchased the Expansion Pass for the Isle of Armor will have access to the Crown Tundra for free when it launches.
The trailer also revealed some new information regarding Pokémon Sword & Shield. The world got its first glimpse of Galarian Slowking, which appears to be wearing its shell as more of a helmet than a crown. Once a player has completed the Crown Tundra DLC, they will be able to take part in the Galarian Star Tournament, where they can team up with one of the prominent trainers from the game and do battle in a massive doubles tournament. It was also revealed that Pokémon Go compatibility with Pokémon Home will be coming by the end of the year, allowing Pokémon to be transferred from Pokémon Go into Pokémon Sword & Shield. A new version of Pokémon Sword & Shield that comes bundled with the Expansion Pass will be released on November 6, 2020.
The Crown Tundra DLC will involve the return of powerful Legendary Pokémon, as well as introducing new forms for existing ones, like Galarian forms for the Legendary Birds of Kanto. A whole new adventure awaits players in a snow-filled part of the Galar region and we won't have to wait long before we can go. The Isle of Armor expansion was a let-down, but Game Freak has a chance to win the audience back with the Crown Tundra.
The Crown Tundra DLC for Pokémon Sword & Shield will be available on October 22, 2020.