The first-ever Pokemon DLC is coming soon for Pokemon Sword & Shield. This guide will help players properly prepare for the DLC when it releases this June. Pokemon Sword & Shield is finally the entry in the series to break away from the 20-year formula the series has created for itself. In the past, new games would release, showing off a new region for players to explore with hundreds of new Pokemon to encounter. For example, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl released and players were able to explore the Sinnoh region. Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl each had small differences between each other like unique Pokemon only available in their specific region. After a few years, a third version would release acting as the definitive version of both previous titles, Pokemon Platinum. Pokemon Platinum would improve so much from the previous entries and kept it together in one game. This formula has been around since the beginning and continued to do very well, until now. Instead of releasing a third version, Game Freak has opted to release new content in the form of DLC. This DLC adds new areas to explore and new and old Pokemon to capture. This guide will help players prepare for the upcoming Pokemon Sword & Shield DLC.

Related: Pokémon Sword & Shield: How to Catch Gigantamax Venusaur/Blastoise

The Pokemon Sword & Shield Expansion Pass can be purchased now for $29.99. The DLC itself is split into two different halves. The first half is scheduled to release this June known as the Isle of Armor. The Isle of Armor features a new Pokemon called Kubfu and this Pokemon will team up with the trainer to go through vigorous training in the dojo. Both Kubfu and the trainer will work together to reach their full potential. Not only that, but the Isle of Armor will feature a brand new wild area full of older Pokemon to capture. The first part contains around 100 older Pokemon like Emolga and Kangaskhan The second half of the expansion pass is scheduled to release this Fall, the Crown Tundra. This features a frozen wasteland for players to explore. Here, players can encounter Galarian forms of the Legendary Pokemon Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres as well as new "Regi" Pokemon to capture. Another additional 100 Pokemon will appear in another new wild area for players to travel in. There are plenty of things trainers can do to prepare for the upcoming DLC and this guide will help players optimize their play once they step into the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra.

Preparing For Pokemon Sword & Shield Expansion Pass: Wishing Pieces

Wishing Pieces are essentially tickets for participating in Dynamax or Gigantamax battles while in the wild area. Throwing a wishing piece in the battle den will randomly spawn a Pokemon to battle with friends. Considering both parts of the DLC feature a new wild area, it has been confirmed that battle dens will appear in the new wild areas, potentially containing new Pokemon to take on. To prepare for this, grind up as many Wishing Pieces as possible before the DLC begins. To buy Wishing Pieces, head over to the Watt Trader and trade in 3000 Watts for a Wishing Piece. That way once the DLC releases, players will be ready to capture as many new Dynamax Pokemon as possible.

Preparing For Pokemon Sword & Shield Expansion Pass: Pokemon Home

Pokemon Home Switch Smart Phone

Players who have completed the Pokedex in Pokemon Sword & Shield only needed to capture 400 total Pokemon. With the Isle of Armor, another 100 Pokemon will be added to the Pokedex. It is currently unknown how these Pokemon will be added to the total Pokedex, but it is confirmed that these are these creatures' first appearance in the Galar region. Make a list of all the Pokemon the player is missing from Pokemon Home that appears in the Isle of Armor, making it easier to select those the player are missing. Here is a list of all the current confirmed Pokemon to return in the Isle of Armor.

  • Absol
  • Aggron
  • Amaura
  • Aurorus
  • Azelf
  • Azumarill
  • Azurill
  • Beldum
  • Blastoise
  • Blissey
  • Bouffalant
  • Bulbasaur
  • Chansey
  • Cresselia
  • Crobat
  • Cryogonal
  • Dedenne
  • Dialga
  • Dragalge
  • Druddigon
  • Electabuzz
  • Electivire
  • Elekid
  • Emolga
  • Exeggutor
  • Entei
  • Fletchinder
  • Fletchling
  • Gabite
  • Garchomp
  • Gible
  • Giratina
  • Golbat
  • Golduck
  • Groudon
  • Happiny
  • Heatran
  • Ho-Oh
  • Horsea
  • Ivysaur
  • Kangaskhan
  • Kingdra
  • Kyogre
  • Kyurem
  • Landorus
  • Larvesta
  • Latias
  • Latios
  • Loudred
  • Lugia
  • Lunala
  • Luxray
  • Lycanroc
  • Magmar
  • Magnemite
  • Magneton
  • Magnezone
  • Marill
  • Mesprit
  • Metagross
  • Metang
  • Mewtwo
  • Mienshao
  • Necrozma
  • Nidoking
  • Nidoqueen
  • Nidoran (F)
  • Nidoran (M)
  • Nidorina
  • Nidorino
  • Palkia
  • Politoed
  • Poliwhirl
  • Psyduck
  • Raikou
  • Rayquaza
  • Regice
  • Regirock
  • Registeel
  • Relicanth
  • Reshiram
  • Rockruff
  • Sandile
  • Scyther
  • Seadra
  • Sealeo
  • Solgaleo
  • Spheal
  • Squirtle
  • Suicune
  • Swablu
  • Talonflame
  • Tangrowth
  • Tapu Bulu
  • Tapu Fini
  • Tapu Koko
  • Tapu Lele
  • Tauros
  • Thundurus
  • Tornadus
  • Uxie
  • Venusaur
  • Volcarona
  • Wailord
  • Walrein
  • Whimsur
  • Woobat
  • Wartortle
  • Xerneas
  • Yveltal
  • Zekrom
  • Zoroark
  • Zorua
  • Zubat
  • Zygarde

Several of these Pokemon can also be bred, adding even more Pokemon to the overall list. Players will also be able to transfer Pokemon from Pokemon Home if they already have them. Make sure to catch responsibly.

Preparing For Pokemon Sword & Shield Expansion Pass: Breed A Second Team

Endgame breeding is much easier in Temtem than Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Since this is the first time the franchise has introduced DLC, it is unknown how the game will handle difficulty. It is likely the player has a team of extremely high-level Pokemon. Players can breed their teams again to bring them down to a lower level, thus providing a challenge. It will be extremely heartbreaking if the DLC is too easy because the developers didn't keep in mind that players like to max out their Pokemon. Breeding a second team is a fail-safe in case players the game proves to be too easy using the player's original team.

Pokemon Sword & Shield are finally changing up the formula for the Pokemon series. Not only does this save players tons of cash ($30 vs $60 for a "new" game), but it also keeps everything together in one game. The Galar region is being given an opportunity to further flesh out its world. Also, for players who do not purchase the DLC, the older Pokemon will be available for free to transfer. So if players want to play with their Zubat's and Zekrom's, they don't have to pay a penny. It is the next logical step for the series moving forward.

More: Gigantamax Pikachu & Meowth Plushies Are Incredibly Huge (& Expensive)

Pokemon Sword & Shield is available now on Nintendo Switch.