There were many controversial decisions made with the development of Pokémon Sword and Shieldleading to some fan favorite Pokémon missing the game entirely. While some additions, like the use of DLC to expand the Galar region, made for an interesting chage to the normal Pokémon end-game content, other choices weren't as appreciated. One of the most frustrating decisions among fans early on was Game Freak omitting the full national Pokédex from Pokémon Sword and Shield. Currently, there are 893 different official species in the Pokémon series, and, of those, 232 Pokémon are missing in Sword and Shield's Galar region - even after the release of multiple DLC expansions.

The choice to leave a large number of previous Pokémon out of Pokémon Sword and Shield was met with substantial backlash when the titles originally released in the late fall of 2019. Completing Pokémon's National Dex has become a major end-game accomplishment for players, and also gives fans of Shiny Hunting a wide variety of choices when exploring the region's Shiny Hunting mechanics. Game Freak explained that including all the Pokémon not in Sword and Shield would have been too big a project for developers, and they wanted to take the time that originally would have been spent adding old species to focus on other mechanics, like the exploration of the Wild Area and Max Raid encounters.

Related: Rockruff Evolution Sword & Shield: How To Evolve The Puppy Pokémon

One of the biggest disappointments about the Pokémon not in Sword and Shield is that many of them are popular starter species from previous Pokémon game regions. Starter Pokémon are often beloved by fans, as they are the first companions to be befriended when entering a region. While some designs can be a bit goofy, like the frog Pokémon Foakie from Kalos, or the little fire pig Pokmon Tepig from Unova, these special starters are coveted by fans of the series, and collecting a full set from every region is a common goal for many players. Currently, players can find the starters from the Kanto, Hoenn, and Alola regions, but there isn't any word on if the rest of the Pokémon starters will become available in Sword and Shield anytime in the future.

List Of Pokémon Not In Sword And Shield In 2021

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Below is a list of the Pokémon not in Pokémon Sword and Shield according to the Serebii database. Despite interest in more content by players, there hasn't been any confirmed news about a potential third DLC pack, nor any information on any Pokémon not in Sword and Shied who could be added via updates or potential future events. With the releases of new Pokémon games like Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, it is possible many of these Pokémon will not ever come to the Galar region.

Pokémon Not In Sword and Shield From Kanto:

  • Weedle
  • Kakuna
  • Beedrill
  • Pidgey
  • Pidgeotto
  • Pidgeot
  • Rattata
  • Raticate
  • Spearow
  • Fearow
  • Ekans
  • Arbok
  • Paras
  • Parasect
  • Venonat
  • Venomoth
  • Mankey
  • Primeape
  • Bellsprout
  • Weepinbell
  • Victreebel
  • Geodude
  • Graveler
  • Golem
  • Doduo
  • Dodrio
  • Seel
  • Dewgong
  • Grimer
  • Muk
  • Drowzee
  • Hypno
  • Voltorb
  • Electrode

Pokémon Not In Sword and Shield From Johto:

  • Chikorita
  • Bayleef
  • Meganium
  • Cyndaquil
  • Quilava
  • Typhlosion
  • Totodile
  • Croconaw
  • Feraligatr
  • Sentret
  • Furret
  • Ledyba
  • Ledian
  • Spinarak
  • Ariados
  • Mareep
  • Flaaffy
  • Ampharos
  • Hoppip
  • Skiploom
  • Jumpluff
  • Aipom
  • Sunkern
  • Sunflora
  • Yanma
  • Murkrow
  • Misdreavus
  • Unown
  • Girafarig
  • Pineco
  • Forretress
  • Gligar
  • Snubbull
  • Granbull
  • Teddiursa
  • Ursaring
  • Slugma
  • Magcargo
  • Houndour
  • Houndoom
  • Phanpy
  • Donphan
  • Stantler
  • Smeargle

Related: Pokémon Sword & Shield Shiny Celebi, Dada Zarude Codes Tie Into New Movie

Pokémon Not In Sword and Shield From Hoenn:

  • Poochyena
  • Mightyena
  • Wurmple
  • Silcoon
  • Beautifly
  • Cascoon
  • Dustox
  • Taillow
  • Swellow
  • Surskit
  • Masquerain
  • Shroomish
  • Breloom
  • Slakoth
  • Vigoroth
  • Slaking
  • Makuhita
  • Hariyama
  • Nosepass
  • Skitty
  • Delcatty
  • Meditite
  • Medicham
  • Plusle
  • Minun
  • Volbeat
  • Illumise
  • Gulpin
  • Swalot
  • Numel
  • Camerupt
  • Spoink
  • Grumpig
  • Spinda
  • Cacnea
  • Cacturne
  • Zangoose
  • Kecleon
  • Shuppet
  • Banette
  • Tropius
  • Chimecho
  • Clamperl
  • Huntail
  • Gorebyss
  • Luvdisc
  • Deoxys

Pokémon Not In Sword and Shield From Sinnoh:

  • Turtwig
  • Grotle
  • Torterra
  • Chimchar
  • Monferno
  • Infernape
  • Piplup
  • Prinplup
  • Empoleon
  • Starly
  • Staravia
  • Staraptor
  • Bidoof
  • Bibarel
  • Kricketot
  • Kricketune
  • Cranidos
  • Rampardos
  • Shieldon
  • Bastiodon
  • Burmy
  • Wormadam
  • Mothim
  • Pachirisu
  • Buizel
  • Floatzel
  • Ambipom
  • Mismagius
  • Honchkrow
  • Glameow
  • Purugly
  • Chingling
  • Chatot
  • Carnivine
  • Finneon
  • Lumineon
  • Yanmega
  • Gliscor
  • Probopass
  • Phione
  • Manaphy
  • Darkrai
  • Shaymin
  • Arceus

Related: What Brilliant Pokémon Are (& How They Increase Shiny Odds)

Pokémon Not In Sword and Shield From Unova:

  • Snivy
  • Servine
  • Serperior
  • Tepig
  • Pignite
  • Emboar
  • Oshawott
  • Dewott
  • Samurott
  • Patrat
  • Watchog
  • Pansage
  • Simisage
  • Pansear
  • Simisear
  • Panpour
  • Simipour
  • Blitzle
  • Zebstrika
  • Sewaddle
  • Swadloon
  • Leavanny
  • Ducklett
  • Swanna
  • Deerling
  • Sawsbuck
  • Alomomola
  • Tynamo
  • Eelektrik
  • Eelektross
  • Meloetta

Pokémon Not In Sword and Shield From Kalos:

  • Chespin
  • Quilladin
  • Fennekin
  • Braixen
  • Delphox
  • Froakie
  • Frogadier
  • Greninja
  • Scatterbug
  • Spewpa
  • Vivillon
  • Litleo
  • Pyroar
  • Flabébé
  • Floette
  • Florges
  • Skiddo
  • Gogoat
  • Furfrou
  • Hoopa

Pokémon Not In Sword and Shield From Alola:

  • Pikipek
  • Trumbeak
  • Toucannon
  • Yungoos
  • Gumshoos
  • Crabrawler
  • Crabominable
  • Oricorio
  • Minior
  • Komala
  • Bruxish

Unfortunately, a good number of the Pokémon not in Sword and Shield were in the popular Kanto and Johto regions, which is likely disappointing for long-time fans. Even so, the majority of Legendary Pokémon from earlier Pokémon generations were added back during The Crown Tundra DLC. However, these Legendary encounters are limited to Dynamax Adventures only, and may feel like a consolation prize for fans who hoped Pokémon Sword and Shield would earn full national Pokédex and add in all the missing Pokémon through DLC.

Next: Pokémon Sword & Shield Gigantamax Starter Form Design Origins Explained

Source: Serebii