Pokemon Sword or Shield Exclusive? For anyone that’s looking into starting an adventure within the eighth generation of Pokémon then that’s the primary decision you would like to form, even before you’ll get to the exciting moment of selecting your starter Pokémon.

Having players choose from two versions of an equivalent game has long been a quirk of the Pokémon series and that’s not changed with these latest releases on Nintendo Switch. While the core experience of the games tends to be an equivalent across the versions, there are some differences between them that it’s worth knowing about before you opt which one you are going to shop for. 

In fact, when it involves Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, there are more version differences than there ever are. With that in mind, we’ve detailed the differences between both versions of the newest Pokémon games, also as both DLC releases, in order that you’ll quickly and simply decide whether you would like Pokémon Sword or Shield. 

From the first days, the biggest difference between the Pokémon releases has been that one version will have Pokémon the opposite doesn’t and the other way around . an equivalent remains true for Sword and Shield. 

For some players this won’t make an iota of difference, but if you’ve got a favourite creature that the sport just isn’t worth playing without, it’s worth ensuring they will not be exclusive to a specific version before you create that Pokémon Sword or Shield decision. it is often possible to seek out someone to trade with if you’ve got omitted – and you’ll always buy both versions, if you would like to – but that’s a touch of a rigmarole and may be avoided if you would like a neater life. 

Following are the version exclusive Pokemon for Sword and Shield along with their respective types. 

pokemon sword and shield exclusives List 

pokemon sword and shield exclusives: exclusives List
  1. Deino (Dark/Dragon)
  2. Hydreigon (Dark/Dragon)
  3. Jangmo-o (Dragon)
  4. Kommo-o (Dragon/Fighting)
  5. Hakamo-o (Dragon/Fighting)
  6. Farfetch’d (Normal/Flying)
  7. Farfetch’d (Fighting)
  8. Zweilous (Dark/Dragon)
  9. Gothita (Psychic)
  10. Gothorita (Psychic)
  11. Gothitelle (Psychic)
  12. Turtonator (Fire/Dragon)
  13. Seedot (Grass)
  14. Nuzleaf (Grass/Dark)
  15. Shiftry (Grass/Dark)
  16. Mawile (Steel/Fairy)
  17. Solrock (Rock/Psychic)
  18. Basculin (Water)
  19. Darumaka (Ice)
  20. Darmanitan (Ice)
  21. Scraggy (Dark/Fighting)
  22. Scrafty (Dark/Fighting)
  23. Rufflet (Normal/Flying)
  24. Braviary (Normal/Flying)
  25. Swirlix (Fairy)
  26. Slurpuff (Fairy)
  27. Passimian (Fighting)
  28. Colossal, Giganta Max Raid native to Sword but are often shared (Rock/Fire) 
  29. Flapple, Giganta Max Raid native to Sword but are often shared (Grass/Dragon)
  30. Stonjourner (Rock)
  31. Indeedee, Male (Psychic/Normal)
  32. Goomy (Dragon)
  33. Sliggoo (Dragon)
  34. Goodra (Dragon)
  35. Larvitar (Rock/Ground)
  36. Pupitar (Rock/Ground)
  37. Tyranitar (Rock/Ground)
  38. Galarian Ponyta (Psychic)
  39. Solosis (Psychic)
  40. Duosion (Psychic)
  41. Reuniclus (Psychic)
  42. Drampa (Normal/Dragon)
  43. Vullaby (Dark/Flying)
  44. Mandibuzz (Dark/Flying)
  45. Gengar, Gigantamax Raid native to Shield but are often shared (Ghost/Poison)
  46. Lapras, Gigantamax Raid native to Shield but are often shared (Water/Ice)
  47. Cursola (Ghost)
  48. Lotad (Water/Grass)
  49. Lombre (Water/Grass)
  50. Ludicolo (Water/Grass)
  51. Sableye (Dark/Ghost)
  52. Lunatone (Rock/Psychic)
  53. Croagunk (Poison/Fight)
  54. Toxicroak (Poison/Fight)
  55. Basculin, Blue-stripe form (Water)
  56. Spritzee (Fairy)
  57. Aromatisse (Fairy)
  58. Oranguru (Normal/Psychic)
  59. Appleton Gigantamax Raid native to Shield but are often shared (Grass/Dragon)
  60. Eiscue (Ice)
  61. Indeedee, Female (Psychic/Normal)

Pokémon only found in Sword

pokemon sword and shield exclusives: Pokémon only found in Sword
  1. Seedot 
  2. Nuzleaf (Dark/Grass) 
  3. Shiftry (Grass/Dark) 
  4. Swirlix (Fairy) 
  5. Slurpuff (Fairy) 
  6. Scraggy (Fighting/Dark) 
  7. Scrafty (Fighting/Dark) 
  8. Sawk (Fighting) 
  9. Gothita (Psychic) 
  10. Gothorita (Psychic) 
  11. Gothitelle (Psychic) 
  12. Rufflet (Flying/Normal) 
  13. Braviary (Flying/Normal) 
  14. Mawile (Fairy/Steel) 
  15. Passimian (Fighting) 
  16. Turtonator (Fire/Dragon) 
  17. Solrock (Rock/Psychic) 
  18. Galarian Darumaka (Ice) 
  19. Galarian Darmanitan (Ice) 
  20. Deino (Dark/Dragon) 
  21. Zweilous (Dark/Dragon) 
  22. Hydreigon (Dark/Dragon) 
  23. Jangmo-o (Dragon) 
  24. Hakamo-o (Dragon/Fighting) 
  25. Kommo-o (Dragon/Fighting) 
  26. Flapple (Grass/Dragon) 
  27. Galarian Farfetch’d (Fighting) 
  28. Farfetch’d (Fighting) 
  29. Zacian (Fairy/Steel)

Pokémon only found in Shield

  1. Lotad (Water/Grass) 
  2. Lombre (Water/Grass) 
  3. Ludicolo (Water/Grass) 
  4. Spritzee (Fairy) 
  5. Aromatisse (Fairy) 
  6. Croagunk (Fighting/Poison) 
  7. Toxicroak (Fighting/Poison) 
  8. Solosis (Psychic) 
  9. Duosion (Psychic) 
  10. Reuniclus (Psychic) 
  11. Vullaby (Dark/Flying) 
  12. Mandibuzz (Flying/Dark) 
  13. Sableye (Dark/Ghost) 
  14. Lunatone (Rock/Psychic) 
  15. Throh (Fighting) 
  16. Oranguru (Normal/Psychic) 
  17. Drampa (Normal/Dragon) 
  18. Galarian Corsola (Ghost) 
  19. Cursola (Ghost) 
  20. Larvitar (Rock/Ground) 
  21. Pupitar (Rock/Ground) 
  22. Tyranitar (Rock/Dark) 
  23. Goomy (Dragon) 
  24. Sliggoo (Dragon) 
  25. Goodra (Dragon) 
  26. Appletun (Grass/Dragon) 
  27. Galarian Ponyta (Psychic) 
  28. Galarian Rapidash (Psychic/Fairy) 
  29. Zamazenta (Fighting/Steel)

VERSION-EXCLUSIVE GYMS

Pokemon Sword or Shield exclusives & version differences explained

Different versions have different Gym LeadersSword and Shield even have version-exclusive gyms, so, counting on which version you choose, you’ll end up facing an exclusive Gym Leader with their own type-focus.

Pokémon Black and White had an identical scenario where, counting on which version you picked, you found yourself battling either Drayden or Iris.

This time, though, the version-exclusive Gym Leaders are different people that also use differing types.

Sword’s exclusive gyms are:

pokemon sword and shield exclusives: Sword's exclusive gyms are:

Bea, the Fighting-type leader

Gordie, the Rock-type leader

While in Pokémon Shield you will be battling against:

Allister, the Ghost-type leader

Melony, the Ice-type leader

If facing off against any of those particular Pokémon types causes you to escape in hives, then it could really assist you in your decision whether to travel for Pokémon Sword or Shield. If you hate all of them then we don’t know what to mention – choose the lesser of two evils?

LEGENDARY POKÉMON

Another classic version difference is within the Legendary Pokémon that plays the most important part in your Pokémon adventure. Traditionally, the Legendary Pokémon featured on the duvet of the sport may be a Pokémon you’ll be ready to catch in your version of the sport and this remains true in Pokémon Sword and Shield. 

For Pokémon Sword, this is often Zacian, a Pokémon carrying a sword in its mouth which will traverse opponents. And as For the  Pokémon Shield it’s Zamazenta which is a defence based Pokémon whose shield like body can reflect attacks back on opponents.

VERSION-EXCLUSIVE CURRY INGREDIENTS

Those twiddling with Pokémon Sword get Bob’s food tin to cook with, while those twiddling with Shield get Bach’s food tin. Both are often bought from the ingredients sellers within the Rolling Hills and Hammerlock sections of the Wild Area in your version of the sport.

For those that want to experiment with the ingredient that’s not in their version so as to expand their CurryDex, you’ll either trade Pokémon to urge one holding that ingredient, otherwise you can cook with a player who has the other version of the sport as recipes you create while cooking with others are going to be added to your CurryDex. 

ISLE OF ARMOR DLC DIFFERENCES

Pokemon Sword or Shield version and exclusive explained

Pokémon Sword and Shield’s first expansion, Isle of Armor, is out now and is out there for both versions of the sport . The Pokémon DLC brings with it a replacement mentor, dogo master Mustard, new Pokémon (including the return of some old favorites) and new rivals. 

But, while the Isle of Armor content for Pokémon Sword and Shield is just about an equivalent , which version of the sport you’ve got will determine which rival you face-off against. 

CROWN TUNDRA DLC DIFFERENCES

Pokemon Sword or Shield exclusive & version differences explained

Pokémon Sword and Shield’s second expansion, The Crown Tundra, is out now and is out there for both versions of the sport. 

Like Isle of Armor, the content within the Crown Tundra is sort of similar for Pokémon Sword and Shield. In terms of version exclusive Pokémon, Sword players are going to be ready to catch Omanyte, Omastar, Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence. Shield players on the opposite hand are going to be ready to watch Kabuto, Kabutops, Gible, Gabite, Garchomp.

A more notable difference between the Sword and Shield versions are the Legendary Pokémon you’ll be ready to encounter within the game’s new Dynamax Adventures. 

Sword has the legendaries 

  1. Ho-Oh, 
  2. Latios, 
  3. Groudon, 
  4. Dialga, 
  5. Tornadus, 
  6. Reshiram, 
  7. Xerneas 

Solgaleo, 

While Shield has 

  1. Lugia, 
  2. Latias, 
  3. Kyogre, 
  4. Palkia, 
  5. Thundurus, 
  6. Zekrom, 
  7. Yveltal
  8. Lunala.

This can be worked around, though, as you’ll simply take part in the Dynamax Adventure of somebody with the other version to you so as to undertake and catch that version’s exclusive Legendaries during a team Dynamax Adventure.

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