Pokemon Sword and Shield DLC: Every Pokemon Confirmed to…

A brand new trailer showcasing the Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield Expansion Pass recently debuted, and as with every trailer breaking down new content, the fan-base has been combing over the trailer for any hints or clues as to what new things are coming in the DLC.

This latest Sword and Shield trailer may focus on the major selling points of the Expansion Pass, but we have gone frame-by-frame to compose a list of all returning Pokemon yet to be officially announced that appeared in the trailer for those who are dying to know what fan-favorites are making a comeback in the two DLCs. In the list below, Pokemon marked with a (*) are assumed to be returning as they did not appear directly in the trailer, but other Pokemon in their evolutionary line made an appearance.

Returning Pokemon

Below is the complete list of every returning Pokemon showed off in the recent trailer for Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. It is not definitely clear as to which expansion each Pokemon will be tied to, so they could make an appearance in either the Isle of Armor or The Crown Tundra.

Slowbro (Galarian Form)
Absol
Shinx *
Luxio *
Luxray
Giratina
Tauros
Scyther
Scizor *
Druddigon
Whismur
Loudred
Exploud *
Sandile
Krokorok *
Krookodile *
Tangela *
Tangrowth
Exeggcute *
Exeggutor
Poliwag *
Poliwhirl
Poliwrath *
Politoed *
Kangaskan
Bouffalant
Rockruff *
Lycanrock (only Mid-day form shown)
Emolga
Meinfoo *
Meinshao *
Fletchling *
Fletchinder
Talonflame *
Skrelp *
Dragalge
Squirtle *
Blastoise
Bulbasaur *
Venasaur
Staryu
Starmie *
Regirock
Regice
Registeel
Relicanth
Cryogonal
Swablu
Altaria *
Mewtwo
Lugia
Ho-Oh
Groudon
Kyogre
Dialga
Palkia
Zekrom
Reshiram
Xerneas
Yvetal
Solgalea
Lunala
Articuno (Galarian form)
Zapdos (Galarian form)
Moltres (Galarian form)
Magmar
Magmortar *
Horsea *
Seadra *
Kingdra
Magnemite *
Magneton *
Magnezone
Aron *
Lairon *
Aggron

These seem to be all the returning Pokemon that Game Freak showed off in the latest trailer, but this list is long enough to please at least a few fans. As stated before, there is always a good chance that Game Freak still has several Pokemon hidden away that player will only discover once they set foot on the Isle of Armor later this month or The Crown Tundra in the fall.

Trailer Highlights

These Pokemon are among the approximately 200 Pokemon coming back from previous generations. When Game Freak announced the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs, it showed of a handful of returning Pokemon, a couple of which appeared in this trailer as well. It seems that Game Freak is working hard to bring back many of the Pokemon that were left out when Sword and Shield launched late last year. While this is not every Pokemon that was missing, it certainly is a start towards bringing back all of the Pokemon from previous generations. And what's more, there may be even more Pokemon waiting in the two DLCs that Game Freak has yet to show off.

The Isle of Armor is the first to launch, coming out later this month. Along with new and returning Pokemon, it will also feature new Gigantamax forms of many beloved Pokemon like the Gen 1 starters and the Sword and Shield starters. Each DLC will also add in a new area to explore and new stories to uncover. In the recent trailer, Game Freak highlighted the journey that players will take alongside the Legendary Pokemon Kubfu. In the Isle of Armor, trainers will join up with a Dojo to grow in strength, and Kubfu will join players on that journey. Depending on the path players take in the DLC, Kubfu can evolve into one of two different forms of the powerful Urshifu.

For The Crown Tundra, a lot is still left unknown regarding what the second DLC will bring. There is a very clear focus on Legendary Pokemon with this DLC, as it introduces a new co-op game mode that will focus on catching these returning powerful Pokemon. The theme of this DLC will be about exploration and uncovering secrets hidden in the frozen hills of the Crown Tundra. This DLC will also feature some new Legendary Pokemon, like two new Regi Pokemon (Regieleki and Regidrago) alongside the "box Legendary" Calyrex. It will also feature Galarian forms for the original Legendary Bird Trio: Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. These new variants on old Legendaries are tied to the Crown Tundra for some reason, but players may have to wait a bit longer to learn more about these snazzy new birds.

Players may still have awhile to wait for The Crown Tundra, but the Isle of Armor will be here before too long to whisk players away to train alongside Kubfu. It seems that Game Freak is looking to fix the bigger issues that players had with the base Sword and Shield experience, so maybe the Expansion Pass was the right move after all. However, only time will tell, but players don't have much longer to wait.