When Pokémon Sword and Shield debuted on the Nintendo Switch in late 2019, they introduced a fresh adventure set in the Galar region—an environment inspired by the English countryside and culture. Along with rich narrative and gameplay innovations, these games became the focal point of intense community discussions due to a major structural change: for the first time in mainline Pokémon history, not every existing Pokémon was available to catch or transfer. The “Galar Pokedex” was, quite literally, a new era.
The Galar Pokedex differed significantly from previous entries. Instead of hundreds of returning creatures, the regional Pokédex was curated to fit Galar’s local wildlife, prioritizing balance, ecosystem, and gameplay. The original Sword and Shield base game included roughly 400 Pokémon out of the 800+ that had been introduced up to the time of release. This selection was later expanded by DLCs, but the initial cut signaled a strategic shift.
Within the base game, players encountered:
The deliberate mix underscored an attempt to balance nostalgia with regional identity. Although this meant some long-standing favorites were omitted at first, the curated approach aligned closely with the developers’ intention to highlight quality gameplay and regional flavor.
Perhaps no subject in modern Pokémon history has fueled more debate than the absence of a full National Pokedex in Sword and Shield. “Dexit”—a playful riff on “Brexit”—became synonymous with fan outrage.
GameFreak producer Junichi Masuda explained the rationale in various interviews:
“We need to be able to prioritize new gameplay experiences and maintain quality, even if that means not every Pokémon is available in every region.”
From a technical standpoint, GameFreak cited animation workload, balance, and the need to position each Pokémon within a new meta as justifications for the reduction. However, the passionate backlash illuminated just how significant the Pokédex is in franchise tradition—both as a collector’s checklist and as a symbol of continuity.
The release of the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra expansions addressed some criticisms by bringing back hundreds of “missing” Pokémon. With these updates, the Galar Pokedex swelled to more than 600+ entries by the end of Sword and Shield’s lifecycle.
The two main downloadable expansions introduced dozens of new and returning Pokémon, plus brand new legendary forms:
Although the full National Dex was still absent, these expansions softened the initial blow considerably.
The final Galar Pokedex, with expansions included, is generally categorized as follows:
Fresh designs like Corviknight (Steel/Flying), Toxtricity (Electric/Poison), and Dragapult (Dragon/Ghost) became instant fan favorites, reflecting Galar’s industrial and folklore inspirations.
Reimagined classics include:
– Galarian Zigzagoon (Dark/Normal), later evolving into Obstagoon
– Galarian Darumaka and Darmanitan, featuring Ice typing
– Sirfetch’d, an evolution for Galarian Farfetch’d
These forms highlight how GameFreak localized old species, giving them new competitive and aesthetic layers.
Throughout Galar, players encountered a blend of generational classics—from Eeveelutions to competitive stalwarts like Tyranitar, reflecting the developers’ attention to meta relevance and fan service.
Newly introduced legendary Pokémon such as Regieleki, Calyrex, and Glastrier embodied a revitalized approach to high-stakes catching and team composition.
Beyond the in-game experience, Galar’s Pokédex shaped external realities—from competitive battling to merchandise trends. For instance, with staples like Landorus-T and the Tapus initially absent, metagames rapidly evolved. Players discovered and popularized new strategies, leveraging Galar’s unique species and regional forms.
In competitive circuits, Pokémon like Dragapult and Urshifu swiftly rose into frequent use, showcasing how a curated Dex can dramatically change the landscape. Many coaches and analysts viewed the Dex reduction as an opportunity for fresh strategic thinking.
Galar’s approach to the Pokédex marked a crossroads for the Pokémon franchise—a tension between expected tradition and the push for innovation.
“Redefining the boundaries of the region’s Pokédex not only challenged entrenched expectations, but also opened space for new stories, strategies, and favorite creatures to emerge.”
With the precedent now set, subsequent releases—like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet—have borrowed from Galar’s selective philosophy while continuing to expand the digital menagerie.
The Galar region’s Pokédex, far from being a mere checklist, is both a reflection of technical evolution and a case study in fan interaction. Sword and Shield’s curated list invited trainers to explore new favorites and regional twists—even as it ignited debate across the community about the soul of Pokémon games. For collectors, battlers, and narrative fans alike, the Galar Pokédex stands as a pivotal turning point, balancing regional identity, competitive dynamism, and the ongoing history of the franchise.
How many Pokémon are in the Sword and Shield Galar Pokedex?
The base Galar Pokédex contains approximately 400 Pokémon, with the total exceeding 600 after including the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra expansions.
Can you catch every previous generation Pokémon in Sword and Shield?
No, only select Pokémon from previous generations are available. While the expansions brought back many favorites, some still remain exclusive to other games.
What are Galarian forms?
Galarian forms are regional variants of existing Pokémon that have distinct appearances, typings, and evolutionary lines unique to the Galar region.
How does the Galar Pokedex affect competitive Pokémon battling?
The limited Pokédex reshaped competitive teams, making room for new strategies and reducing reliance on previously dominant species.
Which expansion packs added more Pokémon to the Galar Pokedex?
The Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra expansions both added a significant number of returning and new Pokémon, as well as new legendaries.
Are there plans to add the full National Dex in future updates or games?
As of now, there are no announced plans to add the entire National Dex to Sword and Shield, though newer titles continue to expand available Pokémon pools.
Celebrity culture thrives on the intersection of entertainment and sports, where the personal lives of…
Palworld, a game that fuses creature collection, base building, and survival mechanics, has captured the…
Flour sits at the heart of countless kitchens, with bags stashed in pantries, ready for…
Few anime franchises have managed to capture the global spotlight quite like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu…
Taylor Swift has become synonymous with global pop culture: chart-topping music, sold-out stadiums, and relentless…
The global K-pop community was rocked by tragedy in April 2023 with the sudden death…