The Great Galar Dex Debate: Which Pokémon Missed the Cut in Sword and Shield?
The release of Pokémon Sword and Shield for the Nintendo Switch brought the beloved franchise into a new generation, and with it, a brand new region to explore: Galar. However, alongside the excitement of new Pokémon, new mechanics like Dynamaxing, and a vast open-world area in the Wild Area, came a significant and rather controversial decision by Game Freak: not all Pokémon would be included in the Galar Pokédex. This move, often referred to as "Dexit," left many trainers wondering which of their favorite creatures wouldn't be making the journey to Galar. This article aims to provide a detailed answer to the burning question: Which Pokémon aren't in Sword and Shield?
Understanding the "National Dex" vs. Regional Dex
Before diving into the specifics, it's crucial to understand the difference between a "National Pokédex" and a "Regional Pokédex." For most Pokémon games, the National Pokédex encompasses every single Pokémon that has been released up to that point. A Regional Pokédex, on the other hand, is specific to the region the game is set in. In Sword and Shield, the Galar Pokédex is the primary focus for gameplay within the game itself. However, the ability to transfer Pokémon from previous games via Pokémon HOME opened up the possibility for a larger, albeit still incomplete, roster to be accessible.
The core issue with "Dexit" was that even with the ability to transfer from Pokémon HOME, a significant number of Pokémon simply weren't programmed into the game's code. This meant that even if you had a particular Pokémon in Pokémon HOME, you couldn't transfer it into Sword and Shield if it wasn't "allowed" in the Galar region.
The Logic Behind the Exclusions (and the Controversy)
Game Freak cited the need to focus on polishing the gameplay experience for the Nintendo Switch as the primary reason for limiting the Pokédex. They argued that porting every single Pokémon would require a tremendous amount of work to ensure each one looked good and functioned properly in the new environment, especially with the graphical advancements of the Switch. However, this explanation was met with significant backlash from the Pokémon community, many of whom felt it was a betrayal of the series' core promise of "Gotta Catch 'Em All."
The argument often revolved around the idea that if other Nintendo franchises, like Super Smash Bros., could incorporate hundreds of characters from various third-party developers, why couldn't Pokémon, a franchise solely owned by Nintendo, include all of its own creatures?
Key Pokémon and Pokémon Families Absent from Sword and Shield
While a comprehensive, exhaustive list would be incredibly lengthy and difficult to maintain due to ongoing updates and DLC, we can highlight some of the most significant and beloved Pokémon families that were notably absent from the base game's Galar Pokédex and, importantly, were not made available through later updates or DLC (unless specified). It's important to note that some of these Pokémon *could* be seen in-game through specific events or trainer battles, but you couldn't catch them or have them as part of your own team.
Legendary and Mythical Pokémon That Were Excluded
A significant portion of the excluded Pokémon were powerful Legendary and Mythical Pokémon. This was particularly disappointing for collectors and those who enjoy using these powerful creatures in their playthroughs. Some of the most prominent exclusions included:
- The Legendary Birds of Kanto: Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres (though Galarian forms of these were introduced, the original forms were not).
- The Legendary Beasts of Johto: Entei, Raikou, and Suicune.
- The Legendary Titans of Hoenn: Regirock, Regice, and Registeel.
- The Eon Duo: Latias and Latios.
- The Weather Trio of Hoenn: Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza.
- The Creation Trio of Sinnoh: Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina.
- The Tao Trio of Unova: Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem.
- The Aura Trio of Kalos: Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde.
- The Light Trio of Alola: Solgaleo, Lunala, and Necrozma.
- Most Mythical Pokémon: Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Deoxys, Manaphy, Phione, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Keldeo, Meloetta, Genesect, Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Magearna, Marshadow, Zeraora, Meltan, and Melmetal.
Popular Starter Pokémon and Their Evolutions
Many trainers have a special bond with their starter Pokémon, and the exclusion of several popular starter lines was a major point of contention. This meant you couldn't bring your trusty Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, or many other beloved companions into the Galar region.
- Kanto Starters: Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard; Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise; Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur.
- Johto Starters: Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium; Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr.
- Hoenn Starters: Treecko, Grovyle, Sceptile; Torchic, Combusken, Blaziken; Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert.
- Sinnoh Starters: Turtwig, Grotle, Torterra; Chimchar, Monferno, Infernape; Piplup, Prinplup, Empoleon.
- Unova Starters: Snivy, Servine, Serperior; Tepig, Pignite, Emboar; Oshawott, Dewott, Samurott.
- Kalos Starters: Chespin, Quilladin, Chesnaught; Fennekin, Braixen, Delphox; Froakie, Frogadier, Greninja.
- Alola Starters: Rowlet, Dartrix, Decidueye; Litten, Torracat, Incineroar; Popplio, Brionne, Primarina.
Other Notable Exclusions
Beyond Legendaries and starters, a vast array of other fan-favorite Pokémon were also not included in the Galar Pokédex. These spanned across all generations and types, leaving many players unable to complete their National Pokédex within the game.
- Johto Powerhouses: Tyranitar and its pre-evolutions, Dragonite and its pre-evolutions, and Espeon and Umbreon.
- Hoenn Icons: Metagross and its pre-evolutions.
- Sinnoh Staples: Lucario and its pre-evolution.
- Other Popular Pokémon: Gengar and its pre-evolutions, Alakazam and its pre-evolutions, and many more.
The Impact of DLC and Updates
It's important to note that the landscape of available Pokémon in Sword and Shield changed with the release of the Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra DLC expansions. These expansions introduced many Pokémon that were not present in the base game, including some Legendaries and starter Pokémon. However, even with the DLC, the Galar Pokédex remained incomplete compared to the full National Pokédex. The final tally of Pokémon available in Sword and Shield, including DLC, was still less than the total number of Pokémon released up to Generation 8.
For example, The Crown Tundra notably brought back many Legendary Pokémon from previous generations, allowing players to encounter and catch them. However, this was still a curated selection, not a full restoration of the National Dex.
Conclusion: The Galar Dex and the Future of Pokémon
The decision to limit the Pokédex in Pokémon Sword and Shield was a divisive one. While Game Freak aimed to improve game development and polish, many players felt it diminished the experience of a Pokémon game, which has historically been about collecting and connecting with a vast array of creatures. Even with the subsequent DLC, a significant number of Pokémon remain absent from the Galar region. This has set a precedent that fans will be watching closely as future Pokémon titles are developed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pokémon Not in Sword and Shield
How many Pokémon are actually missing from Sword and Shield?
It's difficult to give an exact number as it depends on whether you count the base game or the DLC. However, at its peak, Sword and Shield, including its DLC, featured around 600 Pokémon out of over 800 that existed at the time of Generation 8's release. This means a substantial portion of the National Pokédex was indeed inaccessible within the game.
Why were so many Pokémon not included in Sword and Shield?
Game Freak stated that the primary reason was to allow for more time and resources to be dedicated to improving the quality of the game on the Nintendo Switch, including animations, gameplay balance, and overall polish. They felt that porting every single Pokémon would have been too immense a task and compromised the quality of the game.
Can I still use my favorite Pokémon if it's not in Sword and Shield?
If your favorite Pokémon was not included in the Galar Pokédex or its DLC, you generally cannot bring it into Sword and Shield through Pokémon HOME. The game's code dictates which Pokémon are transferable, so if a Pokémon isn't "recognized" by the Galar game, it simply won't appear.
Will future Pokémon games also have limited Pokédexes?
This is a major concern for fans. While Game Freak hasn't made a definitive statement about all future games, the precedent set by Sword and Shield has led many to believe that limited Pokédexes might become a recurring feature. However, community feedback is always a factor, and developers may adjust their approach based on player reception.
