Pokémon Sword and Shields release date has been confirmed, along with a bunch of new details including giant battles and legendary beasts.
In a special Direct presentation, The Pokémon Company took a deep dive on Sword and Shield and revealed the two games will release worldwide on 15 November on Nintendo Switch.
The other big announcement is the new feature of giant Pokémon fights, named Dynamax, where you can boost a Pokémons strength by super-sizing them mid-battle.
This is triggered within battles and can only be used once per match, with the effect lasting for three turns – so theres some strategy in picking the best time to utilise the move.
These will play a big role in gym fights throughout the Galar region, which now take place in huge stadiums with a spectating crowd.
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You can capture Dynamax Pokémon in the region through new four-player co-operative battles called Max Raid Battles, where you join forces with fellow trainers, online or local, to battle the super-sized giants.
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Only one of the four trainers can utilise their own Dynamax Pokémon in these battles too, so players will have to coordinate over who has the best monsters for the job to take down the beast, before getting the chance to capture them.
The trailers also showed off new legendary Pokémon named Zacian and Zamamenta, who appear to be wolves slightly akin to the legendary dogs in previous games.
Theres a number of unique features specific to the Galar overworld too, titled the Wild area with different Pokémon available depending on your location and the changing weather in the area interspersed between cities.
Youll have full control of the camera too for the first time, with players able to discover Pokémon in the grassy fields, water and above in the skies.
It was unclear in the presentation, but it was later confirmed encounters with Pokémon will be triggered in a similar vein to Pokémon Lets Go, either through encountering monsters roaming the world or approaching exclamation marks in tall patches of grass, eliminating random encounters.
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You wont be capturing Pokémon using Pokémon Go throwing mechanics though, with battles returning in order to capture monsters.
Along with old favourites like Raichu, Rhyhorn and Butterfree spotted in the trailer, some new monsters were also revealed, named Wooloo, Gossifleur, Drednaw, and Corviknight.
New Pokémon confirmed for Sword and Shield
Wooloo
Wooloo is a normal type Pokémon whose fluffy wool is a prized commodity throughout the region for crafting special goods.
Gossifleur
Gossifleur is a grass type Pokémon who favours places with clean air and water, with its pollen having healing properties.
Drednaw
Drednaw is a water and rock type Pokémon with a powerful bite. Its a difficult Pokémon to train due to its vicious nature.
Corviknight
Corviknight is a flying and steel type Pokémon who also operates as a flying taxi to take players between regions you have already visited.
