How Much Is Pokemon Sword Expansion Pass

Pokemon Sword Shield Expansion Pass Kubfu And Player Source: iMore

Back in Nov 2019, the highly anticipated Pokémon Sword and Shield games finally released on Nintendo Switch. They brought with them several new experiences, locations, and Pokémon that we hadn't previously seen in core Pokémon games.

Since and so, both halves of the Pokémon Expansion Pass have released bringing even more areas to explore and more Pokémon to capture. However, is this actress content worth the high $xxx price tag?

Later spending several days playing this DLC, I can definitely say that the Expansion Pass is a worthwhile experience for any Pokémon fan. There are several Pokémon to capture that nosotros didn't see in the original Galar region, new features, and new activities to keep players entertained. It's definitely something you lot should consider purchasing if you enjoyed the base game, which is ane of the all-time Nintendo Switch games of all fourth dimension.

Continue the risk

Pokemon Sword Shield Expansion Pass

Pokémon Sword & Shield Expansion Pass

Lesser line: This DLC allows Sword and Shield players to explore the Island of Armor and the Crown Tundra. There are more Pokémon to capture, new rivals to run into, and more than challenges to complete. Plus, you lot can capture Legendary Pokémon from past games.

Pros

New Pokémon to catch
Catch Legendary Pokémon in Crown Tundra
Tin teach Pokémon to G-Max in Isle of Armor
Pokémon follow you in the overworld
New areas to explore
Diglett scavenger hunt

Cons

Expensive
Isle of Armor/Crown Tundra stories are short

Pokémon Sword & Shield Expansion Pass review What I like

Pokemon Sword Shield Expansion Pass Klara Source: iMore

Past at present the bailiwick of Dexit has been talked to death. Not every Pokémon from the previous games made it into Sword and Shield. However, the Island of Armor DLC brings several more of these Pokémon into Gen 8. For example, players go to choose betwixt getting a Bulbasaur or a Squirtle at one bespeak during the primary storyline. Additionally, players receive a new Legendary Pokémon named Kubfu who tin can actually evolve into a Fighting/Dark-type Urshifu or a Fighting/H2o-type Urshifu, depending on what you lot choose.

Category	Pokémon Sword & Shield Expansion Pass
Title	Pokémon Sword & Shield Expansion Pass
Developer	Game Freak
Publisher	The Pokémon Company
Genre	RPG
Players	Single
Launch Toll	$30

Several other creatures tin be found while exploring the caves, foresty location, snowy mountains, oceans, or deserts in the DLC. As with the original games, some Pokémon can only be encountered in the Sword version of DLC while others will but be seen in the Shield version. Additionally, players are given an expanded Pokédex and can earn a reward for completing it. That definitely gives players a reason to merchandise with others and gives them a goal to work towards later on the master storyline is completed.

Klara and Avery are better rivals than Hop

Pokemon Shield Expansion Pass Avery Source: iMore

Klara and Avery offer more of a challenge equally rivals than Hop ever did.

Within the original games, Hop is designated equally your rival friend and leads you through a tutorial throughout your Galar-region journey. However, in the Expansion Pass, players encounter a new rival at the Island of Armor. Those playing Sword meet Klara, a Toxicant-type trainer who dreams of becoming a gym leader. Shield players meet Avery, a Psychic-type trainer who also aspires to become a gym leader.

Hop was always a lackluster rival in the base game. He's obviously weaker than you lot, and so your battles never feel impactful. Meanwhile, these new rivals are hateful. They crook and do everything they can to push the actor away from victory. Plus, they're actually competent during battle, dissimilar Hop. Every bit you lot brand your way through the Island of Armor, they inadvertently explain to the histrion exactly what you need to do in society to progress throughout the DLC. This way, it doesn't feel like a massive tutorial that's talking downwards to you the whole time.

You can teach certain Pokémon to Gigantamax

Pokemon Sword Shield Expansion Pass No Shadow Source: iMore

One of the frustrating things for me while playing the base Sword and Shield games was realizing that one of my favorite Pokémon couldn't Gigantamax fifty-fifty though its species had the potential to exercise and so.

The Island of Armor solves this trouble. Feeding Max Soup to a Pokémon with Chiliad-Max potential makes it larn how to G-Max. The DLC's master story that surrounds Kubfu and Urshifu basically serves as a massive tutorial to teach you how to create Max Soup and feed it to your other Pokémon from the Galar region who also have the potential to Gigantamax.

Pokémon can now follow y'all in the overworld

Pokemon Sword Shield Expansion Pass No Shadow Source: iMore

I was upset when I learned that Pokémon couldn't follow you around in the original Sword and Shield games. This had been something that had been implemented in a few previous games including Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon Allow'southward Go, Pikachu! and Let'south Go, Eevee!

When I realized that the Isle of Armor finally fabricated information technology possible for my favorite Pokémon to follow me around, I became ecstatic. I don't know how many hours I've spent swapping out the first Pokémon in my party and taking pictures of my favorite Pokémon trailing behind me.

Diglett scavenger chase

Near the start of the Isle of Armor DLC, I came across an NPC who told me he had lost his Alolan Digletts. I was expecting him to inquire me to find 5-x of them, but he surprised me past sending me on a full-fledged Diglett scavenger hunt with 150 of the little guys to find. I initially rolled my eyes figuring this was a cheap way for Game Freak to prolong gameplay on the Isle of Armor.

However, when I finally started hunting for these little diggers I got sucked in. Information technology was kind of like the relaxation I feel when running around my Creature Crossing island looking for weeds. The difference is with the Pokémon DLC, I got rewarded with Alolan Pokémon whenever I reached a sure milestone for the number of Digletts plant. This was a fun addition that kept me exploring for quite a fleck.

Catching Legendary Pokémon

Pokemon Dynamax Adventures Suicune Source: iMore

The story surrounding the Crown Tundra revolves around a new Legendary Pokémon called, Calyrex. I wasn't very impressed with him, but fortunately, at that place are enough of other Legendary Pokémon to grab in this snowy region.

In addition to Calyrex, you can as well catch the Galarian version of the three Legendary birds from Gen one, and if y'all explore the Crown Tundra'southward Max Lairs with other players, yous'll become the chance to fight and catch Legendary Pokémon from past games each time you reach the terminate of the cavern.

Shiny Pokémon

Pokemon Dynamax Adventures Shiny Vileplume Source: iMore

There also seems to be a higher chance of catching shiny Pokémon in the Max Lair. I caught a shiny Vileplume early on and each of my friends who also purchased the Expansion Pass has too defenseless at least i shiny Pokémon while in the caves. If yous're a shiny hunter, that might merely make the Expansion Pass worth getting.

Pokémon Sword & Shield Expansion Pass review What I don't like

Pokemon Sword Shield Expansion Pass Calyrex Source: The Pokémon Company

Game Freak has traditionally released a follow-up game of some kind later on releasing the offset gear up of games in whatever given Generation. For case, after the launch of Ruddy and Sapphire, Game Freak released Emerald. Similarly, after Sun and Moon, Ultra Sunday and Ultra Moon followed. Then it wasn't also surprising that the Japanese game developers created some extra DLC for Sword and Shield. However, it is a bit costly considering what y'all're getting.

I was able to beat both the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra'south main storylines in just a few hours.

All in all, I was able to terminate the primary storylines for both the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra within a few hours. Granted, this was partial because my Pokémon were already at high levels from playing the original game, so the Expansion Laissez passer battles weren't very challenging for me. That beingness said, Klara and Mustard's Pokémon were all betwixt level 60 and level 75, then they won't be a walk in the park for everyone.

Beyond the new story details, filling in the expanded Pokédex and finding the previously mentioned Digletts do add a lot of time to your Expansion Pass experience. I realize that a lot of work had to go into creating all of these additional Pokémon and locations, but I feel like the DLC was a flake overpriced. But if you like the idea of being able to take hold of multiple Legendaries from previous games, you definitely ought to buy information technology.

Pokémon Sword & Shield Expansion Pass review Bottom Line

Pokemon Sword Shield Crown Tundra Dragonite Source: The Pokémon Visitor

The Expansion Pass is a fun petty splash of actress content that gives players more of the Galar region to savour. Key amid these new experiences are the brand new storylines surrounding the Legendary Pokémon Kubfu and Calyrex. I also love having the ability to walk around the Isle of Armor or the Crown Tundra with my favorite Pokémon trailing behind me as I discover new places.

Considering how curt the DLC storyline is, the $thirty price tag is a bit plush. However, if yous're the kind of person that loves filling out a Pokédex and meeting new Pokémon then this volition definitely be a fun way to expand upon that.

Keep the adventure

Pokemon Sword Shield Expansion Pass

Pokémon Sword & Shield Expansion Pass

Explore more of Galar

This DLC allows Sword and Shield players to explore the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra. There are more than Pokémon to capture, new rivals to run into, and more challenges to complete. Just make sure you select the proper version of the DLC that matches the version of the game you're playing.

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