Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass gets Release Window and New Details

Nintendo announced new details regarding the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield expansion pass during a Nintendo Direct Mini, including a new release window for The Isle of Armor and new Gigantamax forms for the game’s starters.

When first arriving in the Isle of Armor, trainers will be able to train at a Pokémon dojo and receive a new legendary Pokémon, Kubfu. Trainers will then be able to challenge the Towers of Two Fists. Trainers can only challenge one of the towers: the Tower of Darkness or the Tower of Waters.

Upon finishing the tower, the trainer’s Kubfu will evolve into Urshifu and gain a special attack based on which tower the trainer defeated: Single Strike Style for the Tower of Darkness and Rapid Strike Style for the Tower of Waters.

The direct also outlined new Gigantamax forms for the game’s starter Pokémon. Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon will all be gaining the ability to Gigantamax as a reward for playing The Isle of Armor. Each Pokémon will also be receiving new powerful G-Max moves that will ignore the effects of their target’s ability.

A few new customization items were also shown off in the direct, such as outfit items and hairstyles resembling Team Yell. New league card backgrounds, effects, and frames will also be added.

While no concrete release date has been confirmed for the two parts of the expansion pass, The Isle of Armor is now slated to be available by the end of June with The Crown Tundra launching this fall.

Check out the new trailer for the expansion pass here: