Pokémon Sword and Shield’s first expansion, Isle of Armor, launches this June 17th

While we already knew that the first ever expansion for a Pokémon game – in this case Sword and Shield – would arrive sometime this month, but now an announcement over on the brand’s official Japanese account has today confirmed it’ll be launching on June 17^th. Isle of Armor is the first half of the Pokémon Sword and Shield expansion pass, introducing new legendary Pokémon and an all-new region. It will be followed later this year by The Crown Tundra.

The new Isle of Armor trailer was full of titbits worth getting exciting about. One of the most interesting, however, was the news that the original three legendary birds would be receiving Galarian forms. What’s more, all three will boast new types alongside flying: Galarian Articuno is Psychic, Galarian Moltres is Dark and Galarian Zapdos is Fighting. It all ties into the theme of the Isle of Armor expansion which is “growth”.

https://twitter.com/Pokemon_cojp/status/1267803153879035904

The trailer also gives us a good look at Galarian Slowbro in action, as well as how the Dyanamaxed forms of Blastoise and Venusaur will operate. Needless to say, if Pokémon diversity was ever a problem in Sword and Shield before, Isle of Armor isn’t short on new ways to play. As a reminder: until June 4^th players can claim a free Galarian Ponyta.

Isle of Armour is the first of two expansions, as mentioned, and will see players training under a former Pokémon League champion and receive a new legendary Pokémon in Kubfu. From here your starter Pokémon from the full game will gain the ability to Gigantamax, priming you for The Crown Tundra expansion set to release later this year.

The best price for the Pokemon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass: