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If you still don’t know whether to get Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield, maybe this list of confirmed exclusive Pokémon will help you out.
Note that this means that if you get one version, you cannot get the Pokémon from the other version without trading. So if your favorite Pokémon is a Sword exclusive, you probably want to pick up Sword.
Here is a list of the version exclusives for each game that we know so far:
Pokémon Sword
- Deino, Zweilous, Hydreigon
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- Jangmo-o, Hakamo-o, Kommo-o
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- Farfetch’d, Sirfetch’d
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- Turtonator
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- Mawile
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- Gothita, Gothorita, Gothitelle
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- Rufflet, Braviary
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- Sawk
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- Seedot, Nuzleaf, Shiftry
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- Swirlix, Slurpuff
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- Scraggy, Scrafty
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- Solrock
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- Passimian
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- Basculin (red-stripe)
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- Darumaka, Darmanitan
- Flapple
- Stonjourner
- Indeedee (male)
- Zacian
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Pokémon Sword has the fighting-type gym leader, Bea, and the rock-type gym leader, Gordie.
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Pokémon Shield
- Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar
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- Goomy, Sliggoo, Goodra
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- Galarian Ponyta, Rapidash
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- Drampa
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- Sableye
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- Solosis, Duosion, Reuniclus
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- Vullaby, Mandibuzz
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- Throh
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- Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo
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- Spritzee, Aromatisse
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- Croagunk, Toxicroak
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- Lunatone
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- Oranguru
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- Basculin (blue stripe)
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- Corsola, Cursola
- Appletun
- Eiscue
- Indeedee (female)
- Zamazenta
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Pokémon Shield has the ghost-type gym leader, Allister, and the ice-type gym leader, Melony.
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Other exclusives
- Gigantamax Meowth — Mystery Gift option in-game before Jan. 15, 2020
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These Pokémon require having save files from other games in order to obtain:
- Gigantamax Pikachu — Let’s Go, Pikachu!
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- Gigantamax Eevee — Let’s Go, Eevee!
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Pokémon Sword and Shield release for Nintendo Switch on Nov. 15 and you can preload the game now if you pre-purchase the game through the Nintendo eShop.
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