Every 90s kid has watched Pokémon at some point in their childhood. Pokémon was an anime series loved by kids all over the world and the craze for it is still alive. Pokémon started off as games, and to this day, the games keep the spirit alive.
Also read: Pokémon Sword and Shield for dummies: All you need to know
Two of the most recent games to come out in the Pokémon franchise are Pokémon Shield and Pokémon Sword.
The question players always have whenever new Pokémon game twins are released is regarding the exclusive Pokémon. Just like its predecessors, the Sword and Shield games also have version-exclusive Pokémon. The reason is to promote trading among players who own different versions of games.
So, can you get Pokémon exclusive to Shield in your copy of Sword?
Yes, you can get Shield exclusives in Pokémon Sword
In order to obtain a Pokémon missing from your version, you have to trade with other players who have the opposite version.
A Pokémon being versioned exclusive means that you can only normally come across it in either Sword or Shield, not both. There are other ways to obtain the Pokémon without having to go online, such as through a trade with an NPC character, but for the most part, you will need to connect with other players to get all of the new Pokémon.
There are also two version exclusive gyms in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. In Sword, there is a Fighting-type gym headed by Bea and a Rock-type gym headed by Gordie and in Shield, there is a Ghost-type gym headed by Allister and an Ice-type gym headed by Melony.
Here’s a list of Pokémon Shield exclusive Pokémon:
- Goomy
- Sliggo
- Goodra
- Larvitar
- Pupitar
- Tyranitar
- Galarian Ponyta
- Solosis
- Duosion
- Reuniclus
- Drampa
- Vullaby
- Mandibuzz
- Gengar
- Lapras
- Cursola
- Lotad
- Lombre
- Ludicolo
- Sableye
- Lunatone
- Croagunk
- Toxicroak
- Basculin (Blue-stripe form)
- Spritzee
- Aromatisse
- Oranguru
- Appletun
- Eiscue
- Indeedee, Female
NPC trade locations
Here’s a list of all Pokémon trades you can do exclusive to Pokémon Sword. Note that these trades are not available on Shield. For a list of trades common to both games, see Serebii’s list.
- Level 30 Maractus for Hatenna in Stow-on-side, the building on the left, top. It will be nicknamed Fringe. Nature: Quiet, Ability: Anticipation, Item: none, Dynamax: 1. Aromatherapy/Psybeam/Heal Pulse/Dazzling Gleam.
- Level 37 Vanillish for Throh in Circhester, at the ice cream stall. It will be nicknamed Bluebop. Nature: Adamant, Ability: Inner Focus, Item: none, Dynamax: 2. Low Sweep/Bulk Up/Retaliate/Brick Break.
Besides these, all trades will need to be done with other players who play Pokémon Shield.
How to do player trades?
Well, doing trades with other players is fairly straightforward and something you’ll pick up in no time.
There are two ways you can trade: either with someone who’s in your local vicinity or with someone who’s far. Trading locally is although the best, I for one know that local trades cannot get you by at all when it comes to Pokémon games.
For local trades with players who play the games and are in your vicinity, follow these steps and you’ll be good to go:
- Open your Y-Comm menu.
- There will be a Link Trade option.
- Choose Start Trading.
- The game will not attempt to find people on your local network.
- Set up your “Link Code”. It will allow you to trade with someone who has that Link Code.
- The trading module will begin where both parties will choose who to trade.
Online trading is done a bit differently but through the same Y-Comm menu.
- After opening the Y-Comm menu, press the “+” sign to connect to the internet.
- Choose Link Trade, then Start Trading, just like you do with local trades.
- Once you’ve set up your Link Code, share it digitally with your friend.
- Unless someone else also has the same code set up, you’ll be good to go.
