All Pokémon games released in pairs have minor differences between them, and Pokémon Sword & Shield are no different. Some details here are speculative—the page will be updated after the release of the games with concrete information.
Version Exclusive Pokémon
Each game is home to Pokémon species not found in the other. To collect all the Pokémon in Galar, you’ll need to trade with friends or buy both versions.
Pokémon Sword Exclusives
New Pokémon
- Galarian Farfetch’d and Sirfetch’d
- Galarian Darumaka and Galarian Darmanitan
- Flapple
Returning Pokémon
- Deino (plus its evolutions Zweilous and Hydreigon)
- Jangmo-o (plus its evolutions Hakamo-o and Kommo-o)
- Mawile
- Turtonator
- Gothita, Gothorita, and Gothitelle
- Rufflet and Braviary
- Passimian
- Solrock
Pokémon Shield Exclusives
New Pokémon
- Galarian Corsola and Cursola
- Galarian Ponyta and Galarian Rapidash
- Appletun
Returning Pokémon
- Larvitar (plus its evolutions Pupitar and Tyranitar)
- Goomy (plus its evolutions Sliggoo and Goodra)
- Sableye
- Drampa
- Solosis, Duosion and Reuniclus
- Vullaby and Mandibuzz
- Oranguru
- Lunatone
Exclusive Legendary Pokémon
Zacian will be exclusive to Pokémon Sword, while Zamazenta will be exclusive to Pokémon Shield.
Version Exclusive Characters
Currently this section should be considered very speculative in nature outside of Bea and Allister.
Pokémon Sword Characters
- Bea is a Fighting-type Gym Leader exclusive to Pokémon Sword
- Gordie is a Rock-type Gym Leader exclusive to Pokémon Sword
Pokémon Shield Characters
- Allister is a Ghost-type Gym Leader exclusive to Pokémon Shield
- Melony is an Ice-type Gym Leader exclusive to Pokémon Shield