SwSh Sword & Shield: Expansion Pass

[KiranTheWitch]

this is based.

BLACK AND WHITE REMAKES WHEN???!!!

Apparently, these are codenames.

 

[KiranTheWitch]

That means we are indeed getting 2 more Mythicals, likely confirming that this is indeed a three year gen like 5, 6, and 7.

I'm just happy Gen 8 finishes at 900.

 

[Esserise]

@PkmnTrainerV
@Shib

I just tested it to confirm, and yes, even if you have Kubfu hold an Everstone during the trial, you can come back to the tower later and make it evolve by showing it the scroll on the fifth floor. But you can still only visit the tower that you chose to challenge (Waters or Darkness) - the other one is closed forever.

 

[Alola]

One of the things that really stood out to me in this expansion were the brand new Move Tutor Moves available! I didn't anticipate Game Freak making a new move for every single type of Pokemon! I wanted to share my thoughts on them below:

(The move power and usage is abbreviated as so: Power/Accuracy/PP)

Terrain Pulse 50/100%/10 (Special)

The user utilizes the power of the terrain to attack. This move's type and power changes depending on the terrain when it's used.

• This is basically a terrain version of Weather Ball, not that Weather Ball was super competitive to begin with. There seems to be a larger appreciation of the terrain with several of these new moves, and this one is no exception. When a terrain is activated, the damage doubles to 100-and that's not even factoring the boost from the terrain. Surprisingly, not too many Pokemon can learn it... However, Indeedee can, which means if it has its HA, it has a STAB option stronger than Psychic. As this is a Pulse move, it's also boosted by Mega Launcher which adds a layer of versatility to Clawitzer and Mega Blastoise.

Burning Jealousy 70/100%/5 (Special)

The user attacks with energy from jealousy. This leaves all opposing Pokémon that have had their stats boosted during the turn with a burn.​

• Not feeling the name; it's even the same in Japanese. That aside, it seems pretty niche in usage as you'd have to successfully predict when someone (preferably a physical attacker) boosts their stats before attacking. I would imagine, though, there'd be usage it for competitive single formats-maybe. Alolan Persian, the Impidimp line, and Cursola get this move too (outside the expected Fire types) which I found interesting.

Flip Turn 60/100%/20 (Physical)

After making its attack, the user rushes back to switch places with a party Pokémon in waiting.​

• A Water version of U-Turn, but weaker for some reason... That really bothers me-why did they decrease the power? Anyway, physical Water attackers like Barraskewda, Sharpedo, Wishiwashi, etc. may appreciate this. Sadly, the Water-style Urshifu doesn't learn this... That aside, the name makes me chuckle as it's based off flip turning in real life swimming.

Grassy Glide 70/100%/20 (Physical)

Gliding on the ground, the user attacks the target. This move always goes first on Grassy Terrain.​

• This move's localized name reminds me too much of those silly names from Let's Go. Something like Blade Glide, as in a blade of grass, would have been better imo. Anyway, here's another move designed to take advantage of a terrain; seems like it's tailor made to give Rillaboom a priority move. It's a Grass-typed Sucker Punch with a different caveat; while Sucker Punch can only be used if someone is attacking, this move can still be used regardless of a Grassy Terrain. Again, seems like a niche option that may not see much move-slot usage. Dubwool and Sirfetch'd also get this move, which is cool.

Rising Voltage 70/100%/20 (Special)

The user attacks with electric voltage rising from the ground. This move's power doubles when the target is on Electric Terrain.​

• 70's the magic number, huh? Although this one makes sense-a 140 BP under Electric Terrain? And that's still not factoring the 50% damage boost? Tapu Koko is shaking in his Alolan ruins. This is one of my favorite moves yet-the potential damage output is crazy. Imagine Surge Surfer Raichu with this too, hoo boy.

Coaching -/-/10 (Status)

The user properly coaches its ally Pokémon, boosting their Attack and Defense stats.​

• This one's Fighting if you didn't know. It's basically a Bulk Up for a teammate. It has uses in Double battles (like boosting the physical parameters of a slower teammate), but I don't know if it'll see a lot of usage. When Decorate exists, you wonder why this move doesn't boost two stages as well.

Scorching Sands 70/100%/10 (Special)

The user throws scorching sand at the target to attack. This may also leave the target with a burn.​

• This is basically a Ground-typed Scald, but slightly weaker. Even has the same 30% burn chance! I love this move and a lot of special attacking Fire types can learn it; a great coverage move for them, especially against Rock types. I wonder why they didn't give it 80 BP like Scald, though...

Dual Wingbeat 40/90%/10 (Physical)

The user slams the target with its wings. The target is hit twice in a row.​

• Lol, firstly just wanted to point out that I somewhat predicted this in the new move and abilities thread. That aside, there's finally a physical Flying type move that is high-powered and not Fly (two-turn), Brave Bird (recoil), or Aerial Ace (low attack power)! It's about time, sheesh! This an awesome STAB option for a lot of Pokemon, namely Technician Scyther. Naturally, the amount of Pokemon that can learn this is vast-even if they aren't Flying types, as long as they have wings then they're good. Also, again, it's a Flying version of Dual Chop...so why were some other move clones nerfed?

Meteor Beam 120/90%/10 (Special)

In this two-turn attack, the user gathers space power and boosts its Sp. Atk stat, then attacks the target on the next turn.​

• I like this move, although it isn't practical. Still, it's another special rock option outside of Power Gem. You also get a Special Attack boost while charging (!) which somewhat mitigates the two turn usage. Power Herb can be combined with this too, for a speedy +1 attack.

Skitter Smack 70/90%/10 (Physical)

The user skitters behind the target to attack. This also lowers the target's Sp. Atk stat.​

• Another dumb Let's Go name. This one's Bug-typed, too. A good number of non-Bugs can learn it (Goodra's line, Decidueye, Milotic, the Persians, Chandelure's line, etc.); probably because of its Japanese name and meaning. I'm so-so with this move, but the guaranteed Special Attack drop is nice. A physical version of Struggle Bug, albeit a single-target.

Triple Axel 20>40>60/90%/10 (Physical)

A consecutive three-kick attack that becomes more powerful with each successful hit.​

• Another favorite, and I love the name. It's like Triple Kick, but better (why was Triple Kick not buffed, then...)-ideally, it can rack up to 120 BP instead of 60 BP! It's a much better option than Ice Punch for some users (or at least can be). While a lot of Ice types naturally get this, several Pokemon associated with beauty (Gardevoir, Milotic, Lopunny, etc.) get this too. Other notable practitioners include Hitmontop, Gallade, Tsareena, and Cinccino (who can abuse this with Skill Link).

Corrosive Gas -/100%/40 (Status)

The user surrounds everything around it with highly acidic gas and melts away items they hold. Corrosive Gas cannot melt an item from Pokémon with the Sticky Hold Ability, or if it hits a Pokémon's substitute. It also cannot melt a Blue Orb, Red Orb, Griseous Orb, Plate, Drive, Memory, Rusted Sword, or Rusted Shield held by Kyogre, Groudon, Giratina, Arceus, Genesect, Silvally, Zacian, or Zamazenta respectively.​

• Be careful, because this hits your partners in Double Battles too. Can you imagine a Galarian Weezing neutralizing both Abilities and items? Lol. It may see use in VGC doubles.

Expanding Force 80/100%/20 (Special)

The user attacks the target with its psychic power. This move's power goes up and damages all opposing Pokémon on Psychic Terrain.​

• Another terrain-based move. The damage is doubled with Psychic Terrain, meaning you've got a STAB 160 BP with an additional 50% damage boost. It can outclass Psychic with a Psychic Terrain up, so there's that (it becoming a spread move has pros and cons; if you use it without the spread-effect, your opponent is in for some damage).

Poltergeist 110/90%/5 (Physical)

The user attacks the target by controlling the target's item. The move fails if the target doesn't have an item.​

• What a deviously delicious move. Finally Ghost types have a good physical attack option; Shadow Claw is too weak and Phantom Force is telegraphed while wasting two turns. In a competitive scene, this move will 99% be able to function. I'm just...wow. I love it. It's amazing. My Decidueye will learn this, chaw-haw-haw.

Scale Shot 25/90%/20 (Physical)

The user attacks by shooting scales two to five times in a row. This move boosts the user's Speed stat but lowers its Defense stat.​

• That Speed increase and Defense drop applies for each hit, mind you; if someone survives, then you've essentially allowed them to hit you with a strong physical move. It's basically a weaponized Weak Armor. And incredibly gimmicky and niche. I don't see anyone using this...at all, aside for personal reasons. Also, it works akin to Bullet Seed, for further clarification.

Lash Out 75/100%/5 (Physical)

The user lashes out to vent its frustration toward the target. If its stats were lowered during the turn, the power of this move is doubled.​

• This move has the potential to do a lot of damage... However, it's gimmicky and niche. I would imagine maybe someone could predict an Intimidate drop...but still, it's a risk. HOWEVER! If you lower your partners stats, then that's a different situation...yikes. I imagine people will take advantage of a 150 BP move that way. Aside from Dark types and Pokemon associated with anger (like Gyarados and Drampa), Mudsdale, Midnight Lycanroc, and Bouffalant also notably get this.

Steel Roller 130/100%/5 (Physical)

The user attacks while destroying the terrain. This move fails when the ground hasn't turned into a terrain.​

• Lol, they should have introduced this in Alola where terrains were all the rage. Aside from Steel types, a lot of spherical-like Pokemon get this move.

Misty Explosion (100/100%/5) (Special)

The user attacks everything around it and faints upon using this move. This move's power is increased (doubled to 200) on Misty Terrain.​

• A weaker Self-destruct, which makes sense as a lot of Pokemon who learn Self-destruct naturally lack the STAB and physical power to use it effectively. Same for Explosion. Anyway, you have a lot of specially attacking fairies like Gardevoir, Sylveon, and Primarina that can learn this move. I'd imagine it's a great "I'm taking you with me, sucker" move...but I honestly was hoping for something a little less...suicidal, when it came to a new damaging Fairy move. Like, a better physical move, for example. Or they could have had the effect where your HP is left to one when using it on Misty Terrain.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

 

[JFrombaugh]

Did I mention Klara is literally who I originally thought Opal was going to be back in the days of the Ben Affleck leak speculation?

Honestly, the only differences were (obviously) Fairy-type specialist instead of Poison-type specialist, and her background was a theater actress (think Flurrie from Paper Mario TTYD) rather than an underground pop singer.

I even predicted she'd have pink hair to go with her Fairy-type theme, which was super-ironic considering how much the real Opal rambles about the color pink.

 

[BackSet]

which was super-ironic considering how much the real Opal rambles about the color pink.

It's what she likes to see in others, not herself.

(Though apparently her definition of "pink" is very loose because Bede really isn't all that pink)

 

[KiranTheWitch]

It's what she likes to see in others, not herself.

(Though apparently her definition of "pink" is very loose because Bede really isn't all that pink)

Opal's gym uniform heavily incorporates pink in its design.

It's interesting, though, that her younger self wore almost no pink at all.

 

[techitisJ]

It looks like you can encounter Galar's Gym Leaders on the Isle of Armor. I'm not sure if there are multiple on the Island at once, or if it's a one per day, or what. I saw Nessa over by the beach today, and I saw a couple of screenshots of someone who saw Raihan.

Also, I was wondering if anyone knew anything about this, but the Isle of Armor doesn't seem to reset like the Wild Area does after a day. Every day the Watts Reset on the Raid Dens, all the berry trees are filled, Static Overworld Pokemon come back, and the Max Raids are shuffled around. It doesn't appear to do this on the Isle of Armor. I was able to reset the raid dens by completing all the raids like how it is in the Wild Area, but I haven't seen any changes in the Static Overworld Pokemon and the Berry Trees.

 

[KiranTheWitch]

I wonder if that means that Shield players can meet Bea and Gordie and Sword players, Allister and Melony.

 

[Daren]

Also, I was wondering if anyone knew anything about this, but the Isle of Armor doesn't seem to reset like the Wild Area does after a day. Every day the Watts Reset on the Raid Dens, all the berry trees are filled, Static Overworld Pokemon come back, and the Max Raids are shuffled around. It doesn't appear to do this on the Isle of Armor. I was able to reset the raid dens by completing all the raids like how it is in the Wild Area, but I haven't seen any changes in the Static Overworld Pokemon and the Berry Trees.

I've definitely seen the Berry trees refilled and the "sparkling" spots seem to be respawning.

 

[Eeveely]

Spoiler: A spoiler-free meme

Unrelated fun fact: urshifu is usable in competitive. Sweet sweet balance

 

[techitisJ]

I've definitely seen the Berry trees refilled and the "sparkling" spots seem to be respawning.

Hmm, maybe I have to shake all the berry trees and there was one I missed somewhere. I'm sure the sparkle spots are respawning though, I find so many of those things.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Matleo]

• This one's Fighting if you didn't know. It's basically a Bulk Up for a teammate. It has uses in Double battles (like boosting the physical parameters of a slower teammate), but I don't know if it'll see a lot of usage. When Decorate exists, you wonder why this move doesn't boost two stages as well.

bc you loose a turn and get damaged when you do it... and dont boost yourself...

I like those occasionally boosted moves they for sure have something in them hope not overpowered... if something they can reduce their power in future per 5 or 10 points...

Misty explosion only causes user to fain? what if it had a 50% chance to make user faint or destroy the terrain instead your oponent would dont know it...

 

[Esserise]

It looks like you can encounter Galar's Gym Leaders on the Isle of Armor. I'm not sure if there are multiple on the Island at once, or if it's a one per day, or what. I saw Nessa over by the beach today, and I saw a couple of screenshots of someone who saw Raihan.

I saw Gordie on the shore of Challenge Beach (in Sword) yesterday, and today I saw Hop with his Dubwool in the Forest of Focus.

 

[RK9]

OKay so.

The new Wild Area is gorgeous and actually an area. I detoured a lot and got lost (Damn you forest!) but this begs the question.

Why is the main game Wild Area so ugly and bad? This really should have been in the main game.

Also, while kinda toxic, Klara is... pretty cute, in a weird way. I'm heavily conflicted.

 

[PinkIceFox]

Avery is my new favorite trash goblin. Sorry Bede. You've been replaced.

Plus Avery appears to actually be an adult, so. Yeah.

I imagined my player character rolling her eyes at him from the moment they met on the island and he was bein a dick. Awful arrogant fancy man. I have a grimmsnarl. "My trainer: Faileas, kill it." Is basically how every one of our battles went.

BLACK AND WHITE REMAKES WHEN???!!!

THEY CAN WAIT THEIR TURN. SINNOH IS NEXT.

 

[yudgefudge]

Avery is my new favorite trash goblin. Sorry Bede. You've been replaced.

Plus Avery appears to actually be an adult, so. Yeah.

I imagined my player character rolling her eyes at him from the moment they met on the island and he was bein a dick. Awful arrogant fancy man. I have a grimmsnarl. "My trainer: Faileas, kill it." Is basically how every one of our battles went.

My Orbeetle took great pride in slaying Avery's beasts.

So a post on /vp/ pointed something out, which was the two leaked Pokemon meant "Black & White Horse" which are like Knight chess pieces, and Calyrex is the King.

 

[BackSet]

Crap I still don't have fairy coverage.

 

[Esserise]

I battled Mustard on my Shield file yesterday in which my team was just a bit below his in terms of levels (high 60s against early/mid 70s) without using Revives, and my god, he mopped the floor with me. Three times. I got closer each time but still couldn't crack it. I finally beat him on the fourth try (largely in thanks to an accidental misplay on my part lol) in a battle that really makes me wish you could Vs. Record in-game matches. I swear that was one of my best ever. It even ended in essentially a draw where his Urshifu was on its last sliver of HP, and it outsped and knocked my (last Pokémon) Toxtricity down to the red, and then I won with a Wild Charge whose recoil would have knocked out my Toxtricity as well like it was some kind of climactic anime finish (think Ash vs Alain)

 

[Esserise]

I kinda wish there was a version of the Rotom Rally for the Isle of Armor. I like doing the Rally as way of getting free Watts while traveling to where I need to go anyway, but doing the same few circuits does get a little repetitive, and in a way that would be very much alleviated by the diversity of environments and geography on the Isle.

Also, look, the moonwalking wolves was one thing, and in general I think they actually do a decent job with animations, but... try taking a Falinks up the stairs on Challenge Road. That's just sloppy.