Pokémon Sword and Shield Version Exclusives
Sword and Shield have 102 version-exclusive Pokémon: 51 only in Sword and 51 only in Shield. See where to find each one, and how to get the other version's exclusives without buying both games.
Missing one? Trade with someone who has the other version, through the Y-Comm, or join their Max Raid Battles.
Displaying 102 of 102 Pokémon.
51 exclusives · 29 main story, 1 post-game, 6 in The Isle of Armor, 15 in The Crown Tundra
#83
Galarian Farfetch’d
Fighting
Route 5 and Giant's Mirror
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#273
Seedot
Grass
Route 2, Dappled Grove, West Lake Axewell
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#274
Nuzleaf
Grass
Dark
Route 5, Dappled Grove, Giant's Seat, and more
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#275
Shiftry
Grass
Dark
Dappled Grove, or Nuzleaf with a Leaf Stone
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#303
Mawile
Steel
Fairy
Dusty Bowl and Bridge Field
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#338
Solrock
Rock
Psychic
Route 8 and Giant's Cap
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#539
Sawk
Fighting
Route 8, Bridge Field, Giant's Mirror, and more
Shield trainers can trade a Vanillish for one in Circhester, or catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#554
Galarian Darumaka
Ice
Routes 8 and 10
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#555
Galarian Darmanitan
Ice
Evolve Galarian Darumaka with an Ice Stone
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#559
Scraggy
Dark
Fighting
Galar Mine No. 2, Motostoke Outskirts, and more
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#560
Scrafty
Dark
Fighting
Evolve Scraggy at level 39
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#574
Gothita
Psychic
Giant's Cap
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#575
Gothorita
Psychic
Giant's Cap and Dusty Bowl
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#576
Gothitelle
Psychic
Lake of Outrage
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#627
Rufflet
Normal
Flying
Route 8, Stony Wilderness, Bridge Field
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#628
Braviary
Normal
Flying
Dusty Bowl and Lake of Outrage
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#633
Deino
Dark
Dragon
Lake of Outrage
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#634
Zweilous
Dark
Dragon
Lake of Outrage
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#635
Hydreigon
Dark
Dragon
Evolve Zweilous at level 64
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#684
Swirlix
Fairy
Route 5, Glimwood Tangle, and more
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#685
Slurpuff
Fairy
Max Raid dens in Rolling Fields and more
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#776
Turtonator
Fire
Dragon
Lake of Outrage
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#782
Jangmo-o
Dragon
Lake of Outrage
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#783
Hakamo-o
Dragon
Fighting
Lake of Outrage
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#784
Kommo-o
Dragon
Fighting
Dusty Bowl
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#841
Flapple
Grass
Dragon
Evolve Applin with a Tart Apple
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#841
Gigantamax Flapple
Grass
Dragon
Max Raid den in Dappled Grove
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#865
Sirfetch’d
Fighting
Land 3 critical hits with Galarian Farfetch’d
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#874
Stonjourner
Rock
Route 10 and Lake of Outrage
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#83
Farfetch’d
Normal
Flying
Trade Galarian Farfetch’d to Regina
#127
Pinsir
Bug
Training Lowlands and Challenge Road
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#554
Darumaka
Fire
Trade Galarian Darumaka to Regina
#555
Darmanitan
Fire
Evolve Regina's Darumaka at level 35
#692
Clauncher
Water
Workout Sea, Honeycalm Sea, and more
#693
Clawitzer
Water
Workout Sea, Honeycalm Sea, and more
#138
Omanyte
Rock
Water
Surfing at Giant's Foot and Roaring-Sea Caves
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#139
Omastar
Rock
Water
Roaring-Sea Caves
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#250
Ho-Oh
Fire
Flying
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Shield trainers can catch it by joining a Sword host's Dynamax Adventure.
#371
Bagon
Dragon
Tunnel to the Top
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#372
Shelgon
Dragon
Evolve Bagon at level 30
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#373
Salamence
Dragon
Flying
Tunnel to the Top and Path to the Peak
Shield trainers can catch it in a Sword host's Max Raid Battle.
#381
Latios
Dragon
Psychic
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Shield trainers can catch it by joining a Sword host's Dynamax Adventure.
#383
Groudon
Ground
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Shield trainers can catch it by joining a Sword host's Dynamax Adventure.
#483
Dialga
Steel
Dragon
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Shield trainers can catch it by joining a Sword host's Dynamax Adventure.
#641
Tornadus
Flying
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Shield trainers can catch it by joining a Sword host's Dynamax Adventure.
#643
Reshiram
Dragon
Fire
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Shield trainers can catch it by joining a Sword host's Dynamax Adventure.
#646
White Kyurem
Dragon
Ice
Fuse Kyurem and Reshiram with DNA Splicers
Shield trainers can make one after catching Reshiram in a Sword host's Dynamax Adventure.
#716
Xerneas
Fairy
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Shield trainers can catch it by joining a Sword host's Dynamax Adventure.
#791
Solgaleo
Psychic
Steel
Evolve Cosmoem at level 53, or the Max Lair
Shield trainers can catch it by joining a Sword host's Dynamax Adventure.
#800
Dusk Mane Necrozma
Psychic
Steel
Fuse Necrozma and Solgaleo with N-Solarizer
Shield trainers can make one after catching Solgaleo in a Sword host's Dynamax Adventure.
51 exclusives · 29 main story, 1 post-game, 6 in The Isle of Armor, 15 in The Crown Tundra
#77
Galarian Ponyta
Psychic
Glimwood Tangle
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#78
Galarian Rapidash
Psychic
Fairy
Evolve Galarian Ponyta at level 40
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#222
Galarian Corsola
Ghost
Giant's Mirror
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#246
Larvitar
Rock
Ground
Lake of Outrage
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#247
Pupitar
Rock
Ground
Lake of Outrage
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#248
Tyranitar
Rock
Dark
Dusty Bowl
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#270
Lotad
Water
Grass
Route 2, Rolling Fields, Dappled Grove, and more
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#271
Lombre
Water
Grass
Route 5, Dappled Grove, Giant's Seat, and more
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#272
Ludicolo
Water
Grass
Dappled Grove, or Lombre with a Water Stone
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#302
Sableye
Dark
Ghost
Dusty Bowl and Giant's Mirror
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#337
Lunatone
Rock
Psychic
Route 8 and Giant's Cap
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#453
Croagunk
Poison
Fighting
Galar Mine No. 2, Motostoke Outskirts, and more
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#454
Toxicroak
Poison
Fighting
Stony Wilderness
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#538
Throh
Fighting
Route 8, Bridge Field, Giant's Mirror, and more
Sword trainers can trade a Vanillish for one in Circhester, or catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#577
Solosis
Psychic
Giant's Cap
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#578
Duosion
Psychic
Dusty Bowl
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#579
Reuniclus
Psychic
Lake of Outrage
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#629
Vullaby
Dark
Flying
Route 8, Stony Wilderness, Bridge Field
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#630
Mandibuzz
Dark
Flying
Dusty Bowl and Lake of Outrage
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#682
Spritzee
Fairy
Route 5, Glimwood Tangle, and more
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#683
Aromatisse
Fairy
Max Raid dens in Rolling Fields and more
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#704
Goomy
Dragon
Lake of Outrage
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#705
Sliggoo
Dragon
Lake of Outrage
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#706
Goodra
Dragon
Evolve Sliggoo at level 50 in the rain
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#780
Drampa
Normal
Dragon
Lake of Outrage
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#842
Appletun
Grass
Dragon
Evolve Applin with a Sweet Apple
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#842
Gigantamax Appletun
Grass
Dragon
Max Raid den in Dappled Grove
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#864
Cursola
Ghost
Evolve Galarian Corsola at level 38
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#875
Eiscue
Ice
Route 10 and Lake of Outrage
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#77
Ponyta
Fire
Trade Galarian Ponyta to Regina
#78
Rapidash
Fire
Evolve Regina's Ponyta at level 40
#214
Heracross
Bug
Fighting
Training Lowlands, Challenge Road, and more
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#222
Corsola
Water
Rock
Trade Galarian Corsola to Regina
#690
Skrelp
Poison
Water
Workout Sea, Honeycalm Sea, and more
#691
Dragalge
Poison
Dragon
Workout Sea, Honeycalm Sea, and more
#140
Kabuto
Rock
Water
Surfing at Giant's Foot and Roaring-Sea Caves
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#141
Kabutops
Rock
Water
Roaring-Sea Caves
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#249
Lugia
Psychic
Flying
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Sword trainers can catch it by joining a Shield host's Dynamax Adventure.
#380
Latias
Dragon
Psychic
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Sword trainers can catch it by joining a Shield host's Dynamax Adventure.
#382
Kyogre
Water
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Sword trainers can catch it by joining a Shield host's Dynamax Adventure.
#443
Gible
Dragon
Ground
Tunnel to the Top
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#444
Gabite
Dragon
Ground
Evolve Gible at level 24
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#445
Garchomp
Dragon
Ground
Tunnel to the Top and Path to the Peak
Sword trainers can catch it in a Shield host's Max Raid Battle.
#484
Palkia
Water
Dragon
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Sword trainers can catch it by joining a Shield host's Dynamax Adventure.
#642
Thundurus
Electric
Flying
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Sword trainers can catch it by joining a Shield host's Dynamax Adventure.
#644
Zekrom
Dragon
Electric
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Sword trainers can catch it by joining a Shield host's Dynamax Adventure.
#646
Black Kyurem
Dragon
Ice
Fuse Kyurem and Zekrom with DNA Splicers
Sword trainers can make one after catching Zekrom in a Shield host's Dynamax Adventure.
#717
Yveltal
Dark
Flying
Dynamax Adventure in the Max Lair
Sword trainers can catch it by joining a Shield host's Dynamax Adventure.
#792
Lunala
Psychic
Ghost
Evolve Cosmoem at level 53, or the Max Lair
Sword trainers can catch it by joining a Shield host's Dynamax Adventure.
#800
Dawn Wings Necrozma
Psychic
Ghost
Fuse Necrozma and Lunala with N-Lunarizer
Sword trainers can make one after catching Lunala in a Shield host's Dynamax Adventure.
About version exclusives
Every pair of Pokémon games splits some Pokémon between its two versions. Sword has 51 Pokémon that Shield can't get, and Shield has 51 of its own. This page lists them side by side, shows where to catch or how to evolve each one, and lines each Pokémon up with its counterpart in the other version. Use it to pick a version, plan your team, or build a trade list to finish your Pokédex.
What this page is
Most main-series Pokémon games come in pairs, like FireRed and LeafGreen or Scarlet and Violet. The two versions tell the same story, but each one leaves out a handful of Pokémon that only the other version has. These are version exclusives. The split goes all the way back to the first games, and it's there for one reason: to get trainers trading with each other.
What it does
Each paired game has a page that lists every exclusive in both versions side by side. Each Pokémon shows where to find it or how to evolve it, and whether it turns up in the main story, after the credits, or in a DLC area. Switch to Pairs to see which Pokémon fill the same role in each version, like Scyther in FireRed and Pinsir in LeafGreen. When the other version can still get a Pokémon without a trade, such as through an in-game trade or another trainer's raid, the row says so.
Why it's worth a look
- Picking a version. See exactly what you'd give up before you buy.
- Planning a team. Know which Pokémon your version can catch before you set out.
- Finishing the Pokédex. The list doubles as a checklist of what you still need.
- Trading. Know what to ask a friend for, and what to offer back.
How we build it
Sources don't always agree on what counts as an exclusive, so we apply one rule to every game and check each Pokémon against several references and our own location data. Spot something wrong? Let us know and we'll fix it.
Other differences between Sword and Shield
Sword and Shield share the same main story but differ in four meaningful ways:
- Mascot: Sword features Zacian (Fairy / Steel as Crowned form). Shield features Zamazenta (Fighting / Steel as Crowned form).
- Gym Leaders: Sword has Bea (Fighting) and Gordie (Rock). Shield has Allister (Ghost) and Melony (Ice).
- Version exclusives: Sword leans toward Galarian Farfetch'd / Sirfetch'd, Mawile, the Deino line, and Flapple. Shield leans toward the Galarian Ponyta line, Sableye, the Goomy line, Appletun, and Cursola.
- Indeedee and Meowstic also split by gender between the versions: Sword gets male Indeedee and male Meowstic; Shield gets female.
Trading covers most of the gap, so most trainers pick whichever mascot, Gym roster, or exclusive list they prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are version exclusives in Sword and Shield?
They're Pokémon you can only get in one of the two versions. Sword has 51 and Shield has 51. To get the rest, trade with someone who has the other version.
Which version should I get, Sword or Shield?
Neither is better. Pick the one whose exclusives you want on your team. Switch to Pairs to compare each Pokémon with its counterpart in the other version.
What counts as a version exclusive?
A Pokémon that one version can get and the other can't, playing alone with one copy of the game and its DLC. Wild encounters, gifts, fossils, one-time encounters, breeding, and evolving all count. Trades with other trainers, Pokémon HOME, and event distributions don't.
Do Pokémon that evolve by trading count?
Yes, when the Pokémon they evolve from is exclusive. Evolutions and baby Pokémon are listed on the same side as the Pokémon they come from, unless the other version can find them some other way.
Are forms counted?
Yes, when only one version can get that form. The form is spelled out in the Pokémon's name on the list.
Can I get version exclusives without trading?
Usually not. When the other version can get a Pokémon without a trade, for example through an in-game trade or by joining another trainer's raid, that Pokémon's row says how.
Version exclusives in other games
Yellow, Crystal, Emerald, Platinum, Legends: Arceus, and Legends: Z-A have one version, so they have no exclusives.
