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The Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass adds two adventures—The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra—to the matching base game. Buy the Sword pass for Pokémon Sword or the Shield pass for Pokémon Shield; the passes are not interchangeable. You must reach the Wild Area in the main story to start either adventure.
What’s included in the Expansion Pass?
The pass contains both expansions: The Isle of Armor, released in June 2020, and The Crown Tundra, released in October 2020. They add new areas, Pokémon, characters, clothing, features and activities to Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield. The official announcement describes the content as additions that tie into your existing game and save data: The Pokémon Company’s Expansion Pass announcement.
The Isle of Armor
This island region includes beaches, forests, bogs, caves and sand dunes. Its story centers on Mustard’s battle dojo, where your character trains, and introduces the Legendary Pokémon Kubfu and its evolution, Urshifu. The expansion also adds new Pokémon, Gigantamax forms, new features and special moves for Urshifu. See the official Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass overview.
The Crown Tundra
The Crown Tundra is a snowy region with a small community and an exploration-focused story. Peony appoints you to lead an expedition to investigate the area, including the depths of Pokémon dens. Its highlighted activities and content include Dynamax Adventures, returning Legendary Pokémon and the Galarian Star Tournament. The official overview is available at Pokémon’s Expansion Pass page.
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#1 Best Overall
![Nintendo Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass or Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass (Retail Version) - [Switch Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51l34qxMYhL._SL160_.jpg)
- Continue your Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield adventure in The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra, two new areas to explore that will be added to the Galar region as part of the Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass or Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass
- Redeem your download code in the Nintendo eShop for either the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass or the Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass. Upon redeeming the code, you will be prompted to select one Expansion Pass. Only redeemable for one Expansion Pass.
- You'll also see some familiar Pokémon that didn't appear in the Galar region before, a total of over 200 Pokémon
- Part 1: The Isle of Armor is available now; Part 2: The Crown Tundra is scheduled for release during the fall of 2020
- If you purchase the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass or the Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, you'll receive two codes redeemable to get two special uniform sets of in-game apparel as a bonus
Which Expansion Pass works with your game?
The pass must match the base game you own. Nintendo’s listing states that the Sword Expansion Pass is only for Pokémon Sword and directs Pokémon Shield players to the Shield Expansion Pass. Nintendo also notes that the games have version-exclusive Pokémon and characters, so the two editions are not identical. Check the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass listing and select the Shield listing if you own Shield.
| Base game | Compatible pass | Version differences |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Sword | Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass | Has version-exclusive Pokémon and characters. |
| Pokémon Shield | Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass | Has version-exclusive Pokémon and characters. |
The official product information establishes that exclusives exist but does not provide a complete list here. Do not assume that buying one pass grants access to the other game’s version-specific content.
Rank #2
![Pokémon Sword + Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51L+MTaoMmL._SL160_.jpg)
- Part 1 - The Isle of Armor releases June 17, 2020; Part 2 - The Crown Tundra is scheduled for release during the fall of 2020
- New Areas Discovered in the Galar Region and expand Your Pokémon Adventure
- This bundle includes both the Pokémon Sword game and the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass
- Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on a new adventure in the Galar region
- If you purchase the Pokémon Sword + Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass, you'll get some in-game apparel as a bonus.
When can you start the new areas?
You can begin the added adventures after reaching the Wild Area in the main game. Pokémon estimated that players would reach that point after about two hours of gameplay, while noting that individual play time varies; it is not a guaranteed completion time. The expansions use the same save data as the base game, so you continue with your existing character and progress. Details are in the original Pokémon announcement.
How can you buy it?
The Expansion Pass is digital DLC, and its two expansions are not sold separately. Nintendo also lists a separate physical bundle that combines the base game and its corresponding pass; the software is preloaded on one game card. Pokémon lists Sword and Shield versions of that bundle.
- Already own Sword or Shield: Buy the Expansion Pass for that same game.
- Do not own either base game: Consider the corresponding physical game-plus-pass bundle if you want a physical purchase.
Formats and compatibility are described in Nintendo’s Sword Expansion Pass listing, Nintendo’s Sword plus Expansion Pass bundle listing and Pokémon’s official Expansion Pass page. Price, stock and purchase eligibility vary by region and retailer; check your local store for current details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the Expansion Pass worth it?
That depends on what you want from Sword or Shield. It is a better fit if you want two additional regions to explore, more Pokémon and Legendary Pokémon, and activities such as the dojo training and Dynamax Adventures. If those additions do not interest you, the pass is optional; it does not replace the base game. Because both expansions are bundled and cannot be purchased separately, you cannot buy only the island or only the snowy-region adventure.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Includes 1 Pokemon TCG Sword & Shield - Lost Origin Fun Pack.
- As the boundary between dimensions tear apart, the world is plunged into the abyssal shadow of the Lost Zone.
- Some Pokemon like Sableye and Stonjourner harness this distorted power, while others rise above the darkness in the Sword & Shield - Lost Origin expansion.
- Contains 3 cards.
Rank #4
- Over 190 cards
- 3 brand-new Radiant Pokémon
- 6 awesome Pokémon VSTAR
- 14 powerful Pokémon V and 1 enormous Pokémon VMAX
- 30 cards with special art in the Trainer Gallery subset
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
