Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →No. You can play the Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield story by yourself without Nintendo Switch Online. You need an active membership and an internet connection for online trades, online link battles, and Battle Stadium. If another player is nearby, you can trade or battle over local wireless without using online multiplayer.
Which Pokémon Sword and Shield features need Nintendo Switch Online?
| What you want to do | Connection | Membership required? |
|---|---|---|
| Play the adventure by yourself | Single system | No |
| Trade or battle with a nearby player | Local wireless | No |
| Trade or battle with someone over the internet | Internet | Yes |
| Use Battle Stadium, including Casual, Ranked Battle, and Online Competitions | Internet | Yes |
Nintendo lists single-system play and local wireless separately from online play on the Pokémon Shield product page. Its multiplayer setup instructions for Sword and Shield specify an active Nintendo Switch Online membership and internet connection for online multiplayer. Nintendo explicitly states that Battle Stadium requires a membership.
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How local wireless differs from online play
Local wireless is for people playing nearby on compatible copies of the games. Nintendo lists local wireless for two to four players and online play for one to four players on its Pokémon Shield product page. Local wireless does not connect you to players around the world or provide online matchmaking.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →In Y-Comm, choose local communication to play with someone nearby; choose internet communication for online play. The internet option is the one that requires the membership for online multiplayer.
#1 Best Overall
- Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on an all-new adventure in the Galar region
- Choose from three new partner Pokémon and encounter never-before-seen Pokémon
- Unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta!
- Team up with other Trainers to participate in Max Raid Battles***!
- Battle wild Dynamax Pokémon in Max Raid Battles and try catching them***
When multiplayer becomes available
Nintendo says Y-Comm becomes available after you receive the Dynamax Band, which it estimates takes about one hour of gameplay. That is approximate progression guidance, not a guaranteed unlock time. For online multiplayer, Nintendo also lists an internet connection and updated game software as prerequisites.
Do you need a membership for both games?
The answer is the same for Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield: solo play and local wireless do not require Nintendo Switch Online, while the specified online multiplayer features do. Nintendo’s general Nintendo Switch Online membership page describes the service’s online features; for the individual modes in these games, Nintendo’s Sword and Shield support instructions provide the specific requirements.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![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
Rank #4
![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.
Rank #3
- A new generation of Pokemon is coming to the Nintendo Switch system.
- Become a Pokemon Trainer and embark on a new journey in the new Galar region!
- Choose from one of three new partner Pokemon: Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble.
- In this all new adventure, you'll encounter new and familiar Pokemon as you catch, battle, and trade Pokemon while exploring new areas and uncovering an all-new story.
- Get ready for the next Pokemon adventure in the Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield games.
Rank #2
- New entries in the main series of Pokémon RPGs arrive on Nintendo Switch simultaneously in late 2019
- The Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games take place in the newly discovered Galar Region
- Galar is an expansive region with diverse environments - an idyllic countryside, contemporary cities, thick forest and craggy, snow-covered mountains
- Fans will have the opportunity to visit Gyms in the Galar region in their quest to become Champion
- Newly discovered partner Pokémon join in this new iteration of the games - Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble
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