Completing the Galar Pokédex in Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield requires three kinds of work: catch the species available in your version, evolve every family with the correct trigger, and trade for species and evolutions your game cannot supply alone. A checklist that separates version exclusives from evolution tasks prevents the most common completion gaps.
The original Galar Pokédex is the base-game target. The Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra add separate regional Pokédexes, so record those entries separately rather than treating expansion species as missing from the original list.
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What you need to complete the Galar Pokédex
Your game records a species when you catch it or receive it in a trade. You do not have to keep every entry permanently, but you do need access to the required species and the conditions that produce their evolved forms. Some families are straightforward level evolutions; others require a stone, a held item, friendship, a particular time or weather condition, a battle action, a move, or a trade.
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield do not contain identical encounter pools. The official explanation is direct: “There are several differences between Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, and one such difference is the species of Pokémon that appear.” That difference is why a complete checklist normally involves another player, another version, or both.
#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***
Keep the scope clear
- Base-game Galar Pokédex: the completion target covered by the main Sword and Shield adventure.
- Isle of Armor Pokédex: an expansion-area list with its own entries.
- Crown Tundra Pokédex: another expansion-area list, also separate from the original target.
Pokémon HOME can help exchange species with other Trainers, but compatibility is game-specific. A Pokémon being stored in HOME does not guarantee that it can be transferred into your particular Sword or Shield save.
Galar Pokédex version-exclusive checklist
Use the table below as a planning list for the principal exclusive lines. An entry shown for one version must be caught there or obtained through a trade in the other version. Encounter details can change with location and weather, and expansion ownership can affect where a species is available, so verify the encounter table for your edition before planning a route.
| Pokémon Sword exclusives | Pokémon Shield exclusives |
|---|---|
| Deino | Larvitar |
| Jangmo-o | Goomy |
| Galarian Farfetch’d | Galarian Ponyta |
| Gothita | Galarian Corsola |
| Rufflet | Sableye |
| Turtonator | Lunatone |
| Mawile | Lotad |
| Solrock | Croagunk |
| Seedot | Throh |
| Scraggy | Vullaby |
| Sawk | Oranguru |
| Swirlix | Spritzee |
| Passimian | Cursola |
| Galarian Darumaka | Eiscue |
| Stonjourner | Appletun |
| Flapple |
Examples highlighted by the official version guide
The official examples include Deino and Jangmo-o on Sword; Larvitar and Goomy on Shield; Sirfetch’d and Stonjourner on Sword; and Galarian Ponyta, Eiscue, Galarian Corsola, and Cursola on Shield. Sirfetch’d is the evolved form associated with the Galarian Farfetch’d line, while Cursola is the evolved form associated with Galarian Corsola, so a checklist should account for both the source species and its evolution.
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How to use the list
- Choose your game column and mark every species you have caught or registered.
- For a missing name, check whether it is available in your version under a different location or weather condition before assuming it is exclusive.
- Mark genuine exclusives for a targeted trade. Trading the relevant line is usually faster than searching randomly.
- After receiving a species, open the Pokédex immediately and confirm that the entry registered before ending the session.
Evolution requirements by method
Do not organize your evolution work only by Pokédex number. Grouping tasks by trigger makes it easier to gather items, build a trade list, and avoid accidentally missing a condition.
Level and standard progression
Many Galar families evolve simply when the Pokémon reaches the required level. Keep these lines in your normal party rotation or use the game’s experience systems, then check the Pokédex after the evolution animation. A level-based line does not need a trade partner or a special item, so complete these independently while preparing the more complicated entries.
Evolution stones and held items
Some families use an evolution stone, while others evolve only when traded while holding a particular item. Treat those as separate tasks: obtaining the item is not enough until the correct Pokémon is holding it at the moment the trade completes.
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
- Feebas holding a Prism Scale evolves into Milotic when traded.
- Rhydon holding a Protector evolves into Rhyperior when traded.
- Dusclops holding a Reaper Cloth evolves into Dusknoir when traded.
- Onix holding a Metal Coat evolves into Steelix when traded.
- Spritzee holding a Sachet evolves into Aromatisse when traded.
- Swirlix holding a Whipped Dream evolves into Slurpuff when traded.
Before opening Link Trade, inspect the Pokémon summary screen and confirm the item icon is present. If the item was removed, consumed, or assigned to the wrong Pokémon, the trade will not produce the intended evolution.
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Friendship, time, weather, battle, and move conditions
Sword and Shield also use special triggers involving friendship, the time of day, weather, a battle action, or a move known by the Pokémon. These conditions are easy to overlook because the game may not present them as a conventional “use item” prompt. Raise friendship where required, check the in-game time or weather requirement, and make sure the relevant move or battle condition is active before leveling up or completing the action that triggers evolution.
When a special evolution fails, do not repeatedly gain levels without checking the trigger. Revisit the Pokémon’s summary, confirm its known moves and held item, and verify the environmental condition in the area where you are attempting the evolution.
Direct trade evolutions
The following species evolve as part of an ordinary trade, without a special held item:
- Machoke → Machamp
- Haunter → Gengar
- Boldore → Gigalith
- Gurdurr → Conkeldurr
- Pumpkaboo → Gourgeist
- Phantump → Trevenant
Send the unevolved Pokémon through Link Trade, let the evolution occur on the receiving side, and then arrange a trade-back if you want the evolved Pokémon returned to your save. A trade-back is not required for the Pokédex registration itself, but it is required if you want to keep that particular individual.
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Karrablast and Shelmet use a paired trade rather than an ordinary one-way exchange. Trade Karrablast for Shelmet and the Karrablast becomes Escavalier while the Shelmet becomes Accelgor. Because both evolutions depend on the species being exchanged for its counterpart, arrange the two Pokémon in advance and use a trusted partner who understands the sequence.
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.
Trade requirements in Sword and Shield
Trading becomes available after you receive the Dynamax Band. Press Y to open Y-Comm, choose the communication mode, and select Link Trade. Nintendo describes Link Trade as the feature that lets you trade Pokémon with other players.
Local communication
Local Communication is suitable when the other player is nearby and both consoles are in the same physical area. It does not require an internet connection. Select Local Communication in Y-Comm, choose Link Trade, and coordinate the exchange with your partner. Local play is useful for trade evolutions because you can immediately confirm that the evolved Pokémon is returned.
Internet communication and Link Codes
Internet trading requires an internet connection and an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. In Y-Comm, switch to Internet, select Link Trade, and choose the option to set a Link Code. Both players enter the same code. A matching code helps target a known partner instead of accepting an unrelated trade.
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Surprise Trade
Surprise Trade finds a partner automatically, so you do not choose the recipient or the species you receive. It can occasionally fill an unexpected Pokédex gap, but it is less predictable than a Link Code and is a poor choice when you need a specific exclusive, a particular held item, or a guaranteed trade-back. Use it for spare Pokémon after your targeted exchanges are complete.
A reliable completion workflow
- Make a missing-entry inventory. Mark each absent species and note whether the gap is a version exclusive, a standard evolution, a special-condition evolution, a direct trade evolution, or an item-assisted trade evolution.
- Finish self-contained evolutions first. Level-based, stone-based, friendship, time, weather, battle, and move-triggered lines can be handled without coordinating another player.
- Prepare trade items. Set aside Sachet, Whipped Dream, Prism Scale, Protector, Reaper Cloth, and Metal Coat for the applicable Pokémon. Keep each item with the Pokémon that will be traded.
- Build a trade packet. Place version exclusives and trade-evolution Pokémon in a box, label the box if helpful, and write down which entries require a return trade.
- Choose the communication method. Use Local Communication for a nearby partner, or Internet communication with Nintendo Switch Online and a Link Code for a remote partner.
- Confirm every exchange. Check the partner, species, nickname if relevant, and held item on the confirmation screen. Do not accept an unknown substitute when you arranged a specific evolution.
- Wait for the evolution. Let the trade animation finish. If an evolution begins, allow it to complete before closing the session.
- Trade back when needed. Return Machamp, Gengar, Gigalith, Conkeldurr, Gourgeist, Trevenant, or any item-assisted evolution that belongs to your partner. The same applies to a partner’s version exclusive if you agreed to a temporary registration trade.
- Check the Pokédex. Confirm the evolved form or exclusive registered before moving to the next exchange. This catches failed item trades and interrupted trade-backs while the partner is still available.
How to trade without a second console
You do not need a second console to complete trade evolutions. A trusted partner using another Sword or Shield save can perform the exchange through Local Communication or an internet Link Code. For remote play, both players need internet access and Nintendo Switch Online. The partner can send your Pokémon back after it evolves, so one console per person is sufficient.
Rank #4
![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
A second game version is helpful for version exclusives but is not mandatory if another player supplies the missing species. If you own only Sword, for example, you can obtain Shield-exclusive lines through a targeted trade rather than purchasing Shield. Conversely, a player with Shield can offer its exclusive lines in return for Sword exclusives.
Using Pokémon HOME to fill gaps
Pokémon HOME provides another exchange route with other Trainers and can be useful when you cannot arrange a direct Y-Comm session. Compatibility remains specific to the destination game: check that the species and form can enter Sword or Shield before relying on HOME to finish an entry. HOME should complement, not replace, a checklist of the exact game entries you still need.
When a Pokémon arrives through HOME or another exchange, open the in-game Pokédex and verify the registration. Keep expansion entries labeled separately so a HOME transfer does not make it unclear whether you completed the base Galar list or an expansion-area list.
Common problems and fixes
The expected Pokémon did not evolve during the trade
- Confirm that the Pokémon was holding the correct item before the trade.
- Check that you traded the correct species; paired Karrablast/Shelmet evolution requires the counterpart species.
- Allow the entire evolution sequence to finish before disconnecting.
- If the item was missing, obtain another and repeat the trade with a trusted partner.
The trade partner cannot be found
- For local play, confirm both consoles selected Local Communication.
- For remote play, confirm both players selected Internet and entered exactly the same Link Code.
- Check that the remote players have active Nintendo Switch Online memberships and internet access.
- Use Surprise Trade only when the species and trade-back are not specific requirements.
A version-exclusive encounter is not appearing
Recheck the edition, location, weather, and whether the encounter belongs to an expansion area. The exclusive list identifies the version pairing, but the exact wild encounter can still depend on these conditions. If the species is genuinely unavailable in your edition, arrange a trade rather than repeatedly searching an incorrect route.
The Pokédex still shows a blank entry
Inspect the received Pokémon’s summary and then reopen the Pokédex. If the entry remains absent, repeat the exchange or trigger the evolution again while connected to your partner. For a temporary registration trade, keep the Pokémon until the entry is visibly recorded, then return it.
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Quick Recap
Final checklist
- Every missing base-game Galar entry is marked and classified.
- All Sword or Shield exclusives have been caught or traded.
- Stone, level, friendship, time, weather, battle, and move-based evolutions have been triggered under their required conditions.
- Machoke, Haunter, Boldore, Gurdurr, Pumpkaboo, and Phantump have completed their direct trades.
- Feebas, Rhydon, Dusclops, Onix, Spritzee, and Swirlix were traded while holding Prism Scale, Protector, Reaper Cloth, Metal Coat, Sachet, and Whipped Dream respectively.
- Karrablast and Shelmet were exchanged with each other so Escavalier and Accelgor registered.
- Every trade evolution was checked in the Pokédex before any trade-back.
- Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra entries are tracked separately from the base Galar Pokédex.
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