The Pokémon Sword and Shield games are based on the Galar region, and while they both are very similar games, there are some differences that apart them from each other. Barring two Gym leaders, these differences aren’t restrictive, as you can get most of the items and Pokémon by trading them with someone who has the version opposite yours.
It doesn’t matter if you want to know them because you’re thinking about which game you should get, or if you’re just looking to complete your collection of Pokémon and items, either way you’ve come to the right list. Here we’re going to tell you what sets each version apart, so you can look out for everything you still lack in your game.
10 Stow-on-Side Gym Leader
In Pokémon Sword, Bea is the Gym Leader of the Stow-on-Side city Gym, and she specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon. Her strongest Pokémon is a Machamp that’s able to Dynamax. You also get to play against other 3 Fighting-type themed trainers, and once you obtain the badge, you’ll get rewarded with a TM42 (Revenge) and a Fighting Uniform.
In Pokémon Shield, Allister is Stow-on-Side City’s Gym Leader, and he specializes in Ghost-type Pokémon. He’s known for his odd mask and for using Gengar in battle, which he can Dynamax. The trainers in this version also use Ghost-type Pokes, and you obtain a TM77 (Hex) and a Ghost Uniform once you beat the gym.
9 Zacian & Zamazenta
Zacian is the flagship legendary of Pokémon Sword. This Poke has nice power and speed stats, and its original form is Fairy-typed. Fun fact: Zamazenta is supposed to be a female Poke according to Pokémon in-game lore in the English, Japanese and Chinese versions of the game, she also has the highest attack stat of all Fairy-type Pokémon.
In Pokémon Shield, you’ll have the chance to face Zamazenta. Zamazenta is a Fighting-type Pokémon with nice offensive attack stats, which has the potential to become a defensive powerhouse if it changes forms. Fun fact: This Pokémon has the highest defense stats of al Fighting-type Pokémon.
8 Rusted Sword & Shield
The Rusted Sword and the Rusted Shield are items than can make Zacian and Zamazenta unlock their full potential. In Pokémon Sword, you’ll eventually get access to the Rusted Sword Item, which can be used to morph Zacian into its ultimate form.
However, in Pokémon Shield, you’ll find the Rusted Shield instead, and you can give it to a Zamazenta to unlock its ultimate form. If you want both items, then you’ll have to either buy the opposite version of your game, or be lucky enough to receive a Pokémon via trading that is carrying the item you need.
7 Sordward And Shielbert
Shielbert and Sordward are a couple of Pokémon trainers that are bent on stealing your rusted item for their own purposes. They’re part of a Post-Game quest, and the one you battle will depend on your version of the game. If you’re playing Pokémon Sword, you’ll eventually face Sordward.
But if you’re playing Pokémon Shield, you’ll face Shielbert instead. Both trainers are very skilled and have high-leveled Pokémon, so you shouldn’t lower your guard if you’re trying to beat the game’s postgame.
6 Tart Apple and Sweet Apple
Yes. There are version-exclusive apples in Pokémon Sword and Shield. These apples are used to evolve Applin, a Pokémon that evolves according to the type of apple you give to it. In Pokémon Sword, you can obtain a Tart Apple in Hammerlocke City.
If you’re playing Pokémon Shield, you’ll receive a Sweet Apple instead. The Sweet Apple will cause Applin to evolve into Appletun, while the Tart Apple will make it evolve into Flapple. The only way to obtain a different apple is receiving it from someone with the Pokémon version opposite yours.
5 Circhester Gym Leader
Circhester city also has different Gym Leaders depending on which Pokémon version you have. If you have Pokémon Sword, you’ll have to battle Gordie, a Rock-type specialist who uses a Coalossal that’s able to Gigantamax. You also battle other Rock type users, and once you beat the gym you’ll receive a TM48 (Rock Tomb) and a Rock Uniform.
Pokémon Shield has Melony -Gordie’s Mother- as Gym Leader instead. She’s an Ice-type specialist whose stronger Poke is a Lapras that’s able to Gigantamax. She’s accompanied by other Ice type trainers, and you’ll receive TM27 (Icy Wind) and an Ice Uniform once you beat her gym.
4 Isle Of Armor Rival
Pokémon Sword and Shield first expansion pass, Isle of Armor, will feature different rivals depending on the version of the game. If you’re playing Pokémon Sword, you’ll have to face against Klara, who specializes in Poison-type Pokémon.
But if you’re playing Pokémon Shield, you’ll have to face against Avery, a classy trainer who specializes in Psychic-type Pokémon. Each Rival will feature her own team and storyline, so you’ll have to buy this expansion on each Pokémon version if you’d like to face both trainers.
3 Wild Pokémon Gender
This might be the weirdest thing about Pokémon Sword and Shield exclusives. There are certain wild Pokémon encounters whose sex depends on which version of the game you own. For Pokémon Sword, you can only find wild Male Indeedee and Meowstic, while in Pokémon shield you can only find their female counterpart.
Although certain genders depend on your version of the game, you can obtain both through breeding. This way you won’t have to resort to trading again if you’d like to obtain more Pokémon from a certain gender unavailable to you in the wild.
2 Cosmoem Evolutions
If you manage to get Nebby out of the bag, or at least, you imported one from Pokémon Home, its final evolution will depend on your version of the game. Pokémon Sword owners will have their Cosmoem evolve into Solgaleo.
While Pokémon Shield owners will see their Cosmem evolve in Lunala. And just like you’d have to do to have both Zacian or Zamazenta, the only way to have Solgaleo and Lunala would be to trade them with someone who has a version of Pokémon opposite yours.
1 Exclusive Wild Pokémon
This is probably the most well-known difference between the games. There are certain Pokémon that only appear in the wild depending on your version of the game.
For example, the galarian forms of Darmatitan and Farfetch’d are only found in Pokémon Sword, while those of Ponyta and Lapras are only found on Pokémon Shield. There are also Version-Exclusive raid battles, but you can catch raid Pokémon from other versions if you join a public Max Raid Battle.
NEXT: New Wild Area Event In Pokémon Sword & Shield Swaps Version Exclusives
