Game Freak has finally released the first highly anticipated expansion pack for the Nintendo Switch’s Pokémon Sword & Shield, entitled The Isle of Armor. While it does have a unique storyline that features a distinct roster of characters, the DLC’s main appeal is its Wild Area and the returning selection of Pokémon from previous games.

More than a hundred familiar faces have been added to Pokémon Sword & Shield, with The Isle of Armor trying to cover all of the previous generations. Generation IV’s Sinnoh region is, naturally, represented by the DLC package, with 10 Pokémon from this era making their debut in Generation VIII.

10 Buneary

A Normal-type that requires high friendship to evolve, Buneary is an undeniable cute addition that would be fun to see running alongside the trainer if they are set as a buddy in The Isle of Armor. While not the most powerful Pokémon, Buneary learns a respectable variety of moves, including Fairy-type and Psychic-type attacks, and is only to weak to Fighting-types. Buneary’s “Run Away” is also a useful ability for trainers looking to avoid fighting battles.

Buneary can be found in The Isle of Armor’s “Fields of Honor” and “Forest of Focus” areas.

9 Lopunny

Buneary’s introduction means that Lopunny has also been added to Pokémon Sword & Shield, providing trainers with another solid Normal-type to use. Lopunny is a speed demon and also has solid Defense and Special Defense. A high friendship stat is required to evolve Buneary into Lopunny.

While Buneary’s evolution falls short of the best Normal-types in Game Freak’s JRPG and is unlikely to be featured much in competitive play, Lopunny is more than capable enough to star in battles against the CPU.

8 Tangrowth

The Sinnoh games debuted an evolution for Generation I’s Tangela called Tangrowth, which is one of the few Pokémon that can only be earned if its predecessor knows Ancient Power. The Isle of Armor DLC brought both forms to Sword & Shield, with Tangela evolving to Tangrowth once it is taught Ancient Power through a TM.

As two of their abilities are activated when they are in harsh sunlight, Tangela and its evolution are fair-weather Pokémon; however, the latter’s base stats are still solid and it becomes an especially strong fighter 0nce it learns Power Whip.

7 Happiny

Generation IV introduced a baby Pokémon for Generation I’s Chansey, which had previously received an evolution, Blissey, in Generation II. Happiny is obviously not meant to be used in battle, as it primarily exists to unlock its next forms.

While Chansey and Blissey can both be caught in The Isle of Armor, players can also find Happiny roaming in a lot of areas with tall grass. Happiny would need to hold an Oval Stone to evolve into Chansey.

6 Shinx

The Shinx family is arguably underappreciated when it comes to Electric-type Pokémon, as all three forms are decent in their own right. Mainly found in The Isle of Armor’s “Challenge Beach” and “Challenge Road” during rainy weather or thunderstorms, Shinx is definitely a worthwhile catch and has one of the better Shiny forms in Sword & Shield.

Shinx’s abilities are also quite good, even if Rivalry is dependent on the opponent’s gender. Shinx evolves into Luxio at level 15.

5 Luxio

In an evolutionary line, the middle form tends to get overshadowed, often being seen as little more than a stepping stone to the powerful final Pokémon. While that holds true in this case as well, Luxio is still a reliable Electric-type that provides a solid option for the 15 levels it needs to go from Shinx to Luxray.

All of the forms in Shinx’s line have great designs, even if they are just a variant on dogs. As the stopgap form between Shinx and Luxray, Luxio looks pretty good.

4 Luxray

Unlocked at level 30, Luxray is among Generation IV’s strongest Electric-type Pokémon and stands alongside the likes of Magnezone and Electivire. While it needs to be taught some of the type’s most powerful attacks like Thunder, Luxray amasses an impressive selection of Electric, Normal, and Dark-type attacks.

Luxray has a straightforward evolutionary line, a simplistic but cool design, and enough fire-power to be a threat to most teams.

3 Lickilicky

The Isle of Armor has added Generation I’s Lickitung to Sword & Shield, with the Normal-type Pokémon primarily spawning in “Brawlers’ Cave” and “Soothing Wetlands.” In Generation IV, Lickitung got an evolution in Lickilicky, a form that requires its predecessor to know Rollout. Naturally, Lickitung no longer learns this move automatically, so a TM will be needed.

Along with having two useful abilities, Own Tempo and Oblivious, that also seem like thinly veiled slights at its personality, Lickilicky is a well-rounded Normal-type that only falls behind significantly in its Speed stat.

2 Magnezone

One of the more sought-after evolutionary lines that initially failed to make the cut for Pokémon Sword & Shield was Magnemite and its larger forms. Magnemite and Magneton are Generation I classics, but this line also received a third form called Magnezone in Generation IV.

Magnezone is a powerhouse that can take a hit and deliver a lot of punishment thanks to its high Special Attack. Due to being an Electric and Steel-type Pokémon, Magnezone is also resistant to a wide array of types, including being immune to Poison.

1 Porygon-Z

Although not necessarily the most powerful ever, Porygon is among the more recognizable Pokémon in the franchise’s history. A significant portion of that fame can be credited to the Pokémon anime’s infamous “Cyber Soldier Porygon” episode that caused some viewers to experience epileptic seizures; despite that, Porygon would still receive two evolutionary forms later down the line.

Porygon-Z is Porygon’s final form and can only be unlocked through trading. For better or worse, Porygon is a noteworthy part of Pokémon’s legacy and its line deserves to be included in The Isle of Armor.

NEXT: Pokémon Isle Of Armor: The Best Cram-O-Matic Recipes