How many Pokemon are in Sword and Shield?

Game Freak’s latest entries in the mainline Pokemon series are almost here, with Pokemon Sword and Shield’s release date quickly approaching. With all of the games’ many controversies about the lack of a National Pokedex and the “culled” Pokedex families, fans of the series are likely wondering: How many Pokemon are in Sword and Shield? Due to a few leaks and datamines, we’re able to provide the number of Pokemon in Sword and Shield and a Pokemon Sword and Shield full Dex list of returning Pokemon.

What is the total number of Pokemon in Sword and Shield?

Total number of Pokemon in Sword and Shield

While fans had been prepared to see many of their favorite past Pokemon left out of Sword and Shield after Game Freak revealed the games would have no National Dex (meaning it’s not possible to transfer all old Pokemon into Sword and Shield), Game Freak never announced exactly how many Pokemon would be in Sword and Shield. According to leaks and datamines, it turns out the final number is fairly low compared to previous entries.

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A previous Pokemon Sword and Shield Pokedex leak reported that the game would have exactly 400 Pokemon in the regional Galar Pokedex — only three less than that of Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (the previous entry in the main series). Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon also had access to the National Pokedex, however, meaning that although not all Pokemon could be caught in-game, all 807 Pokemon that existed at the time were playable (if transferred in from past games or otherwise obtained from outside of the games). Pokemon Sword and Shield do not have this ability, indicating players would be limited to just 400 Pokemon, less than half of the franchises’ total roster. This caused controversy in the Pokemon community, with fans upset about missing entries.

It appears that some of the ’mons most missed by fans will actually be obtainable by some means, however. A new datamine from twitter user Kurt (@Kaphotics), who has a history of datamining Pokemon titles, reported that 35 additional Pokemon are included in Sword and Shield’s files. This brings the total number of Pokemon in Sword and Shield to 435. These 35 Pokemon aren’t listed as part of Galar’s numbered regional Pokedex, so they likely won’t be able to be caught in the wild, instead probably introduced through special events. Kurt also noted that the code indicates there’s a possibility for the introduction of two new Mythical Pokemon through DLC or some other means in the future.

Neither the 400 or 435 numbers seem to include Gigantamax forms or other alternate forms of Pokemon. If you include every single form of any Pokemon available in Sword and Shield (including gendered forms, alternative typings like Silvally’s, and cosmetic form variants like Alcremie’s), the total number is 569.

Which old Pokemon are returning in Sword and Shield?

Which Pokemon are returning in Sword and Shield_

With only 435 Pokemon available, many Pokemon have been left out of the latest games. This means fans of the series are bound to wonder which Pokemon are actually in Sword and Shield. According to Kurt’s datamine, the 35 unlisted Pokemon include fan favorites like the Bulbasaur starter line (which fans particularly mourned after learning of Galar’s 400-Pokemon Pokedex), the Squirtle starter line, the Alolan starters (including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Incineroar), Mewtwo, several Alolan legendaries, and the Mythical Pokemon Melmetal, introduced in Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Eevee! You can find the full list of un-numbered Pokemon below, according to Kurt’s datamining.

Generation 1

Bulbasaur
Ivysaur
Venusaur
Squirtle
Wartortle
Blastoise
Mewtwo
Mew

Generation 2

Celebi

Generation 3

Jirachi

Generation 5

Cobalion
Terrakion
Virizion
Reshiram
Zekrom
Kyurem
Keldeo

Generation 7

Rowlet
Dartrix
Decidueye
Litten
Torracat
Incineroar
Popplio
Brionne
Primarina
Cosmog
Cosmoem
Solgaleo
Lunala
Necrozma
Marshadow
Zeraora
Meltan
Melmetal

In addition to these 35 unlisted ’mons, Pokemon Sword and Shield reportedly include 326 other returning Pokemon, according to collection of datamined sprites. The full list of returning, numbered monsters can be found below (includes Alolan forms, but does not include Galarian forms or Gigantamax forms). For information on new Pokemon, check out our new Pokemon in Sword and Shield guide.