No matter how you prefer to catch em all, today was a big news day. First, October 22nd, 2020 was announced as the release date for The Crown Tundra, the second round of DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield on Nintendo Switch. Plus, Pokémon GO will soon connect to Pokémon Home. And on top of all that: the eerie spell of the hexpert known as Galarian Slowking has been unleashed!

The Crown Tundra DLC

Perhaps the biggest news of the day is that October 22nd will be the release date for The Crown Tundra, the second round of Sword and Shield DLC.

Sword and Shield were released on Nintendo Switch on November 15th, 2019, introducing trainers to the Galar region (which bears a striking resemblance to the United Kingdom of our world).

Then on June 17th, 2020 the first round of DLC, the Isle of Armor, was released, expanding the available Pokémon, adding more fashion items, and allowing players to access a whole new “wild area” where they could interact with Pokémon and undertake new missions (like the quest for one very irresponsible man’s massive Diglett collection).

On October 22nd, the Isle of Armor expansion will be joined by the Crown Tundra DLC. As the name suggests, this new area is a snowy landscape characterized by chilly weather and exploration. While trainers have previously ventured into the Pokémon dens scattered throughout the Galar region, the Crown Tundra will introduce a mission that requires players to head up an exploration team that will journey to the depths of these mysterious dens. Plus, the expansion will make even more Pokémon available to Switch players, including new versions of the classic Legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.

And for those who have been holding out for the complete package, on November 6th, 2020, bundled physical editions of both Sword and Shield will be released, with the entire game plus the corresponding expansion pass (including both the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra content) preloaded on a physical game card. Those taking advantage of this offer will want to click the link above to learn how they can unlock 100 Pokéballs and 2 stylish outfits when they purchase this bundle.

Pokémon Home gets GO functionality 

The wait will soon be over for trainers who have been anticipating for the opportunity to transfer the Pokémon they capture in Pokémon GO on their cell phones over to Pokémon Home on the Switch, with the transfer system being prepared for release by the end of the year. It appears that the journey will be one-way, with no opportunity to return the Pokémon to GO once they have been transfer to Home.

In addition to allowing trainers to transfer the Pokémon they collect in GO to their Switch, transferring Pokémon will also allow players to access the Mystery Box in GO, thus allowing for the capture of Meltan. Plus, connecting GO and Home will allow trainers to obtain a Melmetal with the ability to Gigantamax, currently available to players only through via this method.

Long live the Slowking 

And to cap off the announcement, we are finally getting a glimpse of the Galarian Slowking. Described as a “hexpert” with intelligence that puts other psychic Pokémon to shame, Galarian Slowking is a Poison/Psychic type. Those with a witchy bent will be exciting to discover that this version of Slowking can be heard chanting mysterious incantations during battle.

Will Galarian Slowking be given a place on your Pokémon Team Roster? How about those stylish Crown Tundra winter coats? Let us know what Pokémon news you’re most excited about in the comment section!