Predictions for Pokémon Sword and Shield

Ever since the reveal trailer on February 27, the internet has been abuzz with hopes and theories for the new generation 8 Pokémon games. We don’t know many details yet, but between now and its release date near the end of 2019, there’s plenty of room for speculation.

Today, we’ll be laying out our top 5 predictions for Pokémon Sword and Shield. We can’t wait to visit the UK-inspired Galar region and explore everything it has to offer!


5. Scorbunny Might Be Based On a Soccer Player

The adorable little rabbit Pokémon Scorbunny is the fire-type starter for generation 8. The “scor” in its name presumably stands for “scorch”, similarly to its Japanese name Hibani (which uses the word for fire – “hi” – and “bunny”). But it could also mean “score”, and the Pokémon’s bandage-like square on its nose and the markings on its feet suggest the aesthetic of a soccer player.


4. Corgi Pokémon

We’ve had dog-like Pokémon based on all kinds of breeds: Dobermans, Scottish Terriers, Poodles, and many more. So wouldn’t it be a perfect time to introduce a Pokémon based on a Welsh Corgi? There’s even a great piece of fanart that depicts Queen Elizabeth with a full team of corgis!

Alternatively, Gamefreak could create a creature based on another royal dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Or maybe a Foxhound! We just want more puppy Pokémon, please!



3. Difficulty Modes and Other Options

In the reveal trailer, the hosts mentioned that they want to make a game for both longtime fans and newcomers alike. And with the hardware strength of the Nintendo Switch, it would probably be simple to implement a few options that cater to adult gamers.

Generations 6 and 7 have been criticized for their low difficulty in an attempt to attract newer and younger fans, so a selection of difficulty modes would be a welcome shake-up from the usual formula. Perhaps there could also be options to limit the amount of usable healing items or enforce self-imposed challenges like Nuzlocke runs. This is probably the least likely of our predictions, but we’ve still got our fingers crossed.


2. Compatibility With Pokémon Go and Other Core Games

Even though it’s nowhere near as popular as when it first exploded onto the scene in the summer of 2016, Pokémon Go is still going strong. We’d love to see real-world events in the UK that correspond to their locations in Galar, such as a gym leader challenge or a super rare Pokémon encounter.

If it’s possible with the hardware, we’d also be thrilled to be able to import our player characters from the generation 6 and 7 games as optional encounters for our generation 8 trainer to face in an endgame Battle Tower-esque scenario. Or maybe Lillie and Gladion have made their way to the Galar region to train! Honestly, any returning characters are bound to make us smile.


1. Connection to Kalos

In real life, France and the UK have a richly intertwined history that dates back thousands of years. The Japan-based regions like Kanto and Johto have clearly affected each other over time, so it isn’t too far of a stretch to say that Kalos may make an appearance in the lore of Galar, or could potentially be an accessible second region after the Pokémon League.

Melmetal, a generation 8 Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Go, has a Pokédex entry that states that it was last seen 3000 years ago. Could this be referring to the ancient Kalos war that took place 3000 years ago? Pokémon forums are abuzz with theories about the potential connections.


Final Thoughts

Since we have such little concrete information so far, our predictions could be completely off the mark. But we bet that some of these wishes will come true in one form or another, and the surprises we get along the way will be just as exciting!

What did you think of our list? What are your predictions for Pokémon Sword and Shield? Let us know in the comments, and thanks so much for reading!

pokemon-Lillie-Gladion-Wallpaper-700x394 Predictions for Pokémon Sword and Shield

Editor/Writer

Author: Mary Lee Sauder

After the hard-hitting East Coast lifestyle hit me a bit too hard, I started pursuing my passion as a writer in my cozy home state of Ohio. Aside from that, I spend my time cooking, cosplaying, collecting anime merch, and being an improv comedy actor. I also love sneaking alliterations and stupid puns into my writing, so be on the lookout for them! 😉

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