How to (Realistically) Get Ash-Greninja in Pokémon Sword and Shield
The burning question on every Pokémon trainer’s mind: How do you get Ash-Greninja in Pokémon Sword and Shield? The short, somewhat disheartening answer is: you can’t, not directly. Pokémon Sword and Shield, unfortunately, do not natively support Ash-Greninja. There’s no in-game event, no special NPC, and no code that unlocks the transformation. The Pokémon Sword and Shield Galar region simply was not programmed to support Pokémon such as Ash-Greninja.
However, don’t despair entirely! There are indirect methods and potential future developments that can bring you a bit closer to the Ash-Greninja experience, even within the confines of Galar. To explore those, let’s dive a bit deeper.
Understanding the Ash-Greninja Phenomenon
Before we delve into alternatives, let’s recap what Ash-Greninja actually is. Ash-Greninja isn’t a Mega Evolution, although it visually resembles one. It is the result of a unique phenomenon called Bond Phenomenon. This happens when a strong emotional connection forms between a Pokémon and its trainer, allowing them to synchronize and unlock a powerful new form. In Ash’s case, his Greninja could transform into Ash-Greninja, taking on some of Ash’s physical characteristics.
This special Greninja was first obtainable via the demo version of Pokémon Sun and Moon. You could complete the demo and transfer the Ash-Greninja to the full game. The ability that triggers the form change is called Battle Bond.
The Current State of Greninja in Pokémon Sword and Shield
As established, you cannot transfer Ash-Greninja directly into Pokémon Sword and Shield. Greninja itself was not initially available in the base games, or in the first parts of the DLCs. Pokémon, such as Froakie, Frogadier and Greninja have officially landed in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and players have the chance to catch ’em all. You can, however, transfer the original Greninja from older games to Pokemon Home. Once there, you would be able to transfer it to Scarlet and Violet.
What About Pokémon HOME?
Pokémon HOME is a cloud-based service that allows you to store and transfer Pokémon between compatible games. While Greninja wasn’t initially transferable to Sword and Shield, it is now transferable to Scarlet and Violet. Pokémon HOME allows you to collect Pokémon across different games, and in some cases, transfer them to newer titles.
A Glimmer of Hope: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
The good news is that Greninja is now available in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Once you have a Greninja in Scarlet or Violet, you can transfer it through Pokémon HOME to other compatible games. However, it is important to note that the Battle Bond mechanic doesn’t function the same way in current generations. This means your Greninja, even if it originally had the Battle Bond ability, won’t transform into Ash-Greninja within Scarlet or Violet.
The Future: Mods and Wishful Thinking
While official support is unlikely, the Pokémon community is incredibly creative. Modding Pokémon Sword and Shield is a possibility, although it comes with risks (potential bans, corrupted save data, etc.). If someone were to develop a mod that implemented the Battle Bond mechanic and Ash-Greninja transformation, that would be one avenue. However, proceed with extreme caution and only download mods from trusted sources.
Alternatively, we can always hope that future Pokémon games might revisit the Bond Phenomenon and implement it in a more robust way.
FAQs: All About Greninja and Ash-Greninja
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the situation and explore related topics:
1. Can I get Froakie in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
No, Froakie itself is not programmed into Pokémon Sword and Shield. However, Froakie, Frogadier, and Greninja have officially landed in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and players have the chance to catch ’em all.
2. What is the Battle Bond ability?
Battle Bond is a special ability unique to Greninja obtained through the demo version of Pokémon Sun and Moon. It allows the Pokémon to transform into Ash-Greninja after defeating an opponent.
3. Does Mega Evolution affect Ash-Greninja?
No, Ash-Greninja has nothing to do with Mega Evolution. It is a separate phenomenon based on the bond between trainer and Pokémon.
4. Can I breed Ash-Greninja?
No, you cannot breed Ash-Greninja. Breeding a Greninja with the Battle Bond ability will only produce regular Froakie.
5. Why isn’t Greninja in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Game Freak, the developers of Pokémon, made the decision to limit the number of Pokémon available in Sword and Shield. Not all Pokémon were programmed into the game, and Greninja was one of those initially excluded.
6. What other Pokémon are missing from Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Many Pokémon from previous generations were absent from Pokémon Sword and Shield at launch. Examples include Pokémon from Kalos, such as Chespin, Quilladin, Fennekin, Braixen, and Delphox.
7. Is there any way to influence which Pokémon are added to future games?
While individual trainers have little direct influence, active participation in the Pokémon community and expressing your desires through official channels (surveys, social media, etc.) can potentially be noticed by Game Freak.
8. What are the risks of modding Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Modding can lead to bans from online services, corrupted save data, and other issues. It is crucial to proceed with caution and only use mods from trusted sources.
9. Where can I learn more about Pokémon game design and mechanics?
Websites like GamesLearningSociety.org provide resources and discussions about the educational and design aspects of games, including Pokémon. You can delve into the principles behind Pokémon game mechanics and design choices at the Games Learning Society website.
10. Why was Ash-Greninja considered unbalanced in competitive battling?
Ash-Greninja’s high speed, strong attacks, and versatile movepool made it difficult to counter in competitive battles. It could easily outspeed and defeat many common threats, leading to its ban in some formats.
11. What is the strongest of Ash’s Pokemon?
While opinions vary, Pikachu, Charizard, and Greninja are often cited as Ash’s strongest Pokémon. Each has demonstrated incredible power and resilience throughout the series.
12. Could Ash-Greninja Mega Evolve?
No. The Bond Phenomenon and Mega Evolution are two separate power-ups.
13. Is the Pokémon Sun and Moon demo still available?
The Pokémon Sun and Moon Special Demo Version may still be available for download on the Nintendo eShop for 3DS. It is the only official method of obtaining a Greninja with the Battle Bond ability.
14. Will old Pokémon ever be made unavailable forever?
While there’s no guarantee, Game Freak has generally aimed to allow players to transfer Pokémon from older generations to newer ones, even if certain Pokémon aren’t available in every game. Pokémon HOME facilitates this.
15. How does Ash-Greninja compare to regular Greninja?
Ash-Greninja has higher stats than regular Greninja, making it more powerful in battle. Its appearance also changes to resemble Ash.
The Reality and the Hope
While a direct transfer of Ash-Greninja to Pokémon Sword and Shield isn’t possible, you can still enjoy Greninja in the Galar region through the process mentioned above, by way of Scarlet and Violet. While it won’t transform into Ash-Greninja, you can still train a Greninja and give it a moveset that mimics the Ash-Greninja from the anime.
Furthermore, future games might revisit the Bond Phenomenon, bringing back the unique transformation mechanic. Until then, we can continue to enjoy Pokémon Sword and Shield for what they are and hold onto the hope that Ash-Greninja will one day return in its full glory. In the meantime, stay connected with the Pokémon community and share your passion for these amazing creatures!