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Can You Catch Legendaries in Pokémon Sword and Shield Without the DLC?

The short answer is yes, you can obtain Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield without purchasing the Expansion Pass (DLC). However, the method of acquiring them differs significantly. While the DLC dramatically increases the accessibility and variety of Legendary Pokémon, the core game does provide avenues for trainers to add these powerful beings to their collection. Let’s break down the details and explore how this works.

Core Game Legendaries vs. DLC Legendaries

Core Game Legendaries

In the base versions of Pokémon Sword and Shield, the primary Legendaries available without needing any DLC include:

Zacian (Pokémon Sword) and Zamazenta (Pokémon Shield): These are the mascot Legendaries specific to each game version and are obtained during the main storyline. Zacian is exclusive to Pokémon Sword, while Zamazenta is exclusive to Pokémon Shield.
Eternatus: This Dragon/Poison type Legendary is also part of the main storyline and is guaranteed to be caught before you become the Champion.

These Legendaries are integrated directly into the main narrative, ensuring that all players will have the opportunity to encounter and catch them. The game makes them a central focus of the story which makes them important for players to catch.

DLC Legendaries

The Expansion Pass, consisting of the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs, introduces a vast array of additional Legendaries. These include:

New Legendaries: Pokémon like Kubfu, Urshifu, Calyrex, Glastrier, and Spectrier are exclusive to the DLC and are obtained through specific quests and storylines unique to those areas.
Returning Legendaries: The Crown Tundra introduces Dynamax Adventures, a mode that allows players to encounter numerous returning Legendaries from past generations, including Rayquaza, Mewtwo, and many others.

While you can acquire these DLC-exclusive Legendaries through trades with other players who own the DLC, catching them directly within your own game requires purchasing the Expansion Pass.

Trading as a Method to Obtain DLC Legendaries

It’s crucial to understand that even if you don’t own the DLC, you are not locked out from acquiring the DLC Legendaries. Pokémon Sword and Shield allow seamless trading between players with and without the Expansion Pass. Therefore:

Trading with Friends: If you have a friend who owns the DLC and is willing to trade, you can obtain any of the DLC-exclusive Legendaries. This is perhaps the most common way for non-DLC players to get these Pokémon.
Online Trading: Using online trading features, such as the GTS or other community-driven systems, you can also find players willing to trade DLC Legendaries for Pokémon you have available. This does however require a subscription to Nintendo Online.

This trading system ensures that the entire Pokémon community has access to all Pokémon, regardless of their DLC ownership status. This allows for a much larger community and gives players goals even if they don’t have the Expansion Pass.

The Dynamax Adventure Difference

The most significant difference between the core game and DLC lies in the Dynamax Adventures within the Crown Tundra DLC. This mode:

Guaranteed Legendary Encounters: Dynamax Adventures guarantees that you’ll encounter a Legendary Pokémon at the end of each expedition.
Variety of Legendaries: You’ll find a wide range of Legendaries from past generations available in this mode.

Without the DLC, this method of guaranteed Legendary encounters is inaccessible. This means players without the Expansion Pass are subject to different ways of getting these Pokemon.

Other Avenues for Legendaries

While trading is the primary way to get DLC Legendaries, there are some other very specific ways you may encounter other Mythical Pokemon or Legendaries:

Events and Distributions: Sometimes, Nintendo or The Pokémon Company distributes special Legendary or Mythical Pokémon through online events or Mystery Gift codes. These Pokémon are usually available to all players, regardless of DLC ownership, so keep an eye on news updates.
Pokémon Home Transfers: Through Pokémon Home, it is possible to transfer legendaries from other games in the series. This means players can potentially transfer over other legendaries they have caught in the series.

The Catch Rate of Legendaries

When it comes to catching Legendaries, be aware that their base catch rates are generally quite low. This means you’ll need:

High-quality Poké Balls: Ultra Balls, Master Balls, and other specialized balls increase your chances of success.
Status Effects: Inflicting status conditions like paralysis or sleep can make it easier to capture Legendaries.

Even with these tools, patience and strategic battle tactics will be key in your efforts to catch these powerful Pokémon.

In Conclusion

While the DLC provides a much more direct route to acquiring a variety of Legendary Pokémon and the ability to catch the specific DLC ones, it is absolutely possible to obtain some Legendaries without it. Trading is a viable alternative for non-DLC owners, ensuring that everyone has a chance to experience the joys of collecting these rare Pokémon. Remember to be persistent, resourceful, and take advantage of the trading community to expand your Pokédex.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to obtaining Legendaries in Pokémon Sword and Shield without DLC:

1. Can you get Rayquaza in Pokémon Sword without the DLC?

No, you cannot catch Rayquaza in Pokémon Sword without the DLC. Rayquaza is exclusively found within Dynamax Adventures, which are part of the Crown Tundra DLC. However, you can trade for it with someone who has the DLC.

2. Are all Legendary Pokémon available through trading, even DLC ones?

Yes, all Legendary Pokémon, including those found in the DLCs, can be traded. This includes those found in the DLC, as long as both players have a subscription to Nintendo Online to trade.

3. Can you get Mewtwo without the DLC?

Mewtwo is found in Dynamax Adventures, which is only accessible through the DLC. You can, however, receive it through trades with a player that owns the DLC.

4. Do you need the DLC to get Metagross?

While the wild encounter for Beldum, Metang, and Metagross are exclusive to the DLC’s Crown Tundra, you can obtain Metagross through trading, or via transferring from older titles via Pokemon Home.

5. How do I obtain Galarian Slowking without DLC?

The method to get Galarian Slowking requires trading 15 twigs for a Wreath. You will still need to trade, which also requires a Nintendo Online subscription. You can get a Galarian Slowpoke from a non DLC trainer, however.

6. Can you catch Zacian in Pokémon Shield without the DLC?

No, you cannot catch Zacian in Pokémon Shield. Zacian is exclusive to Pokémon Sword and can only be obtained in Pokémon Shield through trading.

7. Can you get Eternatus before Zacian?

Yes, you catch Eternatus as part of the main storyline before you become the champion, and before you can encounter Zacian or Zamazenta.

8. Is Cosmog a legendary Pokémon?

Yes, Cosmog is a psychic-type Legendary Pokémon that evolves into Cosmoem and then either Solgaleo or Lunala.

9. Can you get a Cosmog egg?

No, Cosmog cannot breed and therefore cannot produce eggs. It belongs to the “Undiscovered” egg group, which is reserved for Pokémon that cannot breed.

10. Is it possible to get shiny Zygarde?

While shiny Zygarde was initially considered illegal, it can be obtained in later titles through various methods and is now regarded as legal.

11. What are the guaranteed methods for catching Legendary Pokémon?

The guaranteed methods for catching Legendaries are primarily through 5-Star Raids in some games, Special Research tasks, the Giovanni questline in Pokémon Go, and reward encounters. In Sword and Shield, the primary guaranteed method is through the main storyline Legendaries and Dynamax Adventures in the DLC.

12. What does 100% Zygarde look like?

Zygarde Complete Forme has a large, humanoid body with a long tail. It has several flat and triangular protrusions around its head and neck.

13. Are there any Legendary Pokémon that are “Shiny Locked” in Sword and Shield?

Yes, several Legendary Pokémon are Shiny Locked in Sword and Shield, including Cosmog, Poipole, Keldeo, Victini, Galarian Articuno, and Galarian Moltres.

14. How can you get a Master Ball?

You receive one Master Ball after beating the game. However, you can obtain additional Master Balls through the Lotto feature post-game.

15. Is the DLC worth purchasing just for the Legendaries?

If you are passionate about collecting Legendary Pokémon and enjoying additional content, the DLC is very much worth considering. However, if you are only interested in obtaining a few specific legendaries, trading with someone who has the expansion pass is a cheaper and often quicker alternative.

Can you get Legendaries without DLC?