Table of Contents

How Long Is Pokémon Sword and Shield, Including the DLC?

Quick answer

This page answers How long is Pokemon sword and DLC? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

The question of how long it takes to complete Pokémon Sword and Shield, especially when factoring in the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLC, is multifaceted. A straightforward answer is: To complete the main story of Pokémon Sword and Shield, you’re looking at roughly 25-30 hours. If you’re aiming for a completionist run, expect to invest 100+ hours. As for the DLC, the Isle of Armor takes about 6-8 hours for the main story and up to 15-20 hours for completion, while Crown Tundra requires around 6 hours focusing on the main objectives and 27 hours to obtain 100% completion. The overall playtime depends heavily on your playstyle, your dedication to completing the Pokédex, and how much time you spend exploring and battling.

Breaking Down the Playtime: Base Game and DLC

Pokémon Sword and Shield presented players with a vast region, a compelling storyline, and of course, hundreds of Pokémon to catch and train. The base game offers a significant amount of content, but the addition of the DLC significantly expands the world and the overall playtime.

Pokémon Sword and Shield: The Core Experience

Main Story: As mentioned before, expect to spend 25-30 hours navigating the Galar region, battling gym leaders, and uncovering the mysteries of the Dynamax phenomenon. This assumes a relatively efficient playthrough, focusing primarily on the critical path.
Completionist Run: For those seeking to catch every Pokémon, complete the Pokédex, achieve max rank in the Battle Tower, and explore every nook and cranny, prepare for an adventure that can easily surpass 100 hours.
Shiny Hunting: This can vary extremely; this could add another 20 to over a hundred hours, depending on your luck. Some people never find a shiny, and others find it fairly quickly.

Isle of Armor: A Summer Getaway

The Isle of Armor DLC adds a new area to explore, new Pokémon to catch (including Galarian forms and returning favorites), and a new storyline centered around a dojo and the legendary Pokémon Kubfu.

Main Story: Completing the main story of the Isle of Armor, which involves training with Mustard and bonding with Kubfu, usually takes around 6-8 hours.
Completionist Run: Exploring the entire island, completing all side quests, catching all the new Pokémon, and mastering the dojo challenges can extend the playtime to 15-20 hours.

Crown Tundra: A Winter Expedition

The Crown Tundra DLC takes players to a snowy, mountainous region filled with legendary Pokémon, Dynamax Adventures, and challenging quests. This DLC focuses heavily on exploration and legendary Pokémon hunting.

Main Story: Focusing solely on the main story of the Crown Tundra, which revolves around Calyrex and the legendary birds, can be done in about 6 hours.
Completionist Run: Catching all the legendary Pokémon, completing all the Dynamax Adventures, exploring every part of the tundra, and finishing all side quests will likely take around 27 hours for the Crown Tundra DLC.

Factors Influencing Playtime

Several factors can significantly affect how long it takes to complete Pokémon Sword and Shield and its DLC:

Playstyle: A casual player who enjoys exploring and taking their time will naturally spend longer than a player who rushes through the main story.
Battling Strategy: A player who carefully plans their team and strategies will likely progress faster than someone who relies on brute force.
Pokédex Completion: Attempting to catch every Pokémon is a major time commitment.
Online Features: Engaging in online battles, trading, and Max Raid Battles can add significant playtime.

Is the DLC Worth It?

The question of whether the DLC is worth the investment depends on your enjoyment of the base game and your desire for more content. If you enjoyed Pokémon Sword and Shield and are eager to explore new areas, catch more Pokémon, and delve into new storylines, the DLC is definitely worth considering. The DLC does not need to be re-downloaded if you own the digital or physical Pokémon Sword + Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass or Pokémon Shield + Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass software.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to the playtime and content of Pokémon Sword and Shield and its DLC:

Should I beat Pokémon Sword before playing the DLC?
- No, you can access the DLC areas as soon as you reach Wedgehurst Station. The content in Crown Tundra doesn’t scale down in levels, but you can still progress even if you lose battles.
What level should my Pokémon be for the Sword DLC?
- There’s no level requirement to start the DLC. The Isle of Armor features level scaling to match your team, while the Crown Tundra has fixed levels (65-70).
Which DLC is better, Isle of Armor or Crown Tundra?
- It depends on your preferences. The Isle of Armor offers a more relaxed experience with a focus on training and exploration. The Crown Tundra emphasizes legendary Pokémon hunting and challenging Dynamax Adventures. Many consider Crown Tundra to be better due to its end-game content and Shiny Hunting mechanics.
Do I keep the DLC if I restart Pokémon Sword?
- Yes, you don’t need to redownload the DLC if you restart, as long as it is the same system you have.
What’s the longest Pokémon game to play?
- Pokémon Diamond and Pearl are the longest, clocking in at around 40.5 hours for the main story.
What’s the shortest Pokémon game?
- Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! tend to be the shortest, with average playthroughs around 14-16 hours.
Which Pokémon game has all 151 Pokémon?
- Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! allows you to reunite with all of the original 151 Pokémon.
Which Pokémon game is the hardest?
- Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are widely considered the most challenging main-series Pokémon games due to tough Totem battles and powerful opponents.
How long does it take to complete the Pokédex in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
- Completing the Pokédex can take anywhere from 50 to 80 hours, depending on your efficiency and access to version-exclusive Pokémon through trading.
Are there any version-exclusive Pokémon in the DLC?
- Yes, there are version-exclusive Pokémon in both the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra. You’ll need to trade with players who have the opposite version to complete the Pokédex.
What are Dynamax Adventures in Crown Tundra?
- Dynamax Adventures are a unique battle mode in the Crown Tundra where you team up with other players or NPCs to battle through a series of Dynamax Pokémon, culminating in a battle against a legendary Pokémon.
Can I transfer Pokémon from other games into Sword and Shield?
- Yes, you can transfer Pokémon from other games using Pokémon HOME, a cloud-based service that allows you to store and transfer Pokémon between compatible games.
Is Shiny Hunting easier in the DLC?
- The Crown Tundra offers improved Shiny Hunting opportunities through Dynamax Adventures, where you have a higher chance of encountering Shiny Pokémon.
What is the significance of the Games Learning Society?
- The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is important because they are a community of scholars and game designers who examine the design of digital media in relation to teaching and learning. They host a yearly conference, workshops, and design competitions.
What is the endgame content in Pokémon Sword and Shield and its DLC?
- The endgame content includes completing the Pokédex, mastering the Battle Tower, participating in online battles, Shiny Hunting, and completing all the post-game quests and challenges in the DLC.

In conclusion, the total playtime for Pokémon Sword and Shield, including the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLC, varies greatly depending on individual playstyle and completion goals. Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated completionist, the game and its DLC offer a substantial amount of content to keep you entertained for hours on end.