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Is Pokemon Sword expansion pack worth it?

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Is the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass Worth It? A Deep Dive

Absolutely, the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass is well worth the investment for most players. It dramatically expands the core game, adding significant content, compelling storylines, and numerous Pokémon to catch, train, and battle with. The Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs offer distinct experiences that enhance the overall enjoyment and longevity of Pokémon Sword.

## Unpacking the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass: What Do You Get?

The Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass gives you access to two distinct downloadable content (DLC) packs: The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra. Each of these offers unique environments, narratives, and gameplay mechanics that significantly enhance your Pokémon Sword experience.

### The Isle of Armor: A Training Paradise

The Isle of Armor focuses on training and mentorship. You become an apprentice at a Pokémon dojo under the tutelage of the legendary Mustard. This DLC introduces new Pokémon, including the legendary Kubfu, which evolves into Urshifu – a Pokémon with two distinct fighting styles depending on your choices.

  • Expansive Wild Area: The Isle of Armor is essentially one large Wild Area, offering free exploration and dynamic Pokémon encounters.

  • New Storyline: The main storyline revolves around your training at the dojo and your relationship with Kubfu.

  • New Characters: You’ll meet new characters, including rivals like Klara (in Sword) who add depth to the narrative.

  • New Pokémon: A host of old and new Pokémon populate the Isle of Armor, offering plenty of catching and training opportunities.

  • Gigantamax Forms: Several Pokémon receive new Gigantamax Forms, adding another layer of strategic depth to battles.

    The Crown Tundra: Legendary Adventures

    The Crown Tundra shifts the focus to exploration and discovery. You’ll lead an expedition team across a frozen wilderness, uncovering the mysteries of legendary Pokémon. This DLC features a more robust and engaging narrative than the Isle of Armor.

  • Frozen Wilderness: The Crown Tundra offers a starkly beautiful, albeit harsh, environment to explore, complete with snowy mountains and icy caves.

  • Dynamax Adventures: This new game mode allows you to team up with other players (or AI) to battle through Dynamax Lairs, encountering legendary Pokémon along the way.

  • Legendary Clashes: The storyline centers around uncovering the secrets of legendary Pokémon, leading to epic battles and rewarding discoveries.

  • Returning Legendaries: The Crown Tundra adds a plethora of legendary Pokémon from previous generations, giving completionists a major goal.

  • Calyrex Storyline: The main narrative focuses on the legendary Pokémon Calyrex and its connection to the region.

    Why the Expansion Pass Enhances the Core Game

    The Expansion Pass addresses some of the common criticisms of the base Pokémon Sword game. It offers:

  • Improved Visuals: The environments in both DLCs are more detailed and visually appealing than many areas in the base game.

  • More Engaging Storylines: The narratives in the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra are generally more compelling than the main story of Sword.

  • Increased Challenge: The trainers and Pokémon in the DLCs offer a greater challenge, especially in the Crown Tundra, pushing players to strategize and optimize their teams.

  • Expanded Endgame Content: The Expansion Pass provides a wealth of post-game content, extending the lifespan of Pokémon Sword considerably.

  • More Pokémon Variety: The DLCs add a large number of Pokémon not found in the base game, enriching the team-building possibilities.

    Is It Worth the Price?

    Considering the amount of content provided and the enhancements it brings to the Pokémon Sword experience, the Expansion Pass is a worthwhile purchase for most players. If you enjoyed the core Pokémon Sword game and are looking for more to do, the Expansion Pass offers a substantial and satisfying extension of the adventure. The integration of the Games Learning Society’s principles of engagement and challenge is evident in the enriched gameplay, making it a valuable addition to the Pokémon Sword experience. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights on how games enhance learning and engagement.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1. What exactly does the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass get you?

    The Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass grants access to both the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs, each offering new areas to explore, storylines to experience, and Pokémon to catch. You also receive a special purchase bonus of Pikachu and Eevee uniforms for your trainer.

    2. Do I need the Expansion Pack for Pokémon Sword?

    Yes, if you want to access the content in the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra, you must purchase the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass specifically for Pokémon Sword.

    3. Which expansion is better for Sword and Shield?

    This is subjective. Some players prefer the training focus and open environment of the Isle of Armor, while others favor the legendary Pokémon hunting and narrative depth of the Crown Tundra. Both are worthwhile.

    4. Is the Isle of Armor expansion worth it?

    Yes, the Isle of Armor is worth it for its expansive Wild Area, new storyline, and opportunities to train and battle with new and returning Pokémon.

    5. Is Crown Tundra worth buying?

    Absolutely, the Crown Tundra is highly recommended for its captivating storyline, legendary Pokémon encounters, and the Dynamax Adventures game mode.

    6. How many hours is Isle of Armor?

    Completing the main objectives in the Isle of Armor typically takes around 5 hours, but fully exploring and completing all content can take 15-20 hours.

    7. Is Crown Tundra or Isle of Armor better visually?

    While subjective, the Isle of Armor is often praised for its vibrant and varied landscapes, whereas the Crown Tundra‘s icy wilderness is more uniform.

    8. Do you get both Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra with the Expansion Pass?

    Yes, purchasing the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass provides access to both the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra.

    9. How long to beat Sword and Shield expansion?

    The Isle of Armor adds roughly 16 hours of gameplay, while the Crown Tundra adds around 27 hours, totaling about 43 hours of additional content.

    10. Should I beat Pokémon Sword before DLC?

    No, you can access the DLC areas as soon as you reach Wedgehurst Station, though the Crown Tundra‘s content is geared toward higher-level Pokémon (levels 65-70).

    11. Do you keep the DLC if you restart Pokémon Sword?

    Yes, if you purchased the Expansion Pass digitally, it is linked to your Nintendo Account and remains accessible even if you restart your game.

    12. What is the difference between Sword and Shield Expansion Pass?

    The main difference is the rival character you encounter in the Isle of Armor. In Sword, you’ll face Klara, a poison-type trainer, while in Shield, you’ll battle Avery, a psychic-type specialist.

    13. Can you play both expansions in Pokémon Sword?

    Yes, purchasing the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass allows you to play both the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra in your Pokémon Sword game.

    14. How many new Pokémon are in Sword and Shield expansion?

    The Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra expansions together add more than 200 returning Pokémon that were not initially catchable in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

    15. What level should I be for Crown of Tundra?

    The Pokémon in the Crown Tundra are generally at levels 65-70, so it’s recommended that your team is at a similar level before venturing into the area.

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