Is Salamence Sword Exclusive? A Comprehensive Guide for Pokémon Trainers
Yes, Salamence is exclusive to Pokémon Sword, primarily through the Crown Tundra DLC. If you’re a Shield player and dreaming of adding this powerful Dragon-type to your team, you’ll need to trade with a Sword player to obtain one. Let’s dive into the details of how to acquire Salamence in Sword, and explore some related questions that every aspiring trainer might have.
Salamence and the Crown Tundra: A Sword Exclusive
Salamence, the evolved form of Bagon and Shelgon, has long been a fan favorite due to its impressive stats and intimidating appearance. In the Sword and Shield era, its availability is tied directly to the version of the game you own and whether or not you have the Crown Tundra DLC.
How to Find Salamence in Pokémon Sword (Crown Tundra):
Salamence appears in the Crown Tundra’s Max Lair during Dynamax Adventures. Inside Dynamax Adventures, you’ll battle your way through multiple Dynamax Pokémon, ultimately facing off against a Legendary or Ultra Beast at the end. The key is to choose routes that have a higher chance of leading you to a Dragon-type Pokémon. While not guaranteed, this increases your odds of encountering a Dynamax Salamence.
For Pokémon Shield Players: As mentioned, Shield players cannot catch Salamence in the wild. Your best bet is to find a friend who owns Sword and is willing to trade, or participate in online trading communities.
Understanding Version Exclusivity in Pokémon
Version exclusivity is a common feature in Pokémon games, designed to encourage trading and interaction between players. Certain Pokémon are only available in one version of the game, incentivizing players to connect with others to complete their Pokédex. This system has been in place since the very first Pokémon games, Red and Blue.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Salamence and Sword/Shield
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the specifics around Salamence, Sword, Shield, and related Pokémon topics:
1. What other Pokémon are exclusive to Pokémon Sword DLC (Crown Tundra)?
Besides Salamence, several other notable Pokémon are more readily available in Pokémon Sword’s Crown Tundra DLC. This includes many legendary Pokémon encountered in Dynamax Adventures, such as:
- Xerneas
- Ho-Oh
- Groudon
- Tornadus
- Dialga
- Latios
- Reshiram
- Solgaleo
Keep in mind that while these legendaries can be found in both versions, Sword has a higher encounter rate for these specific ones.
2. Are there any Galarian Pokémon exclusive to Sword?
Yes, Galarian Darumaka and Galarian Darmanitan are exclusive to Pokémon Sword. These Ice-type variants of the Unova Pokémon are another reason why some trainers may prefer Sword. They evolve using an Ice Stone, rather than through leveling.
3. What non-legendary Pokémon are only obtainable in Sword?
Several non-legendary Pokémon are exclusive to Sword. Some of the most notable examples include:
- Deino, Hydreigon, and Zweilous (Dark/Dragon)
- Jangmo-o, Hakamo-o, and Kommo-o (Dragon/Fighting)
- Farfetch’d and Sirfetch’d (Normal/Flying and Fighting)
These Pokémon add further depth to the version exclusivity system, making trading essential for completionists.
4. Where can I find Bagon in Pokémon Sword?
Bagon, the pre-evolution of Salamence, can be found in the Crown Tundra’s Dynamax Adventure. The same strategy of choosing routes that have a higher chance of leading you to a Dragon-type Pokémon applies to encountering Dynamax Bagon.
5. Is Tyranitar Sword exclusive?
No, Tyranitar is exclusive to Pokémon Shield, meaning that players with Pokemon Sword will need to trade to obtain one.
6. What Pokémon cannot be caught in Sword and Shield at all?
While most Pokémon can be transferred into Sword and Shield via Pokémon Home, a select few are still unavailable in the Galar region. Some examples include:
- Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill
- Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot
- Rattata, Raticate
This list can change with future updates or DLC, so it’s always good to stay informed.
7. What makes Zacian better than Zamazenta?
Zacian‘s signature move, Behemoth Blade, is often considered superior to Zamazenta’s signature move. The primary reason for this is that Behemoth Blade’s power is doubled against Dynamaxed Pokémon. Since Dynamaxing is a central mechanic in Sword and Shield, this makes Zacian a more strategically valuable choice.
8. Is Pokémon Sword getting more DLC?
As of now, there are no plans for additional DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield. The Crown Tundra marked the end of the expansion pass. It’s possible that Game Freak will revisit the Galar region in the future, but for now, there are no announced projects.
9. What is the best DLC Pokémon in Sword and Shield?
Determining the “best” Pokémon is subjective and depends on individual playstyles and team compositions. However, some standout additions from the Crown Tundra DLC include:
- Calyrex
- Regidrago
- Articuno (Galarian Form)
- Groudon
- Ho-oh
These Pokémon offer unique strengths and strategies for competitive battling and in-game exploration.
10. Is Salamence a Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon?
Yes, Salamence is a pseudo-legendary Pokémon. Pseudo-legendary Pokémon have high base stats and a three-stage evolution line, making them powerful contenders. Other examples include Dragonite, Tyranitar, Metagross, Garchomp, Goodra, and Kommo-o.
11. Is Mega Salamence a Legendary Pokémon?
While Salamence itself isn’t a legendary, Mega Salamence is a temporary transformation achieved using the Salamencite Mega Stone (although Mega Evolution is not available in Sword and Shield without mods). Mega Evolution significantly boosts Salamence’s stats and changes its appearance. However, due to the mechanic being absent from these games, it’s more of a discussion point than practical element.
12. Can you breed Eternatus with Ditto?
No, Eternatus cannot be bred with Ditto or any other Pokémon. Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are generally unable to breed.
13. Are Zacian and Zamazenta gendered?
While Zacian and Zamazenta are genderless in-game from a programming perspective, their Pokédex entries and lore suggest that Zacian is female and Zamazenta is male.
14. Where to go to learn more about Games and Education?
For those interested in the intersection of games and education, resources like the Games Learning Society provide valuable insights and research. The Games Learning Society explores how games can be used as effective tools for learning and development. Visit their website at: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
15. Is Salamence rare in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Salamence is considered a valuable Dragon-type in Pokémon GO. The evolved form, particularly in its shiny variant, is highly sought after by players. Its high attack stat makes it a formidable attacker in raids and battles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Salamence is primarily a Pokémon Sword exclusive, obtainable through Dynamax Adventures in the Crown Tundra DLC. While Shield players can still acquire Salamence through trading, Sword players have a clear advantage in terms of accessibility. Understanding version exclusives and trading mechanics is crucial for completing your Pokédex and building a strong team. Happy training!