What is Happening to Pokémon Sword and Shield?

Pokémon Sword and Shield will no longer be supported with new content following their final update on November 1, as The Pokémon Company is shifting its focus to the new Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games, which are set to be released on November 18. This move marks the end of an era for the Pokémon Sword and Shield series, which will still allow for online play but will not receive any new Max Raid events or updates after the final Wild Area News update on November 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

1. What is happening to Pokémon Sword and Shield?: Pokémon Sword and Shield will no longer receive online updates or events after the final Wild Area News update on November 1, but online play will still be available.
2. Is Pokémon Sword and Shield ending?: With the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, The Pokémon Company has announced that Pokémon Sword and Shield will not be supported with new content after November 1.
3. Why did Pokémon Sword and Shield fail?: The games suffered from growing pains, with a narrow scope and a story that often blocked players from exploring on their own.

Criticisms and Reception

4. Why do Pokémon fans hate Sword and Shield?: Fans were upset about the cut corners in game development, including lackluster animations and reused game models, which led to the #GameFreakLied trend.
5. What is the criticism of Pokémon Sword and Shield?: The games received criticism for poor pacing and restrictive world design, although they were still considered fun with inventive designs and creative new Pokémon.
6. What are the rarest Pokémon in Sword and Shield cards?: Some of the rarest cards include Alt Art Gengar VMAX, Giratina VSTAR, and Secret Rare Charizard V, among others.

Gameplay and Rules

7. Can you get banned from Sword and Shield?: Yes, players who cheat can receive temporary or permanent bans, losing access to online features such as battling and trading.
8. How long will Sword and Shield cards last?: The Pokémon Sword and Shield TCG Series is set to end in 2023, with a final collection featuring Japanese Promo cards and collectibles.
9. Will Pokémon continue forever?: While the original Pokémon anime has ended, the franchise will continue with new anime series, such as Pokémon Horizons: The Series.

Popularity and Sales

10. Is Sword more popular than Shield?: Yes, Pokémon Sword has sold more copies than Pokémon Shield, likely due to the popularity of Zacian, the legendary Pokémon in Sword.
11. Why is Crown Zenith worth it?: Crown Zenith is a wonderful showcase of Pokémon artwork, making it a great collection for fans, even if it’s not a perfect send-off to Sword and Shield.
12. What is the most valuable Charizard in Sword and Shield?: The Vivid Voltage Staff Prerelease Promo Charizard is one of the most valuable, given its limited availability and rarity.

Miscellaneous

13. Who is the bad guy in Pokémon Sword and Shield?: The main antagonist is Chairman Rose, the chairman of the Galar Pokémon League and CEO of Macro Cosmos.
14. Will Pokémon stop obeying you in Sword and Shield?: Only outsider Pokémon (i.e., traded Pokémon) can disobey the player due to their high level.
15. What Pokémon can’t be sent to Sword and Shield?: Certain Pokémon, such as those not part of the Galar Pokédex, cannot be sent to Sword and Shield, although some exceptions apply, like Bulbasaur and Mewtwo.