The best players in the world are currently in Washington D.C. competing in the Pokémon World Championships. Yesterday, during the opening ceremony, The Pokémon Company showed off a new trailer for the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Shield that focused on new battle mechanics. The Pokémon Company also revealed information on the games’ online battling component.
In the new trailer, the new ability of Galarian Weezing called Neutralizing Gas was shown off. Neutralizing Gas is an ability that negates all other abilities as long as Galarian Weezing, or a Pokémon with this ability, is on the field. New Pokémon Corviknight had its hidden ability, Mirror Armor, revealed. Mirror Armor reflects all stat lowering effects back at opponents, so those pesky Intimidates won’t work against these Corviknights.
The trailer also revealed two new battle items and a brand new attack. The item Room Service lowers a Pokémon’s speed once the move Trick Room is used. Trick Room allows for the slower Pokémon to move first for a few turns, and this item now allows for more Pokémon to be viable under Trick Room. The second item revealed was Eject Pack, while somewhat similar to the item Eject Button, this item automatically switches a Pokémon out once any of its stats have been lowered. The new move revealed is called Breaking Swipe and it hits all opposing Pokémon and lowers their attack stat. This will be a very useful move in the official VGC format as the format is exclusively double battles.
More information was also revealed on Dynamaxed Pokémon. Dynamaxing will not require Pokémon to hold a certain item, like mega stones for Mega Pokémon, thus allowing for the Dynamaxed Pokémon to hold whatever item players like. Dynamaxed Pokémon also won’t be able to be flinched by moves from opposing Pokémon either; something big for competitive play. Max Moves were also revealed to have secondary effects such as Max Knuckle raising the Attack stat of all allied Pokémon and Max Geyser causes the rain condition to appear on the field. Max Moves, similar to Z-moves, cannot be fully blocked by Protect. However, when a Pokémon Dynamaxes, all status moves become the Max Move Max Guard which can protect a Pokémon from other Max Moves.
Finally, Pokémon Sword and Shield‘s online component was detailed. Called the Battle Stadium, players will be able to compete online with others from around the world in Ranked or Casual battles if they have an active Nintendo Online subscription. Ranked Battles are a bit different than in previous games with five different tiers, Beginner Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Master Ball, for players to climb. There will also be online competitions for players to participate in. Doing well in official Online Competitions may give players the chance to earn a spot at the World Championships. Players will also be able to host their own Friendly Competitions with others which is a first for the series.
You can check out the newest battle-focused trailer for Pokémon Sword and Shield below: