Pokémon Sword and Shield: Leaked Pokédex has players angry

Pokemon Sword and Shield (Image credit: Nintendo)

When news dropped in June that Pokémon Sword and Shield would be the first core Pokémon game in which players wouldn't be allowed to catch or trade up all of the previous games' Pokémon, fans were understandably upset. Since the very first Pokémon games and shows, the motto "Gotta catch 'em all" has been a driving force behind the series. There are certainly many other aspects to the Pokémon games with more new features being added each generation but completing the Pokédex has been a goal for most players at some point.

A leaked Pokédex?

The news many have been dreading since that interview make have leaked early. Several users on Reddit have been sharing a supposed leaked Pokédex for Sword and Shield and the cuts were more severe than any had imagined. For the fans who aren't outright furious that many of their favorites will be unobtainable in Pokémon Sword and Shield, the list is at least perplexing. Many fan favorites, including virtually all previous starter Pokémon didn't make the cut, but unpopular and outright useless Pokémon like Shuckle and Sudowoodo did. While these cuts are confusing, there are many users sharing this same information along with a reasonable amount of corroborating evidence. So, while you should always take leaks with a grain of salt, in this case, these seem likely to be accurate.

So who got the axe?

Pokemon Sword and Shield cuts (Image credit: Reddit/ SentimentalRotom)

Image via Reddit user SentimentalRotom

Of the over 800 existing Pokémon, more than half were cut. While some of those who are not on the leaked Pokédex are Legendary and Mythical Pokémon who may be included in the future, there are definitely a lot of fan favorites who didn't make the cut. Likewise, some of the strongest and most useful Pokémon also seemed to have been left out. Here is the list of every Pokémon which seems to be cut from Pokémon Sword and Shield's Pokédex:

Bulbasaur
Ivysaur
Venusaur
Squirtle
Wartortle
Blastoise
Weedle
Kakuna
Beedrill
Pidgey
Pidgeotto
Pidgeot
Rattata
Raticate
Spearow
Fearow
Ekans
Arbok
Sandshrew
Sandslash
Nidoran♀
Nidorina
Nidoqueen
Nidoran♂
Nidorino
Nidoking
Jigglypuff
Wigglytuff
Zubat
Golbat
Paras
Parasect
Venonat
Venomoth
Psyduck
Golduck
Mankey
Primeape
Poliwag
Poliwhirl
Poliwrath
Abra
Kadabra
Alakazam
Bellsprout
Weepinbell
Victreebel
Tentacool
Tentacruel
Geodude
Graveler
Golem
Slowpoke
Slowbro
Magnemite
Magneton
Doduo
Dodrio
Seel
Dewgong
Grimer
Muk
Drowzee
Hypno
Voltorb
Electrode
Exeggcute
Exeggutor
Cubone
Marowak
Lickitung
Chansey
Tangela
Kangaskhan
Horsea
Seadra
Staryu
Starmie
Scyther
Jynx
Electabuzz
Magmar
Pinsir
Tauros
Porygon
Omanyte
Omastar
Kabuto
Kabutops
Aerodactyl
Articuno
Zapdos
Moltres
Dratini
Dragonair
Dragonite
Mewtwo
Chikorita
Bayleef
Meganium
Cyndaquil
Quilava
Typhlosion
Totodile
Croconaw
Feraligatr
Sentret
Furret
Ledyba
Ledian
Spinarak
Ariados
Crobat
Igglybuff
Mareep
Flaaffy
Ampharos
Marill
Azumarill
Politoed
Hoppip
Skiploom
Jumpluff
Aipom
Sunkern
Sunflora
Yanma
Murkrow
Slowking
Misdreavus
Unown
Girafarig
Pineco
Forretress
Dunsparce
Gligar
Snubbull
Granbull
Scizor
Heracross
Teddiursa
Ursaring
Slugma
Magcargo
Skarmory
Houndour
Houndoom
Kingdra
Phanpy
Donphan
Porygon2
Stantler
Smeargle
Smoochum
Elekid
Magby
Miltank
Blissey
Raikou
Entei
Suicune
Lugia
Ho-Oh
Celebi
Treecko
Grovyle
Sceptile
Torchic
Combusken
Blaziken
Mudkip
Marshtomp
Swampert
Poochyena
Mightyena
Wurmple
Silcoon
Beautifly
Cascoon
Dustox
Taillow
Swellow
Surskit
Masquerain
Shroomish
Breloom
Slakoth
Vigoroth
Slaking
Whismur
Loudred
Exploud
Makuhita
Hariyama
Azurill
Nosepass
Skitty
Delcatty
Aron
Lairon
Aggron
Meditite
Medicham
Plusle
Minun
Volbeat
Illumise
Gulpin
Swalot
Carvanha
Sharpedo
Numel
Camerupt
Spoink
Grumpig
Spinda
Cacnea
Cacturne
Swablu
Altaria
Zangoose
Seviper
Lileep
Cradily
Anorith
Armaldo
Castform
Kecleon
Shuppet
Banette
Tropius
Chimecho
Absol
Spheal
Sealeo
Walrein
Clamperl
Huntail
Gorebyss
Relicanth
Luvdisc
Bagon
Shelgon
Salamence
Beldum
Metang
Metagross
Regirock
Regice
Registeel
Latias
Latios
Kyogre
Groudon
Rayquaza
Jirachi
Deoxys
Turtwig
Grotle
Torterra
Chimchar
Monferno
Infernape
Piplup
Prinplup
Empoleon
Starly
Staravia
Staraptor
Bidoof
Bibarel
Kricketot
Kricketune
Shinx
Luxio
Luxray
Cranidos
Rampardos
Shieldon
Bastiodon
Burmy
Wormadam
Mothim
Pachirisu
Buizel
Floatzel
Ambipom
Buneary
Lopunny
Mismagius
Honchkrow
Glameow
Purugly
Chingling
Happiny
Chatot
Spiritomb
Gible
Gabite
Garchomp
Carnivine
Finneon
Lumineon
Magnezone
Lickilicky
Tangrowth
Electivire
Magmortar
Yanmega
Gliscor
Porygon-Z
Probopass
Uxie
Mesprit
Azelf
Dialga
Palkia
Heatran
Regigigas
Giratina
Cresselia
Phione
Manaphy
Darkrai
Shaymin
Arceus
Victini
Snivy
Servine
Serperior
Tepig
Pignite
Emboar
Oshawott
Dewott
Samurott
Patrat
Watchog
Lillipup
Herdier
Stoutland
Pansage
Simisage
Pansear
Simisear
Panpour
Simipour
Blitzle
Zebstrika
Audino
Sewaddle
Swadloon
Leavanny
Venipede
Whirlipede
Scolipede
Petilil
Lilligant
Sandile
Krokorok
Krookodile
Tirtouga
Carracosta
Archen
Archeops
Zorua
Zoroark
Ducklett
Swanna
Deerling
Sawsbuck
Emolga
Foongus
Amoonguss
Alomomola
Tynamo
Eelektrik
Eelektross
Cryogonal
Mienfoo
Mienshao
Druddigon
Bouffalant
Larvesta
Volcarona
Cobalion
Terrakion
Virizion
Tornadus
Thundurus
Reshiram
Zekrom
Landorus
Kyurem
Keldeo
Meloetta
Genesect
Chespin
Quilladin
Chesnaught
Fennekin
Braixen
Delphox
Froakie
Frogadier
Greninja
Fletchling
Fletchinder
Talonflame
Scatterbug
Spewpa
Vivillon
Litleo
Pyroar
Flabébé
Floette
Florges
Skiddo
Gogoat
Furfrou
Skrelp
Dragalge
Clauncher
Clawitzer
Tyrunt
Tyrantrum
Amaura
Aurorus
Dedenne
Carbink
Klefki
Xerneas
Yveltal
Zygarde
Diancie
Hoopa
Volcanion
Rowlet
Dartrix
Decidueye
Litten
Torracat
Incineroar
Popplio
Brionne
Primarina
Pikipek
Trumbeak
Toucannon
Yungoos
Gumshoos
Crabrawler
Crabominable
Oricorio
Rockruff
Lycanroc
Fomantis
Lurantis
Comfey
Sandygast
Palossand
Minior
Komala
Togedemaru
Bruxish
Tapu Koko
Tapu Lele
Tapu Bulu
Tapu Fini
Cosmog
Cosmoem
Solgaleo
Lunala
Nihilego
Buzzwole
Pheromosa
Xurkitree
Celesteela
Kartana
Guzzlord
Necrozma
Magearna
Marshadow
Meltan
Melmetal

Who does that leave in the game?

With so many Pokémon cut from Sword and Shield, you might be wondering who that even leaves behind. Well, far more were cut than left in but keep in mind that there were over 800 Pokémon prior to any new Galar specific Pokémon, so there will still be many, many creatures in these games before they even add new ones. Here's the list of those who made the cut:

Charmander
Charmeleon
Charizard
Caterpie
Metapod
Butterfree
Pikachu
Raichu
Clefairy
Clefable
Vulpix
Ninetales
Oddish
Gloom
Vileplume
Diglett
Dugtrio
Meowth *
Persian
Growlithe
Arcanine
Machop
Machoke
Machamp
Ponyta *
Rapidash *
Farfetch'd *
Shellder
Cloyster
Gastly
Haunter
Gengar
Onix
Krabby
Kingler
Hitmonlee
Hitmonchan
Koffing
Weezing *
Rhyhorn
Rhydon
Goldeen
Seaking
Mr. Mime
Magikarp
Gyarados
Lapras
Ditto
Eevee
Vaporeon
Jolteon
Flareon
Snorlax
Mew
Hoothoot
Noctowl
Chinchou
Lanturn
Pichu
Cleffa
Togepi
Togetic
Natu
Xatu
Bellossom
Sudowoodo
Wooper
Quagsire
Espeon
Umbreon
Wobbuffet
Steelix
Qwilfish
Shuckle
Sneasel
Swinub
Piloswine
Corsola *
Remoraid
Octillery
Delibird
Mantine
Tyrogue
Hitmontop
Larvitar
Pupitar
Tyranitar
Zigzagoon *
Linoone *
Lotad
Lombre
Ludicolo
Seedot
Nuzleaf
Shiftry
Wingull
Pelipper
Ralts
Kirlia
Gardevoir
Nincada
Ninjask
Shedinja
Sableye
Mawile
Electrike
Manectric
Roselia
Wailmer
Wailord
Torkoal
Trapinch
Vibrava
Flygon
Lunatone
Solrock
Barboach
Whiscash
Corphish
Crawdaunt
Baltoy
Claydol
Feebas
Milotic
Duskull
Dusclops
Wynaut
Snorunt
Glalie
Budew
Roserade
Combee
Vespiquen
Cherubi
Cherrim
Shellos
Gastrodon
Drifloon
Drifblim
Stunky
Skuntank
Bronzor
Bronzong
Bonsly
Mime Jr.
Munchlax
Riolu
Lucario
Hippopotas
Hippowdon
Skorupi
Drapion
Croagunk
Toxicroak
Mantyke
Snover
Abomasnow
Weavile
Rhyperior
Togekiss
Leafeon
Glaceon
Mamoswine
Gallade
Dusknoir
Froslass
Rotom
Purrloin
Liepard
Munna
Musharna
Pidove
Tranquill
Unfezant
Roggenrola
Boldore
Gigalith
Woobat
Swoobat
Drilbur
Excadrill
Timburr
Gurdurr
Conkeldurr
Tympole
Palpitoad
Seismitoad
Throh
Sawk
Cottonee
Whimsicott
Basculin
Darumaka *
Darmanitan *
Maractus
Dwebble
Crustle
Scraggy
Scrafty
Sigilyph
Yamask *
Cofagrigus *
Trubbish
Garbodor
Minccino
Cinccino
Gothita
Gothorita
Gothitelle
Solosis
Duosion
Reuniclus
Vanillite
Vanillish
Vanilluxe
Karrablast
Escavalier
Frillish
Jellicent
Joltik
Galvantula
Ferroseed
Ferrothorn
Klink
Klang
Klinklang
Elgyem
Beheeyem
Litwick
Lampent
Chandelure
Axew
Fraxure
Haxorus
Cubchoo
Beartic
Shelmet
Accelgor
Stunfisk *
Golett
Golurk
Pawniard
Bisharp
Rufflet
Braviary
Vullaby
Mandibuzz
Heatmor
Durant
Deino
Zweilous
Hydreigon
Bunnelby
Diggersby
Pancham
Pangoro
Espurr
Meowstic
Honedge
Doublade
Aegislash
Spritzee
Aromatisse
Swirlix
Slurpuff
Inkay
Malamar
Binacle
Barbaracle
Helioptile
Heliolisk
Sylveon
Hawlucha
Goomy
Sliggoo
Goodra
Phantump
Trevenant
Pumpkaboo
Gourgeist
Bergmite
Avalugg
Noibat
Noivern
Grubbin
Charjabug
Vikavolt
Cutiefly
Ribombee
Wishiwashi
Mareanie
Toxapex
Mudbray
Mudsdale
Dewpider
Araquanid
Morelull
Shiinotic
Salandit
Salazzle
Stufful
Bewear
Bounsweet
Steenee
Tsareena
Oranguru
Passimian
Wimpod
Golisopod
Pyukumuku
Type: Null
Silvally
Turtonator
Mimikyu
Drampa
Dhelmise
Jangmo-o
Hakamo-o
Kommo-o

What about new Pokémon?

While these cuts make for a considerably smaller Pokédex than the Pokémon games have had in some time, there will still be more than 80 new Pokémon, including several regional variants of existing Pokémon. These are all the new Pokémon we should expect to see in the Galar region:

Grookey
Thwackey
Rillaboom
Scorbunny
Raboot
Cinderace
Sobble
Drizzile
Inteleon
Rookide
Corvisquire
Corviknight
Blipbug
Dottler
Orbettle
Wooloo
Dubwool
Skwovet
Greedunt
NIckit
Thievul
Yamper
Boltund
Gossifleur
Eldegoss
Cramorant
Sinistea
Polteageist
Milcery
Alcremie
Chewtle
Drednaw
Rolycoly
Carkol
Coalossal
Morpeko
Impidimp
Morgrem
Grmissnarl
Duraludon
Arrocuda
Barraskewda
Sizzilpede
Centiskorch
Silicobra
Sandaconda
Snom
Frosmoth
Clobbopus
Grapplocti
Hatternini
Hattrem
Hattarene
Pincurchin
Toxel
Eletox
Cufant
Copperajah
Indeedee
Applin
Flapple
Stonjourner
Falinks
Dreepy
Darkloak
Dragapult
Arctovish
Arctozolt
Dracovish
Zigzagoon
Linoone
Obstagoon
Weezing
Farfetch'd
Sirfetch'd
Darumaka
Darmantian
Mr. Mime
Mr. Rime
Dracozolt
Ponyta
Rapidash
Meowth
Perrserker
Corsola
Cursola
Sunfisk
Zacian
Zamazenta
Eternatus

What about Legendary Pokémon and Mythical Pokémon?

While there has not been confirmation yet, many have suggested that the Mythical Pokémon, which are often only available through special events and giveaways, and at least some of the previous Legendary Pokémon may be added in at a later date. This could potentially expand the Pokédex considerably, as well as bring in many of the fan favorites and strongest Pokémon around.

At the moment, the only existing Legendary or Mythical Pokémon we know will be included is Mew. Mew will be available through the Poké Ball Plus accessory that launched with Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee. This device allowed players to port a single Mew into a single account (something that caused hard feelings in shared households or even for players with both Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee.) Whether players will be able to claim a Mew from their existing Poké Ball Plus or if they will need to purchase a new one entirely is currently unknown but at $40 or more a pop, this is a very expensive way to add in a Mythical Pokémon that had previously always been given away during special promotional events.

I choose you

Poké Ball Plus

Perfect for the Pokémon games on the Switch

This fun controller allows gamers to mimic the motion of throwing a Poké Ball to capture Pokémon in the Let's Go Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee games and upcoming Pokémon Sword and Shield Games.

Is this set in stone?

No. While this information is coming in from many sources along with corroborating evidence, it has not been officially announced. Even if these leaks are completely accurate, The Pokémon Company could change this list at any point or release updates that would include more Pokémon. However, for the time being, this is the most accurate list available for the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Shield Pokédex.

Pokémon Sword and Shield will be released on November 15, 2019 exclusively on the Nintendo Switch!

Take up your Sword

Pokémon Sword

Welcome to the Galar region

Pokémon Sword is the first half of the Pokémon games releasing this fall. With new Pokémon to tame and a legendary Pokémon exclusive to this version, there'll be plenty of Trainers to explore and do.

Or take up your Shield

Pokémon Shield

Welcome to the Galar region

Pokémon Shield is the second half of the Pokémon games that will be releasing this fall. With new Pokémon to tame and a legendary Pokémon exclusive to this version, there'll be plenty of Trainers to explore and do.

Get More Switch

Nintendo Switch

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Casian Holly has been writing about gaming at iMore since 2019, but their real passion is Pokémon. From the games to the anime, cards and toys, they eat, sleep, and breathe all things Pokémon. You can check out their many Pokémon Go and Pokémon Sword and Shield guides and coverage here on iMore.