10 Pokémon That Could Be Included in "The Isle of Armor" Expansion Pack for Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Fans of the long-running pocket monster franchise were given news thats shook the fandom worldwide back in February that the generation 8 games, Pokémon Sword and Shield, would be receiving expansions! This marked a first ever for the mainstream line of games from the franchise with two expansions announced for later this year, "The Isle of Armor" & "The Crown Tundra".

Announced simultaneously, the first expansion enters the games this June and the second in the fall. The trailers revealed some exciting aspects for any eager Pokémon trainer with new legendary Pokémon, new regional Pokémon, new Gigantamax Pokémon and even more Pokémon from past generations now entering Galar. Here is a breakdown of everything known and confirmed.

It has been confirmed that the first expansion, The Isle of Armor, will receive the following;

• New Pokémon - Kubfu & Urshifu
• New Gigantamax Pokémon - Rillaboom, Cinderace, Inteleon & Urshifu
• New Galarian Forms - Slowbro
• Returning Pokémon - Psyduck, Golduck, Slowbro, Magnemite, Magneton, Chansey, Horsea, Seadra, Marill, Azumarill, Kingdra, Blissey, Happiny, Magnezone, Zorua, Zoroark, Larvesta, Volcarona, Fletchling, Fletchinder, Talonflame, Dedenne, Rockruff & Lycanroc

While the second expansion, The Crown Tundra, will receive;

• New Pokémon - Calyrex
• New Galarian Forms - Slowking
• Returning Pokémon - Nidoran♀, Nidorina, Nidoqueen, Nidoran♂, Nidorino, Nidoking, Zubat, Goldbat, Electabuzz, Crobat, Slowking, Elekid, Beldum, Metang, Metagross, Gible, Gabit, Garchomp, Electivire, Cryogonal, Armaura & Aurorus
• Returning Legendary Pokémon - Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Latias, Latios, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Dialga, Palkia, Heatran, Giratina, Cresseila, Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu & Tapu Fini.

We do know their is also set to be two new Regis, one being electric type and the other dragon type, and their are also Galarian forms of Articuno, Zapdos & Moltres. Word has not come out on which pack these Pokémon will be included in, but it is likely to be The Crown Tundra given how many other Legendary Pokémon are appearing in that expansion. It is also confirmed that both Venusaur & Blastoise and the Galarian Starter Pokémon Rillaboom, Cinderace & Inteleon will receive Gigantamax Forms. But it has been specified which pack they will be included in. Given the focus on the Legendary Pokémon in Crown Tundra, my bet is these forms will appear in the Isle of Armor.

With The Crown Tundra set to feature so many Legendary Pokémon it does mean The Isle of Armor is the one to likely have more past generation Pokémon join the Galar region. Here we will look at 10 likely candidates that could return for generation 8 in the expansions. These choices will be based on what we know about the Isle of Armor and which Pokémon would be best suited there.

10. Skurskit & Masquerain

Given the tropical feel from the new isle you could easily see Surskit fitting in and making itself at home. With their likely to be vast oceans surrounding the island, Surskit could be a water type only found in small isolated pools on the isle itself. This would up its rarity and difficulty to find and bring a nice water/bug type into the expansion. Likewise with Surskit, you can easily see how Masquerain would work in this tropical environment as it is an exotic looking butterfly.

9. West Sea Shellos & Gastrodon

This one is a bit sneaky really, as technically Shellos and Gastrodon are both currently in Pokémon Sword & Shield. However, only the East Sea variant (the blue version) are in the game. You can get the alternate variant through transferring with Pokémon Home, but perhaps the West Sea versions have been held back until player reach the Isle of Armor. Given the pair being classed as sea slugs they would fit into the nice new scenery of the isle and give players the option to have either the blue or the pink versions of this Pokémon.

8. Cacnea & Cacturne

Now their is technically a cactus Pokémon present in Galar, that pocket monster being Maracus. But Maracas is not Cacnea and Cacturne. Cacnea has been a fan favourite ever since the anime featured James from Team Rocket having one. But when Cacnea evolves it gains the dark type attribute along with being a grass Pokémon. This dual typing does give for some interesting options in battle and I am certain these cacti Pokémon could easily make themselves at home at Armor.

7. Flabébé, Floette & Florges

This is a line I was expecting to see in Galar when Sword & Shield rolled out, but to my surprise they were completely absent. With the massive Wild Zone within the game it would have been easy to have various flower patches for the Flabébé variants to spawn from. But given the tropical theme coming to Galar, this fairy type line could find the perfect new home on Armor and fill the isle with various coloured flowers to brighten up the scenery.

6. Carvanha & Sharpedo

So far their have been no oceans to explore in Sword & Shield, making it a first for a mainstream games. But the chances are the oceans are set to be explored in the Isle of Armor. With the new oceans set to be available to the Pokémon trainers of Galar, it is likely we can expect a shark or two to be lurking in the depths. Being one of the more fierce water type Pokémon of any generation, fans would surly cheer to see this duo arrive in eighth generation.

5. Tropius

Tropius is a big fan favourite and given its tropical chin and wings you could see it making a home on the Isle of Armor. But what could be even more exciting is if the expansion included a Galar pre-evolution for Tropius. Fans have wanted more for this Pokémon for years and the new expansion pack could be Nintendo's opportunity to give fans what they have always wanted. A small baby Tropibabe or Tropilin to come before the mighty Tropius would make an exciting addition to this tropical isle.

4. Castforme

Castforme is easily one of those Pokémon you either love or hate. But with the play on the changing weather in the Wild Zone, you have to wonder why he wasn't included in the first place? With the new weather effects including mist and old ones such as sandstorms present in Galar it may be time for some new variants for Castforme, and the Isle of Armor could be a brilliant place to give this little Pokémon an eighth generation revival and some new forms for players to use in battle.

3. Shinx, Luxio & Luxray

This popular electric pup from the forth generation has not really been highlighted in later generations. With its popularity you have to wonder why? Perhaps it simply comes down to Pokémon already having lots of dog themed Pokémon and Galar debuting a new electric pair through Yamper & Boltund. This may have caused the developers to decide to leave Shinx's line out. But Nintendo, give the fans what they want and let this cool looking electric blue hound loose on the Isle of Armor.

2. Sandygast & Palossand

This duo is so obvious it would have been criminal to put them at number one, but the ghostly sand castle duo are extremely likely given the beaches that can be seen in the preview for the expansion pack. If the Isle of Armor is going to showcase a holiday resort in a section of new area to explore their must surly be sandcastles on the beach ready for players to catch. Out of all the list this is the pair I'd place a bet on appearing in Armor.

1. Clampearl, Huntail & Gorebyss

Yes I know, there have been a fair few water type Pokémon in this list, but with this expansion set to open up oceans to the players and their being more water type Pokémon than many other types, it is safe to say we will see a fair few in Armor. Clampearl and its branch evolution would be a good candidate and with the trading so active in the game now, it would be easy for players to arrange getting both variants. So I would suspect players can be prepared to hunt down those rare Clampearl holding either a Deep Sea Scale or Deep Sea Tooth to allow them to obtain both Gorebyss and Huntail.

What Pokémon do you want to see added in Pokémon: The Isle of Armor?