In Pokemon Shield, trainers explore the British-themed Galar region. Along the way, they will encounter many new Pokemon making their Pokemon series debut. Traveling across the land while searching far and wide, trainers can even find some old friends with a new makeover, courtesy of the region's environment and elements.

Pokemon Shield features the return of Ponyta, a Generation I Pokemon from the Kanto Region. Located in a forest, Ponyta in the Galar region have changed in appearance due to absorbing life energy from the surrounding plant life. Differing from its previous incarnation, the Galarian variant sports a fluffier design, psychic-typing, and is exclusive to the Shield version. Pokemon Sword players looking to acquire the horse Pokemon will need to trade it over from Pokemon Shield. But deciding what to do doesn't matter yet; trainers will need to find and catch it first. Note that Ponyta can only be caught once the player has progressed to the mid game of the story.

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Galarian Ponyta Location

Trainers looking to catch their own Ponyta in Pokemon Shield should head over to Glimwood Tangle which is south of Ballonlea, home of the fifth gym. Once in the forest, they need to check the tall grass until an exclamation mark appears, signaling a wild Pokemon encounter. Glimwood Tangle is one place in where Pokemon do not spawn physically identifiable in the Overworld map. Instead battles are limited to Non-Overworld encounters and trainers won't know what Pokemon has appeared until the fight has begun. Furthermore, Ponyta has a 10-percent chance to be found in the tall grass, among a batch of other Pokemon native to Galar. It may take a few tries, but keep looking because an encounter is bound to happen eventually.

In the end, catching Ponyta in Pokemon Shield is the only way to acquire both it and the Galarian variant of its evolution, Rapidash. Additionally, this evolution line is the only one with the new ability, Pastel Veil, introduced in Generation VIII which prevents and cures poisoning. Ponyta evolves into Rapidash once it reaches Level 38. After evolving, the horse Pokemon will gain a new appearance, increased stats, and become a dual-type Psychic/Fairy. One way or another, trainers will find a reason to catch their own little Ponyta.

Pokemon Shield  is out now exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.

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Source: Polygon