Pokemon Sword and Shield players have finally been given more than a glimpse at the upcoming Crown Tundra DLC expansion pass. Among other thrilling updates, Galarian Slowpoke's alternate evolution, Galarian Slowking, has finally been revealed.
New Galarian Pokemon, like Galarian Slowpoke, were some of the first bits of news to excite gamers when the Isle of Armor/Crown Tundra expansions were initially announced. With Slowpoke already having been updated in Johto (when Slowking was introduced), many fans were surprised to see the lackadaisical Water/Psychic-type Pokemon receive a new form in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
Nonetheless, Galarian Slowpoke was a free gift to all players in anticipation of the game's DLC packs. While Galarian Slowbro was later revealed as Isle of Armor's release approached, there was a lack of official word regarding Slowpoke's other evolution, the shaman-like Slowking. Now Slowpoke-lovers can rest assured that the lazy Pokemon's alternate form is getting the full Galarian treatment as well.
Like its cousin Galarian Slowbro, Galarian Slowking is a Poison/Psychic-type Pokemon. As per its official description, Galarian Slowking is "a hexpert that communicates through strange incantations." In short, it seems that these Pokemon result when a Shellder bites onto a Slowpoke's head, and triggers a reaction between its brain chemicals and the spices in its body. This chemical reaction not only imbues Slowpoke with the Poison-type as it evolves, but also causes Shellder's intelligence to skyrocket, which allows it psychic abilities.
Aside from being goofily creepy, Galarian Slowking introduces several new features. Its ability, Curious Medicine, is entirely new to the series, as is its signature move: Eerie Spell. Eerie Spell is a Psychic-type special move that damages opponents while also siphoning 3 PP from the last move they used in battle. Curious Medicine, on the other hand, will reset allies' stat-changes whenever Galarian Slowking (or another Pokemon with that ability) enters the battle. These two new maneuvers will surely help spice things up in battle, and offer a nice contrast to Galarian Slowbro's offensive signature move, Shell Side Arm.
Bearing in mind incoming new items, like the Ability Patch, and other DLC-additions, like Max Soup, players will have a good degree of flexibility once the new DLC arrives. Whereas Pokemon of the past couldn't simply swap abilities, or earn the ability to reach their Gigantamax form, Pokemon today have access to valuable attribute-altering items, for example. This means that Pokemon Trainers won't necessarily have to abandon old beloved Pokemon as the expansions arrive: there are ways to catch up. Unfortunately, Kantonian Slowpoke can't evolve into Galarian Slowking (or Slowbro) though, so players will still have to abandon old Slowpokes in favor of their new yellow-armored relatives.
Pokemon Sword and Shield is available now on Nintendo Switch. The Crown Tundra DLC will be available for purchase on October 22, 2020.
Source: The Pokemon Company