Pokémon Sword and Shield's very first expansion, Isle of Armor, has just recently dropped and fans are already loving the additional content. This expansion opens up a brand new area for players to explore, as well as new Pokémon, new Galarian form Pokémon, new Gigantamax Pokémon, new items, new features, and a whole lot more.
Additionally, the expansion pass includes the next part of the content that is available in August, titled Crown of Tundra, which will have its own new additions. For now, players are immersing themselves back into the Galar region and checking out the brand new area. Traveling to the Isle of Armor makes players spoilt for choice with what to do next, so check out these top tips to ensure you're getting the most out of the latest content. Spoilers ahead.
10 New Styles
If you were getting a little tired of your look in the Galar region, fortunately, the Isle of Armor will give you a chance at a new makeover. One of the first items you receive is from your new rival and it's the Style Card key item.
This card unlocks more customization options at clothing boutiques and hair salons, so you can spruce yourself up and get a new look. Additionally, once you join the Master Dojo you are given a new outfit and hairdo.
9 Upgrade Your Bike
One of the first things you'll want to do is upgrade your Rotom bike at the relevant NPC. Not only will this give you a glistening new look for your bicycle, but it'll also max out your bike speed and give you special square shinies as you ride around.
The increased speed will come in particularly handy during your first challenge at the dojo, as well as generally making life a little easier, so make sure you don't miss it. You'll find this blonde-haired NPC wearing a high-vis jacket and helmet close to the dojo.
8 Combine Items with the Cram-o-matic
Once players have accessed the Master Dojo, they will find Hyde to the right of the main room. If you choose to give Hyde the watts he needs to power his new Cram-o-matic machine, he'll let you use it afterward.
The Cram-o-matic is used to combine four items to make a new one. Additionally, if you put in four Apricorns that are local to the Isle of Armor, you have a chance of getting a super rare Poké Ball too.
7 Diglett Trainer
A great way to take a break from your usual Pokémon adventures and earn yourself some sweet rewards at the same time is to take part in the Diglett Trainer's quest to reclaim all of his Digletts. There are 150 Digletts hidden all over the Isle of Armor and as you find them and send them home, you'll earn yourself rewards for hitting certain milestones.
You'll first initiate this quest as you cross the bridge just outside of the Master Dojo, then you just need to keep your eyes peeled as you explore. The Digletts are hidden underground, but you'll notice them from their tell-tale tuft of hair that sticks out of the ground. Simply approach them and interact with each one to send it home.
6 The Digging Parents
Remember the digging duo from the main game? Well, now it's time to meet their parents! You can find both Digging Ma and Digging Pa at different locations in the new area and each has a different dig option. Ma will dig up Armorite Ore for you and she'll keep digging as long as you tell her to, the downside is that if her shovel breaks then you will lose everything she found. So you best know when to call it a day.
On the other hand, Digging Pa will dig up some more watts for you, but he will only take Armorite Ore as payment. You'll need both Armorite Ore and watts to take advantage of some new features in the Isle of Armor.
5 Pokémon Move Teacher
After players have completed their first trial, they are given the option to obtain one of two new Pokémon - Bulbasaur or Squirtle. Each of these Pokémon has a special Gigantamax form, so choose wisely. Once you've done this, you will have access to the Pokémon move teacher at the back of the main room.
In exchange for five pieces of Armorite Ore, this NPC will teach one of your Pokémon a new move. Now you see why you'll be needing the help of Digging Ma. You can also get Armorite Ore from raids and found as sparkling items around the Isle of Armor area also.
4 Max Soup
After completing the second trial, players will have access to the special Max Soup. Giving your Pokémon this soup will enable it to turn into its Gigantamax form, as long as it is one of the Pokémon capable of Gigantamaxing. This is a nice addition for fans who have had trouble catching certain Gigantamax forms in the past.
Additionally, if you give the Max Soup to a Pokémon who is already a Gigantamax variant, it will become a Dynamax Pokémon instead. The book on the right of the kitchen has a list of Pokémon that are compatible with the soup if you are unsure.
3 Spending Watts
Once you have completed all three trials, you can choose to speak to Honey and donate some watts to her. Donating watts to the dojo will add new amenities, such as a hairstylist, a Rotom Machine, a vending machine, and more. This ensures that you don't have to keep flying back to the main Galar region for anything as you'll have it all in one easily accessible place, should you choose to invest the watts that is.
Watts can be obtained from raid dens, whether they have an active Pokémon raid or not, though the ones with raids offer more watts. Additionally, Digging Pa will dig up watts for you in exchange for Armorite Ore.
2 Evolving Kubfu
After successfully proving yourself worthy at the Master Dojo, you'll be given the adorable new Pokémon, Kubfu. As players progress through the story of the new content, they will discover that Kubfu can evolve into two different forms of Urshifu, and the result is dependent on which Tower of the Two Fists they choose to tackle.
If you choose the Tower of Waters, your Kubfu will evolve into the Rapid-Strike Style Urshifu and have a Fighting/Water type. However, if you opt for the Tower of Darkness, your Kubfu will evolve into the Single-Strike Style Urshifu and have a Fighting/Darkness type.
1 Limited Timed Raid
For a limited time only, from the release of the Isle of Armor until June 28th at 4:59 p.m. PDT, players can participate in special Max Raid battles that feature the mythical Pokémon Zeraora. However, players are not able to catch Zeraora in these raids, or even get a chance to throw a Poké Ball.
The event challenges fans to get at least one million players to defeat Zeraora in the raid battle during the event, and if they do, players will receive a shiny Zeraora via Pokémon HOME. Additionally, each player who takes part will receive an Armorite Ore for every 100,000 players who take part after the initial one million, with a total of ten Armorite ore pieces being obtainable.