Galarian Forms, Rivals and Team Yell Announced for Pokemon Sword and Shield

In today’s anticipated announcement, the Pokemon Company showed off a whole bunch of new information, including the game’s Team organisation: Team Yell, Rivals, Galarian Forms and a brand new evolution for Zigzagoon and Linoone.

Certain Pokémon have adapted to the unique environment of one specific region and look different than the same species might look when found in another region.

These different appearances are known as the regional forms of those Pokémon, and it seems their behavior also differs from that of their previously discovered forms. The Galar region has its own regional forms of Pokémon, known as Galarian forms!

Source: Official Pokemon Website

Living in the unique environment of the Galar region, some regional forms have developed unique Evolutions unseen in any other region. Obstagoon, which evolves from Galarian Linoone, is one example.

The Linoone of the Galar region live in harsh conditions compared to those found in other regions, with fierce competition against others of their species. Their survival instincts have been honed as a result, leading to their Evolution into Obstagoon.

Though Obstagoon is extremely combative, it seems that it doesn’t often launch the first attack. It will taunt an opponent, goading it into attacking. When it does, Obstagoon will cross its arms and meet the oncoming attack with its Obstruct move.

Obstagoon is especially skilled at throwing its opponents off guard and counterattacking with its sharp claws.

Source: Official Pokemon Website

Some Pokémon can change their form, often because of the effects of certain items or their own Ability. Some of these form changes don’t simply change the Pokémon’s appearance, though. They can also affect the types of its moves or even change its Ability!

Morpeko constantly generates electricity with the sacs in its cheeks. This consumes energy, causing Morpeko to be constantly hungry. This is why Morpeko is always carrying around Berry seeds, protecting them with care. They serve as a snack!

When experiencing prolonged hunger, the balance of hormones within Morpeko’s body changes. This causes its fur color to change and triggers more aggressive and volatile behavior. The energy stored in its cheek sacs also changes from Electric type to Dark type.

Morpeko’s Ability, Hunger Switch, is a new Ability introduced in these titles. This Ability causes Morpeko to change its appearance each turn. Morpeko’s signature move, Aura Wheel, changes type depending on Morpeko’s form. In Full Belly Mode, the move is Electric type, while in Hangry Mode, the move becomes Dark type!

Source: Official Pokemon Website

New Rivals

Team Yell is a group of troublemakers who seem to appear wherever the Gym Challenge takes you and who attempt to get in your way at every opportunity.

They want nothing more than for Marnie to become Champion, and they all try to obstruct other challengers in all sorts of ways. They will take over hotel lobbies, prevent other challengers from accessing transportation, and even shout and distract opponents during battle. Whenever Marnie battles, it seems these Team Yell Grunts are quick to appear, showing their support with Marnie-print towels and also horns.

Check it all out in the trailer below:

Source: Pokemon YouTube Channel / Official Pokemon Website