Around the timePokemon SwordandShieldwere about to release, information leaked out that the Pokedex had taken a massive cut, one that removed over half the Pokemon introduced in the series. This cut included every previous Pokemon starter save for Charmander and his evolutionary line, which gained the addition ofa new Gigantamax formas well, something not even the new starter Pokemon had at the time.
This choice caused an understandable frustration to rip through thePokemoncommunity as Charmander — through his final evolution in Charizard — typically received more love than his counterparts Squirtle and Bulbasaur (and their final evolutions Blastoise and Venusaur). Now, however,the first Nintendo Direct of 2020 has arrived, and it’s revealed that not only are Blastoise and Venusaur returning toPokemon, but they will be receiving Gigantamax forms as well.
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The reveal comes in the form of concept art, one for both starter Pokemon. The first centers on Venusuar and its transformation, while the next, of course, focuses on Blastoise and its Gigantamax form. The two forms will appear in the upcomingPokemon SwordandShieldexpansion titled The Isle of Armor, which will be the first in a two-part series of DLC set to release later this year.
Sadly, the Nintendo Direct didn’t go into detail regarding Venusaur and Blastoise. Currently, the only information available reveals that the two will be arriving, andwill have Giagantamax forms. How players will meet the Pokemon, and what significant differences that their Gigantamax forms will give them remains to be seen.
The Nintendo Direct also mentioned that the Pokemon featured in The Isle of Armor expansion vary betweenPokemon SwordandPokemon Shield, so trainers may not be able to catch both Venusaur and Blastoise in the same version. There’s also no official confirmation of Venusaur and Blastoise’s previous evolutions having made it into the expansion. While it seems reasonably likely that they did, it also seemed likely that Charmander’s inclusion into the vanilla versions ofSwordandShieldmeant that Squirtle and Balbasur were shoe-ins too, and that’s not what ended up happening.
Regardless, new Pokemon coming toPokemon SwordandShieldwill always be welcome news. The fact that some of these Pokemon include Venusaur and Blastoise just makes said news that much sweeter, as the original trio of starters will soon be back together again — somewhat.
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