Trading for Legendaries: Completing the Pokedex in Pokémon Sword and Shield

Completing the Pokedex in Pokémon Sword and Shield is an intricate task, requiring players to catch and battle a vast array of Pokémon. While some legendary Pokémon can be caught easily, others necessitate trading due to their limited availability. This article delves into the details of which legendary Pokémon must be traded for, and explains why.

Which Legendaries Are Always Necessary to Trade for?

One of the most frequent questions among Pokémon players concerns whether they need to trade for legendary Pokémon to fill their Pokedex. When it comes to completing the original Pokedex (the one exclusive to Pokémon Sword and Shield), only Zamazenta and Zacian are necessary to catch. Once these two legendary Pokémon are caught, the original Pokedex will be complete. However, when it comes to the Isle of Armor expansion, Zarude is not required to complete the Pokedex.

Legendary Pokémon That Require Trading

While Zacian and Zamazenta can be caught directly, other legendary Pokémon like Eternatus, Type: Null Silvally, and the versions-exclusive legendary (either Zacian or Zamazenta) are not always available on your starting Pokedex. To capture all legendary Pokémon, players will need to trade with other players who are lucky enough to have encountered the difficult to catch legendaries.

Eternatus and Type: Null Silvally

Regrettably, two specific legendary Pokémon - Eternatus and Type: Null Silvally - are challenging to obtain. Eternatus can only be encountered at the Energy Plant, but it requires a 100% catch rate. Meanwhile, Type: Null Silvally is available from the League Staff as a gift after completing the main story. Once Type: Null Silvally evolves with high friendship, it becomes Silvally.

Zacian and Zamazenta

This is where the necessity for trading comes into play. In the post-game content, players can encounter either Zacian in Sword or Zamazenta in Shield at the Energy Plant. However, despite having an encounter with the other legendary, it is impossible to catch it. Consequently, you must trade with another player to receive the one you missed out on. This rule applies to both players, ensuring they have both Zacian and Zamazenta for the complete Galar Pokedex.

Historical Context Behind the Trading Requirement

The trading requirement to catch legendary Pokémon has been a staple in Pokémon games since the first generation. It creates a sense of community among players and adds an element of challenge and strategy to the process of filling one's Pokedex. Players must be proactive in seeking out trading opportunities with other trainers, making the experience more social and interactive.

Conclusion

While the Pokedex can be quite challenging to complete, the process of trading for legendaries adds an exciting twist to the game. Players need to trade for Zacian in Shield and Zamazenta in Sword if they want to complete the Galar Pokedex. This rule is not just about catching all legendary Pokémon; it also encourages players to engage with each other, fostering a more community-oriented gaming experience.