Pokemon Shield Gets an Exclusive Regional Variant, Galarian Ponyta
To catch those good vibes in the wild, you've gotta get Shield.
The Galarian variant of Ponyta, a puffy pastel take on Gen 1's classic flame-maned foal, was the star of a recent and very unorthodox Pokemon Sword and Shield reveal. Today, we've learned a little more about Galarian Ponyta, along with the most important piece of info for anyone who wants one of their own: you can only catch Galarian Ponyta in Pokemon Shield.
A new, short trailer gives us a better look at Galarian Ponyta in motion than it's debut did last week. Fans who patiently waited through last Friday's 24-hour "livestream" of the Galarian forest Glimwood Tangle (or who waited for an edited-down highlight reel) got a short glimpse of a couple of the new Ponyta galloping through the woods, but now we have a bit of in-game footage of Glarian Ponytas at a trot, in battle, and at play.
The website for Pokemon Sword and Shield also has an entry on Galarian Ponyta that reveals its type and its unique ability. Galarian Ponyta are pure Psychic types-not Fairy type as some suspected, and not a cross with standard Ponyta's Fire type. Pastel Veil, a new Pokemon ability introduced in Sword and Shield, protects any Pokemon fighting alongside a Galarian Ponyta from being poisoned, and also cures poisoned Pokemon when they're brought into a battle.
The entry also sheds some light on why it differs from Ponyta found in other regions. The Pastel Veil ability fits nicely with the lore of Galarian Ponyta, which says that exposure to "the overflowing life energy of the forest" (Glimwood Tangle, presumably) has changed their appearance and lets them "absorb the life energy of the surrounding atmosphere."
While Galarian Ponyta is technically not a brand-new Pokemon, it is the second Pokemon being introduced with Sword and Shield that has been confirmed to be a version exclusive. Sirfetch'd, the new evolved form of Ponyta's fellow Gen 1 Pokemon Farfetch'd, is exclusive to Pokemon Sword. Of the Kanto remixes coming to Sword and Shield we've seen so far, I'm not sure anything has bested the smokestack top hats on the Galarian form of Weezing, but Galarian Ponyta's posi-vibes come close.
Keep up to date with all things Pokemon Sword and Shield in our need-to-know guide. Sword and Shield launch on the Nintendo Switch on November 15.
In other news
Cyberpunk 2077 Has Been Removed From the PlayStation Store Following a "Discussion" With Sony [Update]
Sony is offering full refunds for those who want one.
Dicey Dungeons Had a Surprise Launch on Switch Last Night
Turns out Nintendo had another card up its sleeve. A card with, uh… with dice on it.
How Familiars.io's Creator Fit Multiplayer Monster-Taming Into a Single Tweet
Bless Twitter's Javascript embeds for letting this Pokemon-like flourish.
CD Projekt Red Is "Not Encouraging" Cyberpunk 2077 Returns, Joint-CEO Tells Investors
"We hope they'll give us a chance to improve the game on the original consoles," says Marcin Iwi?ski.
Need help?
Witcher 3: How to Start the Blood and Wine DLC and Meet Its Level Requirements
We explain how to get to Toussaint and what level you should be when you do.
Witcher 3: All the Correct Play Lines in "The Play's the Thing" Quest
We explain how to perform the Doppler's play with Priscilla, as well as whether to choose tragedy or comedy.
Pokemon Sword and Shield Mystery Gift Codes List (January 2020)
You can get free gifts in Pokemon Sword and Shield by entering certain Mystery Gift Codes. Here’s a full list of all the active codes available right now.
The Outer Worlds Shrink Ray - How to Get the Unique Shrink Ray Science Weapon
This is where you can get the Shrink Ray science weapon in The Outer Worlds, one of the unique weapons in the game.