Pokémon Sword and Shield/Unused Pokémon Data

This is a sub-page of Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Unobtainable Shiny Pokémon

For the sake of consistency, every Pokémon in every Pokémon game is given a Shiny variant. Most Shiny Pokémon have been obtainable through random chance encounters or event distributions, including most Legendary Pokémon. However, a few Pokémon cannot be obtained in this form without hacking, and as a consequence, normal players would never be able to see their Shiny coloration. Note that some Shiny Legendary Pokémon or Ultra Beasts, despite the species being Shiny locked in their normal in-game encounters, were still accessible via distribution-based events or via importing them through Pokémon HOME.

• While regular Shiny Eternatus is available via event distribution, the Shiny variant of its Eternamax form remains unused. An Eternatus in its standard form can’t be changed into Eternamax form, and the uncatchable Eternamax Eternatus plot encounter is Shiny-locked. A portion of its model can be glimpsed in-game during its Eternabeam animation, however.

• The Kubfu received from Mustard in the Isle of Armor DLC expansion is Shiny-locked, leaving its Shiny variant unobtainable. Naturally, its evolved form Urshifu cannot be Shiny either, and consequently the Shiny variants of its Gigantamax forms are equally unobtainable, and although one Wild Area News event running from June 17 to June 19, 2022 erroneously allowed for Gigantamax Urshifu encountered as part of the event to be Shiny until the issue was patched on the 18th around 2:00 UTC, said Urshifu were set to be uncatchable.

• Glastrier, Spectrier, and Calyrex, only accessible in the Crown Tundra DLC expansion, are all Shiny-locked. This also extends to Calyrex's Ice Rider and Shadow Rider formes.

• Keldeo, a Mythical Pokémon from Unova who has been Shiny-locked in all previous events it was distributed in, is obtainable in-game for the first time via the Crown Tundra DLC expansion... where it is still Shiny-locked, despite the Shiny formes of its companions Cobalion, Terrakion and Virizion being obtainable.

• Gigantamax Melmetal is only available as a reward for connecting a Pokémon Go account to Pokémon HOME and transferring a Pokémon for the first time - like other event distributions, it cannot be Shiny. Other Melmetal cannot be fed the Max Soup, meaning that there is no legitimate way of obtaining a shiny Melmetal that can also Gigantamax, rendering its Shiny Gigantamax forme inaccessible.

• Zarude and its Dada form are only available through event distributions, and therefore cannot be Shiny.

(Source: Serebii, Matt)

Leftover Pokémon Slots

Every Pokémon that is not featured in the game have allocated slots that are never used, including slots for every form except Mega Evolutions and Primal Reversions. For example, Vivillon has 20 slots for all of its forms. However, some Pokémon that appear in the game have unused form slots that were likely kept by accident. These slots belong to the Partner Pikachu from LGPE, Mega Slowbro and Mega Rayquaza.

Unused Cries

The normal & "happy" cry for Ultra Necrozma has curiously existed in the files since the base game, even before Necrozma itself was added into the game alongside the Crown Tundra Expansion. They have remained unused the entire time, previously because no form of Necrozma itself was even accessible in the first place, and later because when Necrozma was added, the ability to Ultra Burst (and consequently become Ultra Necrozma) was removed.

Unused Dex Entries

To do: Verify line breaks for Mew and Mewtwo since their texts cannot be found in newer versions of the game.

Any Pokémon not featured in the game features unique Pokédex descriptions for each version. These cannot be seen in-game as none of these Pokémon are featured in any of the three dexes, but they can be found in Pokémon HOME. Any legendaries, mythicals, or the Hoenn starters introduced in the DLCs do not have proper descriptions. Regigigas is an exception to this, however, implying that it might have appeared in the Crown Tundra Dex since all other 5 Regis are part of a story-related event. Mewtwo's and Mew's Dex entries were removed in 1.1.0 for unknown reasons.

ID	Pokémon	Sword	Shield
150	Mewtwo	Created from the DNA of Mew, this Pokémon is a dangerous combination of overwhelming power and a savage heart.	The research efforts of a certain scientist ultimately resulted in this Pokémon. Its powers are dedicated to battling.
151	Mew	It’s very intelligent and can use an incredible variety of moves. Many believe that all other Pokémon are descendants of this one.	This mythical Pokémon is said to be extinct, but sightings of it are still being reported to this day.
251	Celebi	This Pokémon has the ability to move through time. Records describing it as a forest deity can be found from many different eras.	This Pokémon traveled through time to come from the future. It bolsters grass and trees with its own strength, and it can heal wounds, too.
385	Jirachi	Once every 1,000 years, the singing of a pure voice will rouse this Pokémon from its near- perpetual slumber. It wakes for only seven days.	It’s believed that when this Pokémon wakes from its 1,000-year slumber, it will grant any wishes written on the notes attached to its head.
486	Regigigas	All over the world, there are legends that tell of Regigigas creating other Pokémon in its own image.	It’s said that Regigigas created other Pokémon from many different materials before it moved the continents to where they are today.
643	Reshiram	Flames spew from its tail as it flies through the sky like a jet airplane. It’s said that this Pokémon will scorch the world.	According to myth, if people ignore truth and let themselves become consumed by greed, Reshiram will arrive to burn their kingdoms down.
644	Zekrom	When the interior part of its tail spins like a motor, Zekrom can generate many bolts of lightning to blast its surroundings.	Mythology tells us that if people lose the righteousness in their hearts, their kingdoms will be razed by Zekrom’s lightning.
646	Kyurem	Dwelling within it is a power even greater than that of Reshiram or Zekrom, but the extreme cold keeps that power bound.	It appears that this Pokémon uses its powers over ice to freeze its own body in order to stabilize its cellular structure.
646	White Kyurem	The sameness of Reshiram’s and Kyurem’s genes allowed Kyurem to absorb Reshiram. Kyurem can now use the power of both fire and ice.	It has foreseen that a world of truth will arrive for people and Pokémon. It strives to protect that future.
646	Black Kyurem	It’s said that this Pokémon battles in order to protect the ideal world that will exist in the future for people and Pokémon.	The sameness of Zekrom’s and Kyurem’s genes allowed Kyurem to absorb Zekrom. Kyurem can now use the power of both electricity and ice.
647	Keldeo	Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion taught this Pokémon how to fight. It dashes across the world, seeking more opportunities to further its training.	They say that Keldeo must survive harsh battles and fully develop the horn on its forehead before this Pokémon’s true power will awaken.
647	Resolute Keldeo	Keldeo has strengthened its resolve for battle, filling its body with power and changing its form.	The power that lay hidden in its body now covers its horn, turning it into a sword that can slice through anything.
722	Rowlet	At a distance, it launches its sharp feathers while flying about. If the enemy gets too close, Rowlet switches tactics and delivers vicious kicks.	During the day, it builds up energy via photosynthesis. At night, it flies silently through the sky, on the prowl for prey.
723	Dartrix	It throws one knifelike feather after another at its enemies, and each one precisely strikes a weak point. These feathers are known as blade quills.	It never slacks when it comes to the task of cleaning its feathers. Thorough preening keeps it looking spiffy and its blade quills nice and sharp.
724	Decidueye	As if wielding a bow, it launches the arrow quills hidden among the feathers of its wings. Decidueye’s shots never miss.	In a tenth of a second, it can nock and fire an arrow quill, piercing an opponent’s weak point before they notice what’s happening.
725	Litten	It spends even the smallest amount of downtime grooming its fur with its tongue. Loose fur gathers in its stomach and serves as fuel for fiery moves.	Trying to pet Litten before it trusts you will result in a nasty scratch from its sharp claws. Be careful.
726	Torracat	In the midst of battle, the fire pouch on Torracat’s neck rings like a bell and produces stronger flames than usual.	When facing a powerful enemy, Torracat’s fighting spirit gets pumped up, and its fire bell blazes hotter.
727	Incineroar	It excels at violent, no-holds-barred battles. The temperature of the flames that issue from its navel exceeds 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit.	Incineroar’s rough and aggressive behavior is its most notable trait, but the way it helps out small Pokémon shows that it has a kind side as well.
728	Popplio	It creates special bouncy balloons to send at its opponents. When the balloons pop, the sheer force of their bursting is what deals damage.	If Popplio want to create big, powerful balloons, they must be persistent. It takes daily practice for these Pokémon to develop their skills.
729	Brionne	As if dancing, it artfully dodges the attacks of its enemies. All the while, it’s busy forming a bunch of balloons to overwhelm its foes.	On nights when the sea is calm, Brionne dance with one another to the singing of the Primarina that’s leading them.
730	Primarina	With its mouth, it makes sonic waves that sound like beautiful singing. It uses the sonic waves to control its water balloons.	For Primarina, every battle’s a stage. Its singing and the dancing of its balloons will mesmerize the audience.
789	Cosmog	This Pokémon came from another universe. Its gaseous body is so light that even a gentle breeze can blow it away.	Cosmog is very curious but not very cautious, often placing itself in danger. If things start to look dicey, it teleports away.
790	Cosmoem	The absorption of starlight fuels this Pokémon’s growth. The shell that encases it is harder than any known material.	It sucks in dust from the air at an astounding rate, frantically building up energy within its core as preparation for evolution.
791	Solgaleo	When light radiates from its body, this Pokémon could almost appear to be the sun. It will dispel any darkness and light up the world.	Solgaleo was once known as the Beast That Devours the Sun. Energy in the form of light radiates boundlessly from it.
792	Lunala	Known as the Beast That Calls the Moon, this Pokémon lives by taking in any and all light and converting it into its own energy.	It steals the light from its surroundings and then becomes the full moon, showering its own light across the night sky.
800	Necrozma	It survives by absorbing light. After a long time spent slumbering underground, impurities accumulated within it, causing its body to darken.	It needs light to survive, and it goes on a rampage seeking it out. Its laser beams will cut anything to pieces.
800	Dusk Mane Necrozma	When it dominates Solgaleo, it takes on this form. It’s a vicious Pokémon, mangling prey with its many claws—including those on its back.	Necrozma has attached itself to Solgaleo. It siphons away its host’s limitless energy, exploiting that energy to fuel a rampage.
800	Dawn Wings Necrozma	Necrozma has subjugated Lunala entirely, forcing the unfortunate Pokémon to emit its light energy for Necrozma to consume.	When Necrozma latches on to Lunala, it becomes vicious, seeing enemies everywhere it looks. It will burn the world with lasers.
802	Marshadow	By slipping into the shadow of a martial arts master and copying their movements, this Pokémon learned the ultimate techniques.	This Pokémon can conceal itself in any shadow, so it went undiscovered for a long time.
807	Zeraora	It runs as fast as lightning strikes, shredding its opponents with its high-voltage claws.	Electricity sparks from the pads on its limbs. Wherever Zeraora runs, lightning flashes and thunder echoes.
808	Meltan	It dissolves and eats metal. Circulating liquid metal within its body is how it generates energy.	They live as a group, but when the time comes, one strong Meltan will absorb all the others and evolve.
809	Melmetal	At the end of its life-span, Melmetal will rust and fall apart. The small shards left behind will eventually be reborn as Meltan.	Centrifugal force is behind the punches of Melmetal’s heavy hex-nut arms. Melmetal is said to deliver the strongest punches of all Pokémon.
809	Gigantamax Melmetal	In a distant land, there are legends about a cyclopean giant. In fact, the giant was a Melmetal that was flooded with Gigantamax energy.	It can send electric beams streaking out from the hole in its belly. The beams’ tremendous energy can vaporize an opponent in one shot.

Unused Max Raid Statistics

To do: Document the statistics. As a start, Jirachi and Celebi have unique stats if encountered this way.

For the sake of consistency, every Pokémon in the game that can Dynamax has stats and rewards for being encountered in a Max Raid Battle. While some yield blank results, which indicates they probably weren't meant for Max Raids, quite a handful have statistics that are currently unseen without hacking. It's possible that these Pokémon might be released in special promotional raids in the future.

Unused Victini Encounter

Added with the Crown Tundra DLC, Victini would have had an encounter where it would be level 70, however this encounter goes unused and as such Victini cannot be encountered without transferring or event.
As with most other legendaries, this Victini would have been shiny locked.