Dominic Camelli 
For those of you who missed Pokémon direct this past Wednesday, here are the key moments you may have missed.
The Pokémon
Perhaps the biggest and most anticipated part of this direct was the reveal of some of the region’s new pokémon.
Wooloo:
The first pokémon to take a specific look at after the initial reveal is perhaps the most mundane. It is a normal-type pokémon that looks like (and is described as) the sheep-pokémon. In the game world, Wooloo are used for their “fur” much like sheep in the real world. Its abilities are fluffy and run away, both of which suit the aesthetic of the pokémon well.
Gossifleur and Eldegoss:
A healing pokémon, Gossifleur, looks like a beautiful flower (hence the name) and the environments in which it is found work with those spread throughout the region.
Gossifluer evolves into Eldegoss. Another pokémon that looks similar to cotton, Eldegoss, looks similar to Whimsicot. This pokémon is known for its seeds and how it uses its cotton. Both of these pokémon are pure grass-type pokémon, which also share the same abilities including regenerator and the new ability cotton down.
Corviknight:
A regal looking creature, Corviknight is an incredibly tough looking pokémon modeled off a raven. It seems to serve a particularly useful purpose in-game by taking you back to previous towns and cities. At what point this will become available is still a mystery. Corviknight is a steel/flying-type pokémon with the abilities pressure and unnerve.
Dreadnaw:
Modeled after a snapping turtle, Dreadnaw is a rock/water-type pokémon that is known for being tough to handle. Through the provided images we can tell that Dreadnaw can be up to level 55 before it evolves, if it evolves at all. It also seems to be named after the Dreadnought warship adding to its tough imagery. It has the abilities strong jaw and shell armor, very fitting for a turtle-pokémon.
Zacian and Zamazenta:
The “box” legendaries, Zacian and Zamazenta are based off of wolves and hold the weapons or design qualities of their namesakes. Zacian holds a huge sword and evokes imagery of Sif from dark souls. Zamazenta almost looks like a canine version of Sogaleo. The types and abilities are currently unknown, and by the looks of the reveal there is a malevolent force that sweeps across the Galor region.
A list of all the pokémon that appear in the direct can be found at the end of the article.
The characters
You:
The main character of the game and the future champion. Customization makes a retun in sword and shield.
Professor Magnolia:
Keeping the tree themed professors alive, she is the pokémon professor for the region.
Leon:
The Undefeated (for now) champion who is prominent throughout the region. He uses a Charizard and has a younger brother who is our rival.
Hop:
Leon’s little brother and one of our rivals. Wants to be the champ and is dedicated to that goal with hopes he will challenge us.
Sonia:
Professor Magnolias assistant and granddaughter. Much like her grandmother, she will be helping us out throughout the game.
Milo:
The grass-type gym leader in the Galor region, looks to be early on in the game. Milo, and gym leaders in general are able to dynamax their pokémon.
The Features
Some of you may be asking, “what is dynamax?” and you’d be right to. In the Galor region, pokémon can grow to enormous sizes and become more powerful for a short period of time, this is called dynamaxing. The pokémon can typically stay in this form for up to three turns and acts similarly to Z-moves. There also seems to be a page taken from Pokémon Go, where there are now raid battles where you and three friends can battle and catch a dynamaxed pokémon. This os called a max raid battle, unlike when other pokémon are dynamaxed, it appears they stay in that form the entire battle and only one player can dynamax their own pokémon. These raids take place in the wild area which is where you can also find pokémon wandering in the overworld.
This was the most in depth look at the games to date and the graphical fidelity is really solid in theses titles. There was a lot to unpack in this direct if something was left out please drop it down below in the comments. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are also coming out November 15th of this year.
As we as that here is a link to the direct if you haven’t seen it.
Other Pokémon in the direct:
- Grookey
- Soble
- Scorbunny
- Gyarados
- Milotic
- Flygon
- Dugtrio
- Steenee
- Sawk
- Bewear
- Wobbuffet
- Snover
- Wynaut
- Hippopotas
- Meinfoo
- Rhydon
- Golurk
- Butterfree
- Duskull
- Ghastly
- Mudsdale
- Gyarados
- Frillish
- Butterfree
- Seismitoad
- Tyranitar
- Avalugg
- Mantine
- Stufful
- Raichu
- Meowstic
- Budew
- Grubin
- Growlith
- Inkay
- Axew
- Snorlax
- Steelix
- Braviary
- Wingull
- Weavile
- Clefable
- Quagsire
- Hawlucha
- Pancham
- Charizard
