Choosing a starter is the first big decision that Pokemon Sword and Shield players will make, especially for those building a competitive team or a well-rounded team. This seems to be especially true in the next generation, as Gym Leader leaks have indicated that the first three gym types will also be Fire, Grass, and Water. So, based on a player’s decision, they will face one gym that has the same typing, one whose typing is weak against their stater, and one whose typing is strong against their starter.
Somewhat complicating this matter further is the fact that, according to these leaks, every final form is a Pure type. Grookey’s final evolution is pure grass, Sobble’s evolution is pure Water, and Scorbunny’s final evolution is pure Fire. Building a team to complement and support that starter is going to have new complications this time around, but hopefully, this is where the new, albeit controversial, EXP share will come into play. All Pokemon, regardless of whether they battle or not will earn experience, including the starter.
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Grookey’s three forms are, of course, Grookey, Thwackey, and Rillaboom. In traditional Pokemon manner, Grookey is an amalgamation of grass + monkey, Thwackey is the onomatopoeia of a drumming noise combined with monkey, and the final is a combination of Gorilla + boom in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
Grookey
Thwackey
Rillaboom
Thus far, Sobble’s evolution like in Pokemon Sword and Shield has received a mixed response. This is typically the case for one starter every generation, and in Sobble’s case, it’s mostly due its lackluster final evolution. Prior leaks had indicated its final form would have a Spy-theme and potential Ghost secondary typing, and perhaps some of this is due to this being mostly unfulfilled.
Sobble evolves into Drizzile and then into Intelleon. Sobble seems to portray life stages, with Sobble being an easily upset crybaby, Drizzile being those awkward teenage years, and Intelleon hitting that uncaring and sassy phase. This may have something to do with its limited color scheme and basic design alongside these stages, but either way, here they are.
Sobble
Drizzile
Intelleon
Shortly after Grookey and Sobble’s evolutions made their way online, so did Scorbunny’s full evolution line. Scorbunny’s line keeps up this humanoid rabbit, soccer player vibe and is arguably the most popular design of the bunch. Scorbunny evolves into Raboot and then into Cinderace.
Scorbunny
Raboot
Cinderace
Pokemon Sword and Shield release November 15, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
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