Galarian Star Tournament Lets You Team Up With Your Favorite Trainers and Gym Leaders

During the onslaught of new Pokemon Sword and Shield The Crown Tundra information, one of the expansion’s latest features was discussed. Once you get the add-on, you’ll be able to take part in the Galarian Star Tournament. This is a new sort of doubles competition that brings back all of the characters you’ve met in the game.

Here’s how it works. When you enter, you pick a partner to assist you in the battles ahead. Since all sorts of trainers and gym leaders from across Galar are gathering, it means a wide assortment of possible partners and competitors. For example, in the announcement video we saw the player character paired with Klara, the rival found in Pokemon Sword’s Isle of Armor, and Bea, the fighting-type gym leader only found in Pokemon Sword.

This means you also get to see other people you might (or might not) expect together. Leon and Hop are paired up as partners in the trailer, as are Marnie and Piers, Allister and Melony, and Milo and Nessa. Even gym leaders can pair with Pokemon Expansion Pass characters, as we can see Bede working with Pokemon Shield’s Avery.

Here’s the full announcement video. The Galarian Star Tournament stuff comes up at the 4:10 mark.

Pokemon Sword and Shield are available for the Nintendo Switch. The Crown Tundra DLC will appear on October 22, 2020.