Did you know playing through Pokémon Sword and Shield can take 15 to 20 hours if you hurry? Wanting to start over or experience the game anew lets you dive into an action-packed world. But resetting your game in Pokemon Sword on the Nintendo Switch requires a few steps because the game allows only one save file. You’ll need to move your precious Pokémon to Pokémon Home first and catch any unique creatures. Only then can you erase your old save from the system settings.
Erasing a save file means you lose all Pokémon in your boxes and team1. This careful step is vital. It opens the door for many adventures, allowing you to see the Galar region in new ways. Here is your detailed guide to starting over in Pokemon Sword, from restarting your game to safeguarding your beloved Pokémon.
Key Takeaways
- Starting over in Pokémon Sword usually takes 15 to 20 hours to finish the story1.
- Deleting a save file means all Pokémon in boxes and your party are gone1.
- Before a new game, keep your Pokémon safe in Pokémon Home12.
- To delete save data, go into Nintendo Switch system settings3.
- Create new teams and face fresh challenges with each new game.
Why Start a New Game in Pokemon Sword?
Starting a new game in Pokemon Sword lets players dive into the Galar region’s exciting world again. It makes the adventure feel new and exciting, whether you’ve finished the story or paused your game. This fresh start can make the journey captivating all over again2.
Choosing a different starter Pokemon is a big reason to begin again. In Pokemon Sword, you pick from Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble. This choice changes how your journey unfolds. Although you can’t get a shiny starter by restarting, you can breed for one later4.
The game’s replay value goes up thanks to many legendary and mythical Pokemon. You’ll find new ones in the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs5. You can catch Kubfu and evolve it or discover Calyrex in the Crown Tundra2.
With the 25th anniversary of Pokemon in 2021, it’s a perfect time to enjoy the game again5. Being exclusive to the Nintendo Switch makes Pokemon Sword and Shield unique. It stands out as one of the best games on the platform5.
Restarting in Pokemon Sword lets you try different team setups and strategies. It also makes catching rare and legendary Pokemon exciting again4. Exploring new content and challenges through the Expansion Pass can be especially fun4.
Precautions Before Restarting Your Save File
Before you restart your Pokemon Sword game, take some steps to protect your progress. It’s important to keep your Pokemon data safe. This prevents data loss and keeps your favorite Pokemon for later.
Backup Your Pokemon in Pokemon Home
To keep your Pokemon safe, backup your Pokemon. Use Pokemon Home on the Nintendo Switch to save your Pokemon. It helps store your Pokemon from different games, especially the rare ones, securely.
- Open the Pokemon Home application on your Nintendo Switch.
- Link it with your Nintendo account that is associated with Pokemon Sword.
- Follow the prompts to transfer your Pokemon from the game to Pokemon Home.
This way, your Pokemon are kept safe. You can get them back when you begin a new game6. This step prevents the loss of your cherished Pokemon.
Catch All Legendary and Mythical Pokemon
Also, make sure to catch legendary Pokemon and mythical ones before you reset. Secure them during your journey. Check that you have all legendary and mythical Pokemon from DLCs like Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra. This ensures you keep or trade them before resetting7. Catching these Pokemon is crucial, as getting them back might be hard without the DLC.
“Several Pokémon games have encountered save glitches that made preserving data a complex task. For instance, a known glitch in Lumiose City in Pokemon X and Y version 1.0 necessitated a patch to prevent game unresponsiveness.”
This shows how important it is to save your game well. The introduction of autosave in generation VIII games is a key feature to remember7.
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| Backup Data | Use Pokemon Home to safely store your Pokemon collection. |
| Catch Legendary | Ensure all legendary and mythical Pokemon are captured before resetting. |
| Verify DLC | Confirm that all DLC-related Pokemons are secured. |
Accessing the Nintendo Switch System Settings
To start over in Pokemon Sword, first head to the Nintendo Switch’s system settings. This step is key to removing your old save file safely. Here’s how to get to those settings easily:
- Power on your Nintendo Switch and go to the main screen.
- Hit the Settings icon, shown as a gear, at the bottom.
- Scroll to find and select Data Management.
- There, pick Delete Save Data.
Following these steps for Pokemon Sword setup lets you delete your save with no worries. Before doing this, ensure all important data is backed up or moved. The Nintendo Switch settings help manage game data well for a smooth restart.
By correctly using the system settings, you can restart your Pokemon Sword adventure. You get to try new strategies, pick a new starter, and dive back into the Galar region’s adventures. Just follow the provided setup steps to adjust the Nintendo Switch settings easily.
Accessing the system settings is crucial for playing with friends too. Up to four players can battle or trade in Pokemon Sword and Shield8. Each must have their game and a Nintendo Switch. An online membership is needed for playing together online8. These settings prep you for fun times with friends and using the game’s full features.
Finding and Deleting Your Save Data
If you want to start over in Pokémon Sword, you first need to delete your old save data on the Nintendo Switch. This makes sure you’re ready for a new journey. Just remember, once you delete your save data, there’s no going back.
Step-by-Step Guide for Deleting Save Data
To delete your Pokémon Sword save data, go to the Nintendo Switch’s system settings. Follow this guide to help you:
- Go to the Home Menu on your Nintendo Switch.
- Click on System Settings, the one with the gear icon.
- Find Data Management and click it.
- Go to Save Data/Cloud Backup.
- Look for Pokémon Sword in the game list.
- Pick the user profile with the save data you want to delete.
- Hit Delete Save Data and confirm you want to do it.
After you do these steps, your Pokémon Sword save data will be gone for good. You can then start anew.
Important Tips to Remember
Before you erase your Pokémon Sword save data, remember these tips:
- Starting a new game in Pokémon Sword will wipe all your progress, like caught Pokémon, items, and achievements.
- Before deleting, move any Legendary or Mythical Pokémon to Pokémon Home for safekeeping. This includes one-time catches like Eternatus, Zacian, and Zamazenta2.
- Use Pokémon Home to keep up to 30 Pokémon safe after you delete the save data2.
- Always back up important items and Pokémon. Deleting save data means they’re gone forever.
Following these steps and tips will help you delete your Pokémon Sword save data the right way. Then, you can embark on a new adventure in Pokémon Sword.
How to Start a New Game in Pokemon Sword
Starting a new game in Pokemon Sword is easy and fun. First, you need to delete your save data from the Nintendo Switch system settings. This is important because you can only have one save file at a time. Deleting the old save is essential to start over25. Be careful, once the save data is gone, you cannot get it back5. After clearing the old data, open Pokemon Sword from the home screen. Then, you’re all set to begin a new adventure in the Galar Region.
Starting fresh means your game will be completely new. This way, you get to catch new Pokemon and train them from scratch. Maybe you’ll use new strategies too. Some very special Pokemon, like Eternatus, Zacian, and Zamazenta, can only be caught once2. Restarting gives you a new chance to catch these rare Pokemon.
It also lets you fully enjoy the game again. Starting over isn’t just about catching Pokemon. It’s about experiencing the story again and making new teams. For players using Pokemon Home, it’s key to remember that you can move Pokemon but not items. This underlines why it’s crucial to save your important Pokemon somewhere safe before restarting2.
Choosing Your Starter Pokemon
Starting a new adventure in Pokemon Sword means you’ll have to make an important choice. This decision is about which starter Pokemon you pick. It will majorly shape how you play and what your team looks like as you explore the Galar region. You get to choose from three starters in Pokemon Sword: Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble9. Each one offers unique abilities and evolution paths suited to different styles of play.
Grookey: The Grass-Type Starter
Grookey is a grass-type Pokemon. It is strong with Grass and Normal-type moves like Razor Leaf and Drum Beating9. When Grookey reaches level 35, it evolves into Rillaboom, becoming very strong in the game’s middle stages9. It’s especially good in fights against Water-type Pokemon. This includes battles with Nessa, the second Gym Leader9. If you want a solid and powerful choice for the mid-game, consider Grookey.
Scorbunny: The Fire-Type Starter
Scorbunny is a fire-type known for its speed and strong attacks. Its moves include Flame Charge and Pyro Ball9. It evolves into Cinderace at level 35, making it great for the game’s early parts9. Scorbunny can beat the first Gym Leader, who uses Grass-type Pokemon, pretty easily9. If you’re looking for a Pokemon to help you start strong, Scorbunny is the one.
Sobble: The Water-Type Starter
Sobble, the water-type starter, offers diverse attacks such as Water Pulse and Sniper Shot9. It evolves into Inteleon at level 35. This makes it a smart pick for the game’s later challenges9. Sobble has the upper hand against the third and sixth Gym Leaders, who use Fire and Rock types, respectively9. If your strategy focuses on the late game, Sobble is an excellent choice.
The unique abilities of each Pokemon Sword starter come with their own pros and cons. Think about your preferred playstyle and the team you want to build. Your choice will significantly influence your adventure in the exciting Galar region.
Early Gameplay Tips for New Players
Starting your adventure in Pokemon Sword is exciting but might feel like a lot. We’ve made a beginner’s guide to get you on the right path. It has some key tips you should know.
Understanding Pokemon Types and Advantages
Pokemon battles center around knowing the type chart. With 18 different Pokemon types, every type has its strengths and weak points. For example, Water-types are strong against Fire-types but weak to Electric-types. Learning these matchups is key for your battle plans.
Out of 400 Pokemon in Sword and Shield, each belongs to one or two of these 18 types. Knowing the best matchups can really help you win battles10. Also, Pokemon Abilities offer extra perks like Type boosts or weather effects to power up your strategy10.
Effective Team Building Strategies
To face the game’s various challenges, having a balanced team is vital. Here are tips for a strong team:
- Diversify Your Types: Have a range of types in your team to prepare for different opponents.
- Consider Natures: Natures can boost one stat by 10% and lower another. This customization lets you tailor your Pokemon for certain roles10.
- Utilize EV Training: EV Training improves specific stats, making your Pokemon better in key areas10.
- Incorporate Abilities: Abilities offer unique advantages in battles, like Type boosts or making it rain10.
Use in-game tools to strengthen your team. TMs and TRs let your Pokemon learn new moves10. TMs can be used many times, but TRs are single-use. Cooking curry while camping restores HP, cures conditions, and boosts friendliness1011.
Following these Pokemon Sword gameplay tips and trying out different teams helps you find your best play style. This way, you’re set for a fantastic journey in the Galar region.
Exploring the Galar Region from Scratch
Starting a new game in Pokémon Sword means exploring the Galar region all over again. This area is inspired by the United Kingdom and has landmarks like Big Ben and the Coca-Cola London Eye12. You’ll meet over 80 new Pokémon as you explore different places13.
Beginning this journey, you’ll dive into exciting gameplay again. You’ll fight in eight gym battles, each offering a unique challenge12. The Wild Area also brings a new exploring style by letting you roam free and find Pokémon in the wild14.
Every town and city in the game has something special. You can fight trainers, catch Pokémon, and do quests in these places. Each spot makes the game fun in its own way, bringing you new stories and adventures.
The game also has a group XP share. This lets all your Pokémon get experience from battles13. It helps your team grow stronger together, making battles easier as you move forward.
Pokémon Sword’s design includes ideas from young developers too. It has a story and gameplay that everybody can enjoy14. Features like camping and easy Pokémon storage let you play more with fewer stops14. With these updates, the game feels both familiar and new to fans.
Catching Rare and Legendary Pokemon Again
Starting a new game in Pokemon Sword lets you catch Legendary Pokemon again. It’s a new, exciting journey. The Crown Tundra’s Dynamax Adventures are key here. They let you fight and capture Legendary Pokemon like Mewtwo and the Swords of Justice. Battling Level 70 Legends, you may also find shiny ones, which adds thrill15.
Using Dynamax Adventures to Your Advantage
To catch Legendary Pokemon successfully, know the perks of Dynamax Adventures. Here, trainers team up with three others to explore dens and battle huge Dynamax Pokemon. A shiny charm increases chances of meeting shiny Pokemon, making every trip exciting15. The game’s AI isn’t perfect, but playing with friends boosts success15.
Dynamax Adventures also let you catch Legendary Pokemon from past games. This makes your collection richer and your game more fun. These adventures strengthen your bond with the Pokemon world and teach teamwork. Working with friends or smart AI helps, thanks to the complex nature of the adventures.
Locations of Legendary Pokemon in the Galar Region
The Galar Region has many places to find Legendary Pokemon. In the Crown Tundra, there are key spots for Legendaries like the Regis and Swords of Justice. The Regis often appear as unique square shinies, making them a top target15. The Crown Tundra DLC even lets you chase every Legendary Pokemon from the main series16. Knowing where and how to find each Legendary is key to success.
To catch key Legendary Pokemon and complete challenges, explore Galar with the help of guides. Galar offers rich quests like the Swords of Justice and Weather Trio. This journey is a big part of catching them all17. For detailed tips on this process, visit your reference here.
Taking Advantage of the DLC: Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra
Adding the DLC to your Pokemon Sword game offers many perks. You’ll find new places to see, more Pokemon to catch, and thrilling quests.
New Pokemon to Catch in the Isle of Armor
The Isle of Armor brings fresh and well-loved Pokemon into your journey. This makes your game even more fun. Here, beating Blissey and Chansey gets you the most EXP18. Also, the Digging Duo near the Nursery can give you rare items18.
Legendary Clue Quests in the Crown Tundra
The Crown Tundra is exciting with its Legendary Clue Quests. These quests have you chasing Legendary Pokemon with Peony. Be ready with strong teams if you’ve conquered the Champion18.
Make sure you have enough Ultra Balls and healing items. They are key for success in the Crown Tundra18. Battling the Galarian Slowpoke at Wedgehurst Station starts the DLC19.
The Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs make your Galar Region adventures better. They bring you new quests, items, and mighty Pokemon.
Transferring Pokémon to Your New Game
Transferring Pokémon in Pokémon Sword is done using the Pokémon Home app. This app is key, linking older titles to your current game. It makes sure your Pokémon collection moves smoothly.
Using Pokémon Home
Using Pokémon Home is vital for moving Pokémon from older games. This app connects with Pokémon Bank. As of March 27, 2023, Pokémon Bank is free if downloaded before this date and linked to the same Nintendo Account20. Remember, Pokémon moved from the Bank can’t return or be used with Nintendo 3DS games20. Pokémon Home supports transferring from games like Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl too21.
When moving Pokémon from Pokémon GO, ensure you have enough GO Transporter Energy. These Pokémon must be moved using Pokémon Home’s mobile version20. While Pokémon Home allows transfers from different games, not all Pokémon can move. This includes Shadow or Mega Evolved forms21.
Useful Transfer Tricks
- Check your Pokémon Boxes in Pokémon Home regularly to ensure there’s enough space for new Pokémon.
- When using the Moving Key between Pokémon Bank and Pokémon Home, enter it quickly—within three minutes on the receiver’s console20.
- For easy Pokémon trades with others, use the direct trade feature on the Pokémon Home mobile app21.
- Make sure to log or capture Pokémon in your Pokédex before moving them from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Home. This is sometimes a requirement21.
Follow these steps and tips to make the most of Pokémon Home. This will help you move Pokémon to Pokémon Sword easily. It’s a great way to continue your adventure without issues.
Additional Equipment for a Better Gaming Experience
Boost your Pokemon Sword journey with cool Nintendo Switch gear. This stuff makes playing way better, whether you’re after snappier controls or more game storage. The right gear can take your gaming to the next level.
Recommended Controllers
Using the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller can really up your Pokemon Sword game. It’s super responsive and comfy, turning those epic game nights into a breeze. Its smart design and lasting battery let you keep going without any hassle.
Storage Solutions
Don’t forget a beefy microSD card to keep up with Pokemon Sword. Game files and extra content are getting bigger. A 128GB or 256GB microSD card means you can grab more games and updates without running low on space.
| Accessory | Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Pro Controller | Ergonomic design, long battery life | Enhanced control and comfort |
| High-capacity microSD Card | 128GB or 256GB storage | Ample space for game data and DLC |
These Nintendo Switch add-ons not only smooth out your gameplay but also amp up your Pokemon Sword adventures22. They let you dive deeper into your journey, worrying less about the tech stuff.
Exploring New Challenges in Your Playthrough
Starting a new journey in Pokemon Sword gets even better by trying out challenges loved by experienced trainers. We’ll cover two favorite challenges: the Nuzlocke Challenge and shiny hunting.
Nuzlocke Challenge
The Nuzlocke Challenge introduces tough rules that make the game harder. If a Pokemon faints, it’s considered gone and must be released or kept in the PC forever. Players can only catch the first Pokemon they meet in each area. This adds strategy and excitement23. Following these strict rules, you’ll see Pokemon Sword in a new, thrilling way. It makes the game seem new and fun again.
Shiny Hunting
Shiny hunting is perfect for those wanting to find rare Pokemons. Shinies are super rare versions of regular Pokemons. There’s a 1/100 chance to find shinies in Dynamax Adventures24. There are many tips and tricks to help you, like chaining and the Masuda method.
Combining shiny hunting with other parts of Pokemon Sword makes the game even more enjoyable. Shiny hunting adds more to do and the thrill of finding rare Pokemons.
| Challenge Type | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Nuzlocke Challenge | Strict rules, increased difficulty, only first encounter catchable, permadeath |
| Shiny Hunting | Rare color variants, various hunting methods, 1/100 shiny rate in Dynamax Adventures |
Benefits of Starting a Fresh Game in Pokemon Sword
Starting over in Pokémon Sword brings many perks that improve your gaming. You get to dive back into Galar with a new perspective. Finding parts of the story and teams you missed the first time adds excitement to your adventure.
Rediscovering the Story
Taking another look at Pokémon Sword’s lets players experience key moments differently. On a second playthrough, the game’s deeper details and story aspects stand out more. Often, the true story of Pokémon Sword is found in the final moments, which you might have missed initially25. Finding these details again makes you understand and love the story even more.
Forming New Teams and Strategies
Restarting Pokémon Sword opens up chances to create new teams and try new battle tactics. It lets players use abilities like Dynamax and Gigantamax in new ways26. Starting fresh encourages trainers to catch over 290 different Pokémon and form new teams they haven’t thought of before25. This brings creativity and keeps each game fresh and interesting.
The game also has open-world areas like the Wild Area, with features like Max Raid Battles. These battles let you connect with players online, enhancing the multiplayer fun26. Playing with others adds an exciting and cooperative element to your game.
For Pokémon fans, there are clear reasons to restart Pokémon Sword. Each new game is a chance to discover, try out new ideas, and enjoy the game anew25.
Conclusion
Starting anew in Pokemon Sword brings a wave of fresh adventures. Resetting the game lets you face new challenges and enjoy well-loved scenes again. It gives you a chance to see the Galar region with new eyes. Building your team from scratch and exploring the Wild Area make each playthrough unique. The DLC adds over 200 Pokemon, making your journey filled with new battles27.
Reflecting on the reset of Pokemon Sword shows the game’s depth. Gamers have pointed out its storyline and characters, but the gym battles and Wild Area gameplay shine. Starting over means diving into strategic planning and exploring the story in new ways. You’ll adjust your tactics with each gym badge and tournament.
A fresh start in Pokemon Sword offers more than a reset. It’s a chance to experience excitement, craft new strategies, and see a world that keeps trainers coming back. Whether you’re experienced or new, this journey offers joy and satisfaction28.
