Honestly, looking back at the Galar region, nothing felt quite as chaotic—or as necessary—as the day the Isle of Armor Pokedex finally dropped. It wasn't just about adding a few more monsters to a list. It was a massive correction. When Pokemon Sword and Shield first arrived, the "Dexit" controversy was still a fresh wound, and fans were genuinely frustrated that half their childhood favorites were stuck in digital limbo. Then came this tropical expansion, and suddenly, the game felt whole again.
The Isle of Armor Pokedex brought 211 species into the fold. While some of these were already in the base Galar Dex, roughly 100 of them were returning veterans that hadn't been seen in 3D for years. We aren't just talking about filler, either. We’re talking about heavy hitters like Scizor, Kingdra, and the ever-annoying-to-fight Porygon-Z.
The Kubfu Grind and the New Meta
If you're jumping back into the game, the first thing you'll notice is that the Isle of Armor Pokedex is built entirely around one legend: Kubfu. This little fighting bear is the heart of the expansion. Unlike previous legendaries where you just throw a Master Ball and call it a day, Kubfu requires an actual relationship. You have to take it to various spots around the island, look at the scenery, and basically bond before it'll even think about evolving into Urshifu.
It's a slow burn.
Once you get that Urshifu, though? The competitive scene changed overnight. You had to choose between the Single Strike Style (Fighting/Dark) or the Rapid Strike Style (Fighting/Water). The Tower of Darkness and the Tower of Waters weren't just flavor text; they were permanent forks in your Pokedex completion journey. Most players flocked to Rapid Strike because Surging Strikes—a move that hits three times and always crits—basically laughs in the face of Focus Sashes and the "Sturdy" ability.
The Weirdness of Regional Variants
One thing that still catches people off guard is how the Isle of Armor Pokedex handles regional forms. You’ve got the Galarian Slowpoke, which looks like it dipped its head in spicy mustard. But then there are the NPCs. There’s a specific trainer you’ll find wandering around—usually looking for some Alolan Diglett—who wants to trade.
👉 See also: Dandys World Ship Chart: What Most People Get Wrong
This is the only "legit" way within the game's vacuum to get non-Galar forms. If you want a classic Kanto Ponyta or an Alolan Marowak without using Pokemon HOME, you’re at the mercy of these trades. It makes the Pokedex feel less like a static checklist and more like a living exchange.
Hunting the Missing 211
Completing the Isle of Armor Pokedex is a bit of a trek. It’s not just about tall grass. You have to deal with the weather. The Wild Area mechanics are dialed up to eleven here. If it’s foggy, you’re getting different spawns than if it’s a sandstorm.
Let’s look at some of the standout additions that actually matter for your team:
The Return of the Horsea Line
Seeing Seadra swimming in the actual overworld in the Insular Sea was a core memory for many. To get Kingdra, you still need that Dragon Scale and a trade partner. Some things never change. It remains one of the best Swift Swim users in the game, especially if you’re running a rain team.
The Porygon Headache
You get a Porygon as a gift from Mustard’s wife, Hyde, after the main story. But wait. To finish the Isle of Armor Pokedex, you need Porygon2 and Porygon-Z. This means hunting down the Upgrade and the Dubious Disc, then finding someone you trust not to steal your digital duck during a trade-evolve.
✨ Don't miss: Amy Rose Sex Doll: What Most People Get Wrong
The Alolan Diglett Side Quest
This is arguably the most polarizing part of the expansion. There are 151 Alolan Diglett hidden in the dirt across the island. You see their little three-haired scalps poking out. Finding them all is a nightmare, but the rewards are staggered. You get various Alolan forms (like Vulpix and Raichu) as you hit milestones. It’s tedious, sure, but if you’re a completionist, it’s the only way to tick certain boxes in your dex.
Why This Pokedex Still Matters Today
Even years after the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, people go back to the Isle of Armor. Why? Because the Galar region had a specific aesthetic and a "Restricted Sparring" mode that hasn't been perfectly replicated. Completion of the Isle of Armor Pokedex earns you the Mark Charm.
The Mark Charm is a big deal. It increases the chances of finding Pokemon with "Marks"—those little titles like "the Sociable" or "the Recluse" that appear when you send them into battle. For the "ribbon hunter" community, this is the holy grail. It adds a layer of personality to your catches that goes beyond just Shiny hunting.
Armorite Ore and the Move Tutor
You can't really talk about the Pokedex without talking about the ecosystem surrounding it. To make these Pokemon viable, you need the new moves. The Move Tutor in the Master Dojo takes Armorite Ore—which you dig up or win in Max Raid Battles—and teaches moves like Burning Jealousy or Grassy Glide.
Grassy Glide, specifically, broke the game for a while. Rillaboom became a god-tier threat because of a move taught on this island. If you’re filling out your dex, you’re also likely farming ore to ensure those new additions can actually hold their own in a fight.
🔗 Read more: A Little to the Left Calendar: Why the Daily Tidy is Actually Genius
The Logistics of Completion
If you’re sitting at 190/211 and feeling stuck, check the seas. The Isle of Armor Pokedex is notoriously heavy on water-based spawns that only show up in specific bays.
- Stepping-Stone Sea: Look here for Sharpedo. They will literally chase you down like a horror movie villain while you’re on your bike.
- Honeycalm Island: This is the only place to get Vespiquen and Combee reliably.
- Forest of Focus: It’s easy to get lost, but this is where you’ll find the Zoroark line, which is essential for that 100% completion badge.
The rewards for finishing are actually decent. You get a certificate (standard), a specialized league card icon, and the aforementioned Mark Charm. But the real reward is the access to the Original Color Magearna if you manage to link this all up with a full National Dex in Pokemon HOME.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think you need Zarude to "complete" the Isle of Armor Pokedex. You don't. Zarude is a mythical, and like Mew or Celebi in previous games, it’s an optional entry. You can get your diploma without it. Don't waste your time scouring the GTS for a legitimate Zarude just to finish your dex; it’s not required.
Another weird quirk? Squirtle and Bulbasaur. You get to pick one early on, but the other doesn't just show up in the wild. You’ll need to trade or bring one over from another game to finish the Kanto starter section of the island's list.
Real Actionable Steps for Completionists
If you are looking to wrap this up quickly, don't just wander around.
- Change the System Clock: If you need a specific weather pattern (like Fog for Ralts or Clear for something else), you can manually adjust your Nintendo Switch date/time settings. It’s a bit of a "cheat," but it saves hours of waiting.
- Focus on the Diglett Early: Don't leave the 151 Diglett for the end. You'll naturally find about 60-70 just by playing the story. If you wait until the end, you'll be backtracking through every single beach and cave, which is soul-crushing.
- Use the Cram-o-matic: The robot in the Dojo can actually "craft" some of the evolution items you need for the Pokedex, like the Protector for Rhyperior or the Reaper Cloth for Dusknoir. It’s better than spending BP at the Battle Tower.
- Raids are Your Friend: If you can't find a trade partner for Kingdra or Politoed, check the purple beams in the sea. High-level Raid dens frequently feature the final evolutions of trade-only Pokemon.
Completing the Isle of Armor Pokedex transforms the Galar experience from a linear hallway into a genuine monster-hunting playground. It bridges the gap between the base game's limitations and the expansive freedom we eventually saw in The Crown Tundra.
To make the most of your time, start by farming Armorite Ore through Max Raid Battles. This gives you the currency needed to reset EVs or teach those exclusive island moves, making the Pokemon you do catch actually useful for the post-game content. Once the Diglett quest is out of the way, the rest of the Pokedex is a relatively smooth hunt through some of the best environments Galar has to offer.