Galarian Ponyta is a Pokémon Shield exclusive

There’s a war brewing in the Critical Hit office right now. With Pokémon Sword and Shield out in a month, Alessandro and I are engaged in a hostile conflict over which version is going to be the best, like no version exclusive ever was. Al reckons that Pokémon Sword is the best because the legendary gracing its cover carries a big freakin’ blade around in its mouth, while I do declare that Shield is better because its legendary critter has a magnificent mane with which to shield it from attacks.

And that’s fine! Legendary Pokémon that split one idea into two equally impressive money-making games is part of the Pokémon package. What really matters, are the version exclusive Pokémon you’d find in each core generation game. That list was beginning to favour Al’s side, with Sword having access to the likes of Hydreigon, Sirfetch’d and Jangmo-o, while Shield players get Tyranitar and Goodra as their version-specific heavyweights.

The scales were tipped in favour of Pokemon Sword…until Galarian Ponyta trotted into view. Revealed in a livestream last week, Pokémon Shield’s exclusive fella is a delightful variation of the generation one classic. It’s elemental type has also been altered in the Galar region, shifting from Fire-type to Psychic-type and making it a natural for use against Poison-type users with its Pastel Veil ability.

Here’s the official breakdown on Galarian Ponyta, from the Pokedex:

Galarian Ponyta

• Category: Unique Horn Pokémon
• Type: Psychic
• Height: 2’7″
• Weight: 52.9 lbs.
• Ability: Run Away/ Pastel Veil

Galarian Ponyta have been found in a certain forest of the Galar region since ancient times. It is said that they were exposed to the overflowing life energy of the forest over many generations, and therefore their appearance became unique in this region. Galarian Ponyta can absorb the life energy of the surrounding atmosphere and store it in its mane. Its mane will become more colourful, and even emit a sparkling glow, if there is an abundance of energy around.

Galarian Ponyta’s Ability, Pastel Veil, is a new Ability introduced in these titles. This Ability prevents the Pokémon and its allies from becoming poisoned. It can even cure the poisoned status condition of its allies when this Pokémon enters the battlefield.

AND LOOK HOW CUTE IT IS! Game, set and match folks. Yes Sirfetch’d is awesome and yes I’m jealous that Sword owners can capture a Deino and spend a stupid amount of time getting it to level 50 so that it can evolve into Zweilous and pumping more experience points into it until it evolves into Hydreigon at level 64, but Galarian Ponyta is the best.

Just imagine what it’ll look like, once it evolves into Galarian Rapidash. I’m hoping it’s like the Unicorn from Robot Chicken.

That would be so cool. So…cool…

Last Updated: October 10, 2019