A new Pokemon has come to the Pokemon Sword and Shield raids, and it is a familiar face. Gigantamax Pikachus have graced everyone with their presence. If people update their Wild Area information by going to Mystery Gift and “Get the Wild Area News” in the main menu or search for Max Raids with the Y-Comm, they’ll start seeing the form honoring the original version of Pikachu in dens or in others’ Max Raids. [Thanks, Serebii!]
Originally, the only way to acquire a Gigantamax Pikachu in Pokemon Sword and Shield involved having a save file from Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! on your system. (People with Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! save files would get a Gigantamax Eevee.) This eliminates that requirement and gives you a chance to immediately get one. The one I ended up catching was a level 60 critter with Feint, Light Screen, Surf, and Thunder and the ability Static. Serebii is also reporting that shiny versions of Gigantamax Pikachus can be caught during this event.
As a reminder, the last Pokemon Sword and Shield Max Raid special characters were ones that are popular in the competitive scene. This means people were able to find Dragapults and Togekisses more easily.
Pokemon Sword and Shield are available for the Nintendo Switch. Also, if you need a physical Gigantamax Pikachu in your life, the Japanese Pokemon Center is taking preorders for 44,000円 (~$411) ones that are about two and a half feet tall and about two feet wide.
