Pokémon Sword & Shield will go down in gaming history. Not only for all the sweeping changes to the mainline Pokémon formula but for the infamous National Dex controversy. GameFreak’s Junichi Masuda announced earlier this year that there will not be a National Dex in the upcoming sequel.

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Unfortunately, that means many players’ favorite Pokémon will not make the cut into the next mainline entry of the Pokémon saga. Datamined leaks reveal which the previous Pokémon will be included and which ones will not. While some are understandable, others are surprising given their history in the games, community, and competitive scene.

Here are the most shocking National Dex cuts players will see in Pokémon Sword & Shield.

Updated on November 6th, 2020 by Josh Davison: Since the publication of this article, Pokémon Sword and Shield have been released, played, and the expansions of Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra have been released. Those two expansions actually returned many cut Pokémon to the game, including most that were referenced on the original list such as the Hoenn starters, most of the fossil Pokémon, and even Lugia and Ho-Oh. These entries will remain for posterity, especially given that not everyone has been able to purchase the expansions. However, this list will receive an additional five entries to reflect Pokémon unfortunate enough to not be added back in with the two expansions.

15 Still Most Of The Starters

Pokemon Torterra Using a grass-type attack

Despite the return of the Hoenn starters with Crown Tundra, half of the starter Pokémon are still absent from Sword and Shield. The beloved Johto starters, the excellent Sinnoh starters, the memorable Unova starters, and even the fan-favorite Greninja are all absent from the Galar region in the games. It seems like such a bizarre oversight given how commonly beloved they are among fans. They're the Pokémon that first join a player on their exploration through a new region--why not just bring them all back?

14 Alolan Form Pokémon

Pokemon Alolan Golem

With many Generation I Pokémon receiving new life as regional forms with new types, it seems peculiar to cut some of them out with the next installment. That said, almost all Alolan Form Pokémon got their return in Sword and Shield and their expansions. The Geodude and Grimer evolution lines were still left out. These two are especially odd given how iconic Geodude and Golem are and that the Galarian Weezing feels a bit like an intended counterpart to Alolan Muk.

13 The Early Birds

Pokemon Pidgeotto

Each generation has its own iteration of the Flying-Type bird Pokémon that the player can catch in the early game, but half have still been left out in Sword and Shield and the expansions. Pidgeot, Swellow, Staraptor, and Toucannon were left out--especially glaring given that Pidgeot was the first and made iconic thanks to the Pokémon anime.

12 Arceus, Deoxys, Darkrai, Hoopa, Manaphy, Phione, and Shaymin

Pokemon Deoxys

Can you defy Poké God's will? Apparently, you can. Even after almost all of the prior Legendary Pokémon making a return with Crown Tundra, Arceus is still absent in Generation VIII. To add to that, the alien Deoxys, the nightmare-maker Darkrai, the prankster Hoopa, the sea royalty of Manaphy and Phione, and the adorable Shaymin are all still missing. Arceus, Darkrai, and Deoxys seem especially bizarre given how heavily they were pushed in the marketing of their generations. To add to the confusion of Arceus' return, a data-mining of Sword and Shield has found all of the Plates used to change Arceus' type.

11 Mega Evolutions

Pokemon Red & Mega Charizard X

The Mega Evolutions were a controversial addition to the Pokémon world. They're like Super Saiyan for Pokémon and can only be used once per battle, but they boost a Pokémon's powers through the roof while altering their physical appearance. It seemed like Nintendo was stepping back when no new Mega Evolutions were added with Sun and Moon and the whole mechanic seemed to be replaced with Z-moves. However, the Mega Stones were still available in Generation VII. Mega Stones and Z-Crystals were both completely removed with Sword and Shield--but that's not really the end of the saga. Data miners have found the 16 Mega Stones in the code of Sword and Shield, and the Mega Evolutions have returned in the ultra-popular Pokémon Go as well as Pokémon Masters EX. Nintendo seems to be aware of the popularity of Mega Evolutions but still seems pretty tenuous about bringing them back in the mainline games.

10 Fossil Pokémon

Pokemon Brock and Aerodactyl

Fossil Pokémon tend to be a hit or miss. They either have widespread popularity or appreciation in the community (e.g. Aerodactyl, Armaldo), or they fade into obscurity and maintain a very small fanbase. Either way, how trainers obtain them are the same: do something in the story, get some fossils, take it to someone who can restore them, get Pokemon. Simple.

Sword/Shield could’ve been the opportunity to give some of these Fossil Pokémon new life. Instead of creating new Galarian forms for already well-known Gen 1 Pokémon, less popular fossil Pokémon could have different forms based on the fossil found. Let’s say for Archen, it can have another Form if a player got a Beak Fossil instead of a Plume Fossil. It’s a suggestion that probably won’t be fulfilled.

9 Igglybuff Line

Pokemon Jigglypuff

Jigglypuff is a curious choice to leave out, especially considering its popularity throughout the history of the franchise. In the early seasons of the anime, it was a recurring character that would draw on people’s faces. Jigglypuff was changed into a Fairy-type in X/Y, and it was even featured in the Detective Pikachu movie.

Since Jigglypuff did not make the cut, that also means Igglybuff and Wigglytuff will not make a return. People arguably care more for Jigglypuff than its other two forms, but it does not diminish the disappointment.

8 Happiny Line

Pokemon Chansey

Like Jigglypuff, Chansey and its evolutions went from Normal-types to Fairy-types in Gen 6. Chansey is a classic Pokémon, associated with Nurse Joy and a caretaker-type of Pokémon. In actual gameplay, Chansey’s evolution Blissey is used as a tank Pokémon. Some competitive trainers will maximize her defenses and HP, spam stat-boosting moves, and Baton Pass to another Pokémon.

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Is it possible that the Happiny line was removed for this reason, but Blissey offers some strategical variety to the game. Most Pokemon that are used in competitive play are either weak hard-hitters or overbearingly beefy and strong. Unfortunately, this pink Pokémon is gone for now.

7 Zorua Line

Pokemon Zorua and Zoroark

Zorua and Zoroark were instrumental Pokémon when it came to the marketing of Pokémon Black & White for the Nintendo DS. They even had their own movie and tie-in events, akin to Lucario who was also used to market Pokémon Diamon & Pearl at the time. The Zorua line has its special place in the Pokémon fanbase.

Cue the shock when fans found out that the Illusion Pokémon did not make the cut, even though Lucario did. Lucario is more viable competitively than Zoroark, who is too weak, and its gimmick isn’t that great. But obviously, that is not the reason it was cut. Fans of the vulpine Pokémon can only cross their fingers and hope they lurk around in the next entry.

6 Magby & Elekid Lines

Magmar and Electabuzz

You know those pairs of Pokémon that seem to be inseparable in each Generation? Espeon and Umbreon? Escavalier and Accelgor? Sawk and Throh? Magmar and Electabuzz were the original duo, representing the powerhouse Types of Generation 1: Fire and Electric. Their evolutions, Magmortar and Electrivire, burst onto the scene in Gen 4 with great stat boosts and powerful moves.

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Since they’re listed in this article, their removal from the game was a real headscratcher. They’re not the best Pokémon, but they’re pretty powerful. They have amazing designs, were around when Pokémon GO first dropped, and newer players can attach to them. Missed opportunity, honestly.

5 Scyther Line

Pokemon Scyther and Scizor

While some people are glad that Gen 1 is getting as much treatment as the rest of the Generations, they were stunned at the exclusion of some fan and competitive favorites. Scyther is an awesome, humanoid take on a praying mantis, and Scizor is its badass evolution introduced in Gen 2.

For a long time in competitive Pokémon, Scizor was an overpowered pick due to its speed, moves like Bullet Punch, and the Technician ability. Scizor also got a Mega Evolution, which caused quite the stir in the community. His removal could be a means to balance the game, but that won’t stop the hurt.

4 Abra Line

Pokemon Alakazam

Another Gen 1 fan favorite has been cut from Sword/Shield. Out of all the possible options, this one was a little puzzling. Alakazam is quite a success story throughout history. It was strong when Red/Blue first came out, and it continues to be a powerhouse, especially after gaining a Mega Evolution.

Now, because Alakazam is a classic Pokémon and is very viable throughout the game -- that’s probably why it was removed. It would easily overshadow any other Psychic-type or Special Attack-oriented Pokémon. For returning or longtime fans, it’s comfortable, familiar and easy. It’s understandable to remove the Abra line but still a little upsetting.

3 Ho-oh & Lugia

Pokemon Ho-Oh and Lugia

On top of most Legendaries and Mythical Pokémon getting the boot from GameFreak, this iconic duo will also not be returning. Ho-oh, the Rainbow Pokémon, and Lugia, the Diving Pokémon, are very near and dear to veteran players, especially the latter. Lugia had its own movie, a TV special, and was featured prominently in the cult classic Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.

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Considering that the Kanto Region games got two remakes and the Johto Region only got one, fans of the neighboring region are feeling a little snubbed. Lugia and Ho-oh could have been featured as extra Pokemon in the post-game with new forms or abilities, but that would be a stretch in terms of the story and probably baiting… Poor Johto.

2 Most Psuedo Legendaries

Pokemon Garchomp and Metagross

This shook both the standard Pokemon community and the competitive community. Psuedolegendary Pokémon like Garchomp, Metagross, Salamence, Dragonite, and Hydreigon will not be returning in Sword/Shield. For those who aren’t aware, Psuedolegendaries are Pokémon whose base stats total 600, matching their strength to that of a Legendary/Mythical Pokémon.

These Pokémon tend to be strong fan favorites, particularly because of the characters who utilize them: Steven’s Metagross, Cynthia’s Garchomp, Lance’s Dragonite. They are also heavily used in the competitive setting, sometimes being must-picks. And we’re not getting started on Mega Evolutions.

Because Psuedolegendaries are so mechanically strong, they would also overshadow a lot of Pokémon introduced in Galar. At least Tyranitar is there?

1 Previous Starter Pokémon

Pokemon Mudkip, Torchic, and Treeko

What’s probably caused the most rage is that all Starter Pokémon except Gen 1 starters will not be returning to Sword/Shield. Favorites like Chimchar, Torchic, Totodile, Froakie, Chikorita, and more will not be available in this entry.

What’s annoying to fans more is the favoritism toward Gen 1, especially the starters. They were also the first starters to get Mega Evolutions in X/Y, with Charizard getting two Mega Evolutions. Charizard also has a special Dynamax form, which is annoying both fans of the fire-lizard and normal players.

Hopefully, there is some rotation in future games, where other starters and Pokémon will be available and Gen 1 starters will get the backseat for once.

NEXT: Pokemon: The 10 Most Disappointing Shiny Legendaries, Ranked