With The Crown Tundra finally available for exploration, Pokemon Sword and Shield players are eagerly completing their Poxedexes with old favorites and newcomers alike. Some of the Pokemon making their ways back into the game from another region include the beloved Hoenn Starters Mudkip, Torchic, and Treecko.
The three Starters are arguably some of the most famous Starter Pokemon aside from Kanto's originals, so it's no surprise players are dashing to catch 'em all. That said, it seems the rare trio isn't actually inhabiting the wilds of Pokemon Sword and Shield, despite having been reintroduced by The Crown Tundra.
Updated April 8th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Some Pokemon fans are just now starting their adventure through the entirety of Pokemon Sword & Shield, despite there being a new Pokemon title on the Horizon and the addition of two more titles with Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, as well as Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Those that successfully make it through Sword & Shield will have even more content to discover via the DLC Crown Tundra, which introduced a ton of National Dex Pokemon to the title via Dynamax Adventures. Players that fell in love with the starters of the Hoenn region will be happy to know they can be caught within the Dynamax dens and then added to their roster. To shine a better light on how to get Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip in Pokemon Sword & Shield, as well as take a look at their stats and evolutions, the following guide has been updated with more information.
Aside from introducing new Pokemon and bringing back classic favorites, the Crown Tundra DLC Expansion Pass gives players a new region to explore, and a new mode involving Dynamax Pokemon. This new mode allows Pokemon Trainers to undertake Dynamax Adventures with 3 other people (friends or CPU), which are a new series of dungeons that lead to encounters with Legendary Pokemon from previous generations. Players will only be able to obtain a Mudkip, Torchic, or Treecko by taking advantage of this new Sword and Shield feature.
During a Dynamax Adventure, Trainers defeat a series of Dynamaxed Pokemon, leading to a Legendary Pokemon, with help from a rental team. Pokemon Trainers cannot use their own Pokemon during a Dynamax Adventure, but after defeating each enemy, they will have the option of capturing it and swapping it in for someone on their rental team. Upon defeating/capturing the Legendary Pokemon, players will be able to select a single captured Pokemon to take home from the Dynamax Adventure.
While Mudkip, Torchic, and Treecko themselves won't appear as foes in Dynamax Adventures, players will regularly find themselves facing the Hoenn Starters' second stage evolutions: Marshtomp, Combusken, and Grovyle. Needless to say, their Mega Evolutions won't be making an appearance here, but nonetheless, these three Pokemon are reportedly seen quite frequently in Dynamax Adventures. To take one home, players will simply need to defeat and capture it, and then select it as their preference once the Dynamax Adventure is completed.
Of course, this means that Pokemon Trainers will actively have to forgo Legendary Pokemon to take home one of these beloved Generation 3 Starters, but considering that the Dynamax Adventure can simply be repeated, that shouldn't be a huge issue. Besides, new Legendaries like Regieleki and Regidrago won't be found in these caves, so it's really a matter of timing.
If a player would rather have powerful Legendaries upfront, they should quickly capture the ones they like and then focus on taking home a Starter Pokemon on subsequent Dynamax Adventures. That being said, if vintage Legendaries aren't on the priority list, there's no definitively better reason to justify choosing a Suicune over the adorable fiery Torchic.
A Look At Stats For Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, And Their Evolutions
Starter Pokemon became a big deal when the Crown Tundra DLC was released. The game update not only allowed players to get their hands on more Pokemon from the National Dex, but it also gave them access to starter Pokemon from other regions, allowing players to make teams they would otherwise not have access to. Players that wanted to get their hands on a Blaziken to fill their Fire-type spot or a Swampert to round out their Water-based Pokemon could finally snag the appropriate first stage evolutions in Sword and Shield. But are these Pokemon even worth having over the multitude of choices available to players via the National Dex? Here's a look at the stats for each starter and its evolutions.
Treecko
- HP: 40
- Attack: 45
- Special Attack: 65
- Defense: 35
- Special Defense: 55
- Speed: 70
- Total Base Stats: 310
Grovyle
- HP: 50
- Attack: 65
- Special Attack: 85
- Defense: 45
- Special Defense: 65
- Speed: 95
- Total Base Stats: 405
Sceptile
- HP: 70
- Attack: 85
- Special Attack: 105
- Defense: 65
- Special Defense: 85
- Speed: 120
- Total Base Stats: 530
A Look At Sceptile
Sceptile is particularly speedy, and perfect for players that are looking for a faster pure Grass-type that is also capable of dishing out decent damage via Special Attacks. Sceptile has access to some great moves, like Energy Ball, Giga Drain, and Leaf Storm. Finding one with a Timid nature is recommended, as it will raise Sceptile's already impressive Speed even further while decreasing its middling Attack. It has access to the Overgrowth ability, which will increase the power of Grass-type attacks, as well as Unburden, which can give it a boost of speed whenever it uses its Held Item.
Torchic
- HP: 45
- Attack: 60
- Special Attack: 70
- Defense: 40
- Special Defense: 50
- Speed: 45
- Total Base Stats: 310
Combusken
- HP: 60
- Attack: 85
- Special Attack: 85
- Defense: 60
- Special Defense: 60
- Speed: 55
- Total Base Stats: 405
Blaziken
- HP: 80
- Attack: 120
- Special Attack: 110
- Defense: 70
- Special Defense: 70
- Speed: 80
- Total Base Stats: 530
A Look At Blaziken
Blaziken is a heavy attacker, having solid stats in both Attack and Special Attack, but suffering from decreased defenses as a product. Those that need a hard-hitting Fire-type that can mix in Fighting-type moves to cover additional types should consider Blaziken. Finding one with a Jolly nature is great for those looking to use the Pokemon as a physical attacker as it will increase its average Speed while decreasing its Special Attack. Although its base Speed is 80, it comes packed with the Speed Boost ability that will gradually increase its Speed during battle, as well as the Blaze ability which powers up its Fire-type moves.
Mudkip
- HP: 50
- Attack: 70
- Special Attack: 50
- Defense: 50
- Special Defense: 50
- Speed: 40
- Total Base Stats: 310
Marshtomp
- HP: 70
- Attack: 85
- Special Attack: 60
- Defense: 70
- Special Defense: 70
- Speed: 50
- Total Base Stats: 405
Swampert
- HP: 100
- Attack: 110
- Special Attack: 85
- Defense: 90
- Special Defense: 90
- Speed: 60
- Total Base Stats: 535
A Look At Swampert
Swampert provides the best all-around stats for each of the three starter final evolutions, but it suffers greatly from a heavily reduced Speed compared to its counterparts. Those that want to emphasize Swampert's Attack stat should look for an Adamant nature, or if they want to help increase its middling Speed, they can find a Jolly nature. Both of these natures decrease Special Attack, making Swampert more of a Physical attacker. Its Damp ability will keep other Pokemon from using Self Destruct type moves and its Torrent ability will help power up its Water-type moves.
Pokemon Sword and Shield, The Isle of Armor, and Crown Tundra DLC Expansion Pass, are available now on Switch.