A new Pokemon release officially brings back Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon from Pokemon Sword and Shield. The Pokemon franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and while there have been and will still be various new releases until 2027, many fans are waiting for the big launch of Pokemon Winds and Waves next year. Gen 10 being absent from all the Summer 2026 showcases so far, including the closing ceremony at the World Championships, is a sign that the games will not come out in early 2027.
Back when they came out, Pokemon Sword and Shield were considered some of the worst games in the franchise due to the infamous “Dexit,” which cut the National Pokedex from full capacity to a few hundred critters. Other issues from early trailers didn’t help their reception, such as the so-called “low-poly tree” and a few Wingull flying with no wing movement. Yet, Rillaboom is one of the best Grass-type Pokemon ever; Urshifu and both Calyrex-Shadow and Calyrex-Ice broke VGC; G-Max Charizard was one of the most broken Pokemon to ever come to the game, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Now, Gen 8 starters are officially back.
Pokemon Sword and Shield Starters Officially Back Now
Pokemon Champions just released its new roster and item update, including Mega Z Pokemon from Pokemon Legends: Z-A as well as Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon. The new roster includes 22 new Pokemon, seven alternate forms, and six new Mega Evolutions. On top of that, the update adds 18 items, with one of the biggest additions being Rocky Helmet. There is also a new feature in the game that tells players when their Pokemon are at a disadvantage against the opponent or when they have an advantage against the opposing player. The update’s contents are as follows:
-
New Pokemon:
- Wigglytuff
- Persian
- Alolan Persian
- Farfetch’d
- Mr. Mime
- Swalot
- Mega Absol Z (Ability: Sharpness)
- Salamence
- Mega Salamence
- Mega Garchomp Z (Ability: Levitate)
- Mega Lucario Z (Ability: Aura Break)
- Gogoat
- Golisopod
- Mega Golisopod (Ability: Tough Claws)
- Rillaboom
- Cinderace
- Inteleon
- Thievul
- Toxtricity (both versions)
- Grapploct
- Perrserker
- Sirfetch’d
- Pincurchin
- Indeedee (both versions)
- Arboliva
- Squawkabilly (all four versions)
- Mabosstiff
- Baxcalibur
- Mega Baxcalibur (Ability: Thermal Exchange)
-
New Items:
- Air Balloon
- Binding Band
- Eject Button
- Electric Seed
- Grassy Seed
- Leek
- Misty Seed
- Normal Gem
- Psychic Seed
- Red Card
- Rocky Helmet
- Terrain Extender
- Absolite Z
- Salamencite
- Garchompite Z
- Lucarionite Z
- Golisopite
- Baxcalibrite
Rillaboom in Pokemon Champions is a big deal because it has the ability to set up Grassy Terrain when it enters the field, which can then enable several strategies or moves. The update also adds Indeedee Female, which does the same thing, but for Psychic Terrain. With the return of the Terrain-specific Seeds, the meta will inevitably be shaken up quite a bit. Cinderace and Inteleon’s role in the meta remains to be seen, as they can be powerful attackers, but historically, they haven’t been amazing in VGC.
The fact that Mega Golisopod and Mega Baxcalibur are back in Pokemon Champions is also a big deal, as these critters have incredibly high stats and very good move coverage, so they could easily become top picks. Mega Golisopod getting Tough Claws is huge as well, as it means it won’t have its regular Emergency Exit ability, even if Tough Claws is not exactly the best.
For those who want more Megas from Legends: Z-A to return, December 1 will mark Mega Heatran’s comeback, as that’s when Regulation M-D launches. For now, fans have an interesting new roster of Pokemon and items to choose from.
- Released
-
April 8, 2026
- ESRB
-
Everyone / Mild Fantasy Violence
- Publisher(s)
-
Nintendo