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Pokémon Sword and Shield Mew explained - how to get Mew using the Poké Ball Plus

Bring a classic legendary Pokémon into Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Using the Poké Ball Plus, you can bring Mew, the original mythical Pokémon, into Pokémon Sword and Shield.

While you can't use the Poké Ball Plus as a controller when playing Pokémon Sword and Shield, you can still transfer Pokémon inside and take them for walks. Being able to receive Mew from a new Poké Ball Plus is an added little extra to encourage people to buy the accessory.

The inclusion of Mew brings the total of legendary and mythical Pokémon in Sword and Shield up to four.

On this page:

What you need to know before you transfer Mew into Pokémon Sword and Shield

If you want to transfer Mew into Pokémon Sword and Shield, you must first remember if your Poké Ball Plus actually contains a Mew.

Each Poké Ball Plus only ever contains one Mew. This means that if you've already transferred it to either Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu! or Let's Go Eevee!, then you won't be able to transfer it to Sword or Shield.

Even if you've deleted the saved game that contained the Mew, it's impossible for you to receive another one, without buying a new Poké Ball Plus.

For this reason, consider very carefully which game you want to transfer Mew into.

How to receive Mew in Pokémon Sword and Shield

Since you can't use the Poké Ball Plus as a controller in Pokémon Sword and Shield, connecting to it is a lot simpler.

Below you'll find the following steps that will allow you to connect to the Poké Ball Plus in either Pokémon Sword or Shield:

  1. Turn on Pokémon Sword or Shield.
  2. Begin playing the game and open the X menu.
  3. From the X menu, select the option for 'Mystery Gift.'
  4. In this new menu select 'Take a Stroll with Poké Ball Plus.'
  5. Connect with to the Poké Ball Plus by either pressing on the top button or control stick. This may take a few seconds.
You'll find the Poké Ball Plus option in the Mystery Gift menu.

If you have never used your Poké Ball Plus before, you will then receive your Mew.

Afterwards, you can use this feature to take your favourite Pokémon from either Sword or Shield on walks in the real world.


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How useful is Mew in Pokémon Sword and Shield?

The obvious reason for bringing Mew in Pokémon Sword and Shield is that it will help you complete your Pokédex.

Though, since it is a mythical Pokémon, Mew's entry in the Pokedex will only show up if you either catch it yourself or if you battle a friend who has it in their party.

Due to its status as a mythical Pokémon, three random stats of Mew's six will be maxed out, which means these three stats will be at the 'best' level. Thanks to this, you can train Mew to become a very powerful psychic Pokémon, especially if one of these chosen stats is its Special Attack.

Yet, you do only get one Mew per Poké Ball Plus and there are some exciting new psychic Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield for you to train.