Pokémon Sword and Shield’s Zarude: Release date, abilities and everything we know

Announced on Pokémon Day 2020 back in February, Zarude is a new mythical Pokémon set to arrive in Sword and Shield.

Pokémon Sword and Shield may have been released in November last year, but the game’s are only just getting started with a number of updates inbound for the title.

So aside from the two new expansions coming later this year, here’s what you need to know about new mythical Pokémon Zarude.

Who is Zarude?

Zarude is a Dark and Grass type Pokémon described as a “rogue monkey”, who weighs 70kg and has a height of 1.8m.

An official description from The Pokémon Company reads: “Zarude can grow vines from the back of its neck, its wrists, and the soles of its feet at will. These vines are strong and flexible, and they can be used for a variety of purposes.

“Zarude uses the vines to wrap around tree branches to move around or to grab Berries from distant branches. The vines also have a healing property. If Zarude wraps its vines around a wound, the wound will heal.

“It’s been reported that Zarude lives in a pack deep in the heart of dense forests. It treats anyone that isn’t part of its pack with immediate hostility, attacking right away. Because of this, other Pokémon that live in the same forest are afraid of Zarude.

“When fighting it swings around using trees and their branches, attacking relentlessly with its sharp claws or any other means it has. Its quick wit helps it excel in battles.”

What are Zarude’s abilities and moves?

Zarude has the ability Leaf Guard which stops the Pokémon from being affected by non-volatile status conditions and Yawn under sunny weather.

Zarude’s signature move is Jungle Healing, which restores HP of the user and allies, while also healing any status conditions they may have.

It’s a non-damaging Grass-type move which is (so far) exclusive to Zarude. It can be learned at level 90. 

Zarude using Jungle Healing (Picture: Nintendo)

An official description for Jungle Healing reads: “In this Grass-type status move, the Pokémon wraps its vines around trees and absorbs their energy, then releases that energy combined with its own.

“Healing power radiates around the area and heals both the user and its ally Pokémon, restoring their HP and curing them of any status conditions.

When will Zarude be released into Sword and Shield?

It’s unclear when Zarude will be released Into Sword and Shield in western territories, with a release in Japan the only confirmed territory so far.

To coincide with the upcoming Pokémon Coco movie, anyone in Japan who pre-purchases tickets ahead of its release on 10 July will receive a code to download Zarude - which can be redeemed from 15th June to 30th September.

Zarude will be released at level 60, with a second code also being given out for a Shiny Celebi.

It’s unclear how or when Zarude will be released in western parts of the world, although in the past mythical Pokémon have been distributed by scanning QR codes - so it could be something similar.

The Pokémon Company website only states Zarude “can’t be found through normal gameplay” so it’s likely to be a giveaway or some special event.

Read more: Pokemon pro players are taking competitive Sword and Shield into their own hands