Unicorn Galarian Ponyta will be exclusive to Pokemon Shield

(Image credit: Pokemon Company)

The Pokemon Company has revealed that Galarian Ponyta is going to be exclusive to Pokemon Shield, joining a few other Pokemon Sword and Shield exclusive variants. The *cough* "Unique Horn" Pokemon was revealed in the 24-hour Pokemon Sword and Shield livestream, which showed footage from the forest area in the Galar region known as Glimwood Tangle. 

After hours and hours of waiting, the little unicorn-like pony bounded out onto the screens and everyone immediately fell in love with the adorable pastel Ponyta variant. Another Galarian Ponyta joined the first and warmed our hearts by snuggling up together and showing off its glowing mane. 

After the initial reveal, it was pretty quiet on the Ponyta front while we waited for Sonya to put together information about the exciting new addition to the Pokemon world. Finally, we got some more insight into the magical creature and its abilities. According the official Pokemon Sword and Shield website, the Ponyta's new look is a result of the energy of the forest area that's unique to the Galar region. The Galarian form has been around since ancient times and has the power to absorb the energy surrounding it. Once it has too much energy, its mane will get even more colourful and even glow, which is likely why it did during the livestream event. 

As a Psychic Pokemon it has the moves Run Away and a new ability called Pastel Veil, which prevents Pokemon around it from being poisoned. What a good pony. So far Sirfetch'd - the Galarian take on Farfetch'd - is the other Pokemon we know of who will be exclusive to the Pokemon Sword version. 

For now though, check out all the other critters revealed for the Gen 8 Pokemon list.

Heather Wald
Senior staff writer

I started out writing for the games section of a student-run website as an undergrad, and continued to write about games in my free time during retail and temp jobs for a number of years. Eventually, I earned an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University, and soon after got my first official role in the industry as a content editor for Stuff magazine. After writing about all things tech and games-related, I then did a brief stint as a freelancer before I landed my role as a staff writer here at GamesRadar+. Now I get to write features, previews, and reviews, and when I'm not doing that, you can usually find me lost in any one of the Dragon Age or Mass Effect games, tucking into another delightful indie, or drinking far too much tea for my own good. 

Latest in Gaming
GDC The Game Developers logo
When is the Game Developers Conference 2025 and why is it so interesting?
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Everything announced at Pokemon Presents 2025
Saros screenshot featuring the main character and am imposing monster in the background with a swirling void in its chest and multiple arms with balls of fire
Everything announced at the PlayStation State of Play February 2025
Close up shot of an anime schoolgirl with a superhero mask over her eyes in a screenshot from Mightreya.
My Steam wishlist is bigger than ever thanks to the indie devs flooding social media with 15-second clips explaining their games
FGS Spring 2025
The Future Games Show Spring Showcase is back and will have a new live segment from the GDC event floor
A close-up of the Doom Slayer in the upcoming PC game, Doom: The Dark Ages.
Xbox Developer Direct 2025: date, time, and where to stream the showcase
Latest in News
Giancarlo Esposito in The Electric State
The Electric State star Giancarlo Esposito explains why adapting the bleak novel into a family friendly adventure was the right decision: "I'm going to bring my children with me"
Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn in Joker 2
Wednesday star Jenna Ortega teases Lady Gaga's appearance in season 2 of the Netflix show: "It was just a really, really special environment"
People playing Finspan, the new game in the Wingspan series
The must-have fishy successor to Wingspan and Wyrmspan is discounted for the first time
Lego Mario & Standard Kart being held by a person sat at a table
The new Lego Mario Kart set is so much better than I was expecting it to be
a titanium watch with grey and orange features on the arms and face
You can look like Solid Snake with this Death Stranding 2 watch, but it'll cost you over $1,500
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree final boss Radahn stares into the camera, holding a sword in each hand.
After 423 hours and over 15,000 total deaths, Elden Ring player finally beats Shadow of the Erdtree without the upgrades FromSoftware urged everyone to use: "Never give up"