As with all main series PokÃ©mon games before them, PokÃ©mon Sword and Shield each have minor differences which you should know about before jumping in. You'll notice different PokÃ©mon and even Gym Leaders appearing in your game depending on the version you buy, so we've gathered all of the version-exclusive characters for you below to help you decide which PokÃ©mon game you should buy - PokÃ©mon Sword or PokÃ©mon Shield.

If you're eager for a full list of the 400 PokÃ©mon available in the Galar PokÃ©dex, check out our snazzy Galar PokÃ©dex database tool. You can also find out more about the three PokÃ©mon Sword and Shield starters and their evolutions, check out our PokÃ©mon type chart for info on strengths and weaknesses, hunt out Easter Eggs in PokÃ©mon Sword and Shield, and find out how to find and evolve Galar region PokÃ©mon from Sirfetch'd to Frosmoth, Alcremie and many more.

And then there's the Expansion Pass, too. So many 'mon!

What's The Difference Between PokÃ©mon Sword And Shield? - Version Exclusive PokÃ©mon

We'll kick things off with the PokÃ©mon themselves. The main difference between PokÃ©mon Sword and Shield is the exclusive PokÃ©mon that you can only to catch in one or the other of the games.

Here are all of the PokÃ©mon exclusive to each version:

PokÃ©mon Sword Exclusive PokÃ©mon

Name Galar PokÃ©dex No. Seedot 39 Nuzleaf 40 Shiftry 41 Machamp (Gigantamax) 140 Basculin (red) 154 Coalossal (Gigantamax) 163 Flapple 206 Swirlix 210 Slurpuff 211 Farfetch'd (Galarian) 218 Sirfetch'd 219 Scraggy 224 Scrafty 225 Gothita 267 Gothorita 268 Gothitelle 269 Rufflet 281 Braviary 282 Mawile 295 Indeedee (Male) 337 Passimian 343 Turtonator 347 Solrock 363 Darumaka (Galarian) 367 Darmanitan (Galarian) 368 Stonjourner 369 Deino 386 Zweilous 387 Hydreigon 388 Jangmo-o 392 Hakamo-o 393 Kommo-o 394 Zacian 398

PokÃ©mon Shield Exclusive PokÃ©mon

PokÃ©mon Sword and Shield - Version-Exclusive Gym Leaders

PokÃ©mon Sword and Shield also feature version-exclusive Gym Leaders. Here they are:

PokÃ©mon Sword Exclusive Gym Leaders

- Gym Leader Bea, Fighting-type PokÃ©mon user, Stow-On-Side

Bea is a prodigy in Galar karate, carrying on its century-old traditions and techniques. Known for her stoicism and rarely showing her emotions, Bea is also an expert on Fighting-type PokÃ©mon. Her battle style remains very precise even when sheâs backed into a corner.

- Gym Leader Gordie, Rock-type PokÃ©mon user, Circhester

Rock-lover Gordie will stand between you and victory in Circhester if you chose Sword over Shield.

PokÃ©mon Shield Exclusive Gym Leaders

- Gym Leader Allister, Ghost-type PokÃ©mon user, Stow-On-Side

Allister is a talented Trainer of Ghost-type PokÃ©mon who has taken on the mantle of the Ghost-type Gym Leader at a young age. Heâs extremely shy and fearful, and he always hides his face with a mask when around other people. Allister rarely makes public appearances and apparently spends most of his time around ruins or in cemeteries.

- Gym Leader Melony, Ice-type PokÃ©mon user, Circhester

As cold as ice, and willing to sacrifice (her PokÃ©mon), you'd do well to turn up the heat when you encounter Melony in the Circhester Stadium.

If you're on the fence about which version you'd like to pick up, hopefully this list will help to make your mind up.

Which version are you going for? Sword or Shield? Or are you eyeing up both? Tell us below.