Zygarde: From Derpy Doggo to Doomsday Dragon - A Totally Not Serious Guide for Trainers (Sword & Shield Edition)
Ah, Zygarde. The legendary Pokemon with an identity crisis that rivals your uncle at every family gathering. "Who, me a snake? No way, I'm a majestic dragon!" Well, guess what, even Zygarde goes through a rebellious "doggo" phase, and we're here to show you how to get your paws on it in Pokemon Sword and Shield (without alerting animal control, of course).
First Things First: Catch (or Befriend) a Core Curiosity
Unlike your average rescue mission down at the shelter, Zygarde doesn't come in a neat little package. Instead, you'll need to snag its Zygarde Core, a spiky little fella that looks like it fell out of a rave. No, you can't throw a Pokeball at a strobe light, silly! Head over to the Fractured Wastelands in the Crown Tundra DLC. Just be prepared for some aggressive Perrserkers who REALLY like their territory (and judging by their fashion sense, that territory is the 80s).
Trainer Tip: If you're feeling peckish, these Perrserkers might drop some berries. Though, with their questionable taste in clothing, I wouldn't recommend asking them for restaurant recommendations.
Hunting for Hidden Cells: It's Like Pokemon Geocaching (Without the Getting Lost Part...Hopefully)
Here's where things get interesting (and a tad tedious). Scattered throughout the Crown Tundra are Zygarde Cells. These glowing green doodads look like someone spilled a radioactive highlighter, but hey, gotta collect 'em all, right? Unfortunately, there's no handy dandy Pokedex app to help you find them. You'll have to explore every nook and cranny, talk to some eccentric NPCs (because who doesn't love a good conspiracy theory?), and probably trip over a Vanillite or two in the snow.
Trainer Tip: If you find yourself lost and muttering about "shiny things" to yourself, take a break and enjoy the snowy scenery! The Crown Tundra is quite pretty, unlike those darn Perrserkers.
The Canine Caper: Behold, the 10% Zygarde!
Once you've collected 10% of the Zygarde Cells (because apparently Zygarde is all about that #selflove), head on over to the Antique Seller in Stow-on-Side. This delightful fellow (who may or may not be hoarding ancient artifacts) will give you the Zygarde Cube. This nifty gadget lets you transform your Zygarde Core into its 10% Forme, which basically looks like a derpy dog with a bad case of the zoomies. It's adorable. It's confusing. It's everything you never knew you needed in your life.
Trainer Tip: While the 10% Zygarde is undeniably cute, it's not exactly a powerhouse in battle. But hey, at least it can fetch your Pokeballs in style!
From Doggo to Dragon: Upgrading Your Zygarde (Because Who Doesn't Want a Bigger Dog?)
Now, if you're looking for something a bit more... battle-ready, you'll need to collect 50% of the Zygarde Cells. Use the Zygarde Cube again, and voila! You've got yourself a standard Zygarde. It's still a snake-dog thing, but at least it looks a bit more intimidating.
Trainer Tip: Still not satisfied? There's a rumor about a Zygarde Complete out there, but nobody knows how to get it. Maybe it involves catching every single Zygarde Cell and offering a sacrifice to the Pokemon gods? Only time (and maybe a future DLC) will tell!
So there you have it, trainers! Your guide to getting Zygarde (and going through an existential crisis about its multiple personalities) in Pokemon Sword and Shield. Remember, patience is key (and maybe a good pair of snow boots for all that tundra exploring). Now get out there and catch yourself a derpy doggo... or a snake-dragon... or whatever Zygarde decides to be today!