Pokémon Sword and Shield ch Play

Welcome to our comprehensive strategy guide for Pokémon: Sword and Shield, the latest entries in the Pokémon video game franchise. Our guide also incorporates all the DLC, including the Isle of Armor and brand new Crown Tundra DLC.

In Sword and Shield, you explore the Galar region, based on the United Kingdom, alongside rivals Hop, Bede and Marnie, with the aim to dethrone the Pokémon League Champion.

The games introduce several new features such as Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing, functions that increase size and change forms of certain Pokémon; the Wild Area, a large open world with free camera movement; and raids with co-op battling. They also reintroduce features previously seen in Sun and Moon and Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, such as regional variants and roaming Pokémon depicted in the overworld.

Brand New October 2020:

- The Crown Tundra walkthrough and information.

Version 1.2

- A Complete Walkthrough of the Isle of Armor.

- Details of all 16 new Wild Areas, including Pokémon encounter rates.

- All the new Max Raid Dens: Locations and Featured Pokémon.

- Images and Locations of All 150 of the Missing Diglett.

- The Isle of Armor Pokédex (featuring 100 Returning Pokémon).

- Recipes for the Cram-o-matic.

- A Full Walkthrough featuring Pokémon encounter rates.

- All Gym Encounters and Strategies.

- New Items: Mints & Natures Explained.

- Post Game content including Champion Cup.

- Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing.

- The Galar Region Pokédex (featuring 400 Pokemon).

IGN's Pokemon Sword and Shield walkthrough and complete strategy guide includes tips and tricks for every gym and route, a list of Pokemon (Pokedex), how-to guides for your biggest questions, info on hidden items, and a cure for Sobble's everlasting sadness. Maybe not that last part, but our walkthrough will guide you from the minute you pick your starter to the moment you are crowned the new champion.

Although the Generation 8 games have two different versions, this guide will focus on Sword while providing those oh-so important differences from Shield when needed. The Galar region sees the return of gyms and each section of our guide aims to prepare you for each one so you can be the very best. Every location page where Pokemon can be caught come with nifty encounter rate charts so you know exactly where to start building your dream team. Check out the section pages to see a quick overview of all the Pokemon you can catch before reaching the next gym.

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Looking for tips and strategies for the DLC? You can check out our separate guide for The Isle of Armor walkthrough.

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Use the links below to jump to specific sections. Now, onto Galar!

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Grass BadgeWater BadgeFire BadgeFighting/Ghost BadgeFairy Badge
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Rock/Ice BadgeDark BadgeDragon Badge Champion Gym ChallengePost Game

Grass Badge - Turffield Gym

  • Postwick
  • Slumbering Weald
  • Route 1
  • Wedgehurst
  • Route 2
  • Wild Area
  • Motostoke
  • Route 3
  • Galar Mine
  • Route 4
  • Turffield
  • Turffield Gym

Water Badge - Hulbury Gym

  • Route 5
  • Hulbury
  • Hulbury Gym

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Fire Badge - Motostoke Gym

  • Galar Mine No. 2
  • Motostoke Outskirts
  • Motostoke Gym

Fighting and Ghost Badge - Stow-on-Side Gym

  • Hammerlocke
  • Hammerlocke Vault
  • Route 6
  • Stow-on-Side
  • Stow-on-Side Gym - Fighting (Sword Exclusive)
  • Stow-on-Side Gym - Ghost (Shield Exclusive)

Fairy Badge - Ballonlea Gym

  • Glimwood Tangle
  • Ballonlea
  • Ballonlea Gym

Rock or Ice Badge - Circhester Gym

  • Route 7
  • Route 8
  • Circhester
  • Circhester Gym - Rock (Sword Exclusive)
  • Circhester Gym - Ice (Shield Exclusive)
  • After Circhester Gym

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Dark Badge - Spikemuth Gym

  • Route 9
  • Route 9 - Circhester Bay
  • Route 9 - Outer Spikemuth
  • Spikemuth Gym

Dragon Badge - Hammerlocke Gym

  • Return to Route 7
  • Hammerlock Gym

Champion Gym Challenge - Wyndon Gym

  • Route 10
  • Wyndon
  • Wyndon Gym - Semifinals
  • Wyndon League Member Search
  • Rose Tower
  • Wyndon Gym - Championship Match
  • Slumbering Weald (Return)
  • Energy Plant
  • Wyndon Gym - Final Championship Match

Post Game: Things to Do After You Become Champion

  • Free Items for Becoming Champion
  • Battles at the Slumbering Weald Shrine
  • Dynamax Pokemon Invade Galar Gyms
  • A Legendary Encounter
  • One Last Battle Against Hop
  • Battle Tree

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Also see: Pokemon Type Chart

Up Next: Grass Badge - Turffield Gym

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Grass Badge - Turffield Gym

Top Guide Sections

  • List of Pokemon (Pokedex)
  • Pokemon Sword and Shield Version Differences and Exclusives
  • Pokemon HOME
  • Walkthrough

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In This Wiki Guide

Pokémon Sword and Shield ch Play

Pokemon Sword

Game Freak

Nov 15, 2019

Platforms

Nintendo Switch

Pokémon Sword and Shield ch Play

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