Top 10 Tips: 10 To Get You Started

Discover 10 essential tips for Pokemon Sword and Shield, from choosing your starter and building a diverse team to catching Shinies and utilizing the Wild Area.

Here are 10 essential tips to help you get started in Pokémon Sword and Shield:

1. All Three Starters Are Useful: Unlike most Pokémon games, all three starters in Sword and Shield are viable throughout the game. Their Types align with the first three Gyms, and they remain useful in the endgame. Sobble is noted for its great Speed growth.
2. Overworld vs. Random Pokémon: In Routes, you'll encounter Overworld Pokémon wandering in tall grass, allowing you to see and choose your opponent. Additionally, walking through tall grass can trigger Random Pokémon encounters, some of which can only be found this way. Experiment on every Route to catch as many Pokémon as possible.
3. Catch 'em All!: Attempt to catch every new Pokémon you encounter. This provides a diverse roster and fills your Pokédex, obtained from Professor Magnolia's House on Route 2. Completing the Pokédex yields a special reward at the end of the game. The Pokédex also shows Pokémon you've seen but not caught, their habitats, and weather conditions.
4. Create a Diverse Team: Avoid picking only your favorite-looking Pokémon. Build a team of six with diverse Types to counter opponents effectively, especially in Gym battles. For instance, a team full of Water Pokémon would struggle against a Grass Type Gym.
5. Catching Shiny Pokémon: Shiny Pokémon are back, but Starter Pokémon cannot be Shiny. Shiny Pokémon won't appear Shiny on the field; you must encounter them to find out. Chaining battles against the same Pokémon increases your chances of encountering a Shiny, but this chain resets if you battle a different Pokémon.
6. Search Everywhere!: Many items are hidden off-screen, especially outside the Wild Areas where camera control is limited. Search behind buildings and in grassy paths. Look for orange sparkles, which indicate hidden items. An early example is searching behind Professor's House on Route 2 for a TM.
7. Stock Up On Berries and Other Ingredients!: The new camp feature in the Wild Area allows you to cook meals using Berries and Ingredients. These meals can heal your Pokémon, award Exp to the whole team, and raise their happiness.
8. Make Constant Use Of The Wild Area: The Wild Area features a variety of Pokémon that update as you progress. You can catch Pokémon up to the Level Cap shown on your League Card, which increases with each Gym Badge earned. Interacting with other players online in the Wild Area may yield useful items.
9. Raid Battles and Max Raid: Spots emitting red beams in the Wild Area initiate battles with Dynamax Pokémon. These tough encounters can be fought solo or with up to three other players. Defeating them offers rewards, including the chance to catch the Pokémon and rare items like Exp Candies or Nuggets.