BEST SWORD & SHIELD POKEMON
Game Notes
Sword and Shield replaced Mega Evolution and Z-Moves with Dynamax, and the power dynamics change completely. Any Pokemon can Dynamax for three turns of boosted HP and Max Moves, but Gigantamax forms get unique attacks on top. Dragapult at 600 BST with Dragon/Ghost typing and 142 Speed is the pseudo-legendary. Cinderace with Libero gives it STAB on every move. The Wild Area lets you catch strong Pokemon early, which shifts team building compared to linear routes.
Pokemon Spotlight
Dragapult
Sword and Shield's pseudo-legendary. 142 Speed is the fastest non-Mega in the game. 120 Attack on Dragon/Ghost with Dragon Dance. Infiltrator ignores Substitute and screens. Dragapult outspeeds everything in the format without any setup.
View page detailsDragapult — S Tier, 600 BST
Sword and Shield's pseudo-legendary. 142 Speed is the fastest non-Mega in the game. 120 Attack on Dragon/Ghost with Dragon Dance. Infiltrator ignores Substitute and screens. Dragapult outspeeds everything in the format without any setup.
Eternatus
140 Sp. Atk at 130 Speed with Pressure. Dynamax Cannon deals double damage to Dynamaxed targets. Poison/Dragon at 690 BST gives Eternatus offensive stats that rival the weather legends. Sword and Shield's villain legendary is also one of its strongest.
View page detailsEternatus — S Tier, 690 BST
140 Sp. Atk at 130 Speed with Pressure. Dynamax Cannon deals double damage to Dynamaxed targets. Poison/Dragon at 690 BST gives Eternatus offensive stats that rival the weather legends. Sword and Shield's villain legendary is also one of its strongest.
Toxapex
152 Defense and 142 Sp. Def make Toxapex the hardest wall to break in Sword and Shield. Regenerator heals a third of its HP every time it switches out, letting it pivot endlessly. Scald burns physical attackers, Toxic Spikes poisons grounded switch-ins, and Recover keeps it alive through extended games.
View page detailsToxapex — A Tier, 495 BST
152 Defense and 142 Sp. Def make Toxapex the hardest wall to break in Sword and Shield. Regenerator heals a third of its HP every time it switches out, letting it pivot endlessly. Scald burns physical attackers, Toxic Spikes poisons grounded switch-ins, and Recover keeps it alive through extended games.
- #1EternatusPoisonDragonSPECIALHP140Atk85Def95SpA145SpD95Spe130AbilityPressureNatureTimidItemPower HerbDynamax Cannon100Recover–Flamethrower90Sludge Bomb90HP140Atk85Def95SpA145SpD95Spe130
MewtwoPsychicSPECIALHP106Atk110Def90SpA154SpD90Spe130AbilityPressureNatureTimidItemLife OrbPsystrike100Ice Beam90Aura Sphere80Fire Blast110HP106Atk110Def90SpA154SpD90Spe130
LugiaPsychicMIXEDHP106Atk90Def130SpA90SpD154Spe110AbilityMultiscaleNatureBoldItemHeavy Duty BootsAeroblast100Calm Mind–Ice Beam90Recover–HP106Atk90Def130SpA90SpD154Spe110
Ho ohFirePHYSICALHP106Atk130Def90SpA110SpD154Spe90AbilityRegeneratorNatureImpishItemHeavy Duty BootsSacred Fire100Brave Bird120Whirlwind–HP106Atk130Def90SpA110SpD154Spe90
RayquazaDragonMIXEDHP105Atk150Def90SpA150SpD90Spe95AbilityAir LockNatureJollyItemFocus SashDragon Ascent120Extreme Speed80Dragon Dance–Earthquake100HP105Atk150Def90SpA150SpD90Spe95
DialgaSteelDragonSPECIALHP100Atk120Def120SpA150SpD100Spe90AbilityPressureNatureTimidItemAdamant OrbFlash Cannon80Roar of Time150Dragon Pulse85HP100Atk120Def120SpA150SpD100Spe90
PalkiaWaterDragonSPECIALHP90Atk120Def100SpA150SpD120Spe100AbilityPressureNatureTimidItemLustrous OrbSpacial Rend100Hydro Pump110Thunder110Fire Blast110HP90Atk120Def100SpA150SpD120Spe100
GiratinaGhostDragonMIXEDHP150Atk100Def120SpA100SpD120Spe90AbilityPressureNatureBoldItemMaster BallWill-O-Wisp–Rest–Defog–Shadow Force120HP150Atk100Def120SpA100SpD120Spe90
ReshiramDragonFireSPECIALHP100Atk120Def100SpA150SpD120Spe90AbilityTurboblazeNatureTimidItemLife OrbBlue Flare130Fusion Flare100Dragon Pulse85Earth Power90HP100Atk120Def100SpA150SpD120Spe90
ZekromDragonElectricPHYSICALHP100Atk150Def120SpA120SpD100Spe90AbilityTeravoltNatureJollyItemLife OrbBolt Strike130Dragon Dance–Dragon Claw80HP100Atk150Def120SpA120SpD100Spe90
XerneasFairyMIXEDHP126Atk131Def95SpA131SpD98Spe99AbilityFairy AuraNatureModestItemPower HerbMoonblast95Geomancy–Thunder110Focus Blast120HP126Atk131Def95SpA131SpD98Spe99
YveltalDarkMIXEDHP126Atk131Def95SpA131SpD98Spe99AbilityDark AuraNatureJollyItemHeavy Duty BootsRoost–Sucker Punch70Oblivion Wing80Dark Pulse80HP126Atk131Def95SpA131SpD98Spe99
GroudonGroundPHYSICALHP100Atk150Def140SpA100SpD90Spe90AbilityDroughtNatureAdamantItemLife OrbPrecipice Blades120Stone Edge100Earthquake100Swords Dance–HP100Atk150Def140SpA100SpD90Spe90- #3
TyranitarRockDarkPHYSICALHP100Atk134Def110SpA95SpD100Spe61AbilitySand StreamNatureAdamantItemChoice BandCrunch80Stone Edge100Earthquake100Stealth Rock–HP100Atk134Def110SpA95SpD100Spe61 
ZygardeDragonGroundMIXEDHP108Atk100Def121SpA81SpD95Spe95AbilityPower ConstructNatureImpishItemRocky HelmetThousand Arrows90Dragon Dance–Substitute–Glare–HP108Atk100Def121SpA81SpD95Spe95
MelmetalSteelPHYSICALHP135Atk143Def143SpA80SpD65Spe34AbilityIron FistNatureAdamantItemAssault VestDouble Iron Bash60Thunder Punch75Earthquake100Superpower120HP135Atk143Def143SpA80SpD65Spe34
ZapdosElectricSPECIALHP90Atk90Def85SpA125SpD90Spe100AbilityStaticNatureBoldItemHeavy Duty BootsRoost–Hurricane110Volt Switch70Heat Wave95HP90Atk90Def85SpA125SpD90Spe100
Tapu KokoElectricFairyPHYSICALHP70Atk115Def85SpA95SpD75Spe130AbilityElectric SurgeNatureTimidItemHeavy Duty BootsDazzling Gleam80Thunderbolt90Volt Switch70U-turn70HP70Atk115Def85SpA95SpD75Spe130
Tapu LelePsychicFairySPECIALHP70Atk85Def75SpA130SpD115Spe95AbilityPsychic SurgeNatureModestItemChoice ScarfMoonblast95Psyshock80Focus Blast120Psychic90HP70Atk85Def75SpA130SpD115Spe95
Tapu FiniWaterFairySPECIALHP70Atk75Def115SpA95SpD130Spe85AbilityMisty SurgeNatureTimidItemChoice ScarfMoonblast95Taunt–Scald80Trick–HP70Atk75Def115SpA95SpD130Spe85
PheromosaBugFightingMIXEDHP71Atk137Def37SpA137SpD37Spe151AbilityBeast BoostNatureJollyItemFocus SashTriple Axel20U-turn70Close Combat120High Jump Kick130HP71Atk137Def37SpA137SpD37Spe151
KartanaGrassSteelPHYSICALHP59Atk181Def131SpA59SpD31Spe109AbilityBeast BoostNatureJollyItemChoice ScarfLeaf Blade90Sacred Sword90Smart Strike70Swords Dance–HP59Atk181Def131SpA59SpD31Spe109
BlacephalonFireGhostSPECIALHP53Atk127Def53SpA151SpD79Spe107AbilityBeast BoostNatureTimidItemChoice ScarfShadow Ball80Flamethrower90Trick–Overheat130HP53Atk127Def53SpA151SpD79Spe107
VolcaronaBugFireSPECIALHP85Atk60Def65SpA135SpD105Spe100AbilityFlame BodyNatureModestItemHeavy Duty BootsQuiver Dance–Bug Buzz90Psychic90Fiery Dance80HP85Atk60Def65SpA135SpD105Spe100
RegigigasNormalPHYSICALHP110Atk160Def110SpA80SpD110Spe100AbilitySlow StartNatureAdamantItemChesto BerryBody Slam85Substitute–Knock Off65Rest–HP110Atk160Def110SpA80SpD110Spe100
KyuremDragonIceMIXEDHP125Atk130Def90SpA130SpD90Spe95AbilityPressureNatureTimidItemChoice SpecsEarth Power90Ice Beam90Freeze-Dry70Dragon Pulse85HP125Atk130Def90SpA130SpD90Spe95- #12
ZacianFairyPHYSICALHP92Atk120Def115SpA80SpD115Spe138AbilityIntrepid SwordNatureAdamantItemChoice BandPlay Rough90Close Combat120Wild Charge90Crunch80HP92Atk120Def115SpA80SpD115Spe138 - #13
ZamazentaFightingPHYSICALHP92Atk120Def115SpA80SpD115Spe138AbilityDauntless ShieldNatureJollyItemChoice BandClose Combat120Crunch80Iron Head80Psychic Fangs85HP92Atk120Def115SpA80SpD115Spe138 
DragoniteDragonPHYSICALHP91Atk134Def95SpA100SpD100Spe80AbilityMultiscaleNatureAdamantItemHeavy Duty BootsDragon Dance–Earthquake100Roost–Ice Punch75HP91Atk134Def95SpA100SpD100Spe80
MewPsychicMIXEDHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100AbilitySynchronizeNatureJollyItemMental HerbSpikes–Stealth Rock–Taunt–Thunder Wave–HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100
CelebiPsychicGrassMIXEDHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100AbilityNatural CureNatureCalmItemHeavy Duty BootsLeaf Storm130U-turn70Future Sight120Recover–HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100
SalamenceDragonPHYSICALHP95Atk135Def80SpA110SpD80Spe100AbilityIntimidateNatureAdamantItemLife OrbDragon Dance–Earthquake100Dragon Claw80Fire Fang65HP95Atk135Def80SpA110SpD80Spe100
MetagrossSteelPsychicPHYSICALHP80Atk135Def130SpA95SpD90Spe70AbilityClear BodyNatureAdamantItemAssault VestMeteor Mash90Earthquake100Ice Punch75Agility–HP80Atk135Def130SpA95SpD90Spe70
LatiasDragonPsychicSPECIALHP80Atk80Def90SpA110SpD130Spe110AbilityLevitateNatureTimidItemWeakness PolicyCalm Mind–Aura Sphere80Psychic90Dragon Pulse85HP80Atk80Def90SpA110SpD130Spe110
LatiosDragonPsychicSPECIALHP80Atk90Def80SpA130SpD110Spe110AbilityLevitateNatureTimidItemChoice SpecsPsyshock80Trick–Mystical Fire75Psychic90HP80Atk90Def80SpA130SpD110Spe110
JirachiSteelPsychicMIXEDHP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100AbilitySerene GraceNatureJollyItemWeakness PolicyIron Head80Wish–U-turn70Drain Punch75HP100Atk100Def100SpA100SpD100Spe100
ArticunoIceMIXEDHP90Atk85Def100SpA95SpD125Spe85AbilityPressureNatureCalmItemHeavy Duty BootsRoost–Freeze-Dry70Brave Bird120Triple Axel20HP90Atk85Def100SpA95SpD125Spe85
UxiePsychicMIXEDHP75Atk75Def130SpA75SpD130Spe95AbilityLevitateNatureCalmItemLight ClayLight Screen–Reflect–Memento–Yawn–HP75Atk75Def130SpA75SpD130Spe95
TornadusMIXEDHP79Atk115Def70SpA125SpD80Spe111AbilityPranksterNatureTimidItemLife OrbTailwind–Heat Wave95Hurricane110Air Slash75HP79Atk115Def70SpA125SpD80Spe111- #84
SilvallyNormalMIXEDHP95Atk95Def95SpA95SpD95Spe95AbilityRks SystemNatureCalmItemRocky HelmetIce Beam90Parting Shot–Tri Attack80Metal Sound–HP95Atk95Def95SpA95SpD95Spe95 
MagmortarFireSPECIALHP75Atk95Def67SpA125SpD95Spe83AbilityFlame BodyNatureHastyItemSitrus BerryThunderbolt90Scorching Sands70Fire Blast110Psychic90HP75Atk95Def67SpA125SpD95Spe83- #85
LaprasWaterIceMIXEDHP130Atk85Def80SpA85SpD95Spe60AbilityWater AbsorbNatureAdamantItemSitrus BerryFreeze-Dry70Avalanche60Thunderbolt90Waterfall80HP130Atk85Def80SpA85SpD95Spe60 - #86
VanilluxeIceMIXEDHP71Atk95Def85SpA110SpD95Spe79AbilitySnow WarningNatureModestItemNever Melt IceBlizzard110Freeze-Dry70Flash Cannon80Aurora Veil–HP71Atk95Def85SpA110SpD95Spe79 
Type: NullNormalMIXEDHP95Atk95Def95SpA95SpD95Spe59AbilityBattle ArmorNatureSassyItemEvioliteTri Attack80Air Slash75Metal Sound–Hail–HP95Atk95Def95SpA95SpD95Spe59
BlastoiseWaterMIXEDHP79Atk83Def100SpA85SpD105Spe78AbilityTorrentNatureBoldItemWhite HerbIce Beam90Shell Smash–Scald80Rapid Spin50HP79Atk83Def100SpA85SpD105Spe78
ExeggutorGrassPsychicSPECIALHP95Atk95Def85SpA125SpD75Spe55AbilityChlorophyllNatureModestItemChoice SpecsPsychic90Leaf Storm130Grass Knot–Ancient Power60HP95Atk95Def85SpA125SpD75Spe55
WalreinIceWaterMIXEDHP110Atk80Def90SpA95SpD90Spe65AbilityIce BodyNatureCarefulItemWise GlassesIce Beam90Liquidation85Avalanche60Earthquake100HP110Atk80Def90SpA95SpD90Spe65
DecidueyeGrassGhostMIXEDHP78Atk107Def75SpA100SpD100Spe70AbilityLong ReachNatureAdamantItemLife OrbLeaf Blade90Spirit Shackle80Shadow Sneak40Sucker Punch70HP78Atk107Def75SpA100SpD100Spe70
HerdierNormalPHYSICALHP65Atk80Def65SpA35SpD65Spe60Giga Impact150Last Resort140Uproar90Hyper Voice90HP65Atk80Def65SpA35SpD65Spe60
MorgremDarkFairySPECIALHP65Atk60Def45SpA75SpD55Spe70AbilityPranksterNatureCalmItemEvioliteDazzling Gleam80Dark Pulse80Endure–Thunder Wave–HP65Atk60Def45SpA75SpD55Spe70
NidorinaPoisonUTILITYHP70Atk62Def67SpA55SpD55Spe56Sludge Bomb90Toxic Spikes–Poison Jab80HP70Atk62Def67SpA55SpD55Spe56
MagbyFireMIXEDHP45Atk75Def37SpA70SpD55Spe83AbilityVital SpiritNatureNaughtyItemFocus SashSubstitute–Fire Punch75Will-O-Wisp–Cross Chop100HP45Atk75Def37SpA70SpD55Spe83
LuxioElectricPHYSICALHP60Atk85Def49SpA60SpD49Spe60Thunder110Thunder Wave–Wild Charge90Protect–HP60Atk85Def49SpA60SpD49Spe60
AmauraRockIceUTILITYHP77Atk59Def50SpA67SpD63Spe46AbilityRefrigerateNatureHardyItemHard StoneAncient Power60Avalanche60Aurora Veil–Attract–HP77Atk59Def50SpA67SpD63Spe46
ElekidElectricUTILITYHP45Atk63Def37SpA65SpD55Spe95AbilityStaticNatureJollyItemEvioliteThunder Wave–Protect–Thunder Punch75Discharge80HP45Atk63Def37SpA65SpD55Spe95
LoudredNormalMIXEDHP84Atk71Def43SpA71SpD43Spe48Mega Kick120Hyper Voice90Take Down90Uproar90HP84Atk71Def43SpA71SpD43Spe48
EspurrPsychicUTILITYHP62Atk48Def54SpA63SpD60Spe68AbilityOwn TempoNatureCalmItemLight ClayReflect–Psychic90Light Screen–Thunder Wave–HP62Atk48Def54SpA63SpD60Spe68
RuffletNormalPHYSICALHP70Atk83Def50SpA37SpD50Spe60Brave Bird120Thrash120Crush Claw75Hurricane110HP70Atk83Def50SpA37SpD50Spe60
PanchamFightingPHYSICALHP67Atk82Def62SpA46SpD48Spe43AbilityScrappyNatureBraveItemFocus SashBody Slam85Dark Pulse80Brick Break75Iron Head80HP67Atk82Def62SpA46SpD48Spe43
MantykeWaterSPECIALHP45Atk20Def50SpA60SpD120Spe50AbilityWater AbsorbNatureHardyItemEvioliteProtect–Hydro Pump110Substitute–Scald80HP45Atk20Def50SpA60SpD120Spe50
Pokemon Comparison
FAQ
Dragapult. 600 BST, Dragon/Ghost typing, 142 Speed, and access to both physical and special sets. It's the fastest pseudo-legendary in the series. Cinderace with Libero is the other S-Tier pick — it changes type to match every move, giving it STAB on everything. Zacian (Sword) is broken at 720 BST Crowned but postgame only.
Scorbunny. Cinderace's Hidden Ability Libero works like Protean, giving STAB on every move. Even without it, Fire typing covers several gyms well. Sobble into Inteleon has great Speed and Sp. Atk but is fragile. Grookey into Rillaboom is the bulkiest but Grass typing limits its gym coverage in Galar.
Any Pokemon can Dynamax once per battle for three turns. It triples HP and turns moves into Max Moves with secondary effects (Max Airstream raises Speed, Max Steelspike raises Defense). Gigantamax is a special version for specific Pokemon with unique G-Max Moves. You can only Dynamax in gyms, Max Raids, and certain story fights. Three turns is all you get, so timing matters.
Sword gets Zacian (Fairy/Steel, 720 BST Crowned, broken stats) and Shield gets Zamazenta (Fighting/Steel, 720 BST, defensive). Zacian is better by a wide margin — Intrepid Sword boosts Attack on entry and it hits harder than almost anything in the game. For regular exclusives, Sword has Sirfetch'd while Shield has Galarian Rapidash (Psychic/Fairy).
Cinderace (starter), Corviknight from Rookidee on Route 1, Dragapult from Dreepy in the Wild Area, Toxtricity from Toxel at the Route 5 nursery, Gyarados from the Wild Area, and Grimmsnarl from Impidimp in Glimwood Tangle. Good mix of new Galar Pokemon and strong returnees.
Yes. The Isle of Armor adds Urshifu (Fighting/Water or Fighting/Dark), which ignores Protect with Unseen Fist and hits like a truck. The Crown Tundra adds Calyrex fused with Spectrier or Glastrier, Galarian legendary birds, and access to every past legendary through Dynamax Adventures. The base game and post-DLC tier lists look very different.
Game Freak limited the Galar dex to about 400 Pokemon at launch (expanded to ~600+ with DLC). Not every Pokemon from past gens is coded in, so you can't transfer them via Pokemon HOME. This was called "Dexit" by the community. The Pokemon that ARE in Galar are fully modeled and animated, but if your favorite isn't in the Galar dex, it can't be used.
GAME AVAILABILITY
- Gen IY
Yellow151 Pokemon - Gen IRB
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Black 2 & White 2301 Pokemon - Gen VIXY
X & Y457 Pokemon - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire211 Pokemon - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon403 Pokemon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon302 Pokemon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee153 Pokemon - Gen VIIISwSh
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Scarlet & Violet400 Pokemon - Gen IXLZA
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Winds & Waves51 Pokemon