What is the best Pokemon in Sword and Shield?

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.

What is the best starter in Sword and Shield?

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.

How does Dynamax work in Sword and Shield?

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.

Which version exclusives are better, Sword or Shield?

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).

What's the best team for a Sword and Shield playthrough?

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.

Does the DLC change the tier list?

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.

Why aren't all Pokemon in Sword and Shield?

Sword and Shield do not include every Pokemon, and one the game leaves out cannot be transferred in from Pokemon HOME. A Pokemon outside the Galar, Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra Pokedexes can still be used when the game supports it, and some, such as Mew, Celebi and Jirachi, come only from HOME transfers or event gifts. The Sword and Shield Pokedex shows how to get every Pokemon the game supports.

Best Sword & Shield Pokemon

Sword & Shield Tier List

Galar's roster ranked, with Dynamax as the new power system. Mega Evolution and Z-Moves are gone, replaced by Dynamax and Gigantamax forms that triple a Pokemon's HP for three turns. The Wild Area gives you access to strong Pokemon early, and Galar introduces new regional forms alongside Dragon/Ghost powerhouse Dragapult.

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BEST POKEMON IN SWORD & SHIELD

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

600

#1 Pick#0887

Dragapult

dragonghostSpe 142

Base Stat Total600/720

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.

Dragapult — 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

690

#2 Pick#0890

Eternatus

poisondragonSpA 145

Base Stat Total690/720

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.

Eternatus — 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

495

#3 Pick#0748

Toxapex

poisonwaterDef 152

Base Stat Total495/720

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.

Toxapex — 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.

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Availability Options

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Types

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Weak To

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BST 150 — 720

Speed 0 — 200

Offense 0 — 350

Bulk 0 — 400

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Meta-Defining 2 Pokemon

Dynamax and Gigantamax forms set these apart from everything else in Galar.

#1
Eternatus
PoisonDragon
SweeperSPECIAL
HP
140
Atk
85
Def
95
SpA
145
SpD
95
Spe
130
AbilityPressure
NatureTimid
ItemPower Herb
Dynamax Cannon100
Recover–
Flamethrower90
Sludge Bomb90
HP
140
Atk
85
Def
95
SpA
145
SpD
95
Spe
130
#2
Dragapult
DragonGhost
SweeperPHYSICAL
HP
88
Atk
120
Def
75
SpA
100
SpD
75
Spe
142
AbilityInfiltrator
NatureTimid
ItemChoice Specs
U-turn70
Shadow Ball80
Flamethrower90
Dragon Darts50
HP
88
Atk
120
Def
75
SpA
100
SpD
75
Spe
142

Strong Picks 9 Pokemon

Good stats, typing, and availability. Your gym-to-Champion-Cup team.

#3
Tyranitar
RockDark
WallbreakerPHYSICAL
HP
100
Atk
134
Def
110
SpA
95
SpD
100
Spe
61
AbilitySand Stream
NatureAdamant
ItemChoice Band
Crunch80
Stone Edge100
Earthquake100
Stealth Rock–
HP
100
Atk
134
Def
110
SpA
95
SpD
100
Spe
61
#4
Rillaboom
Grass
WallbreakerPHYSICAL
HP
100
Atk
125
Def
90
SpA
60
SpD
70
Spe
85
AbilityGrassy Surge
NatureAdamant
ItemChoice Band
Grassy Glide55
Knock Off65
Swords Dance–
U-turn70
HP
100
Atk
125
Def
90
SpA
60
SpD
70
Spe
85
Cinderace
Weavile
Dracovish
Toxapex
Corviknight
Ferrothorn
Clefable

Solid Choices 74 Pokemon

No Gigantamax form, late availability, or outpaced by S-Tier. One issue keeps them here.

Situational 123 Pokemon

Only useful for specific Galar gym matchups. Better picks come earlier from the Wild Area.

Niche 0 Pokemon

The Wild Area and DLC give you stronger options for every role these might fill. Hard pass.

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.
Sword and Shield do not include every Pokemon, and one the game leaves out cannot be transferred in from Pokemon HOME. A Pokemon outside the Galar, Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra Pokedexes can still be used when the game supports it, and some, such as Mew, Celebi and Jirachi, come only from HOME transfers or event gifts. The Sword and Shield Pokedex shows how to get every Pokemon the game supports.

GAME AVAILABILITY