Galar8 gymsChampion Cup finalsChampionUpdated NOV 5, 2026

Sword & Shield Gym Leaders

Galar splits two gyms by version: Bea or Allister at Stow-on-Side, Gordie or Melony at Circhester. Raihan’s double battle at Hammerlocke closes the gym challenge, and the Champion Cup rematches come before Leon.

Gym leaders in every game →

Story order

Sword & Shield gym order, badges and level caps

CAP is each team’s top level, the Nuzlocke cap, and +N is its rise since the gym before. After the last badge comes the Champion Cup at Wyndon: the semifinals come first, then three finals rounds and Champion Leon.

  1. GYM 1 · TURFFIELD

    MiloGrassGrass Badge

    CAP 20
    1. GossifleurLv 19
    2. EldegossLv 20 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. NinjaskHits 2 of 2
    2. CarkolHits 2 of 2
    3. RoseliaHits 2 of 2
    CAP 20BRINGEASIEST STARTERRabootREWARDTM10 Magical LeafBADGECatch wild Pokémon up to Lv 25
    GYM MISSIONDrive the 20 Wooloo past every checkpoint to the last area, beating the Gym Trainers on the way, while Yamper turn up to scare the flock

  2. GYM 2 · HULBURY

    NessaWaterWater Badge

    CAP 24+4
    1. GoldeenLv 22
    2. ArrokudaLv 23
    3. DrednawLv 24 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. RoseliaHits 3 of 3
    2. NuzleafHits 3 of 3Sword only
    3. ChinchouHits 3 of 3
    CAP 24 +4BRINGEASIEST STARTERThwackeyREWARDTM36 WhirlpoolBADGECatch wild Pokémon up to Lv 30
    GYM MISSIONHit the switches that move the walls of water to open a path through the maze

  3. GYM 3 · MOTOSTOKE

    KabuFireFire Badge

    CAP 27+3
    1. NinetalesLv 25
    2. ArcanineLv 25
    3. CentiskorchLv 27 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. ShuckleHits 3 of 3
    2. PelipperHits 3 of 3
    3. QuagsireHits 3 of 3
    CAP 27 +3BRINGEASIEST STARTERDrizzileREWARDTM38 Will-O-WispBADGECatch wild Pokémon up to Lv 35
    GYM MISSIONRace another Trainer to 5 points in shared battles with wild Pokémon, scoring more for a catch than for a knockout

  4. GYM 4 · STOW-ON-SIDE

    BeaFightingFighting Badge

    Sword only
    CAP 36+9 · biggest jump
    1. HitmontopLv 34
    2. PangoroLv 34
    3. Sirfetch'dLv 35
    4. MachampLv 36 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. NinjaskHits 4 of 4
    2. ButterfreeHits 4 of 4
    3. SwirlixHits 4 of 4
    CAP 36 +9 · biggest jumpBRINGEASIEST STARTERNo clear edgeREWARDTM42 RevengeBADGECatch wild Pokémon up to Lv 40
    GYM MISSIONSteer a spinning teacup down the slope to the goal, letting the sprung boxing gloves (Sword) or ghoulish hands (Shield) on the edges bounce you along

    GYM 4 · STOW-ON-SIDE

    AllisterGhostGhost Badge

    Shield only
    CAP 36+9 · biggest jump
    1. Galarian YamaskLv 34
    2. MimikyuLv 34
    3. CursolaLv 35
    4. GengarLv 36 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. PawniardHits 4 of 4
    2. DrifblimHits 4 of 4
    3. HaunterHits 4 of 4
    CAP 36 +9 · biggest jumpBRINGEASIEST STARTERNo clear edgeREWARDTM77 HexBADGECatch wild Pokémon up to Lv 40

  5. GYM 5 · BALLONLEA

    OpalFairyFairy Badge

    CAP 38+2
    1. Galarian WeezingLv 36
    2. MawileLv 36
    3. TogekissLv 37
    4. AlcremieLv 38 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. ExcadrillHits 4 of 4
    2. Galarian StunfiskHits 4 of 4
    3. SalanditHits 3 of 4Shield only
    CAP 38 +2BRINGEASIEST STARTERNo clear edgeREWARDTM87 Draining KissBADGECatch wild Pokémon up to Lv 45
    GYM MISSIONAnswer Opal's quiz questions during the battles; right answers boost your Pokémon's stats and wrong ones lower them

  6. GYM 6 · CIRCHESTER

    GordieRockRock Badge

    Sword only
    CAP 42+4
    1. BarbaracleLv 40
    2. ShuckleLv 40
    3. StonjournerLv 41
    4. CoalossalLv 42 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. SeismitoadHits 4 of 4
    2. LanturnHits 4 of 4
    3. QuagsireHits 4 of 4
    CAP 42 +4BRINGEASIEST STARTERInteleonREWARDTM48 Rock TombBADGECatch wild Pokémon up to Lv 50
    GYM MISSIONCross the floor of hidden pitfalls, which knock you back if you fall in, by feeling for the controller rumble near each one and working around the boulders

    GYM 6 · CIRCHESTER

    MelonyIceIce Badge

    Shield only
    CAP 42+4
    1. FrosmothLv 40
    2. Galarian DarmanitanLv 40
    3. EiscueLv 41
    4. LaprasLv 42 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. LucarioHits 4 of 4
    2. FerrothornHits 4 of 4
    3. DrednawHits 4 of 4
    CAP 42 +4BRINGEASIEST STARTERCinderaceREWARDTM27 Icy WindBADGECatch wild Pokémon up to Lv 50

  7. GYM 7 · SPIKEMUTH

    PiersDarkDark Badge

    CAP 46+4
    1. ScraftyLv 44
    2. MalamarLv 45
    3. SkuntankLv 45
    4. ObstagoonLv 46 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. VespiquenHits 3 of 4
    2. NinjaskHits 3 of 4
    3. ButterfreeHits 3 of 4
    CAP 46 +4BRINGEASIEST STARTERNo clear edgeREWARDTM85 SnarlBADGECatch wild Pokémon up to Lv 55
    GYM MISSIONBeat every Team Yell Grunt along the Spikemuth road, since their Mr. Mime's barriers stop you skipping any

  8. GYM 8 · HAMMERLOCKE · DOUBLE BATTLE

    RaihanDragonDragon Badge

    CAP 48+2
    1. GigalithLv 46
    2. FlygonLv 47
    3. SandacondaLv 46
    4. DuraludonLv 48 Ace
    COUNTERS
    1. PiloswineHits 4 of 4
    2. SeismitoadHits 3 of 4
    3. GastrodonHits 3 of 4
    CAP 48 +2BRINGEASIEST STARTERRillaboom or InteleonREWARDTM99 Breaking SwipeBADGECatch wild Pokémon at any level
    GYM MISSIONWin Double Battles against the Gym Trainers Raihan hand-picked, each paired with a different weather, to earn your match with him

  9. CHAMPION CUP · 1

    NessaWater

    CAP 53
    1. GolisopodLv 51
    2. PelipperLv 51
    3. BarraskewdaLv 52
    4. SeakingLv 52
    5. DrednawLv 53 Ace
    CAP 53BRING

  10. CHAMPION CUP · 2

    BeaFighting

    Sword only
    CAP 54
    1. HawluchaLv 52
    2. GrapploctLv 52
    3. Sirfetch'dLv 53
    4. FalinksLv 53
    5. MachampLv 54 Ace
    CAP 54BRING

    CHAMPION CUP · 2

    AllisterGhost

    Shield only
    CAP 54
    1. DusknoirLv 52
    2. ChandelureLv 52
    3. CursolaLv 53
    4. PolteageistLv 53
    5. GengarLv 54 Ace
    CAP 54BRING

  11. CHAMPION CUP · 3

    RaihanDragon

    CAP 55
    1. TorkoalLv 53
    2. GoodraLv 54
    3. TurtonatorLv 54
    4. FlygonLv 54
    5. DuraludonLv 55 Ace
    CAP 55BRING

  12. CHAMPION · WYNDON

    Leon

    CAP 65

    The team changes with the starter you picked.

    CAP 65BRING

The biggest jump is Kabu to Bea or Allister (+9). In Sword, the Sobble line has the edge in 3 of the 8 gyms: Kabu, Gordie and Raihan. In Shield, the Scorbunny, Grookey and Sobble lines each have the edge in 2 of the 8 gyms: the Scorbunny line at Milo and Melony; the Grookey line at Nessa and Raihan; the Sobble line at Kabu and Raihan.

Sword & Shield Champion Cup finals guide →

Between badges

New Pokémon to catch before each gym in Sword & Shield

Each row lists the Pokémon Galar opens up after the gym before it, best first by how they fare in the boss fights still ahead. Your badges set the highest level of wild Pokémon you can catch, so a higher-level one waits in the row where your badges first allow it. Pokémon not rated yet come last.

  1. From the startMiloCAP 20

    New Pokémon, best first 83

    • ShellderShell­der#1
    • GastlyGastly#2
    • RaltsRalts#3
    • TyrogueTyrogue#4
    • OddishOddish#5
    • CaterpieCater­pie#6
    • MetapodMetapod#7
    • WooperWooper#8
    • WingullWingull#9
    • PumpkabooPump­ka­boo#10
    • CutieflyCutiefly#11
    • MudbrayMudbray#12
    Show all (+71)
    • EeveeEevee#13
    • RemoraidRemo­raid#14
    • BudewBudew#15
    • RoseliaRoselia#16
    • JoltikJoltik#17
    • TympoleTympole#18
    • DiglettDiglett#19
    • PikachuPikachu#20
    • ElectrikeElec­trike#21
    • ArrokudaArro­kuda#22
    • YamperYamper#23
    • LotadSHLotad#24
    • LombreSHLombre#25
    • BarboachBar­boach#26
    • GrubbinGrubbin#27
    • DrilburDrilbur#28
    • HoothootHoo­thoot#29
    • BaltoyBaltoy#30
    • PanchamPancham#31
    • MachopMachop#32
    • MilceryMilcery#33
    • StunkyStunky#34
    • BasculinBas­cu­lin#35
    • PidovePidove#36
    • BunnelbyBun­nelby#37
    • DiggersbyDig­gersby#38
    • RookideeRoo­ki­dee#39
    • KrabbyKrabby#40
    • GoldeenGoldeen#41
    • DwebbleDwebble#42
    • StuffulStufful#43
    • GrowlitheSHGrow­li­the#44
    • OnixOnix#45
    • TimburrTimburr#46
    • WoolooWooloo#47
    • CombeeCombee#48
    • SeedotSWSeedot#49
    • NuzleafSWNuzleaf#50
    • WoobatWoobat#51
    • VulpixSWVulpix#52
    • DrifloonDri­floon#53
    • ButterfreeBut­ter­free#54
    • GolettGolett#55
    • CorphishCor­phish#56
    • ChewtleChewtle#57
    • PurrloinPurr­loin#58
    • NincadaNincada#59
    • RoggenrolaRog­gen­rola#60
    • SwinubSwinub#61
    • Galarian ZigzagoonGala­rian Zig­za­goon#62
    • SnoverSnover#63
    • RolycolyRoly­coly#64
    • Galarian MeowthGala­rian Meowth#65
    • DuskullDuskull#66
    • BlipbugBlipbug#67
    • GossifleurGos­si­fleur#68
    • BounsweetBouns­weet#69
    • CherubiCherubi#70
    • SkwovetSkwovet#71
    • SizzlipedeSizz­li­pede#72
    • TrubbishTrub­bish#73
    • MinccinoMinc­cino#74
    • KlinkKlink#75
    • NickitNickit#76
    • MagikarpMagi­karp#77
    • FerroseedFer­ro­seed#78
    • VanilliteVanil­lite#79
    • SnoruntSnorunt#80
    • WishiwashiWishi­wa­shi#81
    • DelibirdDeli­bird#82
    • PyukumukuPyu­ku­mukuNot rated
  2. After MiloNessaCAP 24

    New Pokémon, best first 9

    • Galarian Farfetch'dSWGala­rian Far­fetch'd#1
    • SwirlixSWSwirlix#2
    • EspurrEspurr#3
    • ChinchouChin­chou#4
    • SpritzeeSHSprit­zee#5
    • ApplinApplin#6
    • DewpiderDew­pi­der#7
    • DottlerDottler#8
    • WobbuffetWob­buf­fetNot rated
  3. After NessaKabuCAP 27

    New Pokémon, best first 82

    • BarraskewdaBar­ras­kewda#1
    • GyaradosGya­ra­dos#2
    • CloysterCloys­ter#3
    • HawluchaHaw­lu­cha#4
    • QuagsireQuag­sire#5
    • MunnaMunna#6
    • SigilyphSigilyph#7
    • PelipperPelip­per#8
    • MudsdaleMuds­dale#9
    • DugtrioDugtrio#10
    • SawkSWSawk#11
    • PalpitoadPal­pi­toad#12
    Show all (+70)
    • ShellosShellos#13
    • CramorantCra­mo­rant#14
    • RibombeeRibom­bee#15
    • QwilfishQwil­fish#16
    • BoltundBoltund#17
    • GurdurrSWGurdurr#18
    • HaunterHaunter#19
    • ManectricManec­tric#20
    • FrillishFril­lish#21
    • DurantDurant#22
    • CrawdauntCraw­daunt#23
    • Galarian CorsolaSHGala­rian Corsola#24
    • MachokeMachoke#25
    • CroagunkSHCroa­gunk#26
    • ToxicroakSHToxi­croak#27
    • BewearBewear#28
    • RhyhornRhyhorn#29
    • SudowoodoSudo­woodo#30
    • TogepiTogepi#31
    • HatennaHatenna#32
    • Galarian StunfiskGala­rian Stun­fisk#33
    • BinacleBinacle#34
    • ToxelToxel#35
    • ScraggySWScraggy#36
    • DrednawDrednaw#37
    • HelioptileHeliop­tile#38
    • NoctowlNoctowl#39
    • TranquillTran­quill#40
    • CharjabugChar­ja­bug#41
    • SalanditSalan­dit#42
    • CorvisquireCor­vis­quire#43
    • ThrohSHThroh#44
    • InkayInkay#45
    • SneaselSneasel#46
    • GloomGloom#47
    • BoldoreSHBoldore#48
    • CarkolCarkol#49
    • GrowlitheSWGrow­li­the#50
    • NatuNatu#51
    • DubwoolDubwool#52
    • BronzorBronzor#53
    • CufantCufant#54
    • Galarian LinooneGala­rian Linoone#55
    • MareanieMarea­nie#56
    • LanturnLanturn#57
    • SkorupiSkorupi#58
    • VulpixSHVulpix#59
    • WimpodWimpod#60
    • CottoneeCot­to­nee#61
    • ShelmetShelmet#62
    • MaractusMarac­tus#63
    • VullabySHVullaby#64
    • PawniardPaw­niard#65
    • NinjaskNinjask#66
    • MunchlaxMunch­lax#67
    • LiepardLiepard#68
    • KarrablastKar­ra­blast#69
    • KoffingKoffing#70
    • EldegossElde­goss#71
    • GreedentGree­dent#72
    • TorkoalTorkoal#73
    • HeatmorHeatmor#74
    • LitwickLitwick#75
    • RuffletSWRufflet#76
    • ShuckleShuckle#77
    • ImpidimpImpi­dimp#78
    • CubchooCubchoo#79
    • ThievulThievul#80
    • NoibatNoibat#81
    • ElgyemElgyem#82
  4. After KabuBea or AllisterCAP 36

    New Pokémon, best first 12

    • ExcadrillSHExca­drill#1
    • SilicobraSili­co­bra#2
    • HippopotasHip­po­po­tas#3
    • HippowdonHip­pow­don#4
    • RioluRiolu#5
    • TrapinchTra­pinch#6
    • Galarian YamaskGala­rian Yamask#7
    • MawileSWMawile#8
    • AxewAxew#9
    • BoldoreSWBoldore#10
    • BonslyBonsly#11
    • HonedgeHonedge#12
  5. After Bea or AllisterOpalCAP 38

    New Pokémon, best first 21

    • ShiinoticShii­no­tic#1
    • GurdurrSHGurdurr#2
    • HattremHattrem#3
    • PiloswinePilos­wine#4
    • BarbaracleBar­ba­ra­cle#5
    • RhydonRhydon#6
    • PhantumpPhan­tump#7
    • SkuntankSkun­tank#8
    • AbomasnowAbo­mas­now#9
    • CorviknightCor­vik­night#10
    • FerrothornFer­ro­thorn#11
    • BronzongBron­zong#12
    Show all (+9)
    • SinisteaSinis­tea#13
    • Galarian PonytaSHGala­rian Ponyta#14
    • KlangKlang#15
    • CoalossalCoa­los­sal#16
    • MorgremMorgrem#17
    • IndeedeeIndee­dee#18
    • UnfezantUnfe­zant#19
    • PassimianSWPas­si­mian#20
    • OranguruSHOran­guru#21
  6. After OpalGordie or MelonyCAP 42

    New Pokémon, best first 19

    • HitmonchanSHHit­mon­chan#1
    • HitmonleeSWHit­mon­lee#2
    • SandacondaSan­da­conda#3
    • SawkSHSawk#4
    • SeismitoadSeis­mi­toad#5
    • GalvantulaGal­van­tula#6
    • ThrohSWThroh#7
    • DrapionDrapion#8
    • SnomSnom#9
    • MorpekoMorpeko#10
    • MeowsticMeows­tic#11
    • PerrserkerPerr­ser­ker#12
    Show all (+7)
    • SolrockSWSolrock#13
    • DusclopsDus­clops#14
    • FalinksFalinks#15
    • VanillishVanil­lish#16
    • TogedemaruToge­de­maru#17
    • LunatoneSHLuna­tone#18
    • Galarian DarumakaSWGala­rian Daru­maka#19
  7. After Gordie or MelonyPiersCAP 46

    New Pokémon, best first 39

    • Galarian Mr. MimeGala­rian Mr. Mime#1
    • DuraludonDura­lu­don#2
    • KinglerKingler#3
    • LaprasLapras#4
    • Hakamo-oSWHakamo-o#5
    • SliggooSHSliggoo#6
    • PangoroPangoro#7
    • GastrodonGas­tro­don#8
    • DrampaSHDrampa#9
    • ClobbopusClob­bo­pus#10
    • OctilleryOctil­lery#11
    • Jangmo-oSWJangmo-o#12
    Show all (+27)
    • EiscueSHEiscue#13
    • GoomySHGoomy#14
    • PupitarSHPupitar#15
    • ZweilousSWZwei­lous#16
    • ClaydolClaydol#17
    • CrustleCrustle#18
    • JellicentJel­li­cent#19
    • DhelmiseDhel­mise#20
    • GrimmsnarlGrimms­narl#21
    • TurtonatorSWTur­to­na­tor#22
    • ObstagoonObs­ta­goon#23
    • DreepyDreepy#24
    • StonjournerSWSton­jour­ner#25
    • ToxapexToxapex#26
    • BergmiteBerg­mite#27
    • DeinoSWDeino#28
    • SteeneeSteenee#29
    • WailmerWailmer#30
    • WailordWailord#31
    • PincurchinPin­cur­chin#32
    • DoubladeDou­blade#33
    • MantineMantine#34
    • MantykeMantyke#35
    • OrbeetleOrbeetle#36
    • LarvitarSHLar­vi­tar#37
    • FeebasFeebas#38
    • DittoDittoNot rated
  8. After PiersRaihanCAP 48

    New Pokémon, best first 23

    • HaxorusHaxorus#1
    • DrakloakDrak­loak#2
    • FlygonFlygon#3
    • HitmontopHit­mon­top#4
    • GolurkGolurk#5
    • VanilluxeVanil­luxe#6
    • ExcadrillSWExca­drill#7
    • GlalieGlalie#8
    • LampentLampent#9
    • GolisopodGoli­so­pod#10
    • CopperajahCop­pe­ra­jah#11
    • AraquanidAra­qua­nid#12
    Show all (+11)
    • MandibuzzSHMan­di­buzz#13
    • RotomRotom#14
    • NinetalesSWNine­ta­les#15
    • BisharpBisharp#16
    • ArcanineSHArca­nine#17
    • NoivernNoivern#18
    • GarbodorGar­bo­dor#19
    • BeheeyemBehee­yem#20
    • KlinklangKlink­lang#21
    • Galarian WeezingGala­rian Weezing#22
    • BraviarySWBra­viary#23
  9. After RaihanNessaCAP 53

    New Pokémon, best first 3

    • GengarGengar#1
    • WhiscashWhis­cash#2
    • BearticBeartic#3
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