Best Starter in Pokemon Sword and Shield
In Sword and Shield, Sobble is the best starter in both versions. It has one Tough fight, Milo's gym, and wins 7 of the 17 fights we rate in Sword. Scorbunny wins the most, 9, but four of its fights are Tough, Nessa twice among them. Shield swaps Bea and Gordie for Allister and Melony.
Sword and Shield Starter Evolutions and Stats
Grookey
Final form: Rillaboom
grass
Base statsRillaboom
- Total
- 530
- Ability
- Overgrow
- Hidden ability
- Grassy Surge
| Boss | Result and score out of 100 |
|---|---|
| Milo | Tough, 36.6 |
| Nessa | Good, 70.9 |
| Kabu | Tough, 31.5 |
| Bea | Even, 45.7 |
| Opal | Even, 43.8 |
| Gordie | Good, 69.3 |
| Piers | Good, 63.8 |
| Raihan | Even, 56.5 |
| Nessa | Good, 63.5 |
| Marnie | Good, 58.0 |
| Bea | Even, 55.9 |
| Raihan | Even, 44.1 |
| Hop | Good, 57.3 |
| Bede | Even, 53.0 |
| Rose | Even, 46.1 |
| Oleana | Even, 53.9 |
| Leon | Even, 43.7 |
Wins 6 of 17
Scorbunny
Final form: Cinderace
fire
Base statsCinderace
- Total
- 530
- Ability
- Blaze
- Hidden ability
- Libero
| Boss | Result and score out of 100 |
|---|---|
| Milo | Good, 64.8 |
| Nessa | Tough, 41.1 |
| Kabu | Tough, 36.8 |
| Bea | Even, 52.0 |
| Opal | Good, 62.3 |
| Gordie | Even, 45.6 |
| Piers | Good, 67.9 |
| Raihan | Even, 48.0 |
| Nessa | Tough, 40.6 |
| Marnie | Good, 64.1 |
| Bea | Good, 61.5 |
| Raihan | Tough, 42.6 |
| Hop | Good, 63.2 |
| Bede | Good, 62.1 |
| Rose | Strong, 73.0 |
| Oleana | Good, 58.2 |
| Leon | Even, 50.6 |
Most wins: 9 of 17
Sobble
Final form: Inteleon
water
Base statsInteleon
- Total
- 530
- Ability
- Torrent
- Hidden ability
- Sniper
| Boss | Result and score out of 100 |
|---|---|
| Milo | Tough, 37.6 |
| Nessa | Even, 47.5 |
| Kabu | Good, 63.8 |
| Bea | Even, 50.9 |
| Opal | Good, 57.8 |
| Gordie | Good, 65.9 |
| Piers | Good, 62.9 |
| Raihan | Good, 62.6 |
| Nessa | Even, 44.6 |
| Marnie | Good, 60.3 |
| Bea | Good, 61.1 |
| Raihan | Even, 55.6 |
| Hop | Even, 55.4 |
| Bede | Even, 55.1 |
| Rose | Even, 50.9 |
| Oleana | Even, 55.2 |
| Leon | Even, 52.6 |
Wins 7 of 17
- Strong
- Good
- Even
- Tough
- Bad
- Score 50
Another Starter You Can Get Later
The Isle of Armor adds a second starter to your save, matched to the one you chose, so a Grookey save gets Rowlet.
Sword and Shield Boss Fights, Rated for Each Starter
17 fightsScorbunny finds Nessa Tough twice, at Hulbury and in the Champion Cup. Kabu is Tough for Grookey and Scorbunny but Good for Drizzile, and the Sword and Shield gym leaders guide has his badge and TM.
Each cell is that starter's rating for the fight, scored 0 to 100. Tap a row for the boss team.
Ratings come from our matchup model: your starter's form, level, moves and stats at each fight against that boss team. Not a tier list.
| Boss |  Grookey |  Scorbunny |  Sobble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gyms · 8 | 3 won · 2 Tough | 3 won · 2 Tough | 5 won · 1 Tough |
Tough36.6 | Good64.8 | Tough37.6 | |
Good70.9 | Tough41.1 | Even47.5 | |
Tough31.5 | Tough36.8 | Good63.8 | |
Even45.7 | Even52.0 | Even50.9 | |
Even43.8 | Good62.3 | Good57.8 | |
Good69.3 | Even45.6 | Good65.9 | |
Good63.8 | Good67.9 | Good62.9 | |
Even56.5 | Even48.0 | Good62.6 | |
| Champion Cup · 6Not in story order | 3 won · 0 Tough | 4 won · 2 Tough | 2 won · 0 Tough |
Good63.5 | Tough40.6 | Even44.6 | |
Good58.0 | Good64.1 | Good60.3 | |
Even55.9 | Good61.5 | Good61.1 | |
Even44.1 | Tough42.6 | Even55.6 | |
Good57.3 | Good63.2 | Even55.4 | |
Even53.0 | Good62.1 | Even55.1 | |
| Other story bosses · 2Not in story order | 0 won · 0 Tough | 2 won · 0 Tough | 0 won · 0 Tough |
Even46.1 | Strong73.0 | Even50.9 | |
Even53.9 | Good58.2 | Even55.2 | |
| Champion · 1 | 0 won · 0 Tough | 0 won · 0 Tough | 0 won · 0 Tough |
Even43.7 | Even50.6 | Even52.6 |
Ratings use the Sword bosses. Gyms 4 and 6 and Bea's Champion Cup rematch have another trainer in Shield: the cells rate the Sword trainer, and the open row also rates the Shield one.
Hop's team depends on the starter you chose, so each cell rates the team that starter faces.
Dynamax is not part of the ratings.
Best Team for Each Sword and Shield Starter
5 teammates per starter · all obtainable in Sword & ShieldSobble's Sword and Shield team has the top four of its Sword ranking: Togekiss, Gallade, Hippowdon and Dusknoir. Gallade starts as a rare Ralts in Rolling Fields, out only when the weather is overcast. You trade a Toxel for the Togepi in Hammerlocke, and Dusknoir waits in the Stony Wilderness for the Champion Cup.
- MiloTough 37
- KabuTough 32
This team wins 17 of 17 boss fights. It wins both of Grookey's Tough or Bad fights.
Between them, the team resists every type Grookey is weak to.
- Jolteon
electric12th of 169 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (14th of 167 in Shield)
Where: Route 4, rareWhen: Before Gym 1 (Milo)Level: Lv 14 to 16
- KabuGood 57
- OpalGood 65
- OleanaGood 62
- NinetalesSwordfire
The only teammate that wins Milo, where Grookey is Tough
Where: West Lake Axewell, only when the weather is intense sunWhen: Before Gym 1 (Milo)Level: Lv 7 to 14
- MiloGood 64as Vulpix
- BeaGood 66
- RoseGood 72
ArcanineShieldfire6th of 167 Shield teammates in our boss-fight scores
Where: West Lake Axewell, only when the weather is intense sunWhen: Before Gym 1 (Milo)Level: Lv 7 to 14
- MiloGood 65as Growlithe
- GordieStrong 76
- RoseStrong 76
- Gallade
psychic
fighting2nd of 169 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (2nd of 167 in Shield)
Where: Rolling Fields, only when the weather is overcast, rareWhen: Before Gym 1 (Milo)Level: Lv 7 to 10
You catch Ralts. Kirlia at Lv 20, then Gallade with a Dawn Stone (male Kirlia only).
- BeaGood 71
- RaihanGood 68
- RoseGood 66
- Hippowdon
ground3rd of 169 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (1st of 167 in Shield)
Where: Giant’s Mirror, only when the weather is a sandstormWhen: Before Gym 4 (Bea or Allister)Level: Lv 26 to 28
You catch it as Hippowdon.
- RaihanGood 66
- Raihan (Champion Cup)Good 64
- RoseStrong 77
- Dusknoir
ghost4th of 169 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (4th of 167 in Shield)
Where: Stony WildernessWhen: Before Raihan (Champion Cup)Level: Lv 60
You catch it as Dusknoir.
- BedeGood 71
- RoseStrong 73
- OleanaGood 71
- NessaTough 41
- KabuTough 37
- Nessa (Champion Cup)Tough 41
- Raihan (Champion Cup)Tough 43
This team wins 17 of 17 boss fights. It wins all 4 of Scorbunny's Tough or Bad fights.
Between them, the team resists every type Scorbunny is weak to.
- Barraskewdawater
The only teammate that wins Kabu, where Scorbunny is Tough
Where: Route 2, fishing, rareWhen: Before Gym 1 (Milo)Level: Lv 4 to 6
You catch Arrokuda. Barraskewda at Lv 26.
- KabuGood 59as Arrokuda
- BeaGood 61
- RaihanGood 62
- Galladepsychicfighting
2nd of 170 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (2nd of 167 in Shield)
Where: Rolling Fields, only when the weather is overcast, rareWhen: Before Gym 1 (Milo)Level: Lv 7 to 10
You catch Ralts. Kirlia at Lv 20, then Gallade with a Dawn Stone (male Kirlia only).
- NessaGood 62as Kirlia
- Nessa (Champion Cup)Good 68
- Raihan (Champion Cup)Good 65
- Hippowdonground
3rd of 170 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (1st of 167 in Shield)
Where: Giant’s Mirror, only when the weather is a sandstormWhen: Before Gym 4 (Bea or Allister)Level: Lv 26 to 28
You catch it as Hippowdon.
- RaihanGood 66
- Raihan (Champion Cup)Good 64
- LeonGood 59
- Togekiss
fairy
flying1st of 170 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (4th of 167 in Shield)
Where: Hammerlocke, in-game trade (you give a Toxel)When: Before Gym 4 (Bea or Allister)Level: Lv 25
You trade for Togepi. Togetic with high friendship, then Togekiss with a Shiny Stone.
- RaihanGood 68
- Nessa (Champion Cup)Strong 73
- Raihan (Champion Cup)Good 68
- Dusknoirghost
4th of 170 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (3rd of 167 in Shield)
Where: Stony WildernessWhen: Before Raihan (Champion Cup)Level: Lv 60
You catch it as Dusknoir.
- Raihan (Champion Cup)Good 68
- RoseStrong 73
- LeonGood 63
- MiloTough 38
This team wins 17 of 17 boss fights. It wins Sobble's one Tough or Bad fight.
Between them, the team resists every type Sobble is weak to.
- NinetalesSwordfire
The only teammate that wins Milo, where Sobble is Tough
Where: West Lake Axewell, only when the weather is intense sunWhen: Before Gym 1 (Milo)Level: Lv 7 to 14
- MiloGood 64as Vulpix
- BeaGood 66
- RoseGood 72
ArcanineShieldfire6th of 167 Shield teammates in our boss-fight scores
Where: West Lake Axewell, only when the weather is intense sunWhen: Before Gym 1 (Milo)Level: Lv 7 to 14
- MiloGood 65as Growlithe
- GordieStrong 76
- RoseStrong 76
- Galladepsychicfighting
2nd of 170 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (2nd of 167 in Shield)
Where: Rolling Fields, only when the weather is overcast, rareWhen: Before Gym 1 (Milo)Level: Lv 7 to 10
You catch Ralts. Kirlia at Lv 20, then Gallade with a Dawn Stone (male Kirlia only).
- BeaGood 71
- Nessa (Champion Cup)Good 68
- HopGood 67
- Hippowdonground
3rd of 170 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (1st of 167 in Shield)
Where: Giant’s Mirror, only when the weather is a sandstormWhen: Before Gym 4 (Bea or Allister)Level: Lv 26 to 28
You catch it as Hippowdon.
- Raihan (Champion Cup)Good 64
- HopGood 68
- RoseStrong 77
- Togekissfairyflying
1st of 170 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (4th of 167 in Shield)
Where: Hammerlocke, in-game trade (you give a Toxel)When: Before Gym 4 (Bea or Allister)Level: Lv 25
You trade for Togepi. Togetic with high friendship, then Togekiss with a Shiny Stone.
- Nessa (Champion Cup)Strong 73
- Raihan (Champion Cup)Good 68
- LeonGood 66
- Dusknoirghost
4th of 170 Sword teammates in our boss-fight scores (3rd of 167 in Shield)
Where: Stony WildernessWhen: Before Raihan (Champion Cup)Level: Lv 60
You catch it as Dusknoir.
- BedeGood 71
- RoseStrong 73
- OleanaGood 71
Every teammate is a wild catch or an in-game trade in Sword & Shield, with no trading between games. It counts only for fights after you can catch it, and an evolution only once you can reach its item. Rare means under 1 in 10 wild encounters there. Teammates are ranked by how they do in the boss fights after you catch them, and a late catch ranks lower because it misses fights. At least two of the five join before a quarter of the boss fights are done. Every teammate is in the top third of that ranking. No two of the six (your starter and its five teammates) have exactly the same typing, and no type appears on more than two of them or hits more than two for super effective damage. The six always include a physical attacker, a special attacker, a fast Pokemon and a bulky one. Wins in your starter's Tough or Bad fights count extra, and legendary and mythical Pokemon are left out. Scores come from the Boss fights model, for the teammate's form at that fight.
Key Moves for Each Sword and Shield Starter
Scorbunny starts with Ember, a special move, but Raboot's Flame Charge at Lv 19 and Cinderace's Pyro Ball at Lv 35 both hit physically. Sobble's early moves stay special: Water Gun at Lv 6 and Water Pulse at Lv 12.
| Lv | Move | Type | Category | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Grass, Physical, power 40 | grass Physical | Physical | 40 |
| 12 | Grass, Physical, power 55 | grassPhysical | Physical | 55 |
| Evolves to Thwackey at Lv 16 | ||||
| 24 | Dark, Physical, power 65 |  darkPhysical | Physical | 65 |
| 30 | Normal, Physical, power 80 |  normalPhysical | Physical | 80 |
| Evolves to Rillaboom at Lv 35 | ||||
| 35on evolving | Grass, Physical, power 80 | grassPhysical | Physical | 80 |
| 38 | Normal, Special, power 90 | normal Special | Special | 90 |
| 46 | Grass, Physical, power 120 | grassPhysical | Physical | 120 |
| 62 | Normal, Special, power 140 | normalSpecial | Special | 140 |
| Lv | Move | Type | Category | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Fire, Special, power 40 | fireSpecial | Special | 40 |
| Evolves to Raboot at Lv 16 | ||||
| 19 | Fire, Physical, power 50 | firePhysical | Physical | 50 |
| 24 | Psychic, Status | psychic Status | Status | None |
| 30 | Normal, Physical, power 70 | normalPhysical | Physical | 70 |
| Evolves to Cinderace at Lv 35 | ||||
| 35on evolving | Fire, Physical, power 120 | firePhysical | Physical | 120 |
| 46 | Flying, Physical, power 85 | flyingPhysical | Physical | 85 |
| 54 | Normal, Physical, power 120 | normalPhysical | Physical | 120 |
| Lv | Move | Type | Category | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Water, Special, power 40 | waterSpecial | Special | 40 |
| 12 | Water, Special, power 60 | waterSpecial | Special | 60 |
| Evolves to Drizzile at Lv 16 | ||||
| 24 | Dark, Physical, power 70 | darkPhysical | Physical | 70 |
| 30 | Bug, Physical, power 70 |  bugPhysical | Physical | 70 |
| Evolves to Inteleon at Lv 35 | ||||
| 35on evolving | Water, Special, power 80 | waterSpecial | Special | 80 |
| 38 | Water, Physical, power 85 | waterPhysical | Physical | 85 |
| 54 | Water, Status | waterStatus | Status | None |
| 62 | Water, Special, power 110 | waterSpecial | Special | 110 |
More Sword and Shield guides
The Sword and Shield type chart helps most with Milo and Kabu, the two gyms that are Tough for two starters each. For a team built from scratch, start from the best Pokemon in Sword and Shield.
Starters in other games
Legends: Arceus brings back three older starters with new Hisuian types. Your version doesn't change the top pick here or in any other game: Scarlet and Violet's is Fuecoco in both.