Who are the Pokémon Sword & Shield Gym Leaders?

Eight new Gym Leaders await in the Pokémon Sword and Shield adventure. Nothing new to the series when it comes to the journey, except for the new species and the Dynamax phenomenon, which makes the Pokémon grow giant and gain access to "max abilities". Learn which types and species are used by Gym Leaders in Sword and Shield.

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Pokémon Sword and Shield Gym Leaders (Image: Handout/The Pokémon Company)

Sword and Shield Gym Leaders

Gym Leaders are a mandatory part of the main story of the Pokémon series. From them, the player has access to stronger monsters, of higher levels and knows some mechanics introduced in the game.

By defeating the eight, you have access to the so-called "post-game", when side quests can be done, if the player wants - such as the quest for the region's Legendaries and the Battle Tower. There is no Elite Four in Galar.

Something in common among all Sword and Shield Gym Leaders: the last Pokémon will always be the one the Gym Leader chooses to Dynamax. The amount of Pokémon the trainer uses varies, starting with two in the first leader, three in the second and third, and four in the fourth and onwards.

1. City of Turffield (Milo)

Milo uses Grass-type Pokémon:

• Gossifleur (level 19);
• Eldegoss (level 20).

Milo (Image: Handout/The Pokémon Company)

2. City of Hulbury (Nessa)

Nessa uses three Water-type Pokémon:

• Golden (level 22);
• Arrokuda (level 23);
• Drednaw (also rock-type, level 24).

Nessa (Image: Handout/The Pokémon Company)

3. Motostoke City (Kabu)

Kabu uses three Fire-type Pokémon:

• Ninetales (level 25);
• Arcanaine (level 25);
• Centiskorch (also insect-type, level 27).

Kabu (Image: Publicity/The Pokémon Company)

4.1 Stow-on-Side of the Sword (Bea) version

Bea is exclusive to the Pokémon Sword version, uses fighting-type species:

• Hitmontop (level 34);
• Pangoro (also nocturnal, level 34);
• Sirfetch'd (level 35);
• Machamp (level 36).

Bea (Image: Publicity/The Pokémon Company)

4.2 Stow-on-Side Shield version (Allister)

Allister is unique to Shield, it is a ghost-type leader, most with other types:

• Galar Yamask (also land-type, level 34);
• Mimikyu (also Fairy-type, level 34);
• Cursola (level 35);
• Gengar (also poisonous, level 36).

Allister (Image: Publicity/The Pokémon Company)

5. Ballonlea (Opal)

Opal uses Fairy-type Pokémon in addition to its other types:

• Galar Weezing (also poisonous, level 36);
• Mawile (also metal, level 36);
• Togekiss (also flying, level 37);
• Alcremie (level 38).

Opal (Image: Handout/The Pokémon Company)

6.1 Circle of the Sword version (Gordie)

Gordie is a Pokémon Sword exclusive leader, uses rock-type species:

• Barbaracle (also water-type, level 40);
• Shuckle (also insect-type, level 40);
• Stonjourner (level 41);
• Coalossal (also fire-type, level 42).

Gordie (Image: Handout/The Pokémon Company)

6.2 Shield (Melony) Version Circhester

Melony will be found in Pokémon Shield, uses ice species:

• Frosmoth (also insect, level 40);
• Darmanitan of Galar (level 40);
• Eiscue (level 40);
• Lapras (also water type, level 42).

Melony (Image: Handout/The Pokémon Company)

7. Spikemuth (Piers)

Piers uses Night-type Pokémon. This is the only Sword and Shield gym where the leader doesn't Dynamax.

• Scrafty (also fighter, level 44);
• Malamar (also psychic, level 45);
• Skuntank (also poisonous, level 45);
• Obstagoon (also normal type, level 46).

Piers (Image: Publicity/The Pokémon Company)

8. Hammerlock (Raihan)

Even though Raihan's gym has dragon dominance, not all Pokémon have this type. Another difference here is that the battles are doubles:

• Gigalith (stone type, level 46);
• Flygon (dragon/ground type, level 47);
• Sandaconda (land type, level 46);
• Duraludon (dragon/metal, level 48).

Raihan (Image: Publicity/The Pokémon Company)

These are the eight gyms (ten if you count both versions) in the Sword and Shield campaign. If you are thinking about choosing a starter that has an advantage in all of them, forget it, choose with your heart. What will define victory are the other companions who join the party during the adventure.