Read this Pokemon Sword and Shield guide on 3 new starter Pokemon: Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble! Including best starter, final evolution, types, shiny Pokemon, stats & more!!!
Table of Contents
Which Starter Is The Best Pokemon?
The 3 Starters Of Pokemon Sword and Shield
Which Starter Pokemon Did You Choose?
Best Starter Pokemon For End-Game
| Pokemon | Recommendation Pros and Cons |
|---|---|
 Sobble | Pros - Great Sp.Atk and Speed scaling. - Can use Water Pulse to confuse and damage targets. - One of the best pokemon for ranked battle after evolution. Cons - Might have a hard time clearing the 1st Gym (Grass). Best supported with Fire or Flying Pokemon. |
| Scorbunny | Pros - Speed and Atk scales well when leveling up. - Can overpower Steel Pokemon in the latter half of the game. Cons - Might have a hard time clearing the 2nd Gym (Water). Best supported with Grass or Electric Pokemon. |
| Grookey | Pros - Special Grass Pokemon Cons - Low Speed - Might have a hard time clearing the 3rd Gym (Fire) Best supported with Water or Ground Pokemon. |
All Must Overcome Their Weakness
All starter Pokemon will run into their weak types by the 3rd gym without exceptions, though Scorbunny will bear the brunt sooner. Catch some Pokemon in the Wild Area to supplement this.
Check Out Wild Area Guide Here!Recommendations Based On Ranked Battle Tier
Please take note that the recommendations above is based on our rating of ranked battle tier. These do not dictate how your own gameplay and strategy will change your early-game lineup but if you want to leverage the starter Pokemon, our recommendation is Sobble.
Check Out All Story Walkthrough Here!Build A Team Around Your Starting Pokemon
Progress smoothly through the game by building a team around which starter you chose, catching other Pokemon that can counter your starting Pokemon's weaknesses.
Check Out Best Teams With Starters!Starter Pokemon Choice Is Permanent
No matter the starter Pokemon you choose, make sure you're 100% behind that Pokemon. This decision is permanent and you'll have to restart the game to choose another starter Pokemon.
Check Out Other Points Of No Return!Starter Pokemon Can Be Exchanged Online
Starter Pokemon Can be breeded after you unlock the day care. It is recommended to exchange your starter Pokemon online after you breeding your starter Pokemon! Use our trading forum for an easy exchange!
Best Starter Pokemon - Nature & Gender
Pick A Female!
For Breeding Better Pokemon
While you can beat the game with either a male or female Pokemon, if you consider breeding, the best choice would be getting a female. Breeding with a male can be troublesome as it requires you to find a Ditto.
Check Out Perfect Breeding Guide Here!Requires Resetting & Restarting The Game
If you really want to get a female starter Pokemon, you might need to keep restarting or resetting the game as the probability is very low. This may include require you to delete your save file multiple times until you get a female.
Nature Of Pokemon Can Be Changed Later
When starting the game, you don't need fuss over the nature of your starter Pokemon as this can be changed later by using an item called Mint.
Check Out Where To Get Mint Here!Recommended Nature & Stats
| Pokemon Name | Recommended Nature |
|---|---|
| Grookey | Adamant Atk ↑ Sp.Atk ↓ Jolly Speed ↑ Sp.Atk ↓ |
| Sobble | Modest Sp.Atk ↑ Atk ↓ Timid Speed ↑ Atk ↓ |
| Scorbunny | Adamant Atk ↑ Sp.Atk ↓ Jolly Speed ↑ Sp.Atk ↓ |
Further develop each of the three starter Pokemon's strengths by assigning them with Natures that make it easier for their base stats to grow. Get Adamant or Jolly for Grookey and Scorbunny to raise their Atk. Timid or Modest for Sobble to increase its Sp.Atk.
Check Out The Nature Guide Here!Starter Grookey - Types & Stats & Final Evolution
Grookey - Status & Information
| Category | Chimp Pokemon |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Height | 0.30 m |
| Weight | 5.0 kg |
| Ability | Overgrow |
Grookey is described as a "mischievous Chimp Pokemon" with a curious personality. It has a stick which has gained special powers.
Grookey - Base Stats
Base Stats are hidden values that determine the growth of a Pokemon!!!
| HP |   |
|---|---|
| Atk | |
| Def | |
| Sp.Atk | |
| Sp.Def | |
| Speed | |
| Total | 310 |
Final Evolution - Grass-Type Rillaboom
Rillaboom is a giant green ape with an even bigger tree trunk drum. It's a pure Grass Type Pokemon and its stats focus on high Physical Atk & Physical Defense.
Rillaboom - Base Stats
Base Stats are hidden values that determine the growth of a Pokemon!!!
| HP | |
|---|---|
| Atk | |
| Def | |
| Sp.Atk | |
| Sp.Def | |
| Speed | |
| Total | 530 |
Starter Scorbunny - Types & Stats & Final Evolution
Scorbunny - Status & Information
| Category | Rabbit Pokemon |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Height | 0.30 m |
| Weight | 4.5 kg |
| Ability | Blaze |
Scorbunny is the energetic Pokemon of the group. It likes to run fast, and apparently when it warms up its "physical abilities will greatly increase."
Scorbunny - Base Stats
Base Stats are hidden values that determine the growth of a Pokemon!!!
| HP | |
|---|---|
| Atk | |
| Def | |
| Sp.Atk | |
| Sp.Def | |
| Speed | |
| Total | 310 |
Final Evolution - Fire-Type Cinderace
Scorbunny's final evolution is called Cinderace. Built for speed and is a pure Fire Type Pokemon. Cinderace has high speed and attack power with well-balanced defense & stamina.
Cinderace - Base Stats
Base Stats are hidden values that determine the growth of a Pokemon!!!
| HP | |
|---|---|
| Atk | |
| Def | |
| Sp.Atk | |
| Sp.Def | |
| Speed | |
| Total | 530 |
Starter Sobble - Types & Stats & Final Evolution
Sobble - Status & Information
| Category | Water Lizard Pokemon |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Height | 0.30 m |
| Weight | 4.0 kg |
| Ability | Torrent |
Sobble is the shy one of the bunch, and it has a tendency to start crying and cause people around it to cry too!
Sobble - Base Stats
Base Stats are hidden values that determine the growth of a Pokemon!!!
| HP | |
|---|---|
| Atk | |
| Def | |
| Sp.Atk | |
| Sp.Def | |
| Speed | |
| Total | 310 |
Final Evolution - Water-Type Inteleon
Inteleon is the final evolution of Sobble. It has long elongated limbs and has high stats in speed and Sp.Atk, making it powerful when using Sp.Atk moves.
Inteleon - Base Stats
Base Stats are hidden values that determine the growth of a Pokemon!!!
| HP | |
|---|---|
| Atk | |
| Def | |
| Sp.Atk | |
| Sp.Def | |
| Speed | |
| Total | 530 |
How To Get Shiny Starters
Might Not Be Possible To Get Shiny Starters At First Encounter
As none of GameWith Staffs could get shiny Pokemon at the first encounter, it might not be possible to get without breeding starter Pokemon.
Good Way To Get Shinies
Breeding is a good way to hunt for shiny Pokemon. Since you have access to an unlimited amount of Pokemon via eggs, it is especially good for farming Pokemon that are rare to find in the wild. Make sure you complete your Pokedex so you can get the Shiny Charm! Read our detailed Shiny guide for more information.
Check Out Details Of Shiny Hunting Here!Pokemon Sword and Shield - Related Articles
Go Back To The Top PageMust Reads For Beginners
| Popular Beginner Tips | |
|---|---|
| Recommended Starters | Story Walkthrough List | Best Team For Story |
Breeding
| Popular Breeding Articles | |
|---|---|
| Step By Step Guide On How To Breed | |
| All Egg Group List | Useful Items For Breeding |
Post Game Content
| Must Read | |
|---|---|
| What To Do After Beating The Game | |
| Ranked Battle Tier List | Ranked Battle Builds List |
| Battle Tower Guide | Ranked Battle Guide |
Database
| Popular Databases | |
|---|---|
| Galar Pokedex | Base Stats Ranking | Clothes & Hairstyles List |
