Walkthrough Guide - Main Story | Pokemon Sword Shield

Read this Pokemon Sword and Shield Story Walkthrough guide to complete the main story! Includes useful tips, guides, gym leader battles, wild Pokemon, trainers, items and more!!!

All Story Walkthrough Chart

▼Tutorial & 1st Gym	▼2nd Gym
▼3rd Gym	▼4th Gym
▼5th Gym	▼6th Gym
▼7th Gym	▼8th Gym
▼League Semi-Finals	▼Rose Tower
▼League Finals	▼Hall of Fame
▼The Legendaries

Related Guides
All Gym Leader List	Best Teams With Starters
End Game Guide	Galar Region Pokedex

Check Out Essential Tips For Beginners Here!

Going to the 1st Gym (Milo) - Story Walkthrough

Story	Gym Leader
Up To 1st Gym	Milo (Grass)

Tutorial ~ Meeting Professor Magnolia

1	Initial Settings Set your game's Language, Appearance, & Name >> How To Customize Your Character Guide
2	Head to your room at the right-most part of the house and grab your bag. Unlocked Features: - Save - Map
3	Leave your house and talk to Hop
4	Go down the hill and head over to Hop's house at the east side of town
5	Exit Hop's house and head north to the station
6	Choose your first Pokemon >> Best Starter Pokemon Guide
7	Battle vs. Hop Hop's Pokemon: - Wooloo Lv3 - Starter Pokemon Lv5
8	Head west and enter the Slumbering Weald. Continue until you reach the end
9	Go back home and talk to Mum
10	Head north to the Pokemon Research Lab - Get the Pokedex
11	Take Route 2 and visit Professor Magnolia's house - How To Catch Pokemon Tutorial - You can now catch Pokemon - At the back of Professor Magnolia's House is a TM57 (Payback) Best Teams With Starters: - Nickit (Evolves to Thievul and has the move "Run Away") - Magikarp (Evolves to Gyarados, a very formidable Pokemon)
12	Battle vs. Hop Hop's Pokemon: - Wooloo Lv. 6 - Rookidee Lv. 5 - Starter Pokemon Lv8
13	Receive the Dynamax Band from Professor Magnolia - Dynamax can only be used in certain times Note: The earliest you can use it is during a Max Raid Battle in the Wild Area >> Dynamax And Gigantamax Guide

Turning Autosave On & Off

The game autosaves whenever you enter buildings and other certain events. If you're on the hunt for Pokemon with good IVs, it's best to turn this feature off. However, you can only see IVs at the end of the game, so you can leave it on until you reach that part.

Check Out What To Do After Beating the Game!

Wedgehurst Station ~ Turffield Stadium

1	Go to Wedgehurst Station
2	Go to Motostoke via the Wild Area
3	Head to Motostoke's Gym Along the way, you'll get an item from Leon depending on your starter Pokemon - Scorbunny: Charcoal - Grookey: Miracle Seed - Sobble : Mysterious Droplet
4	Proceed to "Budew Drop Inn"
5	Battle vs. Team Yell
6	Talk to the receptionist and stay for the night. After waking up, head to the Motostoke Gym
6	Go to Route 3 Pick up TM37 (Beat Up) Best Teams With Starters: - Electrike (Evolves to Manectric, a Pokemon with a high Sp. Atk. and Speed - Galarian Meowth (Evolves to Persian, a Pokemon with high Atk. and Def.) - Gossifleur (Evolves to Eldegoss, High Defense, can use Synthesis allowing it to survive Dynamax battles)
7	Battle vs. Hop Hop's Pokemon: - Wooloo Lv. 11 - Starter Pokemon Lv. 14 - Rookidee Lv. 12
8	Enter Galar Mine Obtainable Items: - TM54 (Rock Blast) - TM26 (Scary Face) Best Teams With Starters: - Drilbur (Evolves to Excadrill, a Ground and Steel Type Pokemon with high Atk.)
9	Battle vs. Bede Bede's Pokemon: - Solosis Lv. 13 - Hatenna Lv. 16 - Gothita Lv. 15
10	Use Route 4 to go to Turffield - Prepare for the Gym Battle by leveling up - Milo fields Lv. 20 Pokemon - Pick up TM07 (Pin Missile)
11	Follow Yamper and meet with Sonia at the hill.
12	Challenge the Turffield Stadium - Get a TM97 (Brutal Swing) from behind a tree located at the right side of the gym - In the right side of town, pick up an "Everstone" located near a large rock
13	Battle vs. Gym Leader Milo >> How to Beat Milo Guide Milo's Pokemon: - Gossifleur Lv. 19 - Eldegoss Lv. 20
14	Receive TM10 (Magical Leaf) after the battle

Check Out The 1st Gym Story Walkthrough Here!

EXP Farming In The Wild Area

You can make good use of Max Raid Battles in the Wild Area to efficiently raise your level. However, the Pokemon you can catch during the early stages of the game are severely limited, so it would be best prioritize progressing the story first.

Check Out The Wild Area Guide Here!

Going to the 2nd Gym (Nessa) - Story Walkthrough

Story	Gym Leader
Up To 2nd Gym	Nessa (Water)

Route 5 ~ Hulburry Stadium

1	Reach Hulbury via Route 5 Obtainable Items in Hulbury: - TM31 (Attract)
2	Battle vs. Team Yell - Receive the Rotom Bike after the battle Ride the Rotom Bike by pressing the - ＋ buttons
3	Battle vs. Hop Hop's Pokemon: - Wooloo Lv. 18 - Corvisquire Lv. 19 - Starter Pokemon Lv21
4	Challenge the Hulburry Stadium Obtainable Items in Hulburry - TM79 (Retaliate) - Magnet
5	Battle vs. Gym Leader Nessa >> How to Beat Nessa Guide Nessa's Pokemon: - Goldeen Lv. 22 - Arrokuda Lv. 23 - Drednaw Lv. 24
6	Receive TM36 (Whirlpool) after the battle
6	Head over to the Seafood Restaurant to talk to Chairman Rose - Receive TM79 (Retaliate)

Check Out The 2nd Gym Story Walkthrough Here!

Move Faster With The Rotom Bike!

After completing the fight with Team Yell, you will receive the Rotom Bike. You can ride the bike by pressing "+ -". Use it to navigate the world faster.

Check Out The Rotom Bike Guide Here!

Going to the The 3rd Gym (Kabu) - Story Walkthrough

Story	Gym Leader
Up To 3rd Gym	Kabu (Fire)

Galar Mine No. 2 ~ Motostoke Stadium

1	Go to Motostoke via Galar Mine No. 2 Obtainable Items: - Grip Claw - Soft Sand - TM49 (Sand Tomb)
2	Battle vs. Bede Bede's Pokemon: - Solosis Lv. 21 - Gothita Lv. 22 - Hatenna Lv. 23 - Galarian Ponyta Lv. 22
3	Receive a League Card after the battle >> How To Use League Cards Guide
4	Battle vs. Team Yell
5	Exit Galar Mine and enter the Motostoke's "Budew Drop Inn"
6	Battle vs. Marnie Marnie's Pokemon - Croagunk Lv. 24 - Scraggy Lv. 24 - Morpeko Lv. 26
7	Challenge the Motostoke Stadium Obtainable items in Motostoke - Silk Scarf
8	Battle vs. Gym Leader Kabu >> How to Beat Kabu Kabu's Pokemon: - Ninetales Lv. 25 - Centiskorch Lv. 27
8	Receive TM38 (Will-O-Wisp) as a reward after the battle

Check Out The 3rd Gym Story Walkthrough Here!

Going to the 4th Gym (Bea/Allister) - Story Walkthrough

Story	Gym Leader
Up To 4th Gym	Bea (Fighting) (Sword) Allister (Ghost) (Shield)

Hammerlocke ~ Stow-on-Side Stadium

1	Head to Hammerlocke via the Wild Area - Exchange Watts near Hammerlocke's entrance - Recommended to get the Rotom Bike Speed Upgrade
2	Meetup with Chairman Rose
3	Go west and enter the vault - Win against the Black Belt Trainer in the house left of the Pokemon Center to receive a Focus Sash - Go east and head inside the third slanted house to get a Heat Rock - Go east and talk to the small girl located on top of the station to receive an Old Letter House at the right side of the stadium entrance: - Get a Soothe Bell - Check Friendship Level - Know more about EVs Obtainable Items in Hammerlocke: - Strawberry Sweet - Wise Glasses - Muscle Band - TM29 (Charm)
4	Talk to Raihan and Sonia inside the vault.
5	Head to Route 6
6	Battle vs. Team Yell Team Yell's Pokemon: - Stunky Lv. 29 - Galarian Linoone Lv. 30 - Liepard Lv. 30
7	Exit Route 6 and head towards Stow-on-Side Obtainable Items in Route 6: - TM30 (Steel Wing) - TM15 (Dig) - Light Clay Stow-on-Side Peddlers: - Left Man: You can exchange an item for money once per day - Right Man: Sells a useful item once per day
8	Battle vs. Hop Hop's Pokemon: - Cramorant Lv. 29 - Toxel Lv. 29 - Starter Pokemon Lv33 - Silicobra Lv. 30
9	Challenge the Stow-on-Side Stadium Obtainable Items in Stow-on-Side: - Dusk Stone - Cracked Pot
10 SW	Battle vs. Gym Leader Bea >> How To Beat Bea Guide Bea's Pokemon: - Hitmontop Lv. 34 - Pangoro Lv. 34 - Sirfetch'd Lv. 35 - Machamp Lv. 36
10 SH	Battle vs. Gym Leader Allister >> How To Beat Allister Guide Allister's Pokemon - Yamask Lv. 34 - Grimmsnarl Lv. 35 - Mimikyu Lv. 34 - Gengar Lv. 36
11	Receive TMs after the battle - (Sword) TM42 (Revenge) - (Shield) TM77 (Hex) The TM you weren't able to get can be acquired in Ballonlea.

Check Out The 4th Gym Story Walkthrough Here!

Going to the 5th Gym (Opal) - Story Walkthrough

Story	Gym Leader
Up To 5th Gym	Opal (Fairy)

Hammerlocke ~ Ballonlea Stadium

1	Follow Sonia and head to the Ancient Mural Heading to the Ancient Mural will force you to do battle with Bede. No need to heal before as your Pokemon will be healed after the gym fight.
2	Battle vs. Bede Bede's Pokemon: - Duosion Lv. 32 - Gothorita Lv. 32 - Hattrem Lv. 35 - Galarian Ponyta Lv. 33
3	After the battle, receive 2 x Revives from Sonia
4	Exit Stow-on-Side and go through Glimwood Tangle to Ballonea. In Glimwood Tangle, touching the mushrooms will cause them to glow and light up their surroundings. However, activating some mushrooms will cause Impidimps to attack you. Obtainable Items in Glimwood Tangle - TM24 (Snore) - TM56 (U-turn) - Big Root
5	Challenge the Ballonlea Stadium - Deliver the Old Letter received from the girl in Hammerlocke to receive a Choice Scarf. The recipient of the letter stays in the house on the left of Ballonlea's entrance - Win against the Breeder in the second house from the west to get an Eviolite - You can pick up a TM21 (Rest) on the east side of town Go to the second house to the west to receive the 4th Gym's other TM reward - (Sword) TM77 (Hex) - (Shield) TM42 (Revenge)
6	Battle vs. Gym Leader Opal >> How To Beat Opal Guide Opal's Pokemon: - Galarian Weezing Lv. 36 - Mawile Lv. 36 - Togekiss Lv. 37 - Alcremie Lv. 38
7	Receive a TM87 (Draining Kiss) after the battle with Opal

Check Out The 5th Gym Story Walkthrough Here!

Going to the 6th Gym (Gordie/Melony) - Story Walkthrough

Story	Gym Leader
Up To 6th Gym	Gordie (Sword) Melony (Ice) (Shield)

Ballonlea ~ Circhester Stadium

1	Go to Hammerlocke with Opal
2	Meet Bede at the center of the town and proceed to east
3	After talking to Sonia, head to the front of the station and talk to Hop
3	After talking to Hop, go to Route 7
4	Battle vs. Hop Hop's Pokemon: - Trevenant Lv. 34 - Boltund Lv. 35 - Heatmor Lv. 34 - Snorlax Lv. 35 - Starter Pokemon Lv. 37
5	Traverse Routes 7 and 8, and continue on to Circhester Obtainable Items In Route 8: - TM96 (Smart Strike) - TM43 (Brick Break) - Shiny Stone - Spirit Plate - King's Rock - Terrain Extender
6	Challenge the Circhester Stadium - In the Hero's Bath, you can talk to an old man located at the left side and ask him to teach you Draco Meteor Obtainable items in Circhester: - TM27 (Icy Wind) - TM51 (Icicle Spear) - TM47 (Fake Tears) - TM16 (Screech)
7 SW	Battle vs. Gym Leader Gordie >> How To Beat Gordie Gordie's Pokemon - Barbaracle Lv. 40 - Shuckle Lv. 40 - Stonjourner Lv. 41 - Coalossal Lv. 42
7 SH	Battle vs. Gym Leader Melony >> How To Beat Melony Melony's Pokemon: - Frosmoth Lv. 40 - Galarian Darmanitan Lv. 40 - Eiscue Lv. 41 - Lapras Lv. 42
8	Receive TMs after the battle (Sword) TM48 (Rock Tomb) (Shield) TM27 (Icy Wind)

Check Out The 6th Gym Story Walkthrough Here!

Going to the 7th Gym (Piers) - Story Walkthrough

Story	Gym Leader
Up To 7th Gym	Piers (Dark)

Circhester ~ Spikemuth Stadium

1	Head to the Steak House in Circhester
2	Continue to the Hero's Bath
3	Battle vs. Hop Hop's Pokemon: - Dubwool Lv. 40 - Pinchurchin Lv. 39 - Snorlax Lv. 39 - Corviknight Lv. 40 - Starter Pokemon Lv. 41
4	Go to Spikemuth via Route 9
5	Battle vs. Team Yell Team Yell's Pokemon: - Galarian Linoone Lv. 39 - Pangoro Lv. 40
6	After the battle, get the upgrade for the Rotom Bike. You can now traverse over water. Obtainable Items in Route 9: - TM45 (Dive) - Zoom Lens - Protector - Scope Lens
7	Proceed to the gates of Spikemuth to trigger an event
8	Battle vs. Marnie Marnie's Pokemon: - Liepard Lv. 42 - Morpeko Lv. 44 - Scrafty Lv. 43 - Toxicroak Lv. 43
9	Battle vs. Team Yell Team Yell's Pokemon: - Galarian Linoone Lv. 42 - Thievul Lv. 42 - Scrafty Lv. 42 - Weavile Lv. 43 - Drapion Lv. 43 - Liepard Lv. 43
10	Battle vs. Gym Leader Piers >> How To Beat Piers Piers' Pokemon: - Scrafty Lv. 44 - Malamar Lv. 45 - Obstagoon Lv. 46 - Skuntank Lv. 45
11	After battling Piers, receive TM85 (Snarl)

Check Out The 7th Gym Story Walkthrough Here!

Going to the 8th Gym (Raihan) - Story Walkthrough

Story	Gym Leader
Up To 8th Gym	Raihan (Dragon)

Spikemuth ~ Hammerlocke Stadium

1	Use the tunnel to go to Hammerlocke
2	Trigger an event in front of Hammerlocke Stadium
3	Challenge the Hammerlocke Stadium
4	Battle vs. Gym Leader Raihan >> How To Beat Raihan Raihan's Pokemon: - Flygon Lv. 47 - Gigalith Lv. 46 - Duraludon Lv. 48 - Sandaconda Lv. 46
5	Receive TM99 (Breaking Swipe) from Raihan after the battle

Check Out The 8th Gym Story Walkthrough Here!

Semi-Finals - Story Walkthrough

Story	Gym Leader
Up To Wyndon	-

Hammerlocke ~ Semi-Finals

1	Go to the station and travel with Hop
2	Use Route 10 to reach Wyndon
3	Join the semifinals in Wyndon Stadium
4	1st Battle: Marnie Marnie's Pokemon: - Liepard Lv. 47 - Toxicroak Lv. 47 - Scrafty Lv. 47 - Morpeko Lv. 48 - Grimmsnarl Lv. 49
5	2nd Battle: Hop Hop's Pokemon: - Dubwool Lv. 48 - Pincurchin Lv. 47 - Corviknight Lv. 48 - Snorlax Lv. 47 - Starter Pokemon Lv. 49

Check Out The Semi-Finals Story Walkthrough Here!

Rose Tower - Story Walkthrough

Story	Gym Leader
Up To The Rose Tower	-

Semi-Finals ~ Rose Tower

1	Go to The Plaza located south of Wyndon
2	Macro Cosmos Trainer's Pokemon - Galarian Meowth Lv. 47 - Durant Lv. 47
3	Battle vs. Macro Cosmos Trainer (Left of the Plaza) Macro Cosmos Trainer's Pokemon - Mawile Lv. 47 - Excadrill Lv. 47
4	Battle vs. Macro Cosmos Trainer (Phone Box) Macro Cosmos Trainer's Pokemon - Ferroseed Lv. 47 - Steelix Lv. 47
5	After the conversation, head to Rose Tower
6	Battle vs. Macro Cosmos Trainers Macro Cosmos Trainer's Pokemon - Durant Lv. 48
7	Battle vs. Macro Cosmos Trainers with Hop Macro Cosmos Trainer's Pokemon - Bronzong Lv. 48 Macro Cosmos Trainer's Pokemon - Cufant Lv. 48
8	Battle vs. Macro Cosmos Trainers with Hop Macro Cosmos Trainer's Pokemon - Mawile Lv. 48 Macro Cosmos Trainer's Pokemon - Klang Lv. 48
9	Battle vs. Macro Cosmos Trainers with Hop Macro Cosmos Trainer's Pokemon - Stunfisk Lv. 49 Macro Cosmos Trainer's Pokemon - Steelix Lv. 49
10	Battle vs. Olivia Olivia's Pokemon: - Froslass Lv. 50 - Salazzle Lv. 50 - Tsareena Lv. 50 - Milotic Lv. 51 - Garbodor Lv. 52

Check Out The Rose Tower Story Walkthrough Here!

Finals (Leon) - Story Walkthrough

Story	Gym Leader
Up To vs. Bede & Nessa Up To vs. Bea / Allister & Raihan	-

Rose Tower ~ Finals

1	Enter Wyndon Stadium
2	Talk to the receptionist to start the tournament
3	1st Battle：Bede Bede's Pokemon: - Mawile Lv. 51 - Gardevoir Lv. 51 - Galarian Rapidash Lv. 52 - Hatterene Lv. 53
4	2nd Battle：Nessa Nessa's Pokemon: - Golisopod Lv. 51 - Barraskewda Lv. 52 - Pelipper Lv. 51 - Seaking Lv. 52 - Drednaw Lv. 53
5 SW	3rd Battle：Bea Bea's Pokemon: - Hawlucha Lv. 52 - Falinks Lv. 53 - Sirfetch'd Lv. 53 - Grapploct Lv. 52 - Machamp Lv. 54
5 SH	3rd Battle：Allister Allister's Pokemon: - Dusknoir Lv. 52 - Chandelure Lv. 52 - Polteageist Lv. 53 - Grimmsnarl Lv. 53 - Gengar Lv. 54
6	4th Battle：Raihan Raihan's Pokemon: - Torkoal Lv. 53 - Goodra Lv. 54 - Turtonator Lv. 54 - Flygon Lv. 54 - Duraludon Lv. 55
7	An event will occur when you start the battle with Leon

Check Out The Finals Story Walkthrough Here!

Hall of Fame - Story Walkthrough

Story	Champion
Up To vs. Champion Leon	Champion Leon

Slumbering Weald ~ Hall of Fame

1	Finish the conversation and move to the Slumbering Weald
2	In Slumbering Weald receive (Sword) "Rusted Sword" (Shield) "Rusted Shield"
3	Talk to Hop to go to Hammerlocke
4	Battle vs. Chairman Rose Rose's Pokemon: - Escavalier Lv. 55 - Ferrothorn Lv. 55 - Perrserker Lv. 55 - Klinklang Lv. 56 - Copperajah Lv. 57
5	After defeating Rose, take the lift and head to the rooftop
6	Battle a Lv. 60 Eternatus
7	Battle a Dynamax Eternatus for 3 turns
8	Defeat and capture Eternatus with the help of Zacian and Zamazenta
9	Head over to Wyndon Stadium
10	Battle vs. Champion Leon If Grookey was your Starter Pokemon: - Aegislash Lv. 62 - Dragapult Lv. 62 - Haxorus Lv. 63 - Cinderace Lv. 64 - Seismitoad Lv. 64 - Charizard Lv. 65 If Scorbunny was your Starter Pokemon: - Aegislash Lv. 62 - Dragapult Lv. 62 - Haxorus Lv. 63 - Inteleon Lv. 64 - Mr. Rime Lv. 64 - Charizard Lv. 65 If Sobble was your Starter Pokemon: - Aegislash Lv. 62 - Dragapult Lv. 62 - Haxorus Lv. 63 - Rillaboom Lv. 64 - Rhyperior Lv. 64 - Charizard Lv. 65
11	Enter the Hall of Fame >> End Game Guide

Check Out The Championship Story Walkthrough Here!

Battling The Legendaries - Story Walkthrough

Story	Rival
How to Get New Legendaries	Hop - Final Battle

Catching Zacian Or Zamazenta

1	Talk to Professor Magnolia in your house to get a Master Ball
2	Talk to Hop in Slumbering Weald
3	Battle with Hop
4	After defeating Hop (Sword) Battle with Sordward (Shield) Battle with Shielbert
5	Go to the Pokemon Research Lab in Wedgehurst
6	Defeat the Dynamax Pokemon in each Stadium Turffield: Tsareena Hulbury: Gyarados Motostoke: Torkoal
7	After defeating the Dynamax Pokemon in the 3 gyms, return to the Pokemon Research Lab
8	Battle Sordward and Shielbert in the Pokemon Research Lab
9	Go and do battle in each of the 4 Gyms Hammerlocke: Haxorus Stow-on-Side: (Sword) Conkeldurr, (Shield) Dusknoir Ballonlea: Battle vs. Bede Circhester: (Sword) Gigalith, (Shield) Froslass
10	After the 4 battles, go to Hammerlocke Stadium and talk to Sonia
11	Ride the lift
12	Exit the lift and proceed left to trigger a battle. (Sword) Battle with Sordward (Shield) Battle with Shielbert
13	Head to the rooftop using the lift
14	You cannot catch the legendaries yet. (Sword) Battle with Zamazenta (Shield) Battle with Zacian
15	Approach and interact with the legendaries after the event (!) You can save here
16	You can now catch the legendaries. (Sword) Battle with Zacian (Shield) Battle with Zamazenta
17	Go to Slumbering Weald
18	Battle vs. Hop >> End Game Guide >> Battle Tower Guide