Story Walkthrough

This is the Story Walkthrough page for Pokemon Sword and Shield. This guide contains tips for progressing through the game, clearing gyms, and beating the story mode.

Story Walkthrough Guides
Sword and Shield	The Isle of Armor	The Crown Tundra

Story Walkthrough

Learn the basics of being a Pokemon Trainer as you choose your starter, learn how to catch Pokemon, and battle with other trainers. Make sure you carefully choose your six Pokemon who you will travel with along the way.

Click on a link from the list below to jump to a section!

Getting to the 1st Gym

Battle your rival for the first time and travel to Turffield Town to challenge its Gym leader, Milo, who specializes in Grass-type Pokemon.
Getting to the 1st Gym

Getting to the 2nd Gym

Hulbury gym leader, Nessa, uses Drednaw, a Water/Rock-type Pokemon. This is a good time to catch Grass or Electric-type Pokemon along the way.
Getting to the 2nd Gym

Getting to the 3rd Gym

The third gym leader, Kabu, uses three fire-type Pokemon. Before reaching Motostoke, it is recommended that you prepare Water, Ground, or Rock-type Pokemon.
Getting to the 3rd Gym

Getting to the 4th Gym

If you have Pokemon Sword, the gym leader is Bea, who specializes in Fighting Pokemon. It is good to have Flying-type Pokemon.

Otherwise, if you have Pokemon Shield, then it will be Allister, who specializes in Ghost-type Pokemon. If you do not have Pokemon with Ghost or Dark-type moves, you can catch a Yamask or Dugtrio along Route 6.
Getting to the 4th Gym

Getting to the 5th Gym

Travel along Glimwood Tangle, where illuminating mushrooms guide your way. You can also grind your level on Road 6 as it provides a good amount of Exp. Points, before battling Ballonlea gym leader Opal.
Getting to the 5th Gym

Getting to the 6th Gym

Battle with Hop as you make your way to Circhester. If you have Sword, make sure you have Water or Fighting-type Pokemon that is at least Lv. 40. These are super effective against Gordie's Pokemon.

If you have Shield, raise Fire or Fighting-type Pokemon to counter Melony.
Getting to the 6th Gym

Getting to the 7th Gym

Marnie battles you before you reach Spikemuth. The Gym Leader, Piers, specializes in Dark-type Pokemon. This is a good time to raise Fighting or Fairy-type Pokemon to at least Lv. 45.
Getting to the 7th Gym

Getting to the 8th Gym

Battle with Hop one more time, and secure your final gym badge at Hammerlocke Stadium. It is recommended that you have Ground or Fairy-type Pokemon of at least Lv. 50 before challenging the gym leader, Raihan.
Getting to the 8th Gym

Champion Cup Semifinals

Make your way to Wyndon Stadium to battle your main rivals, Marnie and Hop. Their Pokemon's levels are close to 50, so train your Pokemon as well!
Champion Cup Semifinals

Rose Tower

Take the monorail to Rose Tower and battle with Macro Cosmos members, with the secretary, Oleana, waiting for you at the end. Her Pokemon starts at Lv. 50 so be prepared before taking her on.
Rose Tower

Champion Cup Finals

Challenge four powerful Tainers on the Champion Cup Finals. Raise your Pokemon to high levels as their Pokemon are beyond Lv. 50.
Champion Cup Finals

Getting to the Champion

You finally get to battle with the chairman of the Galar Pokemon League and Macro Cosmos President, Rose.

You also get to battle with the legendary Pokemon Eternatus, before taking on the strongest opponent in the game, the Champion, Leon.
Getting to the Champion

Post Game Content

Complete the Curry Dex, collect all rare League Cards, catch the Legendary Pokemon, and more. Read on to see all activities and collectibles after completing the main game.
Post Game Content

Gym Challenges

Each Gym has its own unique Gym Challenge before facing the Gym Leader. Learn the ropes for handling each Mission!

List of Gym Challenges

How to Beat Each Trainer

Rival Battles

You battle with your rivals throughout the game. This guide will show you where they appear, winning strategies, and more.
Rival Battles

Gym Battles

Stuck on defeating a gym leader? See the list of all Gym leaders, their Pokemon, as well as tips and strategies on how to beat them.
Gym Battles

How to Beat Champion Leon

Learn how to beat Champion Leon in the main story and in the Battle Tower. Read on for tips and recommendations to ensure victory.
How to Beat Champion Leon

Story Characters

Get to know more about the people of Galar! See our page on Story Characters.
List of Story Characters

Using the Rotom Bike

How to Get and Use the Rotom Bike

The Rotom Bike is an extremely useful tool in progressing the game, where the player can speed through routes quickly. It can also be used to avoid wild Pokemon and trainers looking to battle.

Read the guide below to find out how to obtain and use the Rotom bike.
How to Get and Use the Rotom Bike

How to Surf (Bike) on Water

Previously, you can only cross waters using the move Surf, but in Sword and Shield, it was replaced by using the Rotom Bike.

This is only achievable after obtaining the second Rotom bike, which allows you to surf, or bike, on water. Read our guide to learn more.
How to Surf (Bike) on Water

Related Links

Back to the Top Page
Pokedex	Story Walkthrough
Wild Area	New Features
Gym Leader Battles	List of Moves
Version Exclusives	Message Board
Training Your Pokemon	List of Items
Beginner Tips & Guides	List of Maps