Pokemon Sword and Shield

How to Run Away from a Battle

How to Run Away from a Battle

This page is a guide on how to run away from battles in Pokemon Sword and Shield. If you would like to know how to escape battle and the mechanics of running away, please read on.

What is Running Away?

Wild Pokemon_3
There are some battles that you will want to run away from. Perhaps you are low on HP, or you just do not want to waste your time on Pokemon encounters when there are fish to fry. Running, or escaping, lets you do just that. You can run away from many battles, but not all of them.

How Do You Run Away?

Wild Pokemon_1 If you are against a Wild Pokemon you do not want to fight, Choose the Run option in battle
Wild Pokemon_2 If you succeed, you will escape with no problems.

You can run away from a Battle if you are against a Wild Pokemon. If your Pokemon's speed is high enough, you will have a better chance of getting away successfully. Attempting to flee multiple times also increases your chances of getting away, but using an attack resets this. Additionally, Ghost-type Pokemon are able to run from battle, regardless of speed or level. Lastly, Pokemon with the ability Run Away are guaranteed to escape from battle.

When is it Harder to Run Away?

In Pokemon Sword and Shield, you will have an easier time escaping if your active Pokemon's Speed stat is higher than the opposing Pokemon. Typically this means that it will be harder to run from Pokemon that are higher leveled than you.

Wild_1 Wild_3

When you first enter the Wild Area, you will be encountering Wild Pokemon that are too powerful to battle, so you might need to use a Poke Doll. This doll attracts Pokemon, and can be used to flee from any wild Pokemon Battle.

Wild_4 Wild_5
Wild_6 Wild_7

Unescapable Battles

Wild Pokemon Battles

There are certain instances when you cannot escape a wild Pokemon encounter, regardless of speed. This usually happens when the Wild Pokemon you are against used a move or has an ability that stops you from running away.

Moves that prevent you from escaping

Move Type Description
Bind Pokemon Normal Image Things such as long bodies or tentacles are used to bind and squeeze the target for four to five turns.
Block Pokemon Normal Image The user blocks the target's way with arms spread wide to prevent escape.
Fairy Lock Pokemon Fairy Image By locking down the battlefield, the user keeps all Pokemon from fleeing during the next turn
Infestation Pokemon Bug Image The target is infested and attacked for four to five turns. The target can't flee during this time.
Magma Storm Pokemon Fire Image The target becomes trapped within a maelstrom of fire that rages for four to five turns.
Mean Look Pokemon Normal Image The use pins the target with a dark, arresting look. The target becomes unable to flee.
Sand Tomb Pokemon Ground Image The user traps the target inside a harshly raging sandstorm for four to five turns.
Whirlpool Pokemon Water Image The use traps the target in a violent swirling whirlpool for four to five turns.
Wrap Pokemon Normal Image A long body, vines, or the like wraps and squeezes the target for 4-5 turns.

Abilities that Prevent Fleeing

Additionally, certain abilities prevent opponents from fleeing.

Ability Name Notes
Magnet Pull Only works on Steel-type Pokemon
Arena Trap Does not work on Flying-Type Pokemon and Pokemon with the Levitate Ability
Shadow Tag Does not work on Ghost-Type Pokemon or other Pokemon with the Shadow Tag ability

Trainer Battles

Trainer_1 Trainer_2

You also cannot run away from Trainer Battles. However, if for whatever reason you do want to avoid a trainer battle, you can often sneak past a trainer by avoiding their gaze. This is done by moving behind them or timing your movement to stay out of their vision (if the trainer moves or looks around).

Max Raid Battles

Max Raid Battle_1 Max Raid Battle_2

Battles inside the Dens of the Wild Area are some of the battles that you cannot escape from. So before entering a den, make sure that you and your Pokemon are ready to fight until the end.

Pokemon Sword and Shield Related Links

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