Pokemon Sword and Shield Gym Order

Gotta fight 'em all.

Pokemon Sword and Shield has eight gym leaders, and beating all the Pokemon Sword and Shield gym leaders is necessary to complete the main storyline. Below, we have listed all the important information you’ll need, as well as the complete gym order in Pokemon Sword and Shield.

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Pokemon Sword and Shield Gym Leader Allister
Screenshot by Prima Games

All Pokemon Sword and Shield Gyms and Leaders

With there being different Gym leaders between the versions, we can see how you might be needing some help keeping it all straight. Here’s our Pokemon Sword and Shield Gym order list in one handy place for you. 

So, you’re curious about how the gyms shake out in Galar? We don’t blame you. Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield have some notable differences that don’t just come down to the different types of Pokemon in them—we’re also talking the Gym Leaders that are available as part of the main campaign.

Yes, there are Sword versus Shield-specific variants when it comes to who you encounter. We’ve listed out the order of the Gyms in Pokemon Sword and Shield below for your reference, including the instances where they diverge:

Pokemon Sword Gym Order

  1. Turffield Gym Leader Milo – Grass Type – Level 19 to 20
    • Gym Mission: Herd 20 Wooloo into pens.
    • Team: Gossifluer (Lv. 19), Eldegoss (Lv. 20).
    • Weakness: Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison, and Bug.
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 25, train Pokemon up to Lv. 30, TM10: Magical Leaf, Grass Uniform.
  2. Hulbury Gym Leader Nessa – Water Type – Level 22 to 24
    • Gym Mission: Work your way through a maze, using switches controlling the flow of water.
    • Team: Goldeen (Lv. 22), Arrokuda (Lv. 23), Drednaw (Lv. 24).
    • Weakness: Electric, and Grass.
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 30, train Pokemon up to Lv. 35, TM36: Whirlpool, Water Uniform.
  3. Motostoke Gym Leader Kabu – Fire Type – Level 25
    • Gym Mission: Defeat or capture wild Pokemon to earn points before other trainers.
    • Team: Ninetails (Lv. 25), Arcanine (Lv. 25), Centiskorch (Lv. 27).
    • Weakness: Water, Rock, and Ground.
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 35, train Pokemon up to Lv. 40, TM38: Will-O-Wisp, Fire Uniform.
  4. Stow-on-Side Gym Leader Bea – Fighting Type – Level 34 to 36
    • Gym Mission: Slide down a slope and get to the end by rotating the control stick.
    • Team: Hitmontop (Lv. 34), Pangoro (Lv. 34), Sirfetch’d (Lv. 35), Machamp (Lv. 36).
    • Weakness: Psychic, Flying, and Fairy.
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 40, train Pokemon up to Lv. 45, TM42: Revenge, Fighting Uniform.
  5. Ballonlea Gym Leader Opal – Fairy Type – Level 36 to 38
    • Team: Weezing (Lv. 36), Mawile (Lv. 36), Togekiss (Lv. 37), Alcremie (Lv. 38).
    • Gym Mission: Answer trivia questions in between battles against Fairy-type Gym trainers.
    • Weakness: Steel, and Fire or Ground (only against Mawile).
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 45, train Pokemon up to Lv. 50, TM87: Draining Kiss, Fairy Uniform.
  6. Circhester Gym Leader Gordie – Rock Type – Level 40 to 42
    • Gym Mission: Navigate the breakable floors, using a vibrating detector to avoid collapsable tiles and reach the end.
    • Weakness: Ground, Fighting, and Water.
    • Team: Barbacle (Lv. 40), Shuckle (Lv. 40), Stonjourner (Lv. 41), Coalossal (Lv. 42).
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 50, train Pokemon up to Lv. 60, TM48: Rock Tomb, Rock Uniform.
  7. Spikemuth Gym Leader Piers – Dark Type – Level 44 to 46
    • Gym Mission: Defeat a series of Team Yell Gym Trainers as you run down a long narrow alleyway.
    • Team: Scrafty (Lv. 44), Malamar (Lv. 45), Skuntank (Lv. 45), Obstagoon (Lv. 46).
    • Weakness: Fairy, and Ground (only against Skuntank).
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 55, train Pokemon up to Lv. 70, TM85: Snarl, Dark Uniform.
  8. Hammerlocke Gym Leader Raihan – Dragon Type – Level 46 to 48
    • Gym Mission: Defeat four Gym Trainers in Double Battles, each focused on a different weather condition.
    • Team: Gigalith (Lv. 46), Flygon (Lv. 47), Sandaconda (Lv. 46), Duraludon (Lv. 48).
    • Weakness: Ice, Fairy, and Grass.
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch and train Pokemon of any level, TM99: Breaking Swipe, Dragon Uniform.
Pokemon Sword & Shield Gym Leader Melony
Screenshot by Prima Games

Pokemon Shield Gym Order

  1. Turffield Gym Leader Milo – Grass Type – Level 19 to 20
    • Gym Mission: Herd 20 Wooloo into pens.
    • Team: Gossifluer (Lv. 19), Eldegoss (Lv. 20).
    • Weakness: Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison, and Bug.
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 25, train Pokemon up to Lv. 30, TM10: Magical Leaf, Grass Uniform.
  2. Hulbury Gym Leader Nessa – Water Type – Level 22 to 24
    • Gym Mission: Work your way through a maze, using switches controlling the flow of water.
    • Team: Goldeen (Lv. 22), Arrokuda (Lv. 23), Drednaw (Lv. 24).
    • Weakness: Electric, and Grass.
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 30, train Pokemon up to Lv. 35, TM36: Whirlpool, Water Uniform.
  3. Motostoke Gym Leader Kabu – Fire Type – Level 25
    • Gym Mission: Defeat or capture wild Pokemon to earn points before other trainers.
    • Team: Ninetails (Lv. 25), Arcanine (Lv. 25), Centiskorch (Lv. 27).
    • Weakness: Water, Rock, and Ground.
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 35, train Pokemon up to Lv. 40, TM38: Will-O-Wisp, Fire Uniform.
  4. Stow-on-Side Gym Leader Allister – Ghost Type – Level 34 to 36
    • Gym Mission: Avoid obstacles while riding in a cup-shaped car, rotating the control stick to move left and right.
    • Team: Yamask (Lv. 34), Mimikyu (Lv. 34), Cursola (Lv. 35), Gengar (Lv. 36).
    • Weakness: Ghost, and Dark.
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 40, train Pokemon up to Lv. 45, TM77: Hex, Ghost Uniform.
  5. Ballonlea Gym Leader Opal – Fairy Type – Level 36 to 38
    • Gym Mission: Answer trivia questions in between battles against Fairy-type Gym trainers.
    • Team: Weezing (Lv. 36), Mawile (Lv. 36), Togekiss (Lv. 37), Alcremie (Lv. 38).
    • Weakness: Steel, and Fire or Ground (only against Mawile).
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 45, train Pokemon up to Lv. 50, TM87: Draining Kiss, Fairy Uniform.
  6. Circhester Gym Leader Melony – Ice Type – Level 40 to 42
    • Gym Mission: Navigate the breakable floors, using a vibrating detector to avoid collapsable tiles and reach the end.
    • Team: Frosmoth (Lv. 40), Darmanitan (Lv. 40), Eiscue (Lv. 41), Lapras (Lv. 42).
    • Weakness: Fire, and Rock.
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 50, train Pokemon up to Lv. 60, TM27: Icy Wind, Ice Uniform.
  7. Spikemuth Gym Leader Piers – Dark Type – Level 44 to 46
    • Gym Mission: Defeat a series of Team Yell Gym Trainers as you run down a long narrow alleyway.
    • Team: Scrafty (Lv. 44), Malamar (Lv. 45), Skuntank (Lv. 45), Obstagoon (Lv. 46).
    • Weakness: Fairy, and Ground (only against Skuntank).
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch Pokemon up to Lv. 55, train Pokemon up to Lv. 70, TM85: Snarl, Dark Uniform.
  8. Hammerlocke Gym Leader Raihan – Dragon Type – Level 46 to 48
    • Gym Mission: Defeat four Gym Trainers in Double Battles, each focused on a different weather condition.
    • Team: Gigalith (Lv. 46), Flygon (Lv. 47), Sandaconda (Lv. 46), Duraludon (Lv. 48).
    • Weakness: Ice, Fairy, and Grass.
    • Gym Badge Reward: Catch and train Pokemon of any level, TM99: Breaking Swipe, Dragon Uniform.

Now that you have our Pokemon Sword and Shield gym order list, you can better prepare your teams for some of the fights that are ahead.

We reckon it’s an advantage to know what type you’re going to be up against and their weaknesses, and honestly, it even helps to know what you’re going to get asked when you come up against a trickster like Opal when taking on her Fairy gym quiz—we’ve even got a guide here to the answers if you get stuck.

Pokemon Sword and Shield: Champion Cup Semi-Finals

Once you beat all eight gyms in Pokemon Sword and Shield, you’ll gain access to the Champion Cup at Wyndon Stadium. This essentially replaces the Elite Four which you would face at the end of previous Pokemon games. Except here, you’ll have to face off against two rivals in the Semi-Finals before you can move on to the Elite Four of the Champion Cup Finals.

Pokemon Sword and Shield Marnie at the Champion Cup Semi-Finals declaring she's going to kick the player's butt.
Screenshot by Prima Games

First Opponent: Marnie

For the Champion Cup Semi-Finals, your first opponent will be Marnie. At this point, you’re likely familiar with her mostly Dark-centric team, except now she’s added a Grimmsnarl into the mix, which she’ll Gigantamax at the end of the battle. Here’s what you can expect:

PokemonLevelTypeWeaknessResistanceImmunitiesMove Set
Liepard47DarkFighting
Bug
Fairy
Ghost
Dark
PsychicFake Out, Torment, Nasty Plot, Snarl
Toxicroak47Poison / FightingFlying
Ground
Psychic
Fighting
Poison
Bug
Grass
Dark
NoneVenoshock, Sucker Punch, Swagger, Toxic
Scrafty47Dark / FightingFighting
Flying
Fairy
Rock
Ghost
Dark
PsychicSwagger, Scary Face, Brick Break, Crunch
Morpeko48Electric / DarkFighting
Ground
Bug
Fairy
Flying
Ghost
Steel
Electric
Dark
PsychicBullet Seed, Torment, Spark, Bite
Grimmsnarl – Gigantimax49Dark / FairyPoison
Steel
Fairy
Ghost
Dark
Psychic
Dragon
Spirit Break, Darkest Lariat, Bulk Up, Torment
Pokemon Sword and Shield Hop with Dynamax Cinderace
Screenshot by Prima Games

Second Opponent: Hop

After Marnie, your Pokemon will be healed, and then you’ll be pitted against your best friend, Hop. Like with Marnie, you’ve probably fought Hop enough to become fairly familiar with his rather eclectic team. This time his Pokemon have leveled up a bit and learned a few new moves. Here’s what you can expect:

PokemonLevelTypeWeaknessResistanceImmunitiesMove Set
Dubwool48NormalFightingNoneGhostCotton Guard, Reversal, Body Slam, Zen Headbutt
Corviknight48Flying / SteelFire
Electric
Normal
Flying
Bug
Steel
Grass
Psychic
Dragon
Fairy
Poison
Ground
Steel Wing, Drill Peck, Scary Face, Swagger
Pincurchin47ElectricGroundFlying
Steel
Electric
NoneThunderbolt, Poison Jab, Curse
Snorlax47NormalFightingNoneGhostHeavy Slam, High Horsepower, Hammer Arm
Inteleon49WaterGrass
Electric
Steel
Fire
Water
Ice
NoneSnipe Shot, Mud Shot, Icy Wind, Dark Pulse
Rillaboom49GrassFlying
Poison
Bug
Fire
Ice
Ground
Water
Grass
Electric
NoneDrum Beating, High Horsepower, Snarl, Uproar
Cinderace49FireGround
Rock
Water
Bug
Steel
Fire
Grass
Ice
Fairy
NonePyro Ball, Counter, Gunk Shot, Bounce
Pokemon Sword and Shield gym leaders and player character standing in Motostoke Stadium for the Champion Cup Finals
Screenshot by Prima Games

Pokemon Sword and Shield: Champion Cup Finals

After coming out on top of the Champion Cup Semi-Finals, you’re ready to move on to the Finals, but not before some brief shenanigans going on at Rose Tower. Once that’s all settled, you can head on back to the Stadium and start the Champion Cup Finals. For this next segment, you’ll be challenged by four Gym leaders in succession. But unlike in previous Pokemon games, Sword and Shield’s Elite Four will kindly heal you in between battles, so no need to worry about running out of PP or using Revives.

First up, Bede will rudely interrupt the processions for a last-ditch effort at proving themselves. They’re not a legal entrant in the Champion Cup Finals, but they’re a challenger nonetheless. Following Bede, will be Nessa, Bea if you’re playing Sword or Allister if you’re playing Shield, and Raihan in that order. Here’s everything you can expect:

First Opponent: Bede

PokemonLevelTypeWeaknessResistanceImmunitiesMove Set
Mawile51Steel / FairyGround
Fire
Normal
Flying
Rock
Bug
Grass
Psychic
Ice
Dark
Fairy
Poison
Dragon
Play Rough, Iron Head, Crunch
Gardevoir51Psychic / FairyPoison
Ghost
Steel
Fighting
Psychic
DragonDazzling Gleam, Psychic, Calm Mind, Wish
Rapidash52Psychic / FairyPoison
Ghost
Steel
Fighting
Psychic
DragonPsycho Cut, Take Down, Dazzling Gleam, Quick Attack
Hatterene – Gigantimax53Psychic / FairyPoison
Ghost
Steel
Fighting
Psychic
DragonPsychic, Dazzling Gleam, Calm Mind, Mysical Fire

Second Opponent: Nessa

PokemonLevelTypeWeaknessResistanceImmunitiesMove Set
Golisopod51Bug / WaterFlying
Rock Electric
Fighting
Ground
Steel
Water
Ice
NoneFirst Impression, Liquidation, Swords Dance, Shadow Claw
Pelipper51Water / FlyingRock
Electric
Fighting
Bug
Steel
Fire
Water
GroundRoost, Air Slash, Water Pulse, Tailwind
Barraskewda52WaterGrass
Electric
Steel
Fire
Water
Ice
NoneLiquidation, Throat Chop, Ice Fang, Drill Run
Seaking52WaterGrass
Electric
Steel
Fire
Water
Ice
NoneSmart Strike, Megahorn, Aqua Ring, Waterfall
Drednaw – Gigantimax53Water/ RockFighting
Ground
Grass
Electric
Normal
Flying
Poison
Fire
Ice
NoneLiquidation, Jaw Lock, Rock Tomb, Crunch

Third Opponent: Bea / Allister

Bea (Pokemon Sword)

PokemonLevelTypeWeaknessResistanceImmunitiesMove Set
Hawlucha52Fighting / FlyingFlying
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Fairy
Fighting
Bug
Grass
Dark
GroundFlying Press, High Jump Kick, Bounce
Grapploct52FightingFlying
Psychic
Fair
Rock
Bug
Dark
NoneOctolock, Submission, Bind, Mega Punch
Sirfetch’d53FightingFlying
Psychic
Fair
Rock
Bug
Dark
NoneLeaf Blade, Slam, Brick Break, Brutal Swing
Falinks53FightingFlying
Psychic
Fair
Rock
Bug
Dark
NoneNo Retreat, Bulk Up, Close Combat, Rock Tomb
Machamp – Gigantimax54FightingFlying
Psychic
Fair
Rock
Bug
Dark
NoneCross Chop, Revenge, Fire Punch, Strength

Allister (Pokemon Shield)

PokemonLevelTypeWeaknessResistanceImmunitiesMove Set
Dusknoir52GhostGhost
Dark
Poison
Bug
Normal
Fighting
Shadow Punch, Thunder Punch, Rock Tomb, Disable
Chandelure52Ghost / FireGround
Rock
Ghost
Water
Dark
Poison
Bug
Steel
Fire
Grass
Ice
Fairy
Normal
Fighting
Shadowball, Mystical Fire, Will-O-Wisp
Cursola53GhostGhost
Dark
Poison
Bug
Normal
Fighting
Hex, Strength Sap, Ancient Power, Amnesia
Polteageist53GhostGhost
Dark
Poison
Bug
Normal
Fighting
Shadow Ball, Protect, Nasty Plot, Giga Drain
Gengar – Gigantimax54Ghost / PoisonGround
Ghost
Psychic
Dark
Poison
Bug
Grass
Fairy
Normal
Fighting
Shadow Ball, Sludge Bomb, Dark Pulse, Hypnosis

Fourth Opponent: Raihan

PokemonLevelTypeWeaknessResistanceImmunitiesMove Set
Torkoal53FireGround
Rock
Water
Bug
Steel
Fire
Grass
Ice
Fairy
NoneLava Plume, Body Press, Solar Beam, Yawn
Goodra54DragonIce
Dragon
Fairy
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
NoneRain Dance, Surf, Thunder, Muddy Water
Turtonator54Fire / DragonGround
Rock
Dragon
Bug
Steel
Fire
Grass
Electric
NoneSunny Day, Dragon Pulse, Shell Trap, Fire Blast
Flygon54Ground / DragonIce
Dragon
Fairy
Poison
Rock
Fire
Ground
Electric
Sandstorm, Dragon Claw, Earthquake, Crunch
Duraludon – Gigantimax55Steel / DragonFighting
Ground
Normal
Flying
Rock
Bug
Steel
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
PoisonDragon Claw, Body Press, Stone Edge, Iron Head
Pokemon Sword and Shield screenshot of Galar Champion Leon at the Champion Cup Finals
Screenshot by Prima Games

Champion Leon

After beating Raihan, you’re allowed to face the Galar Champion, Leon. But the theme of Pokemon Sword and Shield is interruptions, so you’ll first have to divert your attention to some more shenanigans by the likes of Chairman Rose. But once that’s all done and over with, you can finally end the Champion Cup. So here’s what you can expect from Sword and Shield’s champion of the Galar region, Leon:

PokemonLevelTypeWeaknessResistanceImmunitiesMove Set
Aegislash62Steel / GhostGround
Ghost
Fire
Dark
Flying
Rock
Bug
Steel
Grass
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Fairy
Normal
Fighting
Poison
King’s Shield, Shadow Ball, Sacred Sword, Flash Cannon
Dragapult62Dragon / GhostGhost
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
Poison
Bug
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Normal FightingShadow Ball, Flamethrower, Thunderbolt, Dragon Breath
Haxorus63DragonIce
Dragon
Fairy
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
NonePoison Jab, Iron Tail, Outrage, Earthquake
Seismitoad64Water / GroundGrassPoison
Rock
Steel
Fire
ElectricToxic, Drain Punch, Liquidation, Earthquake
Inteleon64WaterGrass
Electric
Steel
Fire
Water
Ice
NoneSnipe Shot, Dark Pulse, Mud Shot, Tearful Look
Rillaboom64GrassFlying
Poison
Bug
Fire
Ice
Ground
Water
Grass
Electric
NoneDrum Beating, Knock Off, High Horsepower, Endeavor
Cinderace64FireGround
Rock
Water
Bug
Steel
Fire
Grass
Ice
Fairy
NonePyro Ball, Feint, Acrobatics, Quick Attack
Charizard – Gigantimax65Fire / FlyingRock
Water
Electric
Fighting
Bug
Steel
Fire
Grass
Fairy
GroundFire Blast, Air Slash, Solar Beam, Ancient Power

Once you officially make your way through Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Gym order and blast through the Champion Cup, you can claim the title of the new Galar region Champion. Congratulations!


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Author
Prima Games Staff
The staff at Prima Games.
Author
Seth Lowe
Seth has been a writer for Prima Games since 2023. An avid Nintendo lover and a true Pokemon master, surely you'll find him glued to a Game Boy no matter where he is. You can find his previous work at TheGamer.