Pokemon Sword & Shield Gym Guide: Which Leaders to Fight in Each Version
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield take place in the Galar region, where players can challenge ten Gym Leaders. The catch is that each version only lets you fight eight of them, with two Gym battles swapped out depending on whether you’re playing Sword or Shield. The version-exclusive matchups are held at Stow-on-Side and Circhester.
If you’re playing Sword, your unique Gym Leaders are Bea (Fighting-type) followed by Gordie (Rock-type). If you’re playing Shield, your version-specific pair is Allister (Ghost-type) and then Melony (Ice-type).
This guide walks through all ten Galar Gym Leaders, including what Pokémon they field, their main weaknesses, and what you earn after you win.
Galar Gym Leader Availability Snapshot (Sword vs. Shield)
| Gym location | Version-exclusive battle |
|---|---|
| Stow-on-Side | Varies by version |
| Circhester | Varies by version |
Fire, Flying, Ice, Bug, Poison
Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel
Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel
Milo – Grass-Type Gym Leader
Version: Sword and Shield
Reward: Grass Badge, TM10: Magical Leaf, and you can catch Pokémon up to level 25.
Recommended Level: around level 20
Main Weaknesses: Fire, Flying, Ice, Bug, Poison
Milo’s Team
Nessa – Water-Type Gym Leader
Reward: Water Badge, TM36: Whirlpool, and you can catch Pokémon up to level 30
Recommended Level: around level 23
Main Weaknesses: Grass and Electric (Drednaw is also noted as being weak to Fighting and Ground)
Nessa’s Team
Fire Pokémon are often among the strongest options in the series, and these particular picks are highlighted as especially strong tools for trainers to bring.
Kabu – Fire-Type Gym Leader
Reward: Fire Badge, TM38: Will-o-Wisp, and you can catch Pokémon up to level 35
Recommended Level: around level 25
Main Weaknesses: Water, Ground, Rock (Centiskorch is specifically called out as weak to Flying and Rock)
Kabu’s Team
Fire Spin and Will-o-Wisp
Bea – Fighting-Type Gym Leader
Reward: Fighting Badge, TM42: Revenge, and you can catch Pokémon up to level 40
Recommended Level: around level 35
Main Weaknesses: Flying, Psychic, Fairy
Bea’s Team
Allister – Ghost-Type Gym Leader
Reward: Ghost Badge, TM77: Hex, and you can catch Pokémon up to level 40
Main Weaknesses: Dark and Ghost
Payback, Venoshock, Hypnosis
Opal – Fairy-Type Gym Leader
Reward: Fairy Badge, TM87: Draining Kiss, and you can catch Pokémon up to level 45
Recommended Level: around level 37
Main Weaknesses: Poison and Steel
Opal’s Team
Draining Kiss, Ancient Power
Draining Kiss, Sweet Kiss
Answers to Opal’s Questions
Opal shifts into a trivia-style challenge during the Gym fight. If you answer correctly, your Pokémon receive stat increases for the battle. If you get an answer wrong, the stat changes go the other way, resulting in decreases instead.
- Poison/Steel
- Annette
- Omelets
- The Wizard
- Purple
- 16 years old
There are eight Gym Leaders in the Kanto region you’ll need to defeat before you can access the Elite Four—here’s the rundown on how to take them all down.
Gordie – Rock-Type Gym Leader
Reward: Rock Badge, TM48: Rock Tomb, and you can catch Pokémon up to level 50
Recommended Level: around level 40
Gordie’s Team
Melony – Ice-Type Gym Leader
Reward: Ice Badge, TM27: Icy Wind, and you can catch Pokémon up to level 50
Main Weaknesses: Fire, Fighting, Rock, Steel
Melony’s Team
Icicle Crash, Fire Fang, Headbutt
Piers – Dark-Type Gym Leader
Reward: Dark Badge, TM85: Snarl, and you can catch Pokémon up to level 55
Recommended Level: around level 45
Main Weaknesses: Bug and Fairy
Pier’s Team
Snarl, Sucker Punch, Toxic
Shadow Claw, Throat Chop, Counter
The next Pokémon Legends title has leaked as being set in the Galar region about 1,000 years in the past, and there are plenty of directions it could potentially explore.
Raihan – Dragon-Type Gym Leader
Reward: Dragon Badge, TM99: Breaking Swipe, and you can catch Pokémon up to level 100
Recommended Level: around level 47
Main Weaknesses: Raihan’s team is said to include four Pokémon with completely different typings. Gigalith is described as weak to Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel. Flygon is listed as weak to Ice, Dragon, and Fairy. Sandaconda is weak to Grass, Water, and Ice. Duraludon is weak to Fighting and Ground.
