Gen VIII · Galar
Pokémon Sword and Shield Nuzlocke guide
Level caps, boss teams and trainer levels for your next run — 15 main-story battles from Milo (Lv 20) to Leon (Lv 65).
- Nuzlocke
- SoulLink
- Randomizer
Sword and Shield turn the Galar gym challenge into a stadium sport with Dynamax battles, and add the Wild Area with its roaming Pokémon and changing weather.
- Region
- Galar
- Generation
- VIII
- First cap
- Lv20
- Final cap
- Lv65
- Main battles
- 15
- Areas tracked
- 83
Sword & Shield level caps
A level cap is the level of the opponent’s strongest Pokémon. In a Hardcore Nuzlocke, no Pokémon in your party may be above the cap when the battle starts.
The biggest jump in the main story is +10 levels, from Raihan (Lv 55) to Leon (Lv 65). Plan your training before it.
Sword
| # | Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Milo | Gym |  Eldegoss | Lv20 |
| 02 | Nessa | Gym |  Drednaw | Lv24 |
| 03 | Kabu | Gym |  Centiskorch | Lv27 |
| 04 | Bea | Gym |  Machamp | Lv36 |
| 05 | Opal | Gym |  Alcremie | Lv38 |
| 06 | Gordie | Gym |  Coalossal | Lv42 |
| 07 | Piers | Gym |  Obstagoon | Lv46 |
| 08 | Raihan | Gym |  Duraludon | Lv48 |
| 09 | Marnie | League |  Grimmsnarl | Lv49 |
| 10 | Hop | League |  Inteleon | Lv49 |
| 11 | Bede | League |  Hatterene | Lv53 |
| 12 | Nessa | League | Drednaw | Lv53 |
| 13 | Bea | League | Machamp | Lv54 |
| 14 | Raihan | League | Duraludon | Lv55 |
| 15 | Leon | League |  Charizard | Lv65 |
Rivals, villains and other story battles
| Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oleana | Boss |  Garbodor | Lv52 |
| Rose | Boss |  Copperajah | Lv57 |
Post-game and DLC battles (26)
| Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klara (battle 1) | DLC |  Galarian Slowpoke | Lv12 |
| Mustard (battle 1) | DLC |  Shinx | Lv13 |
| Klara (battle 2) | DLC |  Whirlipede | Lv19 |
| Klara (battle 3) | DLC |  Galarian Slowbro | Lv25 |
| Mustard (battle 2) | DLC |  Kubfu | Lv30 |
| Bede | Post-game | Hatterene | Lv53 |
| Klara (battle 1) | DLC | Galarian Slowpoke | Lv60 |
| Mustard (battle 1) | DLC | Shinx | Lv61 |
| Milo - rematch | Post-game |  Flapple | Lv62 |
| Nessa - rematch | Post-game | Drednaw | Lv62 |
| Kabu - rematch | Post-game | Centiskorch | Lv62 |
| Bea - rematch | Post-game | Machamp | Lv62 |
| Gordie - rematch | Post-game | Coalossal | Lv62 |
| Raihan - rematch | Post-game | Duraludon | Lv62 |
| Bede - rematch | Post-game | Hatterene | Lv63 |
| Klara (battle 2) | DLC | Whirlipede | Lv63 |
| Klara (battle 3) | DLC | Galarian Slowbro | Lv67 |
| Mustard (battle 2) | DLC | Kubfu | Lv70 |
| Peony | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Regirock | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Regice | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Registeel | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Regieleki / Regidrago | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Galarian birds | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Mustard · Final | DLC |  Single Strike Urshifu | Lv75 |
| Calyrex | DLC | — | Lv80 |
Shield
| # | Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Milo | Gym | Eldegoss | Lv20 |
| 02 | Nessa | Gym | Drednaw | Lv24 |
| 03 | Kabu | Gym | Centiskorch | Lv27 |
| 04 | Allister | Gym |  Gengar | Lv36 |
| 05 | Opal | Gym | Alcremie | Lv38 |
| 06 | Melony | Gym |  Lapras | Lv42 |
| 07 | Piers | Gym | Obstagoon | Lv46 |
| 08 | Raihan | Gym | Duraludon | Lv48 |
| 09 | Marnie | League | Grimmsnarl | Lv49 |
| 10 | Hop | League | Inteleon | Lv49 |
| 11 | Bede | League | Hatterene | Lv53 |
| 12 | Nessa | League | Drednaw | Lv53 |
| 13 | Allister | League | Gengar | Lv54 |
| 14 | Raihan | League | Duraludon | Lv55 |
| 15 | Leon | League | Charizard | Lv65 |
Rivals, villains and other story battles
| Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oleana | Boss | Garbodor | Lv52 |
| Rose | Boss | Copperajah | Lv57 |
Post-game and DLC battles (26)
| Battle | Type | Ace | Level cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avery (battle 1) | DLC | Galarian Slowpoke | Lv12 |
| Mustard (battle 1) | DLC | Shinx | Lv13 |
| Avery (battle 2) | DLC |  Kadabra | Lv19 |
| Avery (battle 3) | DLC | Galarian Slowbro | Lv25 |
| Mustard (battle 2) | DLC | Kubfu | Lv30 |
| Bede | Post-game | Hatterene | Lv53 |
| Avery (battle 1) | DLC | Galarian Slowpoke | Lv60 |
| Mustard (battle 1) | DLC | Shinx | Lv61 |
| Milo - rematch | Post-game | Flapple | Lv62 |
| Nessa - rematch | Post-game | Drednaw | Lv62 |
| Kabu - rematch | Post-game | Centiskorch | Lv62 |
| Allister - rematch | Post-game | Gengar | Lv62 |
| Melony - rematch | Post-game | Lapras | Lv62 |
| Raihan - rematch | Post-game | Duraludon | Lv62 |
| Bede - rematch | Post-game | Hatterene | Lv63 |
| Avery (battle 2) | DLC | Kadabra | Lv63 |
| Avery (battle 3) | DLC | Galarian Slowbro | Lv67 |
| Mustard (battle 2) | DLC | Kubfu | Lv70 |
| Peony | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Regirock | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Regice | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Registeel | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Regieleki / Regidrago | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Galarian birds | DLC | — | Lv70 |
| Mustard · Final | DLC | Single Strike Urshifu | Lv75 |
| Calyrex | DLC | — | Lv80 |
Sword & Shield boss teams
Every gym leader, trial and League battle of the main story with levels and known movesets. Tap a battle to open its team.
Sword
01 Milo Gym Cap20
Gym Leader Milo
-
Gossifleur Lv19 Magical Leaf · Round · Rapid Spin -
Eldegoss Lv20 Magical Leaf · Leafage · Round
02 Nessa Gym Cap24
Gym Leader Nessa
-
Goldeen Lv22 Water Pulse · Whirlpool · Horn Attack · Agility -
Arrokuda Lv23 Aqua Jet · Bite · Whirlpool · Fury Attack -
Drednaw Lv24 Razor Shell · Water Gun · Bite · Headbutt
03 Kabu Gym Cap27
Gym Leader Kabu
-
Ninetales Lv25 Will-O-Wisp · Fire Spin · Quick Attack · Ember -
Arcanine Lv25 Will-O-Wisp · Flame Wheel · Bite · Agility -
Centiskorch Lv27 Flame Wheel · Coil · Bug Bite · Smokescreen
04 Bea Gym Cap36
Gym Leader Bea
-
Hitmontop Lv34 Triple Kick · Quick Attack · Counter · Revenge -
Pangoro Lv34 Bullet Punch · Circle Throw · Night Slash · Work Up -
Sirfetch’d Lv35 Detect · Swords Dance · Brutal Swing · Revenge -
Machamp Lv36 Scary Face · Revenge · Knock Off · Strength
05 Opal Gym Cap38
Gym Leader Opal
-
Galarian Weezing Lv36 Sludge · Fairy Wind · Tackle -
Mawile Lv36 Draining Kiss · Crunch · Iron Defense · Astonish -
Togekiss Lv37 Air Slash · Draining Kiss · Ancient Power -
Alcremie Lv38 Draining Kiss · Acid Armor · Sweet Kiss
06 Gordie Gym Cap42
Gym Leader Gordie
-
Barbaracle Lv40 Shell Smash · Rock Tomb · Razor Shell -
Shuckle Lv40 Power Split · Stone Edge · Struggle Bug · Rock Tomb -
Stonjourner Lv41 Stealth Rock · Rock Tomb · Body Slam · Wonder Room -
Coalossal Lv42 Tar Shot · Stealth Rock · Heat Crash · Rock Tomb
07 Piers Gym Cap46
Gym Leader Piers
-
Scrafty Lv44 Fake Out · Sand Attack · Brick Break · Payback -
Malamar Lv45 Night Slash · Foul Play · Psycho Cut · Payback -
Skuntank Lv45 Sucker Punch · Screech · Toxic · Snarl -
Obstagoon Lv46 Obstruct · Throat Chop · Counter · Shadow Claw
08 Raihan Gym Cap48
Gym Leader Raihan
-
Gigalith Lv46 Stealth Rock · Sand Tomb · Rock Blast · Body Press -
Flygon Lv47 Thunder Punch · Breaking Swipe · Crunch · Steel Wing -
Sandaconda Lv46 Protect · Glare · Fire Fang · Earth Power -
Duraludon Lv48 Breaking Swipe · Body Press · Stone Edge · Iron Head
09 Marnie League Cap49
Pokémon Trainer Marnie
-
Liepard Lv47 Fake Out · Torment · Nasty Plot · Snarl -
Toxicroak Lv47 Venoshock · Sucker Punch · Swagger · Toxic -
Scrafty Lv47 Swagger · Scary Face · Brick Break · Crunch
-
Full Belly Morpeko Lv48 Bullet Seed · Torment · Spark · Bite -
Grimmsnarl Lv49 Spirit Break · Darkest Lariat · Bulk Up · Torment
10 Hop League Cap49
Pokémon Trainer Hop · With Inteleon
-
Dubwool Lv48 Cotton Guard · Reversal · Body Slam · Zen Headbutt -
Corviknight Lv48 Steel Wing · Drill Peck · Scary Face · Swagger -
Pincurchin Lv47 Thunderbolt · Poison Jab · Curse -
Snorlax Lv47 Heavy Slam · High Horsepower · Hammer Arm -
Inteleon Lv49 Snipe Shot · Mud Shot · Icy Wind · Dark Pulse
Pokémon Trainer Hop · With Rillaboom
-
Dubwool Lv48 Cotton Guard · Reversal · Body Slam · Zen Headbutt
-
Corviknight Lv48 Steel Wing · Drill Peck · Scary Face · Swagger
-
Pincurchin Lv47 Thunderbolt · Poison Jab · Curse
-
Snorlax Lv47 Heavy Slam · High Horsepower · Hammer Arm
-
Rillaboom Lv49 Drum Beating · High Horsepower · Snarl · Uproar
Pokémon Trainer Hop · With Cinderace
-
Dubwool Lv48 Cotton Guard · Reversal · Body Slam · Zen Headbutt
-
Corviknight Lv48 Steel Wing · Drill Peck · Scary Face · Swagger
-
Pincurchin Lv47 Thunderbolt · Poison Jab · Curse
-
Snorlax Lv47 Heavy Slam · High Horsepower · Hammer Arm
-
Cinderace Lv49 Pyro Ball · Counter · Gunk Shot · Bounce
11 Bede League Cap53
Gym Leader Bede
-
Mawile Lv51 Play Rough · Iron Head · Crunch
-
Gardevoir Lv51 Dazzling Gleam · Psychic · Calm Mind · Wish -
Galarian Rapidash Lv52 Psycho Cut · Take Down · Dazzling Gleam · Quick Attack -
Hatterene Lv53 Psychic · Dazzling Gleam · Calm Mind · Mystical Fire
12 Nessa League Cap53
Gym Leader Nessa
-
Golisopod Lv51 First Impression · Liquidation · Swords Dance · Shadow Claw -
Pelipper Lv51 Roost · Air Slash · Water Pulse · Tailwind -
Barraskewda Lv52 Liquidation · Throat Chop · Ice Fang · Drill Run -
Seaking Lv52 Smart Strike · Megahorn · Aqua Ring · Waterfall -
Drednaw Lv53 Liquidation · Jaw Lock · Rock Tomb · Crunch
13 Bea League Cap54
Gym Leader Bea
-
Hawlucha Lv52 Flying Press · High Jump Kick · Bounce -
Grapploct Lv52 Octolock · Submission · Bind · Mega Punch -
Sirfetch’d Lv53 Leaf Blade · Slam · Brick Break · Brutal Swing
-
Falinks Lv53 No Retreat · Bulk Up · Close Combat · Rock Tomb -
Machamp Lv54 Cross Chop · Revenge · Fire Punch · Strength
14 Raihan League Cap55
Gym Leader Raihan
-
Torkoal Lv53 Lava Plume · Body Press · Solar Beam · Yawn -
Goodra Lv54 Rain Dance · Surf · Thunder · Muddy Water -
Turtonator Lv54 Sunny Day · Dragon Pulse · Shell Trap · Fire Blast -
Flygon Lv54 Sandstorm · Dragon Claw · Earthquake · Crunch
-
Duraludon Lv55 Dragon Claw · Body Press · Stone Edge · Iron Head
15 Leon League Cap65
Champion Leon · With Seismitoad
-
Shield Aegislash Lv62 King's Shield · Shadow Ball · Sacred Sword · Flash Cannon -
Dragapult Lv62 Shadow Ball · Flamethrower · Thunderbolt · Dragon Breath -
Haxorus Lv63 Poison Jab · Iron Tail · Outrage · Earthquake -
Seismitoad Lv64 Toxic · Drain Punch · Liquidation · Earthquake -
Cinderace Lv64 Pyro Ball · Feint · Acrobatics · Quick Attack
-
Charizard Lv65 Fire Blast · Air Slash · Solar Beam · Ancient Power
Champion Leon · With Mr. Rime
-
Shield Aegislash Lv62 King's Shield · Shadow Ball · Sacred Sword · Flash Cannon
-
Dragapult Lv62 Shadow Ball · Flamethrower · Thunderbolt · Dragon Breath
-
Haxorus Lv63 Poison Jab · Iron Tail · Outrage · Earthquake
-
Mr. Rime Lv64 Teeter Dance · Psychic · Freeze-Dry · Thunderbolt -
Inteleon Lv64 Snipe Shot · Dark Pulse · Mud Shot · Tearful Look
-
Charizard Lv65 Fire Blast · Air Slash · Solar Beam · Ancient Power
Champion Leon · With Rhyperior
-
Shield Aegislash Lv62 King's Shield · Shadow Ball · Sacred Sword · Flash Cannon
-
Dragapult Lv62 Shadow Ball · Flamethrower · Thunderbolt · Dragon Breath
-
Haxorus Lv63 Poison Jab · Iron Tail · Outrage · Earthquake
-
Rhyperior Lv64 Earthquake · Stone Edge · Megahorn · Heat Crash -
Rillaboom Lv64 Drum Beating · Knock Off · High Horsepower · Endeavor
-
Charizard Lv65 Fire Blast · Air Slash · Solar Beam · Ancient Power
Shield
01 Milo Gym Cap20
Gym Leader Milo
-
Gossifleur Lv19 Magical Leaf · Round · Rapid Spin
-
Eldegoss Lv20 Magical Leaf · Leafage · Round
02 Nessa Gym Cap24
Gym Leader Nessa
-
Goldeen Lv22 Water Pulse · Whirlpool · Horn Attack · Agility
-
Arrokuda Lv23 Aqua Jet · Bite · Whirlpool · Fury Attack
-
Drednaw Lv24 Razor Shell · Water Gun · Bite · Headbutt
03 Kabu Gym Cap27
Gym Leader Kabu
-
Ninetales Lv25 Will-O-Wisp · Fire Spin · Quick Attack · Ember
-
Arcanine Lv25 Will-O-Wisp · Flame Wheel · Bite · Agility
-
Centiskorch Lv27 Flame Wheel · Coil · Bug Bite · Smokescreen
04 Allister Gym Cap36
Gym Leader Allister
-
Galarian Yamask Lv34 Brutal Swing · Hex · Disable -
Disguised Mimikyu Lv34 Shadow Sneak · Baby-Doll Eyes · Hone Claws · Slash -
Cursola Lv35 Ancient Power · Curse · Hex -
Gengar Lv36 Venoshock · Hex · Hypnosis · Payback
05 Opal Gym Cap38
Gym Leader Opal
-
Galarian Weezing Lv36 Sludge · Fairy Wind · Tackle
-
Mawile Lv36 Draining Kiss · Crunch · Iron Defense · Astonish
-
Togekiss Lv37 Air Slash · Draining Kiss · Ancient Power
-
Alcremie Lv38 Draining Kiss · Acid Armor · Sweet Kiss
06 Melony Gym Cap42
Gym Leader Melony
-
Frosmoth Lv40 Icy Wind · Feather Dance · Bug Buzz · Hail -
Standard Darmanitan Lv40 Icicle Crash · Headbutt · Taunt · Fire Fang -
Ice Eiscue Lv41 Amnesia · Freeze-Dry · Hail · Icy Wind -
Lapras Lv42 Icy Wind · Ice Beam · Surf · Sing
07 Piers Gym Cap46
Gym Leader Piers
-
Scrafty Lv44 Fake Out · Sand Attack · Brick Break · Payback
-
Malamar Lv45 Night Slash · Foul Play · Psycho Cut · Payback
-
Skuntank Lv45 Sucker Punch · Screech · Toxic · Snarl
-
Obstagoon Lv46 Obstruct · Throat Chop · Counter · Shadow Claw
08 Raihan Gym Cap48
Gym Leader Raihan
-
Gigalith Lv46 Stealth Rock · Sand Tomb · Rock Blast · Body Press
-
Flygon Lv47 Thunder Punch · Breaking Swipe · Crunch · Steel Wing
-
Sandaconda Lv46 Protect · Glare · Fire Fang · Earth Power
-
Duraludon Lv48 Breaking Swipe · Body Press · Stone Edge · Iron Head
09 Marnie League Cap49
Pokémon Trainer Marnie
-
Liepard Lv47 Fake Out · Torment · Nasty Plot · Snarl
-
Toxicroak Lv47 Venoshock · Sucker Punch · Swagger · Toxic
-
Scrafty Lv47 Swagger · Scary Face · Brick Break · Crunch
-
Full Belly Morpeko Lv48 Bullet Seed · Torment · Spark · Bite
-
Grimmsnarl Lv49 Spirit Break · Darkest Lariat · Bulk Up · Torment
10 Hop League Cap49
Pokémon Trainer Hop · With Inteleon
-
Dubwool Lv48 Cotton Guard · Reversal · Body Slam · Zen Headbutt
-
Corviknight Lv48 Steel Wing · Drill Peck · Scary Face · Swagger
-
Pincurchin Lv47 Thunderbolt · Poison Jab · Curse
-
Snorlax Lv47 Heavy Slam · High Horsepower · Hammer Arm
-
Inteleon Lv49 Snipe Shot · Mud Shot · Icy Wind · Dark Pulse
Pokémon Trainer Hop · With Rillaboom
-
Dubwool Lv48 Cotton Guard · Reversal · Body Slam · Zen Headbutt
-
Corviknight Lv48 Steel Wing · Drill Peck · Scary Face · Swagger
-
Pincurchin Lv47 Thunderbolt · Poison Jab · Curse
-
Snorlax Lv47 Heavy Slam · High Horsepower · Hammer Arm
-
Rillaboom Lv49 Drum Beating · High Horsepower · Snarl · Uproar
Pokémon Trainer Hop · With Cinderace
-
Dubwool Lv48 Cotton Guard · Reversal · Body Slam · Zen Headbutt
-
Corviknight Lv48 Steel Wing · Drill Peck · Scary Face · Swagger
-
Pincurchin Lv47 Thunderbolt · Poison Jab · Curse
-
Snorlax Lv47 Heavy Slam · High Horsepower · Hammer Arm
-
Cinderace Lv49 Pyro Ball · Counter · Gunk Shot · Bounce
11 Bede League Cap53
Gym Leader Bede
-
Mawile Lv51 Play Rough · Iron Head · Crunch
-
Gardevoir Lv51 Dazzling Gleam · Psychic · Calm Mind · Wish
-
Galarian Rapidash Lv52 Psycho Cut · Take Down · Dazzling Gleam · Quick Attack
-
Hatterene Lv53 Psychic · Dazzling Gleam · Calm Mind · Mystical Fire
12 Nessa League Cap53
Gym Leader Nessa
-
Golisopod Lv51 First Impression · Liquidation · Swords Dance · Shadow Claw
-
Pelipper Lv51 Roost · Air Slash · Water Pulse · Tailwind
-
Barraskewda Lv52 Liquidation · Throat Chop · Ice Fang · Drill Run
-
Seaking Lv52 Smart Strike · Megahorn · Aqua Ring · Waterfall
-
Drednaw Lv53 Liquidation · Jaw Lock · Rock Tomb · Crunch
13 Allister League Cap54
Gym Leader Allister
-
Dusknoir Lv52 Shadow Punch · Thunder Punch · Rock Tomb · Disable -
Chandelure Lv52 Shadow Ball · Mystical Fire · Will-O-Wisp -
Cursola Lv53 Hex · Strength Sap · Ancient Power · Amnesia
-
Polteageist Lv53 Shadow Ball · Protect · Nasty Plot · Giga Drain -
Gengar Lv54 Shadow Ball · Sludge Bomb · Dark Pulse · Hypnosis
14 Raihan League Cap55
Gym Leader Raihan
-
Torkoal Lv53 Lava Plume · Body Press · Solar Beam · Yawn
-
Goodra Lv54 Rain Dance · Surf · Thunder · Muddy Water
-
Turtonator Lv54 Sunny Day · Dragon Pulse · Shell Trap · Fire Blast
-
Flygon Lv54 Sandstorm · Dragon Claw · Earthquake · Crunch
-
Duraludon Lv55 Dragon Claw · Body Press · Stone Edge · Iron Head
15 Leon League Cap65
Champion Leon · With Seismitoad
-
Shield Aegislash Lv62 King's Shield · Shadow Ball · Sacred Sword · Flash Cannon
-
Dragapult Lv62 Shadow Ball · Flamethrower · Thunderbolt · Dragon Breath
-
Haxorus Lv63 Poison Jab · Iron Tail · Outrage · Earthquake
-
Seismitoad Lv64 Toxic · Drain Punch · Liquidation · Earthquake
-
Cinderace Lv64 Pyro Ball · Feint · Acrobatics · Quick Attack
-
Charizard Lv65 Fire Blast · Air Slash · Solar Beam · Ancient Power
Champion Leon · With Mr. Rime
-
Shield Aegislash Lv62 King's Shield · Shadow Ball · Sacred Sword · Flash Cannon
-
Dragapult Lv62 Shadow Ball · Flamethrower · Thunderbolt · Dragon Breath
-
Haxorus Lv63 Poison Jab · Iron Tail · Outrage · Earthquake
-
Mr. Rime Lv64 Teeter Dance · Psychic · Freeze-Dry · Thunderbolt
-
Inteleon Lv64 Snipe Shot · Dark Pulse · Mud Shot · Tearful Look
-
Charizard Lv65 Fire Blast · Air Slash · Solar Beam · Ancient Power
Champion Leon · With Rhyperior
-
Shield Aegislash Lv62 King's Shield · Shadow Ball · Sacred Sword · Flash Cannon
-
Dragapult Lv62 Shadow Ball · Flamethrower · Thunderbolt · Dragon Breath
-
Haxorus Lv63 Poison Jab · Iron Tail · Outrage · Earthquake
-
Rhyperior Lv64 Earthquake · Stone Edge · Megahorn · Heat Crash
-
Rillaboom Lv64 Drum Beating · Knock Off · High Horsepower · Endeavor
-
Charizard Lv65 Fire Blast · Air Slash · Solar Beam · Ancient Power
Trainer levels by location
First battles against route trainers in Sword, sorted by the typical level of their strongest Pokémon — a quick way to see where the level curve climbs. Rematches are not included.
| Location | Trainers | Levels | Typical ace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postwick | 3 | 3–5 | Lv5 |
| Route 2 | 6 | 5–8 | Lv8 |
| Route 3 | 6 | 12–14 | Lv13 |
| Motostoke | 17 | 9–27 | Lv14 |
| Galar Mine | 5 | 13–16 | Lv15 |
| Route 4 | 6 | 14–15 | Lv15 |
| Turffield | 4 | 16–20 | Lv17 |
| Route 5 | 12 | 17–21 | Lv19 |
| Hulbury | 4 | 20–24 | Lv21 |
| Galar Mine No. 2 | 9 | 20–24 | Lv23 |
| Motostoke Outskirts | 2 | 22–24 | Lv24 |
| Route 6 | 9 | 29–31 | Lv31 |
| Stow-on-Side | 8 | 28–36 | Lv33 |
| Glimwood Tangle | 4 | 33–34 | Lv34 |
| Ballonlea | 6 | 30–63 | Lv35 |
| Route 7 | 6 | 34–44 | Lv37 |
| Route 8 | 6 | 36–37 | Lv37 |
| Route 8 | 6 | 36–37 | Lv37 |
| Route 9 | 13 | 39–44 | Lv40 |
| Circhester | 9 | 38–65 | Lv41 |
| Spikemuth | 8 | 42–60 | Lv43 |
| Hammerlocke | 6 | 2–48 | Lv45 |
| Route 10 | 9 | 45–47 | Lv46 |
| Wyndon | 5 | 34–47 | Lv47 |
| Fields of Honor | 2 | 10–60 | Lv60 |
| Slumbering Weald | 7 | 58–70 | Lv60 |
| Wedgehurst | 5 | 61–62 | Lv62 |
| Warm-Up Tunnel | 2 | 18–63 | Lv63 |
| Tower of Darkness | 10 | 23–70 | Lv65 |
| Tower of Waters | 10 | 23–70 | Lv65 |
| Master Dojo | 14 | 13–80 | Lv70 |
| Slippery Slope | 1 | 70 | Lv70 |
| Max Lair | 1 | 73–74 | Lv74 |
Nuzlocke tips for Sword & Shield
- Two gyms differ between versions: Bea or Allister in Stow-on-Side, and Gordie or Melony in Circhester.
- The Exp. Share is always on. Rotate your party to stay under the caps.
- Define your encounters per Wild Area zone, and remember that you can’t catch wild Pokémon above a level set by your badges.
New to the challenge? Start with the Nuzlocke rules, or bring friends with the Soul Link rules.
FAQ
What is the first level cap in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
The first cap is level 20: Milo’s strongest Pokémon is Eldegoss at level 20. Keep every party member at or below level 20 for that battle.
What level is the Champion in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Leon sets the final main-story cap at level 65, with Charizard as the ace.
How many boss battles are there in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
This guide lists 15 main-story battles, 2 optional story battles against rivals and villains and 26 post-game battles for Sword.
Can I play a randomized Pokémon Sword and Shield Nuzlocke?
The PokéRuns Randomizer supports the official games of generations I–V, so Pokémon Sword and Shield can’t be randomized with it. You can still track a regular Nuzlocke or Soul Link of Pokémon Sword and Shield with PokéRuns.
Sources
Caps and teams come from the PokéRuns tracker data (updated 2026-09-07), compiled from:
Start your Sword & Shield run.
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