Pokémon Sword and Shield is amaaazzziinnnggg. By now depending on how much of a life you have (I don’t have any) you might be reaching its endgame. I’m the kind of trainer that’s got to catch them all! But that doesn’t mean that all Pokémon belong on your team. In fact, you might have wasted time levelling up Pokémon that may be pretty useless endgame. Thank goodness for experience share. Here’s a list of Pokémon to keep an eye out for on your travels that could potentially be permanent additions to your party. There’s a good variety here in no particular order. Your team will be dependent on your fighting preference and chosen starter Pokémon. Also, I’m not including legendaries because duh.

 

Dragapult

Type: Dragon / Ghost
Location: Evolves from Drakloak at Lv. 60. Drakloak is found in the Lake of Outrage region of the Wild Area. 

Dragapult is currently the most powerful in the Pokedex, making it hard to not recommend for the best Pokémon in Sword and Shield. With an incredible 142 Speed stat coupled with a 120 Attack stat, along with a great move pool, makes Dragapult a force to be reckoned with.

 

Gyarados

Type: Water / Flying
Location: Route 2, and the Dusty Bowl and Giant’s Cap regions of the Wild Area. Gyrados also evolves from Magikarp at Lv. 20, which you can find from fishing.

Gyarados is famed for always being one of the most powerful Pokémon of all time – especially considering its humble, splashy beginnings. It comes with an Attack stat of 125 and can use Dragon Dance, which is incredible. Don’t forget about Dragon Dance, which allows him to set up and sweep opponents easily.

 

Cinderace

Type: Fire
Location: Evolves from Raboot at Lv. 35. Raboot evolves from Scorbunny at Lv. 16. Scorbunny is a starter obtained at the beginning of the game.

Scorbunny like the Charizard of starters and has decent Attack with high Speed, making sure it can always attack first. It also has a brilliant unique move, Pyro Burn, which has 120 Power and 90 Accuracy that can also burn the target. 

 

Rillaboom

Type: Grass
Location: Rillaboom evolves from Thwackey at Lv. 35. Thwackey evolves from Grookey at Lv. 16. Grookey is a starter obtained at the beginning of the game.

Rillaboom might not be the fastest Pokémon but he’s a baobab of a tank. Drum Beating, one of its special moves, has 80 Power but also lowers the opponents’ speed, and strong base stats makes it one to watch. 

 

Tyranitar

Type: Rock / Dark
Location: Shield exclusive. Evolves from Pupitar at Lv. 55. Pupitar evolves from Larvitar at Lv. 30. Wild Larvitar can be found at the Lake of Outrage in the Wild Area. 

Tyranitar’s base stats are always incredibly high. Moves like Stone Edge, Dragon Dance, Crunch and Earthquake are always going to be hard hitters too, making it an enviable addition to your party. 

 

Conkeldurr

Type: Fighting
Location: Evolves from Gurdurr at Lv. 25. Gurdurr evolves from Timburr at Lv. 25. Gurdurr can be found on Route 8 and the Stony Wilderness region of the Wild Area. And Timburr can be found in the Galar Mine.

With a base Attack stat of 140, Conkeldurr is quite the unstoppable foe. That’s especially true when you look at its Ability, Sheer Force, which removes secondary effects from incoming attacks and increases its damage by 30%. Power him up with moves like Guts (when afflicted with a status condition, deals 50% more damage) in conjunction with a Flame Orb. Drain Punch and Knock Off are also other recommended moves.