What is a good in-game team for Sword and Shield?

Question

Share your best in-game teams for Pokemon Sword and Shield on this thread! Teams should be aimed toward making casual runs of the game efficient, enjoyable and hassle-free.

Please follow these guidelines regarding detail in your post:

1. For every Pokemon on the team, give recommended moves for use throughout the playthrough. Ideally, comment on more than just the four moves you'll finish with post-game.
2. You can include items, abilities, etc. but they are not necessary.
3. Provide explanation and detail. Justify your Pokemon and moveset choices; possible discussion points include ease-of-use, team synergy, and coverage for key battles.

Please also follow these guidelines regarding the contents of your team:

1. If you recommend a Pokemon that is restricted by version exclusivity, trade evolution or events, please mention alternatives for people who cannot get the Pokemon. Do the same if you recommend moves, etc. that are only available by breeding or grinding.
2. There are some unspoken rules of in-game teams, such as to keep the starter on the team and avoid legendaries. It's kind to give other options if you break these rules.
3. Do not recommend Pokemon, moves, etc. that are only available through glitches and cheats. Please also avoid Pokemon etc. that are only available through trade or transfer.
4. Original content only. You may use ideas you found elsewhere, but do not steal written content.

Submit your team as an answer, not a comment. To keep things tidy, we will remove any teams posted as comments in this thread. If you want to update your post, use the 'edit' button.

Please be sparing with images and formatting.

You can assess your team's strengths and weaknesses using an online teambuilder, such as this one.

Comments

Just so you know, richi3f put offensive coverage in this teambuilder. So now you can make sure your STAB attacks are super effective against every type. (and hope this isn't like Emerald, where a team that has every attack except thunderbolt is worse than a team of 6 thunderbolt spammers)

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That link is dead! How can I access that teambuilder?

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I replaced it with a different teambuilder. Follow this Smogon thread if you want updates on if/when richi3f's teambuilder will be accessible again. https://www.smogon.com/forums/threads/3585346/

Answer 1

This is the team from my second successful playthrough of Shield. To my knowledge, everything on this team is accessible in Sword, so you don't have to worry about making substitutions. This team focuses on two big things-type coverage, and hitting everything as hard as possible. There are a few setup moves, but you may not find yourself using them very often. I'll put in the natures I got, the items I gave them, and, just for fun, their nicknames.

Bubble 07 the Inteleon
Received as Sobble in Postwick
Item-Mystic Water
Nature-Modest

Moveset:
U-Turn (level 30 as Drizzile)
Snipe Shot (learned upon evolution)
Ice Beam (TR05)
Tearful Look (level 19 as Drizzile)

Sobble is your primary special attacker, though its Attack stat isn't too shabby either. It's fast, it hits hard, it learns some pretty great moves, what's not to like? Snipe Shot is Inteleon's signature move, with high Base Power and STAB, and while there are options with higher Base Power, it works well enough for the main story. Up until your starter learns Snipe Shot, I'd recommend using Water Pulse. U-Turn is mostly in case things get dicey and you need a free switch, but it can be used to deal with Piers and Marnie. Ice Beam gives you a massive advantage if you can get your hands on it, and hits for decent neutral or super-effective damage on most things. Tearful Look is filler, as I couldn't think of anything else to add, but it at least reduces the opponent's Attack.

Nevermore the Corviknight
Caught as Rookidee on Route 1
Item-Expert Belt
Nature-Calm

Moveset:
Brave Bird (level 50)
Steel Wing (learned upon evolution
Revenge (TM found in Ballonlea)
Hone Claws (level 8 as Rookidee)

If I had to describe Corviknight in a word, I would say-BULKY. Its Steel typing negates the Ice weakness from its Flying typing, it resists nearly everything, and its Defense and HP are high enough that it can usually tank a couple of super-effective hits. Brave Bird is Flying STAB and hits hard, at the expense of some HP. Steel Wing is Steel STAB, Revenge is coverage for Ice- and Dark-types, and Hone Claws makes Corviknight hit harder.

Roxie the Obstagoon
Caught as Zigzagoon on Route 2
Item-Black Glasses
Nature-Naughty

Moveset:
Thunder Punch (TM Shop in Wyndon)
Night Slash (level 30 as Linoone)
Obstruct (learned upon evolution)
Shadow Claw (TM found at the Lake of Outrage)

Obstagoon will be your main physical attacker. It's a bit like Inteleon in that it's fast and hits hard. It's also immune to Ghost-Types, so that's neat. Thunder Punch is there to take out Flying- and Water-types if you can't use Roserade for some reason, but it'll hit for pretty good neutral damage on a lot of things. Night Slash is Dark STAB, and utterly demolishes Ghost-Types (like Allister's team) and Psychic-Types, of which there seems to be an abundance. Obstruct is just to be annoying and keep the opponent from doing anything. Shadow Claw is general coverage.

Haru the Roserade
Caught as Roselia in Rolling Fields
Item-Big Root
Nature-Impish

Moveset:
Toxic (level 40 as Roselia)
Giga Drain (level 30 as Roselia)
Synthesis (level 35 as Roselia)
Venoshock (TM found in Stow-on-Side)

Do you want to just breeze through the first half of the game? Of course you do. Just catch the Roselia in Rolling Fields and you can pretty much cheese your way through the first five Gyms. Roserade is your secondary special attacker. She's a bit bulkier than Inteleon, and hits just as hard. Toxic badly poisons the opponent, and powers up Venoshock. Giga Drain is Grass STAB and restores HP. Synthesis keeps Roserade in the fight longer and keeps you from having to use a healing item.

Kyubey the Sylveon
Caught as Eevee on Route 4
Item-Leftovers
Nature-Modest

Moveset:
Moonblast (level 50)
Psyshock (TR25)
Sunny Day (TM Shop in Hammerlocke)
Last Resort (level 55)

This one and the next one are mainly here to handle what the others can't deal with. Sylveon is slow, but he can take a lot of hits and do a lot of damage, he's immune to Dragon-types, and he can act as a support 'Mon if need be. Moonblast is Fairy STAB, and your answer to Leon's Dragapult and Haxorus. Psyshock is coverage for Poison-Types. Sunny Day is to help the others, as it lets Roserade heal even more with Synthesis, and powers up Flygon's Flamethrower and lets it use Solar Beam without having to charge.

And last, but not least...

Sandy the Flygon
Caught as Trapinch in a Max Raid Battle
Item-Assault Vest
Nature-Sassy

Moveset:
Earthquake (level 44 as Vibrava)
Solar Beam (TM found in Turffield)
Dragon Claw (learned upon evolution)
Flamethrower (TR02)

FLYGON OP PLEASE NERF. Even as a Trapinch, she was destroying everything in her path. I was supremely lucky to find one before Route 6, but if you can't find one as early, you should still do fine until then. She'll be your mixed attacker, even though her Special Attack isn't quite as good as her Attack. Her stats are good all-around, and she has a surprisingly diverse moveset. Earthquake is Ground STAB, and will pretty much 1HKO or 2HKO everything. Solar Beam is just in case things get ugly and you need to hit really hard. It should be used in tandem with Sylveon's Sunny Day. Dragon Claw is Dragon STAB. Flamethrower is coverage for Ice-Types.

Comments

Shadow ball is a better move for Inteleon because of the chance of SpD drop that's really handy. Besides, sunny day is great for most of your team, not all of it.

Answer 2

Okay, so I just got both a switch and shield version. This team is going to be for shield and what I believe will be good enough to beat the post game battle facility. I will have g-max mons due to how early you can access the Isle of Armour.

Inteleon (G-Max) @mystic Water
/
Ability: Torrent
Snipe Shot (upon evolution)
Ice Beam (TR 05)
Shadow Ball (TR 33)
Air Slash (TM 95)

Inteleon is my fave mon ever.

Rapidash-Galar @Item unknown (plz suggest)

Pastel Veil
Psycho Cut (upon evolution)
Megahorn (TR 28)
Play Rough (TR 90)
High Horsepower (TR 94)

Rapidash-Galar is, to me, a really good variant of a semi-forgotten mon prior to gen 8.

Toxtricity-Amped @leftovers

Plus Rock
Overdive (lvl 44)
Poison Jab (lvl 40)
Drain punch (TM 63)
Thunder Wave (TM 14)

This mon makes my team because of how sick and cool it looks.

Grapploct - (replaced in post-game by)- Zamazenta
Grapploct: @Sitrus berry
Limber
brick break (lvl 20)
Taunt (move to evolve it)
Octoblock (upon evolution)
Ice Punch (TM 04)

Zamazenta:
Dauntless Shield
Behemoth Bash
Close combat
Crunch
Ice Fang (TM 67)

I decided to choose Grapploct because it is the best fighting type in Shield that isn't Urshifu that was in shield. I'm replacing it with Zamazenta because I always use the box art legend. If you aren't a legend user and use my team, keep grapploct.

Cinderace @expert Belt
/
Libero
Pyro Ball (upon evolution)
U-Turn (TM 56)
Zen headbutt (TR 69)
Scorching Sands (move tutor)

I think i'm able to get the starters with hidden abilities through home still. Correct me if I am wrong.

Glaceon @Nevermeltice

Snow Cloak
Ice Beam
Shadow Ball
Hail
Blizzard

Glaceon is my favourite eeveelution and can actually be obtained early in this game.

This is going to be my first ever Pokémon Shield Version team. Please let me know of any changes to movesets/items/team members please because I welcome all opinions as long as they are told respectfully.

Comments

I would recommend wide lens for Galarian Rapidash, since moves like Megahorn and Play Rough have lower accuracy. I like to be certain that my Pokemon would land a hit, but it’s really up to your personal preference :) Smart using both Cinderace and Intelleon, they can cover a lot. Also Glaceon is my favorite too.

Answer 3

This is the team I use for Pokemon Shield, although it doesn't have any version exclusives so it could be used for Pokemon Sword as well. This team has a lot of my favorite Pokemon, it is balanced with a lot of typings, and has no type overlap. I didn't include a starter, because I don't like this Gen's starters very much, but you could easily swap Centiskorch for Cinderace, Inteleon for Blastoise, or Rillaboom for Toxtricity. Many of these Pokemon have GMax forms, and while they aren't necessary, they are cool to have. Use Max Soup or find them in Max Raid battles if you'd like.

Centiskorch @ Charti Berry
Ability: White Smoke
Nature: Adamant or Naughty
- Coil
- Fire Lash
- Leech Life
- Power Whip / Scald
Centiskorch is one of my favorite Pokemon ever, with a unique and crisp design. It's fire typing is useful for the first Grass Gym, the Ice Gym, and the many steel Pokemon you fight later in the game. Coil is a very useful status move learnt relatively early. It provides Attack and Defense boosts in addition to the accuracy boost that allows it to use low accuracy moves such as Power Whip. Fire Lash is an amazing physical STAB fire type move, probably the best in the game, as it lowers the opponents defense. Leech Life is extremely useful for regaining health as well as providing major STAB damage. Power Whip and Scald can each be used for coverage, Power Whip pairing nicely with Coil, and Scald providing burn chances to protect Centiskorch's low Defense. Although Centiskorch is a physical attacker, it also has a fairly high Special Attack, allowing it to use this move. The fire spin mechanic of its GMax Centiferno isn't all that crucial, but the form change is cool. Centiskorch could be swapped with Cinderace if you want to use a starter on your team. You can find Sizzlipede on Route 3 or in raids. Watch out for Rock types! use Charti Berries so you don't get OHKO'd.
Subs: Cinderace or Arcanine

Toxtricity @ Magnet
Ability: Punk Rock
Nature: Timid or Modest
- Volt Switch
- Overdrive
- Sludge Wave
- Boomburst
Toxtricity is a key member of this team, with poison and electric type moves taking out water, flying, and fairy types as its main purpose. Volt Switch is an amazing pivot move that allows Toxtricity to switch out while dealing major damage. Overdrive is a must, dealing epic STAB damage when combined with Toxtricity's high special attack and Punk Rock ability. Sludge Wave is extremely useful STAB for taking out fairy type Pokemon. Boomburst is an all around coverage move, with extremely high base power that is boosted to even greater heights by Punk Rock. Toxtricity's GMax Stun Shock is useful for paralyzing or poisoning foes, not to mention it looks dope. You can use this in pairing with Max Ooze to boost Special Attack first for some devastating sweeps. Toxtricity can be swapped for Rillaboom if you want to use a starter, so that you can still deal with water types. You are gifted Toxel on Route 5, or you can find it in raids. Use a Magnet to increase the power of Volt Switch and Overdrive, allowing you to take out mons more easily.
Subs: Rillaboom or Roserade

Blastoise @ Wise Glasses
Ability: Torrent
Nature: Modest or Impish
- Shell Smash
- Surf
- Aura Sphere
- Dragon Pulse
Blastoise! An amazing Pokemon, and could even be a symbolic one when you use another Gen 1 starter to take down Leon's Charizard. It is only found on the Isle of Armor though, so if you don't have the expansion pass you could use Lapras or Inteleon instead. Shell Smash is an insane status move, boosting Attack, Special Attack, and Speed all in one, providing setup for sweeps. Surf is a great STAB option, doing massive damage after a Shell Smash. Aura Sphere is a great option for coverage, and always hits so that's nice. Dragon Pulse is great for coverage, as it's only resisted by steel and fairy types. GMax Cannonade doesn't have that much of a benefit, but it certainly looks awesome. You are gifted Squirtle after the first stage in the Dojo Trials (you can go to the Isle of Armor after going to the Wild Area for the first time). Use Wise Glasses to up the power of Blastoise's special attacks.
Subs: Inteleon or Lapras

Hatterene @ Leftovers
Ability: Magic Bounce if possible, otherwise use Healer
Nature: Modest
- Calm Mind
- Psyshock
- Dazzling Gleam
- Mystical Fire
Hatterene is such a good Pokemon, with great bulk and offensive options. Its Magic Bounce ability is again great for dealing with status moves, although if you can't get one with a hidden ability, Healer works fine too. Calm Mind is great for setup, boosting Special Attack and Defense. Psyshock is useful for hitting Specially Defensive Pokemon with a special STAB move that hits physically. Dazzling Gleam is a great fairy STAB, especially useful in double battles. Mystical Fire is a great coverage move, and further capitalizes on Hatterene's high Special Defense by lowering the opponents Special Attack. GMax Smite is great with its confusion effect, as this allows for another status to be stacked with it. Hattena can be found at Motostoke Outskirts or in raids. Use Leftovers to regain health more often, as Hatterene is super slow and will get hit with attacks.
Subs: Grimsnarl or Gardevoir

Lucario @ Assault Vest
Ability: Inner Focus
Nature: Lonely, Naughty, Hasty, Naive, Mild, or Rash
- Aura Sphere
- Meteor Mash
- Ice Punch
- Dark Pulse
Lucario acts as a mixed sweeper, with a combo of super-effective coverage and STAB attacks that will make the opponents team pay. Aura Sphere is an amazing STAB move that takes use of Lucario's high Special Attack, and it is super reliable as it never misses. Meteor Mash is a great physical STAB steel option that can even raise Lucario's attack. Ice Punch is a great coverage move, sweeping through ground, grass, flying, and dragon types. Dark Pulse offers additional coverage, and varied special attack in the moveset. Riolu can be found in the Wild Area overworld or in raids. Use an Assault Vest to capitalize on the Special Defense boost when using only attacking moves.
Subs: Corviknight or Gallade

Dragapult @ Spell Tag
Ability: Clear Body
Nature: Lonely, Naughty, Mild, or Rash
- Dragon Darts
- Shadow Ball
- U-Turn
- Draco Meteor
Dragapult ties up the team as an amazing psuedo legendary and mixed attacker. While it doesn't become viable until it evolves into Drakloak at level 50, Dreepy can be found in rare raids after the first gym, so you don't have to wait until the end of the game to obtain it. Dragon Darts is a necessary physical STAB move with amazing power, and its own double battle mechanic. Who doesn't like hurling dragon babies! Shadow Ball is a great STAB ghost option for utilizing Dragapult's Special Attack stat. U-Turn is great for pivoting while dealing damage, and can erase the stat drops from Draco Meteor. Draco Meteor is an epic move that does massive damage, and although it lowers Dragapult's Special Attack, this can be ignored after a simple U-Turn. Dreepy can be found at the Lake of Outrage or in raids. Runerigus is another great option, as currently I haven't included a reliable way for dealing with electric types, but I enjoy having a psuedo-legendary on my team. Use Spell Tag to increase the damage output of Shadow Ball, because this is the weakest attack that Dragapult has.
Subs: Runerigus or Duraludon

I know this team has lots of checks and flaws, but I love playing with it, and I hope you do too! Enjoy!

Answer 4

https://marriland.com/tools/team-builder/P1ztx621pzs23ygQ/

This was my team for Pokemon Sword, 2 years ago

Inteleon: When I first saw the Starters, I was in disbelief. However, James Pond the Inteleon grew on me. Inteleon is a special Glascannon, meaning that it cannot survive multiple attacks. It is worth mentioning that it can solo Kabu, Gordie, Leon's Rhyperior and 2 dragons, Hop's Cinderace and Raihan's ground types and Gigalith . For it's moveset, I suggest you to run Snipe Shot (high crit chance) or Scald (30% burn chance) in addition to Hydro Pump to hit hard opponents. Ice Beam is coverage against pesky Grass types and Dragons. For the final move slot, you can choose between U-turn (for pivoting), Dark Pulse/ Shadow ball (coverage against Psychic and Ghost) or Focus Energy (to increase your critical hit ratio). Before you are able to evolve your drizzile into Inteleon, It should know Focus Energy and Water Pulse as its main moves. Make sure that your Inteleon is either Modest, Timid or even Hasty natured.

Orbeetle: My Madlad (yes, that's the nickname that I gave to my Orbeetle) was a very useful Pokemon. She was quite fast and could hit hard. I believe that the orbeetle line are the first Bug/Psychic type Pokemon that we ever get too. For its moveset, I suggest you to run Calm Mind (to boost your amazing Special Attack and defence), Psychic or Psyshock (the former is learned at level 36 while the later can be learn through a TR) as your main Psychic STAB, Bug Buzz which is learned at level 28 (your main Bug STAB) and Energy Ball (coverage against Rock types mostly and obtainable as a TR). Before getting Orbeetle, your Blipbug or Dottler (which I assume that you caught at early at the first routes) probably has Struggle Bug, Confusion and the two Screens (LIght Screen/ Reflect). Orbeetle can solo Milo's team, Bea's team besides Pangoro and Leon's Rillaboom, as well as your rivals Marnie and Bede. A suggested nature is Modest.

Corviknight: The Regional Bird, probably one of the best regional birds since Gen 4 introduced Staraptor. Corviknight is a better Skarmory from what I understand, with better offensive stats. It's line is also the 3rd Pokemon line to be primary Flying type. My Raven (nickname for my own Corviknight) was very useful at tanking hits and retaliating with Brave Bird/ Body Press. Corviknight does fantastic against Milo's entire team, Kabu's ace Centiskortch, Bea's entire team, Opal's entire team, Hop's Trevenant, Marnie's Toxicroak and Bede after he became a Fairy-type trainer. For it's Moveset, I suggest you to run Hone Claws (lvl up and learnable early/ a move that increases attack and accuracy), Brave Bird (it's best STAB Flying type option with recoil), Steel Wing (learned after evolution to Corviknight/ boosted by Hone Claws) and finally, Body Press (focused on Corv's amazing defence and also turns into Max Knuckle upon dynamaxing/ learned through TR). As a Rookidee/Corvisquire, you should have Taunt and Pluck (which later upgrades into Drill Peck). For a suitable nature, go for Adamant or Impish.

Coalossal: This is what Macargo should have been. Coalossal takes its "use your disadvantage as your advantage" to another level with two words: Steam Engine, an ability that increases your speed upon getting hit by Water or Fire moves. Coalossal is a tank (not suprised) and can take a few super effective hits quite well. My Titan (nickname..again) was able to pull off this strategy in many battles while dynamaxed. Coalossal does great against Milo (as a Carkoal), kabu's entire team, Gordie's team (you will see how in a minute), Raihan's team (yes, it does well against Raihan despite it's weakness to both Flygon and Sandaconda), Chairman Rose's ENTIRE Steel type team and did I forgot to mention that it's the Ultimate Charizard killer? For it's moveset, I suggest a mixed set: Flamethrower as your usual Fire STAB, Rock Slide/Stone Edge as your usual Rock STAB, Stealth Rock (mainly for Charizard) and it's secret weapon, Scald (somehow, Coalossal can learn Scald, which is very helpful against Gordie). A suggested nature is a neutral one. As a Rolycoly/Carkoal, you can use Smack Down and Incinerate.

Note: For the battle with Raihan, keep Water Gun on Inteleon and make it Coalossal's Partner. Make sure that Coalossal has ev investments in Spdef and dynamax it first round. Use Max Geyser on both Raihan's ground and rock types while Inteleon uses Water Gun on Coalossal for the speed boost. Finish the rest of raihan's mons with Inteleon (now has it's water moves boosted by rain and Ice beam) as well as Sirfetch'd.

Sirfetch'd: Remember Farfetch'd? Yes, this is it now. Farfetch'd (or in that case Galarian Farfetch'd) recieved a massive buff with a new evolution. A pure fighting type by the way. My Madame Fetch'd (mine sirfetch'd is a female) was the absolute mvp against Team Yell. Sirfetch'd does well against Nessa's Drednaw, Bea's team with flying type coverage, Gordie (poor Gordie, he can't take a breathe), and Pier's entire team (it is worth mentioning that the entire Team Yell is a victim of Sirfetch'd' and Macros Cosmos's staff members too). For its moveset, I suggest Brick Break (main STAB option), Knock Off/Brutal Swing (coverage for Psychic and Ghost types), Brave Bird (learned at level 65/ coverage against Bug and other Fighting types which causes recoil) and Sword Dance (learnt at level 45, massive attack boost). As a Galarian Farfetch'd (which btw, you need to get 3 critical hits in a battle to evolve it), you can run Rock Smash and Fury Cutter. Suggested nature is Adamant.

Fun fact: Sirfetch'd has higher base attack stat than Base (non-Mega) Garchomp

Toxtricity: Last but not least (and greatest), we have Toxtricity. The very first Electric/Poison type in the series. Roxie (named after the 2nd gym leader of BW2, also suprisingly fitting name) was probably the weakest of my team but she could handle a few Pokemon in Hop's and Bede's teams. Toxtricity is also extremely vulnerable against Ground and Steel types (thank arceus that no major battle had an Excadrill or Steelix). For its moveset, you can give it Overdrive ( Electric STAB), Venoshock (Poison STAB/boosted by Toxic), Toxic (status condition) and Boomburst (the only special coverage thing has). As a Toxel (which btw was horrible), Nuzzle was incredibly useful.

Answer 5

Team Using Only Galar Pokémon:
Inteleon @ Mystic Water
Nature: Modest/Timid
Ability: Torrent
-Snipe Shot
-Ice Beam
-Dark Pulse
-Shadow Ball/ U-Turn

Snipe Shot is STAB and learned on evolution and I prefer it to Scald or Surf because you don't have to grind Raids or Watts, Ice Beam and Dark Pulse both provide good coverage, while Shadow Ball can be used for more or if you want you can use U-Turn of an easy switch

Corviknight @ Metal Coat
Nature: Impish/Adamant
Ability: Unnerve
-Iron Head
-Brave Bird/Drill Peck
-Body Press
-Iron Defense/Hone Claws

Iron Head is STAB along with brave bird but if you don't want recoil then use Drill Peck, Body Press provides good coverage with Corviknight's high defense. Iron Defense and Hone Claw both boost use stats for Corviknight so it is up to you to chose

Centiskorch @ Big Root
Nature: Adamant
Ability: Flash Fire
-Fire Lash
-Leech Life
-Crunch
-Power Whip

Fire Lash and Leech Life are good STAB's and Leech Life pairs well with the Big Root, Crunch is for coverage, and Power Whip coves that nasty 4x rock weakness

Runerigus @ Rock Helmet
Nature: Impish
Ability: Wandering Spirit
-Shadow Claw
-Earthquake
-Body Press
-Will-O-Wisp

Shadow Claw and Earthquake for STAB, Body Press output huge amounts of Damage with Runerigus's large Defense stat and Will-O-Wisp further cripples physical attackers.

Toxtricity @ Magnet/Poison Barb
Nature: Rash
Ability: Punk Rock
-Overdrive
-Sludge Bomb/Sludge Wave
-Boomburst
-Volt Switch

Overdrive is STAB boosted by Punk Rock, Sludge Bomb/Wave or pretty much the same so use which ever you can get your hands on, Boomburst is incredibly powerful with base 140 power boosted by Punk Rock, and Volt switch is to switch out if needed

Dragapult @ Spell Tag/Dragon Fang
Nature: Hasty/Naive/Lonely/Naughty/Adamant
Ability: Clear Body/Infiltrator
-Dragon Darts
-Phantom Force
-Psychic Fangs
-Dragon Dance/U-Turn/Thunderbolt/Flamethrower

Dragon Darts is STAB that breaks sturdy, Phantom Force is also STAB that goes through Protect, Psychic Fangs is coverage that can break Light Screen and Reflect, the final move is really based on preference and what nature you get. If you get Adamant, you are going to want to use Dragon Dance or U-Turn, but if you get any of the other suggested nature, then you could also use Thunderbolt or Flamethrower for coverage.

Locations for each Pokémon:
Inteleon: Starter
Corviknight: Route 1
Centiskorch: Motostoke Gym
Runerigus: Route 6
Toxtricity: Pokémon Daycare
Dragapult: Lake of Rage (During Thunderstorm, Heavy Fog, or Overcast)

Notes:
To evolve Yamask into Runerigus, grab the Focus Sash from Mr. Focus left of the Hammerlock Pokémon Center, then find a powerful Pokémon, take a hit, survive on 1 HP then use a Pokédoll to run away. Then bike under the large arch in the Dusty Bowl.
If you can't catch a Sizzlipede in Motostoke gym, then you can catch a rare one on Route 3 or one in the Giant's Foot during Normal Weather or Intense Sun.

Comments

What should we use before Dragapult?

Answer 6

I've seen and used this team multiple times and I think you guys will like it.

Cinderace @ charcoal
Ability: Libero
Nature: Jolly/Adamant
G-Max: Yes
EVs: Attack 252/ Spe 252/ HP 4
moves
-Fire Punch/Sunny Day
-Low Sweep
-U-Turn
-Pyro Ball

Pyro Ball is obvious because of STAB and 120 base power along with the ability to use sunny day it's the best. Fire punch is the next best fire move and it can decent, but I prefer sunny day. Low sweep is for rock types. U-turn is amazing for competitive battles.

Roserade @ Black Sludge/Big Root
Ability: Natural Cure
Nature: Modest
EVs: SpA 252/ SpD 252/ HP 4
moves
-Giga Drain
-Sludge bomb
-Dazzling Gleam
-Shadow Ball

Shadow Ball is for psychic types. Giga Drain and sludge bomb both have decent power and STAB, so that's nice.

Lucario @ Life orb
Ability: Inner Focus
Nature: Modest/Adamant
EVs: Attack 252/ SpA 252/ HP 4
moves
-Flash Cannon
-Aura Sphere
-Earthquake
-Ice Punch

Earthquake is coverage for fire types. Ice Punch is coverage for ground types. All other moves have decent power and STAB which is nice.

Barraskewda @ Heavy-Duty Boots/ Choice Band
Ability: Swift Swim
Nature: Adamant/Timid
EVs: Attack 252/ Spe 252/ SpD 4
moves
-Liquidation
-Psychic fangs
-Poison Jab
-Ice Fangs

Poison Jab is for grass types along with ice fang. Liquidation is just so good because of STAB and it's physical. Psychic Fangs is to cover poison and fighting types.

Togekiss @ leftovers
Ability: Sencere Grace
Nature: Sassy/Quiet
EVs: HP 252/ SpA 252/ Def. 4
moves
-Air Slash
-Aura Sphere
-Dazzling Gleam
-Psychic

Dazzling Gleam and Air Slash are for STAB. The Leftovers will help since Togekiss doesn't have the best HP. Aura Sphere is for coverage to rock. Psychic is for poison types. Aura Sphere and Psychic both also have decent power.

Snorlax @ Focus band
Ability: Thick Fat
Nature: Sassy
G-Max: yes
EVs: Attack 252/SpD 252/ 4 Spe.
moves
-Body Slam
-Zen headbutt
-High Horsepower
-Thunder Punch/Wild Charge

Body Slam Is for STAB and Decent power. Zen headbutt is for coverage. High Horsepower is for Rock and Fire types especially because of thick fat. Wild Charge or Thunder Punch are for a more diverse move set and decent power.

Answer 7

Team: 1st choice swampert/barraskewda, arecanine/Cinderace, whimsicott, Lucario, Gengar, Snorlax

Swampert (Find in Crowned tundra)@ Rindo Berry or Barraskewda @ Life orb/assault vest
Ability: Torrent or Ability: Swift swim
EVs: 252 HP/ 252 Atk/ 4 Spe or EVs: 252 Atk/ 4 SpD/ 252 Spe
Adamant nature or Jolly Nature
-Hammer Arm (Coverage and high power) or -Poison Jab (Coverage and decent power)
-earthquake (STAB and high power) or -Ice Fang (Decent power and coverage)
-Scald (Chance to burn + STAB + decent power or -Psychic Fangs ( Coverage + Decent Power)
-Rock Slide (High power and decent accuracy) or -Liquidation (STAB + decent power and accuracy)

Arecanine (Find Growlithe in giants mirror in sword or find elswere in shield)@ life orb/ Charcoal or Cinderace @ Choice Band
Ability: intimidate or Ability: Libero
Evs: 4 HP/ 252 Atk/ 252 Spe or EVs: 252 Atk/ 4 Def/ 252 Spe
Naughty Nature or Jolly Nature
- Burn Up or Pyro Ball (High power on both and leaves you weakless and STAB on pyro Ball)
- Play Rough or Iron Head ( Good Power and coverage for both moves)
- Extreme Speed or U- turn ( Decent power and high accuracy or Utility and high accuracy)
- Buldoze or Revenge (Decent power and coverage or doubled power if you get attack which in competitive you probably will be attacked)

Wimsicott (Use sun stone on traded cottenee) @ Focus Sash/Big Root
Ability: Clorophyll
EVs: 4 HP/ 252 SpA/ 252 Spe
Timid Nature
-Giga Drain(Healing + STAB = pretty good)
-Cotton Guard/ Sunny Day (Stat boosting from clorphyll or Cotton Guard)
-Toxic (For all tanks like wimsicott)
-Play Rough/Dazzling Gleam (STAB + decent power = Good)

Lucario (Find in clear weather at north lake miloc) @ Life Orb/Air Balloon
Ability: Stedfast
EVs: 4 HP/252 Atk/ 252 SpA
Rash Nature
-Focus Blast ( High Power + STAB = best fighting move aybe besides high jump kick)
-Calm Mind/ Flash Cannon (STAB or Stat Boosting)
-Earthquake/ Baton Pass (Coverage + High power + 100% accuracy or passing Calm mind)
-Ice Punch (Coverage to Ground while your holding the air balloon)

Gengar (Find in Giants Cap) @ Black Sludge
Ability: Cursed Body
EVs: 252 SpA/ 4 SpD/ 252 Spee
Mild Nature
-Curse (Combo with destiny bond)
-Destiny Bond (Combo With Curse)
-Shadow Ball (STAB + Decent Power and looks cool)(in my opinion)
-Giga Drain (Healing Unless you use destiny bond)

Snorlax @ Chesto Berry
Ability: Thick Fat
EVs: 252 HP/ 4 Def/ 252 SpD
Sassy Nature
-High horsepower ( Coverage)
-Rest ( It's Basically recover with chesto berry)
-Zen HeadBut (Coverage)
-Body Slam(STAB + Decent Power)

Answer 8

Inteleon @ mystic water
Ability: sniper
EVs: 4 HP/252 SpA/252 Spe
Timid Nature
-Scald
-Ice Beam
-Shadow Ball/Dark Pulse
-Mud Shot
Ice Beam and mud shot are for coverage. Shadow ball or dark pulse and scald are just good to have

Arcanine @ Life orb
Ability: Intimidate
EVs: 252 Atk/128 SpA/128 Spe
Hasty Nature
-Burn Up
-Will-O-Wisp
-Play Rough
-Crunch
Burn up is extremely powerful and makes you have no weakness. will-o-wisp is for burn. play rough and crunch are also just good moves

Roserade @ Black Sludge
Ability: Natural Cure
EVs: 252 SpA/145 SpD/111 Spe
Modest Nature
-Giga Drain
-Toxic Spikes
-Venoshock
-Dazzling gleam
Giga drain has STAB and heals you. dazzling gleam is just good to have. toxic spikes and venoshock are a perfect combo.

Greedent @ Sitris Berry
Ability: Cheek Pouch
EVd: 252 HP/252 Atk/4 SpD
Adamant Nature
-Swords Dance
-Substitute
-Body Slam
-Gyro Ball
Greedent is a beefy normal Pokemon, especially with substitute and swords dance. body slam and gyro ball are Over Powered on greedent. The sitris berry already heals a lot of HP already especially with cheek pouch.

Corviknight @ Metal coat
Ability: pressure
EVs: 128 Atk/252 Def/128 SpD
Adamant Nature
-Iron Head/steel wing
-Drill Peck
-Protect
-Body Press
Corviknight is super-tanky and iron head or steel wing are good on it. Protect is good for more defense. Drill peck is for STAB. Body Press is good for coverage.

Zacian-Crowned @ rusted sword
Ability: intrepid sword
EVs: 252 Atk/4 SpD/252 Spe
Jolly Nature
-Sacred sword
-behemoth blade
-play rough
-Swords dance
Sacred sword is the best no recoil fighting move for coverage. Behemoth blade is for STAB and is super good. play rough is for STAB and is also good. Swords dance is to buff up before attacking.

Comments

What about people who haven’t gotten the legendary Pokemon yet? You didn’t add anything for what to use in that empty sixth slot.

Intelleon has the ability sniper to increase its crit damage, but it does not have any moves that have that high of a crit chance. I would recommend teaching Intelleon Snipe Shot and giving him a scope lens.

Also, do you really need to spend a turn buffing Zacian with a swords dance? Zacian is really strong anyway, wouldn’t it be better to replace that with an attacking move?

Answer 9

I used this team to play Sword on the main storyline and it worked really well for me- I did also give them all food themed nicknames- don’t judge me.

#1- Toxapex “Pear”
Strategist/Starter
Ability- Merciless
Held Item- Rocky helmet
Move set-
Toxic Spikes
Venoshock
Liquidation
Baneful Bunker

Poison types are set up types, which is why I almost always start with Pear. Unless the current Pokemon is a ground or psychic type (which poison is weak to) she’s one that I can throw out first. Usually I alternate Toxic Spikes with Baneful Bunker until both the current Pokemon and future Pokemon are badly poisoned, then finish the current Pokemon with a Venoshock.

#2- Mudsdale “Taco”
Tank
Ability- Stamina
Held Item- Soft Sand
Move set-
Heavy Slam
Earthquake
Strength
Double Kick

Mudsdale is seriously underrated. He’s the tankiest Pokemon I have. With his stamina ability, every time you hit him, it makes him stronger. Soft sand also makes his already super powerful STAB earthquake even stronger, which means it can OHKO basically anything no matter its typing.

#3- Gyarados “Mahi Mahi”
Heavy hitter, lots of health
Ability- Intimidate
Held Item- Weakness Policy
Move Set-
Ice Fang
Earthquake
Waterfall
Bounce

I love having a lot of heavy hitters, and dislike set up moves, aside from Pear. Mahi Mahi has Ice fang and Earthquake to round out his move set, and Waterfall and Bounce for STAB.

#4- Heliolisk “Lemon”
Hit-and-Run
Ability- Any
Held Item- Focus Sash
Move Set-
Bulldoze
Volt Switch
Parabolic Charge
Thunder Wave

Lemon is my glass cannon. He has little XP, so this is a good move set for him. Thunder Wave guarantees paralysis, Volt Switch lets him deal damage and leave, and Parabolic Charge does great damage and heals him up. Also they are all STAB, except what I call the ‘oh crap’ move, bulldoze. Parabolic Charge is especially good in double battles with Taco, because it doesn’t affect Taco.

#5- Obstagoon “Burger”
Speed+Power
Ability- Guts
Held Item- Flame Orb
Move Set-
Obstruct
Night Slash
Counter
Headbutt/Other attacking normal move

I like having a wide range of types of attacks- Obstruct protects Burger and lowers the opponents defense, Night Slash is STAB, Counter is always a decent move to have, and Headbutt is mostly if Dark isn’t doing much, you have a backup move. Also, who doesn’t love flinching?

#6- Bisharp “Sashimi”
Quick Hitter
Ability- Defiant
Held Item- Metal Coat
Move Set-
Iron Head
Night Slash
Sucker Punch
Normal Type move of your choice

Sashimi is my completely over leveled, five star raid favorite. He’s way stronger than the rest of my team, and defiant raises his attack so ridiculously that he can just OHKO.

So yeah, that’s my team. It’s not typical, but I like it. It’s really just for a fun play through, not like a huge competition or anything.

Note- I originally had Sobble as a starter, but eventually switched Sobble out for Gyarados as a matter of both personal preference and better damage. However, if using Intelleon, I would recommend-

7- Intelleon
Ability- Torrent
Held Item- Scope Lens or Focus Sash
Move Set-
Snipe Shot
Dark Pulse
Air Slash
Ice Beam

Comments

Hydro Pump is a terrible option on Gyarados, as you're using a special move on a physical attacker with low special attack. Do you really need Rain Dance on it also?

Heliolisk can't learn Earthquake, and surely, there are better options than Thunder shock?

What ability on Toxapex? Toxapex seems like an odd choice for a playthrough to me because it is built for defense while I think playthroughs typically prefer offense, but that might just be me.

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Gyarados had this move set when I got him, and I currently do not have the TRs to change it. However, I would like to switch out Hydro Pump for Ice Fang and Rain Dance for Earthquake.

Helioptile had Earthquake as a move when I got it, and I chose to keep it to keep him from having a fully electric move set. Thunder Shock was my mistake- I use Thunder Wave. Thunder Wave works well because it’s instant paralysis, so I can use Thunder Wave to paralyze, then use Volt Switch to swap out for a tankier Pokemon. Glare is also an option, just not a move I have on this particular Pokemon.

Toxapex’s ability is Merciless. This works well because it always lands a crit on poisoned Pokemon. I chose Toxapex mostly for the fairy gym and for large fights. She’s my set up Pokemon- throw out a lair of toxic spikes, retreat into baneful bunker to poison current opponent, throw another lair of toxic spikes, making the next Pokemon thrown out badly poisoned, then either retreat to double poison the current Pokemon with baneful bunker, or use Venoshock to land a crit on the poisoned opponent, making it do serious damage.

Thank you for pointing out the weaknesses in Gyarados. I mostly used Hydro Pump due to its high damage, however now it makes sense why it was doing less damage than Waterfall.

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Helioptile has never been able to learn Earthquake.

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In older games, you are right that helioptile could not learn earthquake. However, in sword and shield, helioptile is compatible with TR10 earthquake. Also, some wild Pokemon are left with a blank move slot that the game fills with a TR from that Pokémon’s list. So, since lemon is able to learn earthquake, the game equipped him with the move earthquake. I don’t mean this disrespectfully, in previous games helioptile was unable to learn earthquake. If you don’t believe me, you can check Helioptiles page on Pokemon websites like Bulbapedia. Under TRs it does say he can learn Earthquake

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https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Heliolisk_(Pok%C3%A9mon)/Generation_VIII_learnset#By_leveling_up
No it doesn't. Are you thinking of Bulldoze or Dig?

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You’re right, I’m sorry. I was thinking of bulldoze, I probably said earthquake because I have another Pokemon that has that. Thank you.