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Pokémon: Sword & Shield

Weather and Terrain

By
Ben Chard
&
Vincent Lau

Pokémon are pretty amazing creatures. One of the crazier things they can do is change the weather, by using a particular move or because of their Ability. Similarly, some Pokémon can change the properties of the terrain they’re battling on. Hmm, that’s a lot of power in the hands of somebody who apparently skips school…

Weather Conditions

A lesser known detail about Sandstorm is that Rock-types have boosted Special Defence.

Changes to the weather will apply to all Pokémon in battle. Only one weather condition can be present at one time. If a Pokémon’s move or Ability changes the weather, it will replace the previous weather condition.

Name Effect Trigger(s)
Intense Sun The power of Fire-type moves increases to 2x. The power of Water-moves is reduced to 0.5x. Solar Beam/Blade do not require charging. Thunder and Hurricane have reduced accuracy. Sunny Day, Max Flare, Drought
Rain The power of Water-type moves increases to 2x. The power of Fire-moves is reduced to 0.5x. Thunder and Hurricane have 100% accuracy. Rain Dance, Max Geyser, Drizzle
Hail Non Ice-types suffer residual damage. Blizzard has 100% accuracy. Hail, Max Hailstorm, Snow Warning
Sandstorm Non Rock, Ground and Steel-types suffer residual damage. Rock-types gain 50% extra Special Defence. Sandstorm, Max Rockfall, Sand Stream

Terrain Effects

In addition to restoring HP, Grassy Terrain also makes Grass-type moves a bit stronger.

Terrain effects apply to all non-Flying or Levitate Pokémon in battle. Like weather conditions, there can only be one terrain effect at a given time. However, terrain effects can overlap with weather conditions (for example, there can be Intense Sun and Psychic Terrain simultaneously).

Name Effect Trigger(s)
Grassy Terrain The power of Grass-type moves increases by 30%. Pokémon slowly restore health. Grassy Terrain, Max Overgrowth, Grassy Surge
Electric Terrain The power of Electric-type moves increases by 30%. Pokémon cannot fall asleep; sleeping Pokémon will wake up. Electric Terrain, Max Lightning, Electric Surge
Psychic Terrain The power of Psychic-type moves increases by 30%. Priority moves used by an opponent will fail. Psychic Terrain, Max Mindstorm, Psychic Surge
Misty Terrain The power of Dragon-type moves is reduced by 50%. Pokémon are immune to new status conditions. Misty Terrain, Max Starfall, Misty Surge
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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Pokemon Company International
  • Platforms,
    Switch
  • Genre
    RPG
  • Guide Release
    15 November 2019
  • Last Updated
    21 March 2024
    Version History
  • Guide Author

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Welcome to our comprehensive strategy guide for Pokémon: Sword and Shield, the latest entries in the Pokémon video game franchise. Our guide also incorporates all the DLC, including the Isle of Armor and brand new Crown Tundra DLC.

In Sword and Shield, you explore the Galar region, based on the United Kingdom, alongside rivals Hop, Bede and Marnie, with the aim to dethrone the Pokémon League Champion.

The games introduce several new features such as Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing, functions that increase size and change forms of certain Pokémon; the Wild Area, a large open world with free camera movement; and raids with co-op battling. They also reintroduce features previously seen in Sun and Moon and Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, such as regional variants and roaming Pokémon depicted in the overworld.

Brand New October 2020:

Version 1.2

  • A Complete Walkthrough of the Isle of Armor.
  • Details of all 16 new Wild Areas, including Pokémon encounter rates.
  • All the new Max Raid Dens: Locations and Featured Pokémon.
  • Images and Locations of All 150 of the Missing Diglett.
  • The Isle of Armor Pokédex (featuring 100 Returning Pokémon).
  • Recipes for the Cram-o-matic.
  • A Full Walkthrough featuring Pokémon encounter rates.
  • All Gym Encounters and Strategies.
  • New Items: Mints & Natures Explained.
  • Post Game content including Champion Cup.
  • Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing.
  • The Galar Region Pokédex (featuring 400 Pokemon).

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