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Pokémon: Sword & Shield

Max Raids

By
Ben Chard
&
Vincent Lau

Den A

From the Forest of Focus entrance, straight ahead, surrounded by tall grass.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Psyduck" IconPsyduck Water ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Chewtle" IconChewtle Water ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Arrokuda" IconArrokuda Water ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Barboach" IconBarboach Water/Ground ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Golduck" IconGolduck Water ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 40%
"Cramorant" IconCramorant Flying/Water ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Barraskewda" IconBarraskewda Water ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Drednaw" IconDrednaw Water/Rock ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Whiscash" IconWhiscash Water/Ground ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Arrokuda" IconArrokuda Water ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Tympole" IconTympole Water ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Psyduck" IconPsyduck Water ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Palpitoad" IconPalpitoad Water/Ground ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Golduck" IconGolduck Water ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Whiscash" IconWhiscash Water/Ground ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Barraskewda" IconBarraskewda Water ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Seismitoad" IconSeismitoad Water/Ground ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Gyarados" IconGyarados Water/Flying ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Basculin" IconBasculin Water ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den B

When coming from the Forest of Forest, turn right. At the end of the raised path, near a tree.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Fletchling" IconFletchling Normal/Flying ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Salandit" IconSalandit Poison/Fire ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 45%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Larvesta" IconLarvesta Bug/Fire ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 45%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Fletchinder" IconFletchinder Fire/Flying ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Torkoal" IconTorkoal Fire ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 40%
"Talonflame" IconTalonflame Fire/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Salazzle" IconSalazzle Poison/Fire ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Volcarona" IconVolcarona Bug/Fire ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Larvesta" IconLarvesta Bug/Fire ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 55%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Litwick" IconLitwick Ghost/Fire ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Salandit" IconSalandit Poison/Fire ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Torkoal" IconTorkoal Fire ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Salazzle" IconSalazzle Poison/Fire ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Talonflame" IconTalonflame Fire/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Chandelure" IconChandelure Ghost/Fire ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Volcarona" IconVolcarona Bug/Fire ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Ninetales" IconNinetales [Sword] Fire ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Arcanine" IconArcanine [Shield] Fire ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Charizard" IconCharizard Fire/Flying ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den C

From the direction of the forest, along the shoreline just past the sandbar leading to the tower.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Sandshrew" IconSandshrew Ground ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Sandile" IconSandile Ground/Dark ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Cubone" IconCubone Ground ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Krokorok" IconKrokorok Ground/Dark ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Sandslash" IconSandslash Ground ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
Sandoconda Ground ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Marowak" IconMarowak Ground ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Krookodile" IconKrookodile Ground/Dark ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Kangaskhan" IconKangaskhan Normal ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Sandshrew" IconSandshrew Ground ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Cubone" IconCubone Ground ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Trapinch" IconTrapinch Ground ☆☆ - 45%, ☆☆☆ - 55%
"Krokorok" IconKrokorok Ground/Dark ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Sandslash" IconSandslash Ground ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Marowak" IconMarowak Ground ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Krookodile" IconKrookodile Ground/Dark ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Kangaskhan" IconKangaskhan Normal ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Flygon" IconFlygon Ground/Dragon ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Golurk" IconGolurk Ground/Ghost ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den D

In the water, near Den C. Requires the water-traversing bike.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Sandygast" IconSandygast Ghost/Ground ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Frillish" IconFrillish Water/Ghost ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Cubone" IconCubone Ground ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Drifloon" IconDrifloon Ghost/Flying ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Jellicent" IconJellicent Water/Ghost ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Drifblim" IconDrifblim Ghost/Flying ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Palossand" IconPalossand Ghost/Ground ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 40%
"Marowak" IconMarowak Ground ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Sandygast" IconSandygast Ghost/Ground ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 55%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Frillish" IconFrillish Water/Ghost ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Drifloon" IconDrifloon Ghost/Flying ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Jellicent" IconJellicent Water/Ghost ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Drifblim" IconDrifblim Ghost/Flying ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Gourgeist" IconGourgeist Ghost/Grass ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Gourgeist" IconGourgeist (Small Size) Ghost/Grass ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Gourgeist" IconGourgeist (Large Size) Ghost/Grass ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Gourgeist" IconGourgeist (Super Size) Ghost/Grass ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Palossand" IconPalossand [Sword] Ghost/Ground ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Cursola" IconCursola [Shield] Ghost ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den E

Halfway across the zone, near where the shore means the grassy part.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Dedenne" IconDedenne Electric/Fairy ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Magnemite" IconMagnemite Electric/Steel ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Shinx" IconShinx Electric ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Morpeko" IconMorpeko Electric/Dark ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Luxio" IconLuxio Electric ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Magneton" IconMagneton Electric/Steel ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Pincurchin" IconPincurchin Electric ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Luxray" IconLuxray Electric ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Magnezone" IconMagnezone Electric/Steel ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Shinx" IconShinx Electric ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Pichu" IconPichu Electric ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Pikachu" IconPikachu Electric ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Pincurchin" IconPincurchin Electric ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Luxio" IconLuxio Electric ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Raichu" IconRaichu Electric ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Boltund" IconBoltund Electric ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Dedenne" IconDedenne Electric/Fairy ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Manectric" IconManectric Electric ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Luxray" IconLuxray Electric ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Magnezone" IconMagnezone Electric/Steel ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den F

Further along the shore. Just before the berry tree at the end of the shore.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Exeggcute" IconExeggcute Grass/Psychic ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Abra" IconAbra Psychic ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Ralts" IconRalts Psychic/Fairy ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Kadabra" IconKadabra Psychic ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 40% [Sword], ☆☆☆ - 25% [Shield], ☆☆☆☆ - 25% [Sword]
"Kirlia" IconKirlia Psychic/Fairy ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Oranguru" IconOranguru [Shield] Normal/Psychic ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Exeggutor" IconExeggutor Grass/Psychic ☆☆☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 45%
"Gardevoir" IconGardevoir Psychic/Fairy ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Alakazam" IconAlakazam Psychic ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Starmie" IconStarmie Water/Psychic ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Elgyem" IconElgyem Psychic ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Abra" IconAbra Psychic ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Slowpoke" IconSlowpoke (Galarian) Psychic ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 45%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Kadabra" IconKadabra [Sword] Psychic ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Oranguru" IconOranguru [Shield] Normal/Psychic ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Musharna" IconMusharna Psychic ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Indeedee" IconIndeedee (male) [Sword] Psychic/Normal ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Indeedee" IconIndeedee (female) [Shield] Psychic/Normal ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Beheeyem" IconBeheeyem Psychic ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Alakazam" IconAlakazam Psychic ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Meowstic" IconMeowstic (male) [Sword] Psychic ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Meowstic" IconMeowstic (female) [Shield] Psychic ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den G

Behind the Tower of Waters.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Tentacool" IconTentacool Water/Poison ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 55%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Krabby" IconKrabby Water ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Remoraid" IconRemoraid Water ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Tentacruel" IconTentacruel Water/Poison ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Wishiwashi" IconWishiwashi Water ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Octillery" IconOctillery Water ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Mantine" IconMantine Water/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Kingler" IconKingler Water ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Cloyster" IconCloyster Water/Ice ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Shellder" IconShellder Water ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Binacle" IconBinacle Rock/Water ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Mareanie" IconMareanie Poison/Water ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Remoraid" IconRemoraid Water ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Tentacruel" IconTentacruel Water/Poison ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Pyukumuku" IconPyukumuku Water ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Octillery" IconOctillery Water ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Mantine" IconMantine Water/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Barbaracle" IconBarbaracle Rock/Water ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Cloyster" IconCloyster Water/Ice ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Toxapex" IconToxapex Poison/Water ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den H

Head right from the entrance to Courageous Cavern (facing the cavern). It’s just around the corner, past some tall grass.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Mienfoo" IconMienfoo Fighting ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Clobbopus" IconClobbopus Fighting ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Mienfoo" IconMienfoo Fighting ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Scraggy" IconScraggy [Sword] Dark/Fighting ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Croagunk" IconCroagunk [Shield] Poison/Fighting ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Passimian" IconPassimian [Sword] Fighting ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Scrafty" IconScrafty [Sword] Dark/Fighting ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Toxicroak" IconToxicroak [Shield] Poison/Fighting ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Mienshao" IconMienshao Fighting ☆☆☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 60%
"Grapploct" IconGrapploct Fighting ☆☆☆ - 25% [Shield], ☆☆☆☆ - 25% [Shield], ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Mienfoo" IconMienfoo Fighting ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Scraggy" IconScraggy [Sword] Dark/Fighting ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Croagunk" IconCroagunk [Shield] Poison/Fighting ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Sawk" IconSawk [Sword] Fighting ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Throh" IconThroh [Shield] Fighting ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Mienshao" IconMienshao Fighting ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Falinks" IconFalinks Fighting ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15% [Shield]
"Passimian" IconPassimian [Sword] Fighting ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Mienshao" IconMienshao Fighting ☆☆☆ - 15% [Shield], ☆☆☆☆ - 15% [Sword], ☆☆☆☆ - 40% [Shield] , ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Scrafty" IconScrafty [Sword] Dark/Fighting ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Toxicroak" IconToxicroak [Shield] Poison/Fighting ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Grapploct" IconGrapploct Fighting ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Sirfetch'd" IconSirfetch’d [Sword] Fighting ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
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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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