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Pokémon: Sword & Shield

Max Raids

By
Ben Chard
&
Vincent Lau

Den A

From Forest of Focus entrance, turn right. This den’s inside the tall grass on the left.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Venipede" IconVenipede Bug/Poison ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Skorupi" IconSkorupi Bug/Poison ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Tentacool" IconTentacool Water/Poison ☆☆ - 45%, ☆☆☆ - 50%
"Whirlipede" IconWhirlipede Bug/Poison ☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆ - 50%
"Drapion" IconDrapion Poison/Dark ☆☆☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 45%
"Tentacruel" IconTentacruel Water/Poison ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 35%
"Scolipede" IconScolipede Bug/Poison ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Mareanie" IconMareanie Poison/Water ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Qwilfish" IconQwilfish Water/Poison ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Whirlipede" IconWhirlipede Bug/Poison ☆☆ - 45%, ☆☆☆ - 55%
"Amoonguss" IconAmoonguss Grass/Poison ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Toxapex" IconToxapex Poison/Water ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Scolipede" IconScolipede Bug/Poison ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 35%
"Drapion" IconDrapion Poison/Dark ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Weezing" IconWeezing (Galarian) Poison/Fairy ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%

Den B

At the far end of the path on the left of the stairs to Challenge Road (facing the stairs).

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Foongus" IconFoongus Grass/Poison ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Exeggcute" IconExeggcute Grass/Psychic ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Fomantis" IconFomantis Grass ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Tangela" IconTangela Grass ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Lurantis" IconLurantis Grass ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Exeggutor" IconExeggutor Grass/Psychic ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Amoonguss" IconAmoonguss Grass/Poison ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Tangrowth" IconTangrowth Grass ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Venusaur" IconVenusaur Grass/Poison ☆☆☆☆☆ - 10%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Foongus" IconFoongus Grass/Poison ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Exeggcute" IconExeggcute Grass/Psychic ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Tangela" IconTangela Grass ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 55%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Roselia" IconRoselia Grass/Poison ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Exeggutor" IconExeggutor Grass/Psychic ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Venusaur" IconVenusaur Grass/Poison ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Tangrowth" IconTangrowth Grass ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Roserade" IconRoserade Grass/Poison ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Venusaur" IconVenusaur (Gmax) Grass/Poison ☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%

Den C

From Forest of Focus entrance, turn left. After going down the slope, the den is immediately on the right, behind the slope.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Pinsir" IconPinsir [Sword] Bug ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Heracross" IconHeracross [Shield] Bug/Fighting ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Dwebble" IconDwebble Bug/Rock ☆ - 40%, ☆ - 25%
"Dottler" IconDottler Bug/Psychic ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Crustle" IconCrustle Bug/Rock ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Scyther" IconScyther Bug/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 45%
"Orbeetle" IconOrbeetle Bug/Psychic ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Scizor" IconScizor Bug/Steel ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Blipbug" IconBlipbug Bug ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Cutiefly" IconCutiefly Bug/Fairy ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Joltik" IconJoltik Bug/Electric ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Pinsir" IconPinsir [Sword] Bug ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Heracross" IconHeracross [Shield] Bug/Fighting ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Dottler" IconDottler Bug/Psychic ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Ninjask" IconNinjask Bug/Flying ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Orbeetle" IconOrbeetle Bug/Psychic ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Galvantula" IconGalvantula Bug/Electric ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Ribombee" IconRibombee Bug/Fairy ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Orbeetle" IconOrbeetle (Gmax) Bug/Psychic ☆☆☆☆☆ - 10%

Den D

After going down the initial slope, turn right and wade through the tall grass. This den is up ahead, in front of some rocky terrain.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Whismur" IconWhismur Normal ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Lickitung" IconLickitung Normal ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Miltank" IconMiltank Normal ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Loudred" IconLoudred Normal ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Miltank" IconMiltank Normal ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Bouffalant" IconBouffalant Normal ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Tauros" IconTauros Normal ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Exploud" IconExploud Normal ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Lickilicky" IconLickilicky Normal ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Whismur" IconWhismur Normal ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Tauros" IconTauros Normal ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Lickitung" IconLickitung Normal ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Miltank" IconMiltank Normal ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Bouffalant" IconBouffalant Normal ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Exploud" IconExploud Normal ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 40%
"Cinccino" IconCinccino Normal ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Lickilicky" IconLickilicky Normal ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den E

Right near the entrance to Warm-Up Tunnel. Towards the left if facing the entrance.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Foongus" IconFoongus Grass/Poison ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Fomantis" IconFomantis Grass ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Petilil" IconPetilil Grass ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Lurantis" IconLurantis Grass ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Amoonguss" IconAmoonguss Grass/Poison ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Tangela" IconTangela Grass ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Lilligant" IconLilligant Grass ☆☆☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 45%
"Tangrowth" IconTangrowth Grass ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Tangela" IconTangela Grass ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Fomantis" IconFomantis Grass ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Foongus" IconFoongus Grass/Poison ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Lurantis" IconLurantis Grass ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Maractus" IconMaractus Grass ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Lilligant" IconLilligant Grass ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Amoonguss" IconAmoonguss Grass/Poison ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Tangrowth" IconTangrowth Grass ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Abomasnow" IconAbomasnow Grass/Ice ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den F

Between a rocky hill near the shoreline and the cliff wall.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Roggenrola" IconRoggenrola Rock ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Rhyhorn" IconRhyhorn Ground/Rock ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Rockruff" IconRockruff Rock ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Boldore" IconBoldore Rock ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Rhydon" IconRhydon Ground/Rock ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Crustle" IconCrustle Bug/Rock ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Gigalith" IconGigalith Rock ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Lycanroc" IconLycanroc (Midday) [Sword] Rock ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Lycanroc" IconLycanroc (Midnight) [Shield] Rock ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Rhyperior" IconRhyperior Ground/Rock ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Rockruff" IconRockruff Rock ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Bonsly" IconBonsly Rock ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Rhyhorn" IconRhyhorn Ground/Rock ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Rhydon" IconRhydon Ground/Rock ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Shuckle" IconShuckle Bug/Rock ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Lycanroc" IconLycanroc (Midday) [Sword] Rock ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Lycanroc" IconLycanroc (Midnight) [Shield] Rock ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Sudowoodo" IconSudowoodo Rock ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Gigalith" IconGigalith Rock ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Crustle" IconCrustle Rock ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Rhyperior" IconRhyperior Ground/Rock ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den G

On the island in the middle of the lake.

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%
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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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