View source for Appendix:Sword and Shield walkthrough/Section 1

== Introduction ==

After first starting the game, you’re presented with several languages in which you can play the game. Once you select your preferred language, the game then gives you the choice of one of eight combinations of gender, skin tone, hair color and eye color. You can change your hair and eye color later, but the selected gender and skin tone cannot be changed after starting. After confirming these options, the introductory cutscene begins with a live feed of the Wyndon Stadium Pitch. The current head of [[Macro Cosmos]] and Chairman of the Galar Pokémon League, [[Rose]], introduces not only the world of Pokémon but also the Galar Region. After a further cutscene, the camera then pans up marking the beginning the game in earnest.

== Postwick ==
[[File:Postwick_SwSh.png|thumb|right|Postwick]]
Your journey begins in [[Postwick]], a small town in the south of the [[Galar]] region. With a lack of any amenities and a population of only five, Postwick is the smallest town not only in Galar, but the Pokémon world.

{| class="expandable" align="center" style="background: #{{galar color light}}; {{roundy}}; border: 5px solid #{{galar color light}};"
|- align="center"
! Available Pokémon
|- 
| 
{{Catch/header/8|land|no}}
{{Catch/div|land|Gift Pokémon}}
{{Catch/entry8|810|Grookey|yes|yes|Starter|5|One|type1=Grass}}
{{Catch/entry8|813|Scorbunny|yes|yes|Starter|5|One|type1=Fire}}
{{Catch/entry8|816|Sobble|yes|yes|Starter|5|One|type1=Water}}
{{Catch/div|land|Gift Pokémon<br><small>After becoming {{color2|000|Pokémon Champion|Champion}}}}
{{Catch/entry8|004|Charmander|yes|yes|Gift|5|One|type1=Fire|form=Gigantamax Factor}}
{{Catch/footer|land}}
|}

Your journey doesn't begin with waking up in your room for a change. Instead, you start seated on the couch in your living room watching the champion [[Leon]]’s exhibition match on your Rotom Phone. Your next-door neighbor and best friend, [[Hop]] bursts through the door with excitement, urging you to meet him at his house so that both of you can go pickup Leon (who is also Hop's older brother). Apparently, he has a present for each of you, so you better get going.

Afterward, the your mom advises you to grab your father’s old hat and bag from your room before heading out. As you head down the hill from your home, you notice that Hop has been waiting for you outside and he again urges you to come along to his house. He runs ahead, and you should follow him. Upon entering his and Leon’s house, Hop excitedly asks his mom if Leon has arrived yet. She responds that he's running late and suggests that the two of you should head over to [[Wedgehurst]] to meet him.

== Galar Route 1==

[[Galar Route 1]] is located just to the north of Postwick. It is split into two different paths: one that’s smaller and leads straight to Wedgehurst while the other is a longer, curved path that has [[tall grass]] in which [[wild Pokémon]] can be encountered. Since you have no Pokémon with you at the moment, Hop advises that you should probably stay clear of the longer path to stay safe. Take the straight path towards Wedgehurst and meet Leon at the train station.

==Wedgehurst (Initial visit)==
Upon your initial arrival in Wedgehurst, it seems that Leon’s being swarmed by his fans at the station’s entrance. While addressing his loving fans and performing his signature pose, he eventually spots his little brother waving him over and he makes his way through the crowd to meet you both. Leon comments that it’s great to finally meet you in person and that he’s heard so much about you from Hop. He then ends his little surprise meet-and-greet and then runs off towards Postwick, despite Hop commenting that “he’s pants with directions.”

==A Budding Rivalry==
Once you all return back to Postwick and head to the brother’s yard, Hop excitedly asks what sort of present Leon has for the both of them. Said present happens to be the Galar region’s very own [[Starter Pokémon]], Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble! A brief cutscene then plays, showing off each of their personalities and which starter is good against which (albeit subtly), to which Leon calls the three to line up so that you can choose your brand new starter.

{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; width:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{galar color dark}}; font-size:85%; border: 5px solid #{{galar color}}"
|-
! style="width:80px; background:#{{galar color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}; vertical-align:bottom" colspan=2 | [[File:810Grookey.png|100px]]<br>{{pcolor|Grookey|{{galar color dark}}}}
! style="width:80px; background:#{{galar color light}}; vertical-align:bottom" colspan=2 | [[File:813Scorbunny.png|100px]]<br>{{pcolor|Scorbunny|{{galar color dark}}}}
! style="width:80px; background:#{{galar color light}};{{roundytr|5px}}; vertical-align:bottom" colspan=2 | [[File:816Sobble.png|100px]]<br>{{pcolor|Sobble|{{galar color dark}}}}
|-
{{typetable2|Grass}}
{{typetable2|Fire}}
{{typetable2|Water}}
|- style="background:#{{galar color light}}"
| {{MSP/8|811|Thwackey}}
| {{pcolor|Thwackey|{{galar color dark}}}}
| {{MSP/8|814|Raboot}}
| {{pcolor|Raboot|{{galar color dark}}}}
| {{MSP/8|817|Drizzile}}
| {{pcolor|Drizzile|{{galar color dark}}}}
|- style="background:#{{galar color light}}"
{{typetable2|Grass}}
{{typetable2|Fire}}
{{typetable2|Water}}
|- style="background:#{{galar color light}}"
| {{MSP/8|812|Rillaboom}}
| {{pcolor|Rillaboom|{{galar color dark}}}}
| {{MSP/8|815|Cinderace}}
| {{pcolor|Cinderace|{{galar color dark}}}}
| {{MSP/8|818|Inteleon}}
| {{pcolor|Inteleon|{{galar color dark}}}}
|-
{{typetable2|Grass}}
{{typetable2|Fire}}
{{typetable2|Water}}
|- style="background:#{{galar color light}}"
| {{MSP/8|812Gi|Rillaboom}}
| <small>{{color2|{{galar color dark}}|Gigantamax}}</small><br>{{pcolor|Rillaboom|{{galar color dark}}}}
| {{MSP/8|815Gi|Cinderace}}
| <small>{{color2|{{galar color dark}}|Gigantamax}}</small><br>{{pcolor|Cinderace|{{galar color dark}}}}
| {{MSP/8|818Gi|Inteleon}}
| <small>{{color2|{{galar color dark}}|Gigantamax}}</small><br>{{pcolor|Inteleon|{{galar color dark}}}}
|-
| colspan=2 style="background:#{{Grass color}}; {{roundybl|5px}}" | {{tcolor|Grass|FFF}}
{{typetable2|Fire}}
| colspan=2 style="background:#{{Water color}}; {{roundybr|5px}}" | {{tcolor|Water|FFF}}
|}


* Being a [[Grass-type]], [[Grookey]] has the most weaknesses out of the trio, those being {{t|Fire}}, {{t|Flying}}, {{t|Bug}}, {{t|Poison}}, and [[Ice-type]]s. Its line has good {{stat|HP}} and {{stat|Attack}} stats, combined with a somewhat decent {{stat|Defense}} stat, that makes it an excellent tanky grass type that’s able to counter any {{t|Rock}}, {{t|Ground}}, or {{t|Water}}-types that might threaten other team members.
* As the representative [[Fire-type]] for the region, the [[Scorbunny]] line boasts high {{stat|Speed}}, high {{stat|Attack}}, and a diverse movepool which all lends itself well to its role in battle as a physical sweeper. Its fire typing allows it to take care of {{t|Grass}}, {{t|Bug}}, {{t|Ice}}, and {{t|Steel}}-types with absolute ease, though it should watch out for any {{t|Water}}, {{t|Ground}}, or {{t|Rock}}-types or any opponents who are special attackers.
* Finally, [[Sobble]] is the [[Water-type]] pick and excels at taking down common types such as {{t|Fire}}, {{t|Ground}}, and {{t|Rock}} with its high {{stat|Special Attack}} and {{stat|Speed}}. Combine that with its large movepool with lots of coverage options, which makes it an efficient special sweeper that can take care of tons of different Pokemon. Though its low {{stat|Defense}} and {{stat|Special Defense}} stats means it can only take a couple of good hits, especially against {{t|Grass}} and {{t|Electric}}-types, before it gets knocked out itself.


Hop says that he’ll let you go ahead and pick your starter first, since he’s got his partner [[Wooloo]] with him already. All three starters are respectable in their own rights and all three are all eager to meet you. Just keep in mind that whoever you end up starting your journey with, Hop will always pick the starter that has the type disadvantage to your own, leaving the one that is advantageous against yours with Leon. Once you both pick your starter Pokemon, the brother’s mum comes out and says that dinner is ready and invites you and your mum to have a barbeque in their garden. After a long day of surprises and events, you head off to bed not only tired, but excited for your first real day as a Pokemon trainer. The next day, Hop meets you outside and tells you to meet him and Leon at their house. He comments on the Wooloo that’s trying to break through the gate keeping it from entering the Slumbering Weald, and then runs off towards his house. Right as you arrive, Hop gets done talking to his older brother and suddenly declares that you and him are now rivals and challenges you to your very first pokemon battle!


Hop will always lead with his trusty Wooloo first, and it shouldn’t be that big of a problem to take down. Just use your starting normal type move ({{m|Scratch}} for Grookey, {{m|Tackle}} for Scorbunny, and {{m|Pound}} for Sobble) to deal enough damage to knock it out. One interesting thing to note about this battle, is that Hop’s Wooloo will always yield just enough [[experience]] for your starter to level up. Said level up grants them the first of many moves that apply a same type attack bonus (or STAB for short), with Grookey learning {{m|Branch Poke}}, Scorbunny learning {{m|Ember}}, and Sobble learning {{m|Water Gun}}. With these new moves in hand, you should be more than capable of taking down Hop’s new starter. 


=====First battle=====
{| align="center"
! {{MSP/8|810|Grookey}} If the {{player}} chose {{p|Grookey}}:
! {{MSP/8|813|Scorbunny}} If the {{player}} chose {{p|Scorbunny}}: 
! {{MSP/8|816|Sobble}} If the {{player}} chose {{p|Sobble}}:
|-
|{{Party/Single
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|headcolor={{sword color light}}
|bordercolor={{sword color dark}}
|sprite=VSHop.png
|size=150px
|prize={{PDollar}}400
|class=Pokémon Trainer
|classlink=Pokémon Trainer
|name=Hop
|game=SwSh
|location=Postwick
|pokemon=2}}
|{{Pokémon/8
|game=SwSh
|ndex=831
|pokemon=Wooloo
|gender=male
|level=3
|type1=Normal
|ability=Run Away
|move1=Tackle|move1type=Normal|move1cat=Physical}}
|{{Pokémon/8
|ndex=816
|pokemon=Sobble
|gender=male
|level=5
|type1=Water
|ability=Torrent
|move1=Pound|move1type=Normal|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Growl|move2type=Normal|move2cat=Status}}
{{Party/Footer}}

|{{Party/Single
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|sprite=VSHop.png
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|class=Pokémon Trainer
|classlink=Pokémon Trainer
|name=Hop
|game=SwSh
|location=Postwick
|pokemon=2}}
|{{Pokémon/8
|game=SwSh
|ndex=831
|pokemon=Wooloo
|gender=male
|level=3
|type1=Normal
|ability=Run Away
|move1=Tackle|move1type=Normal|move1cat=Physical}}
|{{Pokémon/8
|ndex=810
|pokemon=Grookey
|gender=male
|level=5
|type1=Grass
|ability=Overgrow
|move1=Scratch|move1type=Normal|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Growl|move2type=Normal|move2cat=Status}}
{{Party/Footer}}

|{{Party/Single
|color={{sword color}}
|headcolor={{sword color light}}
|bordercolor={{sword color dark}}
|sprite=VSHop.png
|size=150px
|prize={{PDollar}}400
|class=Pokémon Trainer
|classlink=Pokémon Trainer
|name=Hop
|game=SwSh
|location=Postwick
|pokemon=2}}
|{{Pokémon/8
|game=SwSh
|ndex=831
|pokemon=Wooloo
|gender=male
|level=3
|type1=Normal
|ability=Run Away
|move1=Tackle|move1type=Normal|move1cat=Physical}}
|{{Pokémon/8
|ndex=813
|pokemon=Scorbunny
|gender=male
|level=5
|type1=Fire
|ability=Blaze
|move1=Tackle|move1type=Normal|move1cat=Physical
|move2=Growl|move2type=Normal|move2cat=Status}}
{{Party/Footer}}
|}

Once you two finish your battle a loud crash comes from the other side of town alerting both you and Hop. You both run over towards your house to see that the gate that keeps whatever’s in the Slumbering Weald from coming into Postwick. What’s more, is that the Wooloo that was trying to break down the gate is gone. These two facts cause you and Hop to panic, as nobody is allowed into the Slumbering Weald, but the safety of that Wooloo who broke that gate down is more important. With nothing else left to do but give chase, the both of you run into the Slumbering Weald.

==Slumbering Weald (Initial visit)==
Once Hop and you enter the Slumbering Weald for the first time, he’ll wonder where in the world that Wooloo went off too, and that since the fog is starting to thicken if you don’t find that Pokémon quick, there might be trouble. As you’re trekking through the weald you’ll run into two of the regional normal type [[Skwovet]], and the regional bird [[Rookidee]] as forced encounters. Just use your attacking moves to defeat these three encounters and continue on through the Weald. Once the first Skwovet and the Rookidee have been defeated you’ll both hear what sounds to be a Pokémon’s cry, so keep this in mind as you continue through the Weald. After the second Skwovet has been dealt with, you’ll hear that same cry has gotten louder, and Hop urges you to head on into the fog as he’s worried for Wooloo's safety. He runs ahead and once you meet up with him, the fog has become so thick that you can barely tell where you are anymore. As you both are looking for the Wooloo, a mysterious Pokémon emerges from the fog, startling you both with its sudden appearance and a howl. You two are then launched into battle against this mysterious foe, and there’s a couple things to note about this battle. First and foremost, you’re unable to run from this foe. Secondly, every single attack you use against this Pokémon will not hit its mark. Hop will comment on this fact as the battle continues, and the opposing Pokemon will cause the fog to thicken even more as Hop worrily calls out to you to see if you’re okay.

{{catch/header/8|forest|no}}
{{catch/div|forest|Forced encounters}}
{{catch/entry8|819|Skwovet|yes|yes|Grass|2|Forced|type1=Normal}}
{{catch/entry8|821|Rookidee|yes|yes|Grass|2|Forced|type1=Flying}}
{{catch/entry8|819|Skwovet|yes|yes|Grass|3|Forced|type1=Normal}}
{{catch/div|forest|Mysterious Pokémon}}
{{catch/entry8|888|Zacian|yes|no|Special|???<!--internally 1-->|Forced|type1=Fairy|form=Hero of Many Battles}}
{{catch/entry8|889|Zamazenta|no|yes|Special|???<!--internally 1-->|Forced|type1=Fighting|form=Hero of Many Battles}}
{{catch/footer|forest}}


As the battle draws to a close, the fog becomes so thick that you’ve basically become blinded and the mysterious Pokémon leaves as the two of you end up blacking out. Once you both come too and pick yourselves off the ground, Leon calls out to you both as he’s come looking for you since he’s worried sick. It turns out he’d been waiting for you both and since you never showed up, he went out looking for you two. Regardless of that, Hop realizes that you still haven’t rescued that lost Wooloo but it turns out that Leon and his Charizard have made sure that the rowdy Pokémon was safe and sound. Leon then comments that you both know that the Slumbering Weald is off-limits, but acknowledges your courage to come in here and understands your reasoning for your actions. Then, Hop is relieved that the Wooloo is alright and was worried for you both when the fog started rolling in and that Pokemon attacked you both out of nowhere. His older brother then asks about the Pokémon you two battled, and Hop comments that it was incredibly stronger than any Pokemon he’s seen. Not to mention its commanding and eerie presence, and the fact that any moves the two of you used against it seemed to pass right through. Leon then speculates about the legend of the Pokémon residing in the Slumbering Weald and if they actually are illusions, but then tells you both to get strong enough to maybe be the ones to reveal the truth about this someday. Before you all leave Hop comments on this experience the two of you shared, and that it’ll make a fine first page in the tale of his legend.

{{WalkthroughPrevNext
|game=Sword
|game2=Shield
|prev=no
|gamename=Sword and Shield
|next=yes
|nextname=Route 1, Wedgehurst, Route 2, Magnolia's Lab, Wild Area Station
|nextsection=2
}}

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[[Category:Sword and Shield walkthrough]]