Appendix:Sword and Shield walkthrough/Section 1

Introduction

After first starting the game, you are 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

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 in the entire Pokémon world up to this point.

Unlike many past core series games, your journey doesn't begin with waking up in your room. 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, Leon has a present for each of you, so you better get going. 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

Upon first arriving in Wedgehurst, it seems that Leon is being swarmed by his fans at the station’s entrance. While addressing the crowd and performing his signature pose, he spots Hop waving 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 surprise meet-and-greet and runs off towards Postwick, in spite of Hop's protests regarding his lack of skill with directions.

Postwick (Return Visit)

Once you return back to Postwick and head to Hop and Leon's yard, Hop excitedly asks what sort of present Leon has brought for you both. The presents in question are the Galar region’s very own first partner Pokémon, Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble! A brief cutscene then plays, showing off each of their personalities, and subtly demonstrating which matchups are most effective. Following this, Leon calls the three to line up so that you and Hop can choose your brand new first partner Pokémon.

Grookey		Scorbunny		Sobble
Grass		Fire		Water
	Thwackey		Raboot		Drizzile
Grass		Fire		Water
	Rillaboom		Cinderace		Inteleon
Grass		Fire		Water
	Gigantamax Rillaboom		Gigantamax Cinderace		Gigantamax Inteleon
Grass		Fire		Water

• Being a Grass-type, Grookey has the most weaknesses out of the trio, namely Fire, Flying, Bug, Poison, and Ice-types. It has good HP and Attack stats, combined with a somewhat decent Defense stat, that makes it an excellent bulky grass type that’s able to counter any Rock, Ground, or Water-types that might threaten other team members.
• As the representative Fire-type of the region, Scorbunny boasts high Speed, high Attack, and a diverse movepool which lends itself well to its role in battle as a physical sweeper. Its fire typing allows it to take care of Grass, Bug, Ice, and Steel-types with ease, though it should watch out for any Water, Ground, or Rock-types or any opponents, especially special attackers.
• Finally, Sobble is the Water-type pick and excels at taking down common types such as Fire, Ground, and Rock with its high Special Attack and Speed. Combined with a large movepool with lots of coverage options, it's an efficient special sweeper that can take care of many different Pokémon. Though its low Defense and Special Defense stats means it can only take a couple of good hits, especially against Grass and Electric-types, before it gets knocked out itself.

Hop will let you pick your first partner Pokémon first, since he’s got his partner Wooloo with him already. All three first partner Pokémon 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 first partner Pokémon that has the type disadvantage to your own, leaving the one that is advantageous against yours with Leon. Once you both pick your first partner Pokémon, you head off to bed not only tired, but excited for your first real day as a Pokémon 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. Hop finishes talking to his older brother and suddenly declaring you and he rivals he challenges you to your very first Pokémon 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 (Scratch for Grookey, Tackle for Scorbunny, and 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 first partner Pokémon to level up. This level up grants them the first of many moves that apply a same type attack bonus (or STAB for short), with Grookey learning Branch Poke, Scorbunny learning Ember, and Sobble learning Water Gun. With these new moves in hand, you should be more than capable of taking down Hop’s new first partner Pokémon.

First battle

If the player chose Grookey

Pokémon Trainer Hop Postwick Sword and Shield Reward: $400 Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Run Away Held item: None Wooloo♂ Lv.3 Tackle Normal Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Type: Water Unknown Ability: Torrent Held item: None Sobble♂ Lv.5 Pound Normal Physical   --       Growl Normal Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --

If the player chose Scorbunny

Pokémon Trainer Hop Postwick Sword and Shield Reward: $400 Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Run Away Held item: None Wooloo♂ Lv.3 Tackle Normal Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Type: Grass Unknown Ability: Overgrow Held item: None Grookey♂ Lv.5 Scratch Normal Physical   --       Growl Normal Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --

If the player chose Sobble

Pokémon Trainer Hop Postwick Sword and Shield Reward: $400 Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Run Away Held item: None Wooloo♂ Lv.3 Tackle Normal Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Blaze Held item: None Scorbunny♂ Lv.5 Tackle Normal Physical   --       Growl Normal Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --

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 Postwick safe from whatever is hiding in the Slumbering Weald is open. Moreover, the Wooloo that was trying to break down the gate is gone. With nothing else left to do but give chase, the both of you run into the Slumbering Weald to rescue the lost Wooloo.

Slumbering Weald

Upon entering the Slumbering Weald for the first time with Hop, he expresses concern about the missing Wooloo and the thickening fog, hinting that finding the Pokémon quickly is crucial to avoid trouble. As you traverse the Weald, you will have mandatory battles with two Skwovet, a regional normal type Pokémon, as well as the regional bird, Rookidee. Dispatch them using your attacking moves and proceed through the Weald.

After defeating the first Skwovet and Rookidee, you and Hop hear a Pokémon's cry, prompting you to remain alert. Following the defeat of a second Skwovet, the cry grows louder, and Hop urges you to venture further into the fog out of concern for Wooloo's safety. As you catch up with Hop, the fog becomes so dense that visibility diminishes. While searching for Wooloo, a mysterious Pokémon suddenly emerges, startling both of you. A battle ensues, but there are important aspects to note. Firstly, you cannot escape from this encounter. Secondly, none of your attacks will land on the mysterious Pokémon. Hop acknowledges this during the battle, and the opposing Pokémon uses its howl to intensify the fog. Meanwhile, Hop anxiously checks on your well-being as you navigate through the challenging situation.

Available Pokémon

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Forced encounters Skwovet Sw Sh Grass 2 Forced Rookidee Sw Sh Grass 2 Forced Skwovet Sw Sh Grass 3 Forced Mysterious Pokémon Zacian Hero of Many Battles Sw Sh Only one ??? Forced Zamazenta Hero of Many Battles Sw Sh Only one ??? Forced A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.

As the battle concludes, the fog thickens to the point of near blindness, and the mysterious Pokémon departs, causing both you and Hop to black out. Upon regaining consciousness and rising from the ground, Leon, having grown worried, calls out to you. He had been waiting for your arrival, and when you didn't show up, he set out to find you. Despite this, Hop realizes that Wooloo still needs rescuing. However, Leon, along with his Charizard, has ensured the safety of the wayward Pokémon.

Leon acknowledges your courage in entering the forbidden Slumbering Weald and understands your motives. Hop expresses relief at Wooloo's well-being and shares his concern when the fog rolled in and the unexpected Pokémon attacked. Leon inquires about the powerful Pokémon you faced, and Hop describes its strength, commanding presence, and the peculiarity that your moves seemed ineffective against it.

Leon ponders the possibility of the legendary Pokémon in the Slumbering Weald being illusions but encourages both of you to become strong enough to uncover the truth someday. Before parting ways, Hop reflects on the shared experience, declaring it as the initial chapter in the tale of his legendary journey.

Sword and Shield walkthrough

Route 1, Wedgehurst, Route 2, Magnolia's Lab, Wild Area Station Part 2 →

This article is part of Project Walkthroughs, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive step-by-step guides on each Pokémon game.