Pokemon Sword and Shield have new Pokemon on the list now, but creating the ultimate Pokemon team has become tricky with this addition. The game features 3 Gen 8 starter Pokemon, Grookey, Scorbunny, and Scobble. Using these starter Pokemon, choose 5 more to create a team of 6.
This guide lists the 5 best teams you can create using these starters, making you a master against other teams, gym leaders, evil gym leaders, and the elite four members in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
5. Best Early Game Team
I’m starting this list with the best early-game team. You need Sobble, Rookidee, Bunnelby, Litwick, and Toxel for this team set up. The small lizard-like Pokemon Sobble is of water type and has the highest special attack and speed stat of 130.
Moving next to Rookidee, it has speed and attack and can take down any Pokemon with its moveset; one fun fact about Rookiedee is that it isn’t affected by the defense-lowering effect. Bunnelby is a normal-type Pokemon that raises the attack stat when activating the Huge Power Ability.
The last two Pokemon, Litwick has a high special attack stat and can infiltrate opponent’s defenses and attacks. In contrast, Toxel has abilities that cause paralysis to enemies and can boost its speed.
4. Best All-Rounder Offense Team
The second team revolves around the legendary Dragapult, which is always best for the late-game. This team contains some of the best attacking Pokemon, like Inteleon, Corviknight, Eldegoss, Duraludon, and Darmanitan.
Dragapult is a new addition in Pokemon Sword and Shield and is known to have a good attack stat of 120 and a great base speed of 142; having it paired with Duraludon gives a good defense.
You can switch Darmanitan for Coalossal if you want more defense against fire-type Pokemon. If you’re up against such a team, go for Coalossal, Inteleon, and Eldegoss. Coalossal and Eldegoss muster up some wear and tear for your tag team of special attackers while Duraludon and Inteleon lower the opponents until they cannot deal with the speed demon Dragapult.
3. Best Late-Game Team
For the next team, we use Rillaboom for its high base attack stat of 125 and good defense of 90. We pair this Pokemon with Gyarados, Toxtricity, Chandelure, Hatterene, and Eternatus.
Gyarados is best for both high attack and good special defense stats. Meanwhile, Toxicity will be used in amped form for boosted special attacks and its hidden ability to power up weak moves. Chandelure powers up fire-type moves; the highest special attack stat is 145. Lastly, Hatterene is used to heal allies and inflict special attacks, and Eternatus is used for high-speed and special attack stats.
Overall, this team mostly contains special attackers and defense Pokemon, making it an ideal choice to play with during the end game if you want to go with Rillaboom.
2. Best Team Against the Elite Four
This is another end-game team build in Pokemon Sword and Shield, but if you prefer playing with Scorbunny. The team comprises Cinderace, Diggersby, Gyarados, Toxtricity, Hatterene, and Eternatus.
Starting with Cinderace, a fire-type starter is the ultimate solution if you want high attack and speed attributes, while Diggerby gives a good defense. Gyarados is the main attacker; a beast lowers the opponent’s attack stats and knocks them down. Toxtricity, as said above, boosts special attacks and Hatterene and Eternatus for healing, speed, and special attacks.
This team goes best against certain Gym Leaders and the Elite Four Members.
1. Best Starter Team
The fifth and final team is best if you want to resist each type in the game. This team is built using Rillaboom, Corviknight, Obstagoon, Centiskorch, Toxtricity, and Runerigus.
Grookey has a solid early-game moveset and once evolved to Rillaboom, it upgrades the moves with many TMs and TRs. With this ground-type coverage, you can go up against steel and fire-type opponents; however, you must be careful with the utility moves.
Corviknight and Centikorch are best against multiple Gym Leaders and serve as the team’s defensive backbone. Obstagoon is best for offense and defense, and Runerigus goes well against any physical attacker.
One good thing about these Pokemon is that you can use the same combination as your best early-game team.
