Charms in Pokemon Sword and Shield act like lucky charms, increasing the probability of finding certain Pokémon or acquiring certain items. There are five charms in total: three in the base game and two in the DLC.
In this guide, we’ll review the locations of all four charms in Pokemon Sword and Shield. We’ll also cover the perquisites you must complete to acquire them and their effects.
Catching Charm
Requirements: You must have at least 5 badges before acquiring this item.
Location: This charm can be found in Hotel Ionia in Circhester. Enter the hotel’s elevator, go up, and then all the way left to the room at the end. Inside that room, you will meet an NPC dressed in hospital scrubs named The Director. Talk to him, and he will give you the Catching Charm.
Effect: The Catching Charm increases your chances of getting a critical catch whenever you throw a Pokéball. It reduces the amount of times the Pokéball moves when you catch a Pokemon, resulting in a successful catch almost every time.
Oval Charm
Requirements: You must become the champion of the Galar region before you can acquire this item.
Location: The Oval Charm is in the same hotel as the Catching Charm. Go up the stairs and enter the first door on the left. You will see a cop inside that room; Morimoto. Talk to him and start a two-on-two Pokémon battle against him If you defeat him, he will give you 13,000 Pokédollars and the Oval Charm.
Effect: The Oval Charm increases the chances of getting eggs from your Pokémon in the Nursery.
Shiny Charm
Requirements: To get the Shiny Charm, you’ll first need to complete the entire Pokedox in the main game.
Location: The Shiny Charm is also in the same hotel as the previous two charms. At the hotel, go into the elevator towards the left side and head to the upper floor. Now go left down the corridor. Go into the second room and you will see two people in the room. Talk to the NPC and he will give you the Shiny Charm.
Effect: As the name suggests, a shiny charm is associated with Shiny Pokémon. It increases the probability of finding Shiny Pokémon in the wild by nearly 50%.
Marks Charm (Isle of Armor DLC)
Requirements: This charm can only be acquired if you’ve purchased the Isle of Armor DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield and have completed the Pokedex.
Location: Head to the Fields of Honor on the Isle of Armor. Next, go to the Armor Station and talk to the NPC standing next to the counter. If she sees that you’re Pokedex is complete she’ll give you the charm.
Effect: increases the chances of finding marked Pokémon in the wild. The odds are more than doubled.
EXP Charm (Isle of Armor DLC)
Requirements: Purchase the Isle of Armor DLC.
Location: The EXP Charm is unique in Pokémon Sword and Shield as it is unlocked automatically during story progression. Start the Isle of Armor DLC and progress until you reach the Master Dojo. Here an NPC kid named Hyde will give it to you, free of charge.
Effect: Grants you bonus XP, allowing you to level up faster.
