The Strongest Galar Pokemon In Pokemon Sword & Shield

Summary

• Some strong Pokemon in Galar region are fan favorites in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
• Rillaboom, a Grass-type Pokemon, gained popularity due to its Hidden Ability, Grassy Surge, which creates Grassy Terrain, boosting its healing and Grass move power.
• Dracovish, an overpowered Pokemon in Sword & Shield, has a high base Defense and two powerful traits: Strong Jaw and Fishious Rend, which doubles damage if used first.

Generation 8’s Pokemon Sword & Shield heralded the series’ first mainline entry on a home console. While the game was controversial for its National Pokedex cuts and not really pushing any of Nintendo Switch’s power, there are still plenty of Pokemon new to the game who have caught the attention of the strongest trainers.

As they journeyed across the United Kingdom-inspired land of Galar, of course, fans discovered a bumper crop of new Gen 8 Pokemon. Players were keen to try them out and see which were likely to be meta mainstays going forward. For those curious, here are some of the strongest and most effective Pokemon that were introduced in Generation 8.

Updated March 13th, 2025, by Blaise Santi: Lots of Pokemon fans were understandably upset when Pokemon Sword & Shield were first announced, due to the decision by Game Freak to make certain existing Pokemon unavailable to catch in the eighth generation games. Nevertheless, Sword and Shield are the second best-selling titles in the franchise, behind the original Pokemon Red and Blue, surpassing even their successors, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, which released three years later. There’s been no news yet whether a new Pokemon generation will be coming anytime soon, which means that fans of the series may be going backwards after completing the Scarlet and Violet DLC to replay Sword and Shield for the first time in years. In case you’ve forgotten about the Pokemon that were introduced in this generation, have no fear, for this list has an additional five entries of the best Pokemon from the Galar region (as well as the Crown Tundra and Isle of Armor).

35

Copperajah

It’s Built Like A Wall, But It Breaks ‘Em

The first thing that trainers who catch Copperajah will notice about its stats is the absolutely disgusting base HP and Attack it has. Though it lacks Speed, its incredible offense will do wonders as a wallbreaker, especially when paired with an Assault Vest and stacked with powerful STAB moves that, given its pure Steel-typing, will make it a major threat for normally dominant Fairy types.

Of course, in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, Copperajah’s access to Terastallization can help it overcome weaknesses to Fire-type and Fighting-type Pokemon. Additionally, its ability Sheer Force is an incredibly useful skill that boosts any attack with a secondary effect at the cost of nullifying the effect, which is especially handy given that many Steel types are sent out with the flinch-causing Iron Head.

34

Arctozolt

Its Limited Uses Are No Match For Its Unique Typing

Much like Dracozolt, Arctozolt is only useful when it’s paired with its Hidden Ability, Slush Rush, in Hail, doubling its base Speed from a measly 55 to a strong 110. With STAB moves like Bolt Beak and Blizzard in its arsenal as well, Arctozolt can be incredibly threatening, albeit its biggest con is that it’s weak to four popular types: Fighting, Ground, Rock, and Fire.

The best way to utilize Arctozolt is to prioritize its need for physical Attack and Speed EVs and IVs — and to supplement its weakness to Ground and Rock by giving it Heavy-Duty Boots for switch-ins. There may only be a few situations in which Arctozolt is useful, but given the popularity in the Sword & Shield meta for Water types like Toxapex and Swampert, Arctozolt may come in handy.

33

Galarian Slowbro

Slowking’s Counterpart Trades Special Stats For Balance

Many players might be drawn to Galarian Slowbro simply for having the Hidden Ability Regenerator, which heals the Pokemon every time it switches out. However, compared to Galarian Slowking, Slowbro’s stats are much more balanaced across both Attack and Special Attack, giving players a lot more options in terms of including this Pokemon in their teams.

Some players might take advantage of Galarian Slowbro’s decent move coverage to give it status-inflicting moves like Scald, but don’t ignore its signature move, Side Shell Arm. This powerful move calculates whether it would deal more damage as a physical or special attack, and deals whichever is higher. This makes Galarian Slowbro an especially unpredictable ‘mon for opponents.

32

Obstagoon

This Rock Star Has Guts

The unique Dark/Normal typing that Obstagoon has makes it especially interesting to competitive players, given its full immunity to both Ghost and Psychic-type attacks. This makes it a serious threat to even Uber Pokemon like Calyrex or Lunala, though its average stats might lead to many players preferring older Pokemon like Marshadow.

Nevertheless, there are definitely viable ways to use Obstagoon, such as pairing it with a Flame Orb, which will activate its ability Guts and give it 1.5x power on all physical attacking moves. After getting burned, players can use Switcheroo to hand their Flame Orb over to opponents, then get some decently strong STAB off a move like Knock Off, as well as a 140 base-powered Facade.

31

Dracozolt

It Doesn’t Out-Do Other Electric/Dragon Types, But It Has Other Pros

Don’t even think about using Dracozolt without its Hidden Ability, Sand Rush, which doubles its Speed in a sandstorm, which is especially needed given that the Pokemon has pretty below-average Speed without it. This will be especially useful for Dracozolt’s signature move, Bolt Beak, which doubles in power if the Pokemon moves first, which is pretty much not a guarantee without sandstorm.

Because of this, it’s impossible to get good usage of Dracozolt without a sandstorm user like Hippowdown or Tyranitar, so the best approach is for Dracozolt’s moves to help counter any of these Pokemon’s checks. A Fighting-type move like Low Kick, which can be learned via TM, will help against Tyranitar’s opponents, but as for pure Ground types, Dracozolt might be out of lock in its coverage.

30

Toxtricity

Its Unique Typing Rocks

What Toxtricity boasts over all other Pokemon is its incredibly unique Electric/Poison-typing. This makes it weak to only two types: Ground and Psychic, although with the addition of Terastallization in Gen 9, this can be overcome by using Tera Blast in Ghost or Water. Plus, it has a strong enough Special Attack stat to become a decent speedy Special Attacker competitively.

As for preferable movesets, Toxtricity can pair well with Throat Spray, which boosts the Special Attack stat after the Pokemon uses a sound-based move, of which Toxtricity has many options, including the STAB-effective Overdrive. It can also overcome its mediocre Speed stat with the move Shift Gear, which sharply raises Speed and Attack.

29

Galarian Zapdos

This Bird Is A Choice Physical Attacker

Galarian Zapdos, design-wise, varies a lot from the original Zapdos. However, its stats also turn it into a completely different Pokemon, trading its high Special Attack for physical Attack. Paired with the ability Defiant, which boosts its Attack every time another stat is lowered, Galarian Zapdos can easily become for physical attackers what Zapdos is for special attackers.

The best way to get the most out of Galarian Zapdos is by pairing it with a Choice Scarf or Choice Band, which will boost its Speed or Attack in exchange for only selecting one move until they switch out. Giving it powerful STAB moves like Close Combat, Brave Bird, or Thunderous Kick is another way to make sure Galarian Zapdos is dealing as much damage as possible.

28

Pincurchin

Don’t Underestimate This Little Guy

One might take a look at Pincurchin and write it off as a forgettable, rarely-used Pokemon. However, it can be incredibly helpful for competitive play as a terrain setter, given that one of its abilities is Electric Surge. Paired with the Terrain Extender item, which makes Electric Terrain last 8 turns, Pincurchin can be a great set-up Pokemon for certain team builds.

Its movepool also includes a lot of useful support moves, such as Scald, Spikes, Toxic Spikes, and Pain Split. Plus, as a pure Electric-type, Pincurchin doesn’t have many weaknesses and even resists popular competitive types like Fairy, Steel, and Fighting.

27

Galarian Weezing

Weezing Has Never Looked So Fancy

Poison/Fairy is a good type for many reasons, especially because it gains resistance to one of Fairy’s biggest weaknesses. Plus, by having Levitate as an ability, this Pokemon completely negates one of Poison’s biggest weaknesses: Ground-type. With access to moves like Will-O-Wisp, Flamethrower, and Dark Pulse, it can cover for most of its other weaknesses.

As a result, Galarian Weezing becomes a very strong choice for a defensive option in teams, clearing terrain with Defog or confusing targets with Strange Steam. It doesn’t, however, have any difference in stats from regular Weezing, meaning it doesn’t benefit from a better stat distribution away from just physical Defense.

26

Galarian Moltres

This Moltres Makes For A Solid Special Attacker

Galarian Moltres has a slight but noticeable difference in base stats from regular Moltres, with higher Special Defense in exchange for lower Attack and Special Attack. It can serve as a pretty great speedy Special Attacker when given moves like Nasty Plot or Agility. Plus, its weaknesses include Rock and Ice, both of which are rarely used in competitive play.

An item like Weakness Policy can also do wonders for Galarian Moltres, raising both its Attack and Special Attack by two stages if it’s hit by a supereffective attack. Even its signature move, Fiery Wrath, deals a decent amount of damage with a strong chance of flinching.

25

Centiskorch

Lacks Speed But Offers Many Resistances

It can be difficult to fit a Bug-type Pokemon into one’s team due to their poor type effectiveness. Centiskorch makes this task a lot less daunting, however, with its fire-typing making it a much more viable option than some of its bug-type peers. Sure, Rock-type moves are still super effective against it, but it more than makes up for this with its impressive list of resistances.

Fighting, Bug, Steel, Ice, and Fairy-types will all deal 1/2 damage to Centiskorch, while the effectiveness of Grass-type attacks will be reduced by a whopping 75%. It has fairly decent stats, too, placing it just below the final forms of the three Gen 8 starter evolutions. It boasts an impressive Attack stat, but sadly, it does come up a little short in the Speed department.

24

Regidrago

An Impressive Amount Of HP And Resistances

Though it’s arguably the worst of the Legendary Titans, Regidrago is still a solid choice for those looking for a solid Dragon-type Pokemon to balance out their teams. Its base stat total makes it one of the strongest Pokemon in Sword & Shield on paper, with a monstrous 200 HP stat helping it survive even the toughest of onslaughts.

Granted, it’s weak to Ice, Fairy, and other Dragon-types, but it more than makes up for this with its resistance to Fire, Water, Grass, and Electric-type attacks. Its low defenses can make it a little difficult to work with, however, particularly when it’s up against a Pokemon that can attack one of its weaknesses. With this in mind, there are several better Dragon-types in Gen 8.

23

Galarian Articuno

A Powerful Pokemon With Access To A Unique Move

In truth, any of the Galarian forms of the Legendary birds are worthy additions to a team. Galarian Articuno, however, may be one of the strongest Pokemon in Pokemon Sword & Shield, despite only appearing in the DLC expansion The Crown Tundra. Compared to its Ice/Flying-type Kantonian form, Galarian Articuno boasts a rare Psychic/Flying-type.

Galarian Articuno also learns quite a unique move, Freezing Glare, which is Psychic-type and the only non-Ice move with the ability to freeze opponents. Its Ability, Competitive, gives it a huge Special Attack buff from stat drops. While some trainers may gravitate towards Galarian Zapdos or Galarian Moltres, Galarian Articuno is their best bet for a competitive team.

22

Inteleon

Offers Increased Critical Hit Damage

Sobble might be the most awkward-looking of the three Galar starters, but it certainly comes out of its shell once it evolves into Inteleon. The pure Water-type starter has plenty going for it, both design-wise and in battle, particularly thanks to its Ability, Sniper, which allows for critical hits to deal even more damage than they normally would.

Inteleon’s high Speed and Special Attack stats make it a great glass cannon for any party. Its signature move, Snipe Shot, increases the chance of getting a critical hit in battle, which pairs nicely with the aforementioned ability. Simply put, any decent trainer can put Inteleon to good use.

21

Duraludon

A Defense-Focused Pokemon With A Variety Of Resistances

Although The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet introduced Duraludon’s evolution, Archaludon, its pre-evolution may excel for even more reasons now that it has the potential to be paired with the Eviolite item. Its excellent Steel/Dragon typing gives it nine resistances and only two weaknesses, and its defensive stats are already incredibly strong.

With base 120 Special Attack, Duraludon is certainly no offensive slouch either. It’s been a very popular competitive pick so far, and rightly so. Though it might be attractive for players to evolve this Steel/Dragon-type, one shouldn’t count out the potential of an unevolved Duraludon, either.

20

Grimmsnarl

Lacks Defense But Offers Great Strength

One might not expect a Pokemon as intimidating in its design as Grimmsnarl to be a Fairy-type, but it is. As a Dark/Fairy-typed Pokemon, Grimmsnarl seems like a perfect mix between the two types, with its mischievous personality and mysteriously powerful hair. Despite its appearance, Grimmsnarl won’t scare off many challengers with its low Defense and Special Defense.

Thankfully, Grimmsnarl has a strong Attack stat to balance out these defensive weaknesses, as well as powerful STAB moves in its learnset. Players should watch out for Poison, Steel, and other Fairy-type Pokemon, as their super-effective attacks can get the best of Grimmsnarl, especially considering its rather disappointing Speed stat.

19

Sirfetch’d

A Reliable Fighter With A Great Movepool

Poor Farfetch’d was one of the worst Gen 1 Pokemon from a competitive standpoint. Its reputation really didn’t improve in the two decades since, until the concept of regional forms gave it a chance to improve itself through Galarian Farfetch’d and its unique evolution, the lance-carrying Sirfetch’d, who was even a member of Ash Ketchum’s championship-winning team.

Compared to its Kantonian pre-evolution, Sirfetch’d boasts a powerful 135 Attack stat, a pure Fighting type, and has access to Abilities like Scrappy, which allows it to attack Ghost-type Pokemon that are normally immune to Fighting-type moves. Plus, its movepool is incredibly diverse with a whole range of coverage, from Fighting-type STAB moves to types like Steel and Dark.

18

Barraskewda

Difficult To Take Down In The Pouring Rain

When they fished up Arrokuda quite early in their Sword & Shield adventure, players would be forgiven for having underestimated it. It’s a little generic-looking, as far as fish-inspired Pokemon go, but looks can be deceiving once Arrokuda evolves into Barraskewda, which was among the strongest Pokemon in the eighth generation’s competitive meta.

Barraskewda’s defenses are very low, but its base Attack and Speed stats, great coverage, and Ability make it a real nightmare to face, especially in the rain. Barraskewda also has access to the Hidden Ability Propeller Tail, preventing opposing support Pokemon from redirecting their attacks in doubles matches.

17

Zarude

Has Many Weaknesses But Also A Diverse Movepool

Zarude debuted in the Isle of Armor DLC expansion through an Event distribution. It comes in two forms: normal Zarude and Dada Zarude, though its Dada form was only made available in conjunction with the corresponding Pokemon movie in 2020. Still, the Dark/Grass-type has a lot going for it in either form.

Zarude doesn’t have many flaws statistically, with high HP, Attack, Defense, and Speed. What will probably scare trainers away are its seven different type weaknesses, including a quadruple disadvantage to the typically inconsequential Bug-type. It also boasts a strong, diverse movepool with a lot of coverage, making it easy to craft the perfect moveset for this physically strong ‘mon.

16

Polteageist

A Potential Powerhouse With The Right Strategy

The people of the United Kingdom are known to be pretty fond of drinking tea. As a result, Pokemon Sword & Shield features a tea-based Pokemon as an homage to this fact: Sinistea and its evolved form, Polteageist. These unique pure Ghost-types have unusual stat spreads, making them tough to fit into specific team roles.

Polteageist, in particular, is sorely lacking in HP, Attack, and Defense, and has middling Speed, but its Special Attack and Special Defense are very high. However, with the combination of the move Shell Smash and a White Herb item, which neutralizes negative stat changes, Polteageist can become a powerhouse ready to sweep teams.