Our Pokemon Sword and Shield Gym Leaders guide gives you all the information and strategy tips you need to defeat all 8 gym leaders in the Galar region. It includes detailed information on a Gym Leader's team and strategy on how to defeat them. If you're looking for information on how to reach any of the eight gyms in Sword and Shield or how to complete the puzzles in these gyms, check out our Sword and Shield Walkthrough.
Note: Stow-on-Side Gym (#4) and Circhester Gym (#6) have different leaders and types depending on the version of the game you're playing. In Sword version, Stow-on-Side is a Fighting-type gym with Leader Bea and Circhester is a Rock-type gym with Leader Gordie. In Shield version, Stow-on-Side is a Ghost-type gym with Leader Allister and Circhester is an Ice-type gym with Leader Melony.
Type:
Lv: 19
Moves:
Magical Leaf
Round 
Rapid Spin
Type:
Lv: 19
Moves:
Magical Leaf
Leafage
Round
Gym Leader Milo only has two Pokemon: both Grass-type. That means there's nothing to worry about in terms of odd type matchups. Any Fire, Flying, Poison, or Bug moves should do the trick. He'll Dynamax his Eldegoss, so it's a good idea to follow suit and Dynamax your Pokemon as well. After winning this battle, Pokemon up to level 25 can be captured.
Type:
Lv: 22
Moves:
Water Pulse
Whirlpool
Horn Attack
Agility 
Type:
Lv: 23
Moves:
Aqua Jet
Bite 
Whirlpool
Fury Attack
Type: 
Lv: 24
Moves:
Razor Shell
Water Gun
Bite
Headbutt
Gym Leader Nessa has three Water-type Pokemon. A strong Grass-type with some STAB moves will serve you very well, as the Water/Rock typing of Drednaw makes Grass moves 4x effective. Electric-type is another good choice. You'll likely out-level Nessa at this point, so the battle shouldn't be too challenging. She'll Dynamax her Drednaw, so make sure to Dynamax your Pokemon at the same time. With Water Badge in hand, Pokemon up to level 30 can be captured.
Type:
Lv: 25
Moves:
Will-O-Wisp
Fire Spin
Quick Attack
Ember
Type:
Lv: 25
Moves:
Will-O-Wisp
Flame Wheel
Bite
Agility
Type: 
Lv: 27
Moves:
Flame Wheel
Coil 
Bug Bite
Smokescreen
Gym Leader Kabu is a Fire-type specialist with three Pokemon. Rock-type moves are excellent for this battle, as they'll be 4x effective against his star Pokemon, Centiskorch. Water-types are a solid choice as well. His Centiskorch will get Dynamaxed the first turn it's out, so Dynamax your Pokemon as well. The Fire Badge will ensure that you can catch Pokemon up to level 35.
Type:
Lv: 34
Moves:
Triple Kick
Quick Attack
Counter
Revenge
Type:
Lv: 34
Moves:
Bullet Punch 
Circle Throw
Night Slash
Work Up
Type:
Lv: 35
Moves:
Detect
Swords Dance
Brutal Swing
Revenge
Type:
Lv: 36
Moves:
Scary Face
Revenge
Knock Off
Strength
In Sword version, Bea is the leader of Stow-on-Side Gym. Gym Leader Bea uses Fighting-types and has four Pokemon. A strong Fairy-typee will be your best bet, as it'll be 4x effective against Pangoro and 2x effective against everything else. Flying-type is always a solid choice against Fighting as well. She'll Dynamax her Machamp, so you should do the same to keep up. The Fighting Badge allows you to obtain Pokemon up to level 40.
Type: 
Lv: 34
Moves:
Brutal Swing
Hex
Disable
Type:
Lv: 34
Moves:
Shadow Sneak
Baby-Doll Eyes
Hone Claws
Slash
Type:
Lv: 35
Moves:
Ancient Power
Curse
Hex
Type:
Lv: 36
Moves:
Venoshock
Hex
Hypnosis Payback
In Shield version, Allister is the leader of Stow-on-Side Gym. Gym Leader Allister uses Ghost-types and has four Pokemon. This is the first gym leader where typing gets a little more tricky. Ghost type moves are the best choice, but not Ghost-type Pokemon. Dark-types are a safe choice as well. He'll Dynamax his Gengar, so you should do the same to keep up. The Ghost Badge allows you to obtain Pokemon up to level 40.
Type:
Lv: 36
Moves:
Sludge
Fairy Wind
Tackle
Type:
Lv: 36
Moves:
Draining Kiss
Crunch
Iron Defense
Astonish
Type:
Lv: 37
Moves:
Air Slash
Draining Kiss
Ancient Power
Type:
Lv: 38
Moves:
Draining Kiss
Acid Armor
Sweet Kiss
Opal is the leader of Ballonlea Gym, at least for the time being. She is a Fairy-type user with four Pokemon. Because of the dual-typing of several of her Pokemon, it's hard to cover the spread with a single type. The best bet is some combination of Steel and Ground-types. If you want both in one, Galarian Stunfisk. She'll DYnamax her Alcremie, so keep that in mind and follow suit to keep up with her.
Throughout the course of the battle, she'll also ask you some questions. If you answer correctly, your stats will be boosted. The questions are:
With Fairy Badge in hand, you can now obtain Pokemon up to level 45.
Type:
Lv: 40
Moves:
Shell Smash
Rock Tomb
Razor Shell
Type:
Lv: 40
Moves:
Power Split
Stone Edge
Struggle Bug
Rock Tomb
Type:
Lv: 41
Moves:
Stealth Rock
Rock Tomb
Body Slam
Wonder Room
Type:
Lv: 42
Moves:
Tar Shot
Stealth Rock
Heat Crash
Rock Tomb
In Sword version, Gordie is the leader of Circhester Gym. Gym Leader Gordie uses Rock-types and has four Pokemon. A combination of Water and Ground-type moves should cover the dual-typing spread of his Pokemon and be 1x effective or better against everything. He'll Dynamax his Coalossal, so you should do the same to keep up. The Rock Badge allows you to obtain Pokemon up to level 50.
Type:
Lv: 40
Moves:
Icy Wind
Feather Dance
Bug Buzz
Hail
Type:
Lv: 40
Moves:
Icicle Crash
Headbutt
Taunt
Fire Fang
Type:
Lv: 41
Moves:
Amnesia
Freeze-Dry
Hail
Icy Wind
Type:
Lv: 42
Moves:
Icy Wind
Ice Beam
Surf
Sing
In Shield version, Melony is the leader of Circhester Gym. Gym Leader Melony uses Ice-types and has four Pokemon. A Rock-type will be at least super effective against everything, and a Fighting-type is your second best option. She'll Dynamax her Lapras, so you should do the same to keep up. The Ice Badge allows you to obtain Pokemon up to level 50.
Type:
Lv: 44
Moves:
Fake Out
Sand Attack
Brick Break
Payback
Type:
Lv: 45
Moves:
Night Slash
Foul Play
Psycho Cut
Payback
Type:
Lv: 45
Moves:
Sucker Punch
Screech
Toxic
Snarl
Type:
Lv: 46
Moves:
Obstruct
Throat Chop
Counter
Shadow Claw
The Gym Leader of Spikemuth and brother of Marnie is Piers. Piers is a Dark-type leader who has four Pokemon. Fairy-type is a must-have, but you'll need something like Ground as well to cover Skuntank's Poison/Dark-type. You'll battle Piers in the town of Spikemuth and not in a stadium, so there will be no Dynamaxing in this battle. The Dark Badge will allow you to capture Pokemon up to level 55.
Type:
Lv: 46
Moves:
Stealth Rock
Sand Tomb
Rock Blast
Body Press
Type:
Lv: 46
Moves:
Protect
Glare
Fire Fang
Earth Power
Type:
Lv: 47
Moves:
Thunder Punch
Breaking Swipe
Crunch
Steel Wing
Type:
Lv: 48
Moves:
Breaking Swipe
Body Press
Stone Edge
Iron Head
The eighth and final Gym Leader of Galar is the Dragon-type specialist Raihan. The Hammerlocke leader has four Pokemon. Interestingly, only two of his Pokemon are actually Dragon-type. Either way, a combination of Ice and Ground-types should do the trick against him. He will Dynamax his Duraludon, so you should do the same at that time. The Dragon Badge will allow you to capture any Pokemon regardless of level.
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