Appendix:Sword and Shield walkthrough/Section 12

Route 7

Head east along the bridge and you’ll find Hop, who’s done lots more tinkering with his team. Cramorant, Toxel, and Silicobra are out, and Trevenant, Heatmor, Boltund, and Snorlax are in. It’s definitely a sterner challenge, but you should still be able to defeat him without too much problem if you’ve healed beforehand.

After your victory Hop vows to improve, and promises to battle you again after you both win the Circhester Gym badge. Continue along the route and head north - not that you have much choice, with two Team Yell Grunts blocking the way eastwards. It’s not a particularly long route, with only two trainers. You’ll have to beat Cabbie Bruce, but you can scoot past Model Mila who’s guarding a hidden Ether. Otherwise just advance to Route 8. You’ll come back through the other half of Route 7 later.

If the player chose Grookey

Pokémon Trainer Hop Route 7 Sword and Shield Reward: $4,440 Types: Ghost Grass Ability: Natural Cure Held item: None Trevenant♂ Lv.34 Horn Leech Grass Physical   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --       Confuse Ray Ghost Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Flash Fire Held item: None Heatmor♂ Lv.34 Fire Lash Fire Physical   --       Bug Bite Bug Physical   --       Slash Normal Physical   --       Lick Ghost Physical   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Thick Fat Held item: None Snorlax♂ Lv.35 Body Slam Normal Physical   --       Stockpile Normal Status   --       Heavy Slam Steel Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Type: Electric Unknown Ability: Strong Jaw Held item: None Boltund♂ Lv.35 Spark Electric Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Roar Normal Status   --       Nuzzle Electric Physical   --       Type: Water Unknown Ability: Torrent Held item: None Inteleon♂ Lv.37 Snipe Shot Water Special   --       Sucker Punch Dark Physical   --       Tearful Look Normal Status   --       Whirlpool Water Special   --

If the player chose Scorbunny

Pokémon Trainer Hop Route 7 Sword and Shield Reward: $4,440 Types: Ghost Grass Ability: Natural Cure Held item: None Trevenant♂ Lv.34 Horn Leech Grass Physical   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --       Confuse Ray Ghost Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Flash Fire Held item: None Heatmor♂ Lv.34 Fire Lash Fire Physical   --       Bug Bite Bug Physical   --       Slash Normal Physical   --       Lick Ghost Physical   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Thick Fat Held item: None Snorlax♂ Lv.35 Body Slam Normal Physical   --       Stockpile Normal Status   --       Heavy Slam Steel Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Type: Electric Unknown Ability: Strong Jaw Held item: None Boltund♂ Lv.35 Spark Electric Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Roar Normal Status   --       Nuzzle Electric Physical   --       Type: Grass Unknown Ability: Overgrow Held item: None Rillaboom♂ Lv.37 Drum Beating Grass Physical   --       Knock Off Dark Physical   --       Slam Normal Physical   --       Brutal Swing Dark Physical   --

If the player chose Sobble

Pokémon Trainer Hop Route 7 Sword and Shield Reward: $4,440 Types: Ghost Grass Ability: Natural Cure Held item: None Trevenant♂ Lv.34 Horn Leech Grass Physical   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --       Confuse Ray Ghost Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Flash Fire Held item: None Heatmor♂ Lv.34 Fire Lash Fire Physical   --       Bug Bite Bug Physical   --       Slash Normal Physical   --       Lick Ghost Physical   --       Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Thick Fat Held item: None Snorlax♂ Lv.35 Body Slam Normal Physical   --       Stockpile Normal Status   --       Heavy Slam Steel Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Type: Electric Unknown Ability: Strong Jaw Held item: None Boltund♂ Lv.35 Spark Electric Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Roar Normal Status   --       Nuzzle Electric Physical   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Blaze Held item: None Cinderace♂ Lv.37 Pyro Ball Fire Physical   --       Headbutt Normal Physical   --       Acrobatics Flying Physical   --       Agility Psychic Status   --

Items

Items

Item Location Games Ether Next to a rock east of the western bridge (hidden)  Sw  Sh  Balm Mushroom Next to a tree northeast of the western bridge (hidden)  Sw  Sh  Quick Ball ×3 In the grass southeast of the Route 8 entrance  Sw  Sh  TM58 (Assurance) Southeast of the Pokémon Camp, next to the eastern bridge  Sw  Sh  Safety Goggles Down the path next to the eastern bridge  Sw  Sh  PP Up Next to some rocks northwest of the Route 9 Tunnel (hidden)  Sw  Sh

Berry trees

Shaking a Berry tree can yield Berries, but a Pokémon may be shaken loose instead and steal some of the Berries after a battle.

Berry trees - West of the bridge, south of western end of the bridge
Item Location Games Pomeg Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh  Kelpsy Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh  Qualot Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh  Hondew Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh  Grepa Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh  Tamato Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh  Lum Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh

Berry trees - West of the bridge, west of the Route 8 entrance
Item Location Games Aspear Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh  Figy Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh  Mago Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh  Ganlon Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh  Liechi Berry Can fall from the Berry tree  Sw  Sh

Pokémon

While the game contains data for different hidden encounters in non-clear weather, the weather is always clear on this route.

Hidden encounters

Available Pokémon

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Liepard Sw Sh Grass 28-40 10% Liepard Sw Sh Grass 36-40 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% Seismitoad Sw Sh Grass 28-40 10% Seismitoad Sw Sh Grass 36-40 5% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% Karrablast Sw Sh Grass 28-40 20% Karrablast Sw Sh Grass 28-40 5% Karrablast Sw Sh Grass 36-40 25% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% Karrablast Sw Sh Grass 36-40 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% Shelmet Sw Sh Grass 28-40 5% Shelmet Sw Sh Grass 28-40 20% Shelmet Sw Sh Grass 36-40 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% 5% Shelmet Sw Sh Grass 36-40 25% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% Meowstic Male Sw Sh Grass 28-40 10% Meowstic Male Sw Sh Grass 36-40 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% Meowstic Female Sw Sh Grass 28-40 10% Meowstic Female Sw Sh Grass 36-40 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% Corviknight Sw Sh Grass 28-40 20% Corviknight Sw Sh Grass 36-40 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% Toxel Sw Sh Grass 28-40 25% Toxel Sw Sh Grass 36-40 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% Berry trees Greedent Sw Sh Berry tree 36-40 100% 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.

Visible encounters

Available Pokémon

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Liepard Sw Sh Grass 37-41 15% Galvantula Sw Sh Grass 37-41 20% Inkay Sw Sh Grass 37-41 10% Thievul Sw Sh Grass 37-41 20% Perrserker Sw Sh Grass 37-41 30% Morpeko Sw Sh Grass 37-41 5% 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.

Curry encounters

Available Pokémon

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Toxel Sw Sh Curry 36-40 10.85% Shelmet Sw Sh Curry 36-40 10.85% Karrablast Sw Sh Curry 36-40 10.85% Corviknight Sw Sh Curry 36-40 12.40% Liepard Sw Sh Curry 36-40 15.50% Meowstic Male Sw Sh Curry 36-40 15.50% Meowstic Female Sw Sh Curry 36-40 15.50% Seismitoad Sw Sh Curry 28-40 17.44% Shelmet Sw Sh Curry 36-40 17.44% Karrablast Sw Sh Curry 36-40 17.44% 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.

Trainers

Trainers
Trainer Pokémon Model Mila マイコ Maiko Reward: $4,320 Ribombee♀ Lv.35 No item Vespiquen♀ Lv.36 No item Cabbie Bruce ノリスク Norisuku Reward: $4,320 Corvisquire♂ Lv.35 No item Rufflet♂ Lv.36 No item

Route 8

While Route 7 is very straightforward, Route 8 is the complete opposite. The bulk of the route consists of ancient ruins, with a maze of ladders and stairs for the player to navigate. There’s plenty of good items to be found if you want to explore, including two TMs, a Pixie Plate, and a King’s Rock. For the most direct path, go down the stairs at the start, head north, then turn right at the first opportunity and head down the ladder to fight Doctor Joanna. Climb the next ladder, head north through the dry grass, go down the stairs and up the ladder, then turn right and descend the next ladder. The path funnels you in one direction for a while, through a missing section of wall before jumping a small ledge. Continue forward, dodging the Falinks on patrol from their holes, and turn right rather than going up the stairs. It is possible to dodge Musician Charles if you wait it out in the corner at the top until he moves down. Go down the next ladder, do some more Falinks dodging, then head up one final set of stairs and ascend the last ladder to reach the other side.

There’s a Pokémon camp to the right hand side, if you want to refresh your Pokémon, but there’s a tricky double battle against Jordan and Alison blocking your path. Otherwise head north onto the second part of the route, also known as Steamdrift Way.

Items

Items

Item Location Games Shiny Stone On a ledge in the southeast  Sw  Sh  X Defense ×3 In a corner at the top of the first set of stairs (hidden)  Sw  Sh  TM96 (Smart Strike) On the ledge north of the Trainer Tips sign  Sw  Sh  Hyper Potion ×3 In an area between two ladders in the east  Sw  Sh  Elixir Between two ramp-like ledges near the middle of the route (hidden)  Sw  Sh  Luxury Ball ×3 On a ramp-like ledge near the middle of the route  Sw  Sh  Pixie Plate In an indent south of the first Falinks hole (hidden)  Sw  Sh  Max Revive In an indent in the west  Sw  Sh  Big Nugget In front of a rock in the northwest (hidden)  Sw  Sh  King's Rock In a small alcove in the northeast part of the ruins  Sw  Sh  Nugget In a corner between two Falinks holes in the northeast part of the ruins (hidden)  Sw  Sh  TM43 (Brick Break) At the end of a narrow path in the northwest  Sw  Sh  Terrain Extender At the end of the path east of the Pokémon Camp  Sw  Sh

Pokémon

Hidden encounters

Available Pokémon

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Haunter Sw Sh Grass 38-40 10% Rhyhorn Sw Sh Grass 38-40 20% Dusclops Sw Sh Grass 38-40 15% Bronzong Sw Sh Grass 38-40 10% Hippowdon Sw Sh Grass 38-40 8% Drapion Sw Sh Grass 38-40 5% Sandaconda Sw Sh Grass 38-40 30% Falinks Sw Sh Grass 38-40 2% 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.

Visible encounters

Available Pokémon

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Lunatone Sw Sh Grass 39-41 5% Solrock Sw Sh Grass 39-41 5% Boldore Sw Sh Grass 39-41 10% Boldore Sw Sh Grass 39-41 25% Gurdurr Sw Sh Grass 39-41 25% Gurdurr Sw Sh Grass 39-41 10% Golett Sw Sh Grass 39-41 25% Pawniard Sw Sh Grass 39-41 20% Rufflet Sw Sh Grass 39-41 10% Vullaby Sw Sh Grass 39-41 10% Togedemaru Sw Sh Grass 39-41 5% 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.

Curry encounters

Available Pokémon

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Sandaconda Sw Sh Curry 38-40 7.82% Rhyhorn Sw Sh Curry 38-40 10.42% Dusclops Sw Sh Curry 38-40 11.73% Haunter Sw Sh Curry 38-40 13.03% Bronzong Sw Sh Curry 38-40 13.03% Hippowdon Sw Sh Curry 38-40 13.68% Drapion Sw Sh Curry 38-40 14.66% Falinks Sw Sh Curry 38-40 15.64% 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.

Wanderers

• Crustle appears in the northwest, blocking the narrow path leading to TM43. It does not respawn.
• Falinks appear from various holes located around the ruins. They respawn every time the player exits the ruins.

Available Pokémon
Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Crustle Sw Sh Wanderer 40 One Falinks Sw Sh Wanderer 40 N/A 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.

Trainers

Trainers

Trainer Pokémon Doctor Joanna レイナ Reina Reward: $4,320 Roselia♀ Lv.36 No item Hattrem♀ Lv.36 No item Backpacker Barbara ノリコ Noriko Reward: $2,664 Dreepy♀ Lv.36 No item Vullaby♀ Lv.37 No item Musician Charles リュウタ Ryūta Reward: $2,368 Togedemaru♂ Lv.37 No item Colleagues Jordan and Alison キヨシとユリエ Kiyoshi and Yurie Reward: $6,660 Excadrill♂ Lv.36 No item Lucario♂ Lv.37 No item Hippowdon♀ Lv.36 No item Perrserker♀ Lv.37 No item

Steamdrift Way

The Steamdrift Way itself is very short. There’s hidden Star Pieces on the north side, the opportunity to catch some Ice-type Pokémon, and an optional battle against Police Officer Bobby. Head through and you’ll arrive in Circhester.

Items

Items
Item Location Games Star Piece ×2 In the western patch of tall grass (hidden)  Sw  Sh

Pokémon

Hidden encounters

Available Pokémon

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Sneasel Sw Sh Grass 38-41 25% Delibird Sw Sh Grass 38-41 10% Delibird Sw Sh Grass 38-41 15% Snover Sw Sh Grass 38-41 20% Darumaka Galarian Form Sw Sh Grass 38-41 5% Snom Sw Sh Grass 38-41 40% 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.

Visible encounters

Available Pokémon
Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Sneasel Sw Sh Grass 39-43 20% Snorunt Sw Sh Grass 39-43 25% Throh Sw Sh Grass 39-43 5% Sawk Sw Sh Grass 39-43 5% Vanillish Sw Sh Grass 39-43 10% Snom Sw Sh Grass 39-43 40% 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.

Curry encounters

Available Pokémon

Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Snom Sw Sh Curry 38-41 11.04% Snom Sw Sh Curry 38-41 15.79% Sneasel Sw Sh Curry 38-41 17.18% Snover Sw Sh Curry 38-41 19.63% Sneasel Sw Sh Curry 38-41 24.56% Delibird Sw Sh Curry 38-41 24.54% Darumaka Galarian Form Sw Sh Curry 38-41 27.61% Snover Sw Sh Curry 38-41 28.07% Delibird Sw Sh Curry 38-41 31.58% 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.

Trainers

Trainers
Trainer Pokémon Police Officer Bobby タカシ Takashi Reward: $4,440 Arcanine♂ Lv.37 No item Boltund♂ Lv.37 No item

Circhester

The snowy town of Circhester has a few main points of interest, most notably the Hero’s Bath, Hotel Iona, Bob’s Your Uncle restaurant, and Circhester Stadium. You can head straight to the Stadium in the north of the town should you wish, but it’s worth paying Hotel Iona a visit. Some of the guests are based on GAME FREAK production staff, and more than just being a nice easter egg they will also give you a Catching Charm, and later an Oval Charm and Shiny Charm on fulfilling certain requirements. There’s also a number of TMs dotted around the town to add to your collection. Once you’re satisfied you’ve seen all there is to see, it’s off to the Stadium for Gym number six.

Items

Items

Item Location Games Snowball Down the western stairs in front of the Hero's Bath (hidden)  Sw  Sh  Poké Doll Down the eastern stairs in front of the Hero's Bath (hidden)  Sw  Sh  Lemonade On the western side of the Hero's Bath (hidden)  Sw  Sh  TM51 (Icicle Spear) On the eastern side of the Hero's Bath  Sw  Sh  X Sp. Atk ×2 In front of a pile of snow in the corner to the west of Circhester Stadium (hidden)  Sw  Sh  TM27 (Icy Wind) From the man in the southernmost house on the western side of the city  Sw  TM48 (Rock Tomb) From the man in the southernmost house on the western side of the city  Sh  Catching Charm From the game director in the leftmost room on the top floor of Hotel Ionia's western building  Sw  Sh  Oval Charm From Morimoto in the second room from the left on the top floor of Hotel Ionia's western building after beating him in battle for the first time after becoming Champion  Sw  Sh  Shiny Charm From the game director in the leftmost room on the top floor of Hotel Ionia's western building after showing him a completed Pokédex  Sw  Sh  TM47 (Fake Tears) From the Musician in the rightmost room on the top floor of Hotel Ionia's eastern building  Sw  Sh  TM16 (Screech) From the Hiker in the second room from the right on the top floor of Hotel Ionia's eastern building  Sw  Sh  Wide Lens From Howses in the second room from the left on the top floor of Hotel Ionia's eastern building after identifying that the berries were eaten by a Skwovet  Sw  Sh  Full Heal ×3 In an indent to the left on the southeasternmost side of Circhester, just before Route 9 (hidden)  Sw  Sh

Trade

An ice cream seller in the city square will offer to trade the player his Throh^Sw/Sawk^Sh nicknamed "Reddos"^Sw/"Blubop"^Sh in exchange for a Vanillish.

Available Pokémon
Pokémon Games Location Levels Rate Special Pokémon Throh Sw Sh Trade Vanillish 37 One Sawk Sw Sh Trade Vanillish 37 One 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.

Circhester Stadium

When you enter the Stadium you’ll see Hop leaving having lost to the Gym Leader. He’ll give you the leader’s League Card, resolve to do some more tinkering with his team, then depart. Ball Guy will gift you a Moon Ball, which has an improved catch rate on Pokémon who evolve via Moon Stone. Otherwise you can get started on by far the most annoying Gym Mission.

Like Stow-on-Side, the Gym Leader differs in each version. Sword has the Rock-type specialist Gordie, while Shield has Melony, Gordie’s mother, who uses Ice-types. The puzzle is the same no matter which version you play on - much like Stow-on-Side, the changes are only cosmetic. You’ll have to use the two Trap Detectors you’re given to navigate your way through an environment with hidden pitfall traps. Your controller will vibrate more strongly the closer you get to the traps. If you make a wrong move and trigger a trap, you’ll be sent to either the start of the area or a checkpoint midway through. Once you’ve cleared each area, the location of all the traps will be revealed. The first two mazes let you see where you’re going, but the third and final maze takes place in either a sandstorm or snowstorm, depending on your game version, and can be much more frustrating. The trainers you fight along the way shouldn’t pose too much of a challenge, as they only have one Pokémon each. Once you’ve navigated through all three puzzles, it’s time to take on the Gym Leader.

Upon your victory, you’ll be awarded the TM for either Rock Tomb or Icy Wind, depending on which Gym leader you beat, and the uniform that matches their type, Rock for Gordie, and Ice for Melony.

Sword version

Circhester Stadium Trainers Trainer Pokémon First maze Gym Trainer Abigail ヨシコ Yoshiko Reward: $3,648 Boldore♀ Lv.38 No item Second maze Gym Trainer Kiera チヅル Chidzuru Reward: $3,648 Crustle♀ Lv.38 No item Gym Trainer Oliver ショウ Shou Reward: $3,744 Carkol♂ Lv.39 No item Third maze Gym Trainer Wendy コヨミ Koyomi Reward: $3,744 Sudowoodo♀ Lv.39 No item Gym Leader Gordie Circhester Stadium Sword Reward: $6,720 Types: Rock Water Ability: Tough Claws Held item: None Barbaracle♂ Lv.40 Shell Smash Normal Status   --       Rock Tomb Rock Physical   --       Razor Shell Water Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Types: Bug Rock Ability: Contrary Held item: None Shuckle♂ Lv.40 Power Split Psychic Status   --       Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Struggle Bug Bug Special   --       Rock Tomb Rock Physical   --       Type: Rock Unknown Ability: Power Spot Held item: None Stonjourner♂ Lv.41 Stealth Rock Rock Status   --       Rock Tomb Rock Physical   --       Body Slam Normal Physical   --       Wonder Room Psychic Status   --       Types: Rock Fire Ability: Steam Engine Held item: None Gigantamax Coalossal♂ Lv.42 Tar Shot Rock Status Max Guard   --       Stealth Rock Rock Status Max Guard   --       Heat Crash Fire Physical Max Flare   --       Rock Tomb Rock Physical G-Max Volcalith   --

Gordie’s team shouldn’t be too much trouble if you’ve got a well trained Water-type, preferably a special attacker to take advantage of Stonjourner’s low special defense. The Barbaracle can absolutely be a problem if it gets a Shell Smash off, so a fast Fighting-type is also handy. While it’s lovely to see Shuckle make its long-awaited debut on a Gym Leader’s team, it shouldn’t pose much of a problem. Gordie will Gigantamax his Coalossal as soon as he sends it out, and its ability Steam Engine maximizes its speed when hit with a Fire-type or Water-type move - the latter are 4x effective, but if you’re worried about not being able to take it out in one hit it’s worth remembering it also has a 4x weakness to Ground-type moves. In short, fast, special attacking Water-type or Ground-types should see you gain the Rock Badge without too much difficulty. Defeating Gordie will also earn you the Rock uniform, and the TM for Rock Tomb.

Shield version

Circhester Stadium Trainers Trainer Pokémon First maze Gym Trainer Lewis トウマ Youma Reward: $3,648 Snom♂ Lv.38 No item Second maze Gym Trainer Liana コウメ Koume Reward: $3,648 Cloyster♀ Lv.38 No item Gym Trainer Alexander オサム Osamu Reward: $3,744 Beartic♂ Lv.39 No item Third maze Gym Trainer Micah マキオ Makio Reward: $3,744 Avalugg♂ Lv.39 No item Gym Leader Melony Circhester Stadium Shield Reward: $6,720 Types: Ice Bug Ability: Shield Dust Held item: None Frosmoth♀ Lv.40 Icy Wind Ice Special   --       Feather Dance Flying Status   --       Bug Buzz Bug Special   --       Hail Ice Status   --       Type: Ice Unknown Ability: Zen Mode Held item: None Darmanitan♀ Lv.40 Icicle Crash Ice Physical   --       Headbutt Normal Physical   --       Taunt Dark Status   --       Fire Fang Fire Physical   --       Type: Ice Unknown Ability: Ice Face Held item: None Eiscue♀ Lv.41 Amnesia Psychic Status   --       Freeze-Dry Ice Special   --       Hail Ice Status   --       Icy Wind Ice Special   --       Types: Water Ice Ability: Shell Armor Held item: None Gigantamax Lapras♀ Lv.42 Icy Wind Ice Special G-Max Resonance   --       Ice Beam Ice Special G-Max Resonance   --       Surf Water Special Max Geyser   --       Sing Normal Status Max Guard   --

Melony is a much trickier proposition, as her Ice-type Pokémon cover each other’s weaknesses well. Frosmoth, being 4x weak to Fire-type and Rock-type moves, coupled with its poor physical defense, should be easy enough to deal with. Its ability is Shield Dust rather than Ice Scales, so it lacks the special bulk it might otherwise have as well Galarian Darmanitan is similarly saddled with poor physical and special defense, but be wary of activating Zen Mode, which will boost both its attack and speed, as it can easily start rolling through teams once activated. Eiscue poses a problem for physical attackers with its Ice Face ability, taking no damage from the first physical move used against it, but special attacks can bypass this, so are recommended. It can use Hail to restore Ice Face once you break through it, but overall it lacks the damage output to really threaten - Water-type Pokémon should beware of Freeze Dry though. Melony’s ace is a Lapras that she Gigantamaxes at the first opportunity, and can prove to be a real wall. Its G-Max Move is G-Max Resonance, an Ice-type move that sets up Aurora Veil, reducing both physical and special damage, and unlike regular Aurora Veil does not require Hail to be active. A Fighting-type Pokémon with Brick Break can be useful to shatter the wall. Fire-type Pokémon that are useful elsewhere in the battle are a risk now with Lapras carrying Water-type moves and a secondary Water typing. With a mix of physical and special bulk, with decent coverage as well, this can be an annoying fight, but a mix of physical and special attackers and Rock, Fighting, Steel, or Fire types with good type matchups should see you through to collect the Ice Badge. Defeating Melony will also earn you the Ice uniform, and the TM for Icy Wind.

After defeating the Gym

With the sixth Gym Badge in your pocket, head back out into Circhester.