The Battle Tower is the competitive battling experience in Pokemon Sword & Shield. This guide will help players create the perfect teams for the battle tower. Pokemon Sword & Shield is left with very little to do once the player has completed the main story and become the champion of the Galar region. After the credits roll, the player can participate in a short post-game quest that involves Hop building a close relationship with either Zacian or Zamazenta depending on the version the player has. After this is over, there's not much to do aside from participating in the Battle Tower. The Battle Tower has been a staple in the Pokemon series since Pokemon Red and Blue. Here, players can take on waves of trainers with competitively viable Pokemon. Pokemon that are EV trained or Pokemon that hold special items. By completing battles, players will be rewarded with BP, a currency only used in the Battle Tower for the Battle Tower shops. Players can purchase unique battle items like the Destiny Knot or Zinc items if needed. To win these battles, players can bring along their own teams for battle. Here is the recommended loadout for players of Pokemon Sword & Shield.
The Battle Tower is broken up into two separate competitive rulesets. The first is Single Battles, where the player will bring along a full team of 6 Pokemon and select 3 to participate in each battle. The second is Double Battles, where the player will bring along 6 Pokemon and choose 4 to show up in battle. Regardless, there is no full party access for the Battle Tower. Between each match, the player can alternate between which 3 or 4 Pokemon the player decides to bring for the battle. It's important to bring along Pokemon that support each other with their abilities or items. For example, bringing along a Fire-type Pokemon to cover the Grass-Type Pokemon's weakness to ice. It is healthy to generate several different types of teams. For starters, Pokemon that have been captured and leveled up to level 50 will not make the cut here. Pokemon will need to start IV breeding for special perks or EV training to maintain its strengths. Breeding is the best way to start a Pokemon off from scratch. Although, certain Pokemon have special abilities that enhance the game experience all the way through. Here are the recommend teams for the Battle Tower.
Pokemon Sword & Shield Battle Tower Team: Rain Team
Rain teams are teams that benefit from when rainfall is active on the battlefield. When rain is active, moves like Thunder are 100% accurate and all Water-type moves are stronger in battle. As for which Pokemon to bring along, Ludiculo, Raichu, and Ferrothorn are all excellent choices. Make sure to have a Ludiculo with Rain Dance to set up the weather. Using any water-type moves like Hydro Pump or Scald will greatly damage the enemy team. When facing against Water-type of Flying-type Pokemon, switching to Raichu and using Thunder will land 100% of the team. This is helpful if the Raichu has a decent speed stat as well. Lastly, Ferrothorn is there to tank any bigger hits. It has a massive weakness to Fire, so switch back to Ludicolo when needed.
Pokemon Sword & Shield Battle Tower Team: Power Team
Dragon-type Pokemon are amongst the most versatile in combat. Their move pools are massive, almost being able to learn every different typing in the game. Bring along Tyranitar, Grimmsnarl, and Snorlax. Similar to Ferrothorn, Snorlax is going to act as the tank on the team, taking any special attack damage easily. Its high defense stat will allow it to set up any hazards if needed or to take the blow for another teammate. Grimmsnarl is one of the newer and most powerful Pokemon to release in the Galar region. Its typing of Dark/Fairy gives it a wide move pool, using moves like Sucker Punch for priority and Play Rough for massive Fairy damage. Tyranitar is also a threat if it has Sand Stream as an ability. This will summon a Sandstorm on the field, damaging enemies who aren't Ground or Rock types. It's perfect for removing that left bit of HP on the opponent's team.
Pokemon Sword & Shield Battle Tower Team: Special Team
For the special team, the player will need Pokemon with a strong offensive capability with their special stat. Pokemon like Gengar, Espeon, Slyveon, Togekiss, or Hatterene. Giving them Choice Specs allows them to boost the attack of one of their special moves, but the Pokemon cannot use a different move unless it is switched out of the field. This team requires that the player also has Pokemon with high-speed stats. Gengar is already a fast and powerful Pokemon, but lacks in the defensive department, making it easy to take down if out in the field for too long. Hatterene is fortunately much beefier than Gengar, so switch out to the tank when needed. Espeon is also a good alternative for players who don't wish to run two different eeveelutions on one team. Sylveon can be replaced by Hatterene but Espeon is the only Psychic Pokemon in this situation. Another fast and powerful hitter.
Pokemon Sword & Shield is receiving a DLC expansion pass soon. The DLC will be broken up into two different parts, the Isle of Armor which will release this June, while the Crown Tundra is scheduled to release this Fall. This will include hundreds of older Pokemon, allowing the competitive scene to change substantially. This list was created only with the first 400 Pokemon available in the base game. By the end of the Pokemon Sword & Shield expansion pass, the total of Pokemon available for capture in the Galar region will rise over 600. Newer Pokemon will also be introduced like Kubfu, Galarian versions of Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres, and two new Regis. Each part of the DLC also comes along with a new wild area to explore where players can go and capture these Pokemon. The wild area is one of the best inclusions to the Pokemon series as it brought capturing Pokemon to a much more real place. Hopefully, the DLC can continue to drive energy back into the Galar region.
Pokemon Sword & Shield is available now on Nintendo Switch.