The Isle of Armor DLC for Pokémon Sword & Shield features a new island to explore and is home to 207 types of Pokémon. It expands on the wild area in the original game, featuring different weather patterns, and new areas to explore. It is also the location of the Master Dojo run by the wife and husband duo named Honey and Mustard. Yes, really.
Players that own Pokémon Sword will come up against a student at the dojo named Klara, who serves as the rival in the DLC. In Pokémon Shield, Avery is the rival.
Tactics against Klara in Pokémon Sword (Isle of Armor DLC)
Players face off against Klara three times, with each battle becoming more challenging. Klara tends to use Poison-type Pokémon, which means players should avoid using Grass and Fairy-types, as they have weaknesses to poison. Instead, players may want to use Pokémon that utilize ground or psychic attacks, which are super-effective against Poison-types. Steel-type Pokémon are also useful, as they do not take any damage against poison attacks. Fortunately, all these types of Pokémon can be found on the Isle of Armor. Assuming the player has already completed the main game and become champion, Pokémon caught will be level 60 and above. It is recommended that the player has similarly leveled Pokémon. If not, an easy way to acquire some is by purchasing Quick Balls. Throw a Quick Ball at the start of an encounter with a wild Pokémon, and there is a good chance it will be captured. All without the wild Pokémon getting in an attack against the player’s Pokémon.
Rival Battles in Pokémon Sword (Isle of Armor DLC)
The first battle against Klara occurs after exiting Armor Station. Klara only has two Pokémon in this battle, as it serves to reintroduce the mechanics of Pokémon to players returning to the game after a long hiatus. She has a Bug/Poison-type Venipede, and a Psychic-type Slowpoke. It should be noted that the Slowpoke is the Galarian version and has a poison-type move.
Klara next battles the player over Max Mushrooms at the end of the dojo’s second trial. This time, Klara uses the Slowpoke first, then a Poison-type Koffing, and a Bug/Poison Whirlipede. The Pokémon here are a little higher level than before but should not pose a significant threat if the player has been catching and battling wild Pokémon.
The third battle against Klara takes place in the arena. This time she has four Pokémon: the Poison/Dark-type Drapion, the Poison/Fairy-type Weezing, the Bug/Poison-type Scolipede, and the Poison/Psychic-type Slowbro. Be aware that she will also Dynamax the Slowbro. However, there is an additional condition: Klara cheats. Before the battle, she surrounded the area with Toxic Spikes, a Poison-type move that damages the player’s Pokémon every turn. An effective strategy is to use steel-type Pokémon, as they take no damage from the toxic spikes. Other options are to use Pokémon with flying-types, or Pokémon holding Air Balloons, although both can still be poisoned from other attacks. From there, use Ground or Psychic attacks to quickly cause Klara’s Pokémon to faint.
The battles with Klara are not the most difficult fights but can be tricky for the unprepared. After the player wins, there are other, more challenging battles ahead, and of course a whole slew of Pokémon to catch.
Pokémon Sword & Shield is available now on the Nintendo Switch.