Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced several new features into the monster fighting franchise's formula, including a new Gigantamax and Dynamax feature and in-game Pokémon League Cards for Trainers. However, the eighth generation of Pokémon games took a trademark of the series and improved it exponentially: the Gym Challenge. Each of the Gym battles were given astounding spectacle, with entertaining activities and challenges posed to players with each new city. Unfortunately, some of the Gym Leaders didn't provide as much enjoyment.
Like most Pokémon regions, Galar has its own set of eight Gym Leaders that stand between the player character and the title of Champion. Each is a master of their own unique Pokémon typing, usually (but not always) reflecting the territory or makeup of the city their Gym is based in. Pokémon Sword and Shield goes above and beyond to craft unique Gyms and Gym Leaders, but there are a few that have earned their place as the worst Gym Leaders in the region.
While Bede is not a Gym Leader during the course of Sword and Shield's main story, he later becomes one as Opal's successor as the Fairy Type Gym Leader in Ballonlea. While recent generations of Pokémon games have replaced embittered and cruel rivals with more friendly faces, Bede arrived to remind players not all competition involves handshakes and smiles. He has some great character development, and is humbled as the main character defeats him, but throughout a majority of his interactions with players Bede shows himself to be one of the cruelest NPCs in-game. Following his inheritance of the Gym Leader title, Bede once again challenges the player at the Championship in order to prove himself. The return of a cruel rival and pompous Gym Leader is nice, but his Fairy and Psychic-Type team cause more headaches than they're worth.
Not All Of Pokémon Sword & Shield's Gym Leaders Are Good
Pokémon Sword and Shield featured different Gym Leaders at two locations depending on the version players purchased. Circhester City was one such location, where Pokémon Shield players would encounter another terrible Gym Leader by the name of Melony. An Ice-Type master, Melony tried to push her son, Gordy, into taking over her gym when she retired. This only succeeded in pushing Gordy further and further away until their relationship was practically ruined. Her League Card details that while she is an "effective coach" she is "incredibly strict", likely contributing to an additional separation between her and Gordy.
Pokémon Sword players aren't exempt from the pain that Circhester City brings with their version's Gym Leader, as Gordy brings his own undesirable qualities to the table. While his obnoxious behavior likely stems from the tense relationship he has with his mother, players are less likely to show him mercy after the frustrating Gym Challenge that predates his fight. Additionally, Gordy is not nearly as charming as the other Pokémon Sword and Shield Gym Leaders and his personality does not spark as much appeal as other Leaders such as Raihan, Nessa, or Allister. His team offers a slight challenge in battle, but his overall character fails to make him very memorable.
Bede's hostile and demeaning attitude toward others translates into irritating overconfidence as a Gym Leader. Melony's failures as a mother and continued strict regimen shows that she's failed to learn from the mistakes of estranging her son. Gordy fails to make himself as memorable as the other characters and has his Gym mirror his mother's frustrating Gym Challenge. While none of the Galarian Gym Leaders are secretly crime lords like Kanto's Giovanni, they are human and each have their own flaws. Pokémon Sword and Shield's Galar region succeeded in creating many colorful and unique Gym Leader characters, but a few of them fall far below the others.