Of all that Pokemon Sword & Shield has to offer, Ranked Battles are the highest peak of the overall gameplay experience. After reaching Master Ball ranking I can confidently say the competition is both diverse and nuanced. Heated battles in ranked require deeper knowledge of battles than anything the game otherwise throws at you. Your knowledge of who your Pokemon can and can not beat will be tested here so it’s best to come prepared. Get ready for battle!
Pokemon Mastery
“Gotta catch em all” isn’t just a slogan in these titles. Researching what this generation of Pokemon has to offer is mandatory if you want to succeed in Ranked Battles The most important quality to have while climbing the ladder is adaptation. The more you know about your potential competition the easier it will be to rise above it. Elements such as Hidden Abilities and “quad (4x) weakness” impact battles in a huge way, as seeing Indeedee set up Psychic Terrain as it enters battle can be just as shocking as watching Gyarados die to an off-color Thunderbolt from Gengar in one hit thanks to its Water/Flying typing. These titles are by far the easiest to level up and train Pokemon to perfection so make sure you know your resources.
Tricks of the Trade
The most alluring thing about participating in Ranked Battles is how easy it is to train up your Pokemon. Raids, Pokejobs, camping and old fashioned grinding are all ways to gain experience points and have your Pokemon hitting level 100 before you know it. After a Pokemon hits the level 100 maximum, they can Hyper Train their stats, which brings naturally imperfect base stats to perfection for the cost of bottle caps. After beating Leon once in the Battle Tower, you can unlock a Judge feature to give you an idea of the base stats of all of your Boxed Pokemon. These features are highly recommended if you wish to succeed in online battles and make finding and breeding battle-ready Pokemon as easy as taking a look in the box.
Not only can activities such as battles and PokeJobs offer experience, but points called EVs as well. EVs stand for “Effort Values” and each stat can have a maximum of 252, which pushes the stat to its maximum potential. A Pokemon can have a maximum of 510 of this invisible value across their spread of stats, so make sure you invest in their best stats. As a rule of thumb, 26 of a single vitamin such as Zinc or Carbos will max out the EVs of a single stat and is by far the quickest way to achieve ideal stats for your Pokemon.
Gear Up
Pokemon holding items has been an integral part of battling since Gold and Silver. This diverse pool has done nothing but grow since then, so it is important to do your research here as well. There are many types of items, from one-use consumables such as berries or a Focus Sash to ones that offer continuous benefits, such as Leftovers or Throat Spray. Some Pokemon such as Hawlucha or Greedent even have moves or abilities that rely on the use of held items to function. There are also moves such as Knock Off or Incinerate that can potentially remove held items from enemy Pokemon. This added layer of strategy is one that plays a huge role in competitive battling and some items are so powerful that they can change the entire flow of battle.
The First Steps
As exciting as it may be to shoot for the stars from the start, there are quite a few things to consider before building a team to take on the world. The most important thing is to first beat the game and claim your title as Galar’s League Champion. After this the game world opens up, allowing access to more challenging raids and the Battle Tower. Both of these activities hold valuable items to train and enhance your Pokemon, such as one-use TRs that teach Pokemon moves and candies to help them level up faster.
Natures are another aspect to understand before seriously training your Pokemon. They can be found in your Pokemon summary and serves a greater purpose than just a flavorful text entry. For example, a Pokemon with a Modest nature has a Sp. Atk (Special Attack) stat that will ultimately push it above average but its Attack stat will be below average, where a Jolly Pokemon will gain the same benefit to their Speed at the cost of Sp. Atk. Sprigs of mint can be purchased in the Battle Tower for BP, the currency given for wins in the Battle Tower and Online play, and can give a Pokemon the benefits of having another nature.
Watts and Money are also needed which thankfully become easier to obtain after beating the game due to Dens giving more Watts and open tournaments becoming available in the stadium. Nearly all forms of currency can be traded for the vitamins you will need if you want to speed up the fine tuning of your monsters and merchants across the wild area sell items such as TRs and special Pokeballs that may pique your interest. It is also worth looking into the merits of breeding Pokemon to create the perfect monster for battle. Babies base stats are easier to read than that of a wild Pokemon at a glance without the Judge function, making it a much more involved way of crafting your team.
Building a winning team
Team building is the most important aspect of winning a Pokemon battle. Your team can be built around many themes and strategies with some more apparent than others, and each of your 6 slots counts. Building a team for Ranked singles play is different than about 90% of what the rest of the game prepares you for and the Battle Tower only gives you a taste of the competitive format. If you are completely new to the concept of team building around a specific purpose or strategy, consider checking out a Rental team from the casually dressed man behind the counter in the Battle Tower for some fun ideas that will inspire you to create your own winning gameplan.
It is also important to understand that not all Pokemon are created equal and not any monster can fit any role. Tyranitar and Hydreigon are both very powerful Pokemon but for very different reasons, while a creature such as Delibird or Bellossom will struggle to make a dent in their stronger contemporaries regardless of how strong you train them to be. A power ceiling exists for each Pokemon which means even the strongest monsters have a weakness to exploit. The key lies in the way stats are spread on each monster and using their best ones to leverage yourself into a dominating position to win the match. The battle could be decided upon seeing the enemy team, so it is important to understand how your Pokemon support one another and your strategy.
Pokemon and their roles
Like most RPGs, Pokemon can be trained to fit a specific niche. Some of these roles are more apparent and fit into common RPG functions such Tank or Support. Others fit more abstract or obscure roles. These are dictated by the Pokemons stats and serve as an indication of their playstyle. Ferrothorn, for example, has very high defenses but abysmal speed. This lets him fit nicely into a tanky role, perfect for absorbing a variety of damage and controlling the battlefield with attacks such as Stealth Rock or Leech Seed. On the other hand, Arcanine is incredibly fast with a wide variety of moves but has pitiful defenses, which makes it the perfect choice for taking out a weakened Pokemon or one it has a clear type advantage over.
Stats are not the only thing that dictates the role of a Pokemon. Their moves must also be heavily considered, as a Pokemon can only take on what it is prepared for. Pokemon such as Gengar can learn a wide variety of powerful moves and its not uncommon to run into one who appears to have an answer to every Pokemon you have. The previously mentioned Ferrothorn could feasibly run no directly damaging attacks, but be packed with nightmarish control moves such as Spikes or Toxic that must dealt with promptly lest they slowly overtake you. This becomes difficult considering the bulk of this monster and even more so if you have nothing to profoundly damage it.
Making the most out of your Pokemon will require experimentation, a solid grasp of Pokemon types, and an understanding of each stat. Whatever your idea make sure you cover your obvious weaknesses and pay attention to when an unknown factor becomes problematic. Make sure you know the role of each member on your team and how to maximize their presence while on the field. A Pokemon meant to power up then overpower any opposition needs to be resilient or fast with a high attacking stat, along with a variety of moves to hit many different types of Pokemon. You will also need teammates to break holes into your enemies’ team or a solid wall to defend with. Most importantly, understand the incredible power of Dynamax.
What do I Dynamax?
Dynamax is the newest mechanic in Pokemon and battles will never be the same. The explosive growth is not just for show, as Dynamax combines the now discarded Mega evolution and Z-Moves to offer a boost of HP along with an arsenal of deadly new moves. The ideal choices for Dynamax target will make use of the 3 turn window by combining type advantages and an understanding of effects your new Max moves do. The secondary effects of using one of these moves can at times be better than landing the attack itself, as an attack increase or terrain change can be used to leverage a complete team kill. Attacks such as Max Ooze to raise Special Attack (Sp. Atk) or Max Airstream to raise Speed can be used multiple times during your 3 turn Dynamax window. Using this on top of an already powerful Pokemon such as Tyranitar or Dragapult will produce game-changing effects, but always beware the enemy Dynamax.
Pokemon to consider
Now that we have the basics of teambuilding laid out, it’s time to start picking out Pokemon. The following are just a few popular and powerful choices for your consideration. While I will point out a select few niche picks of my own, the vast majority here will be Pokemon you will want to be prepared for while battling in Ranked online play.
Dragapult
Strengths: Incredible speed, solid attacking stats, hugely diverse movepool, physical and special attack powerhouses
Weaknesses: Low HP and defenses, vulnerable typing, main attacking types have immunities.
Held Items to consider: Choice Specs, Expert Belt, Life Orb, Leftovers
Dragapult is the newest Dragon-type pseudo legendary of the generation and has the power to boast that title. Being Dragon and Ghost means his main attacking types have immunities in Fairy and Normal respectively, but with an incredibly high Attack, Special Attack and Speed stat there is little to worry about. Access to a diverse movepool containing the likes of Thunderbolt, Substitute, Dragon Dance and Fire Blast make this Pokemon an active threat and should always be considered while building a team.
Ferrothorn
Strengths: High defensive stats, great defensive ability in Iron Barbs, great defensive typing, good offensive potential
Weaknesses: 4x weakness to Fire attacks, very slow speed, not a good Dynamax target.
Held Items to consider: Leftovers, Occa Berry, Rocky Helmet
Ferrothorn is the definition of tank and a strong choice for any team. Its Iron Barbs ability is bad news for any attacker that makes contact with it, as it deals damage right back to them. This combined with solid defensive typing allows your switch-ins to take an offensive turn, using Ferrothorn to take an incoming physical attack in stride and deal some damage back in kind. With a few solid attacks such as Knock Off and Gyro Ball at its disposal, along with strong battlefield control in Spikes and Leech Seed, Ferrothorn will be a Pokemon frequently seen on Team Preview screens.
Gyarados
Strengths: High attack stat, diverse movepool, possibly the best Dynamax target, amazing choice of abilities.
Weaknesses: 4x weakness to Electric moves, lackluster speed, small amount of effective flying type moves.
Held Items to consider: Lum Berry, Wacan Berry, Choice Scarf, Life Orb
The fan-favorite Gyarados lives up to its ferocious lore, boasting not only a high attack stat but devastating abilities that will make your opponent sweat. With Intimidate and Moxie as its abilities this Pokemon is brutal from the get go. Access to Aqua Tail, Power Whip, Bounce, Earthquake and more powerful moves at its disposal make Gyarados an unpredictable Pokemon to be feared. This is magnified when Dynamaxing, with moves such as Max Airstream increasing the speed of Gyarados or Max Overgrowth to set up grassy terrain for a secure switch-out. It is safe to say that if your team is not prepared to face Gyarados it may cost you the battle.
Salazzle
Strengths: Incredibly fast, good Sp. Atk, able to use Toxic on Steel types and other Poison types, access to many debilitating moves.
Weaknesses: Incredibly frail overall defense and HP, many weaknesses including a 4x weakness to Ground type attacks.
Held Items to consider: Shuca Berry, Heavy-Duty Boots, Focus Sash, Safety Goggles.
Salazzle is a niche Pokemon that offers unprecedented utility. With access to moves such as Will-O-Wisp and Encore coupled with the ability to use Toxic on any target, due to its Corrosion ability, this Pokemon is quickly able to control the match from the turn it emerges. It can be used to threaten popular leads such as Grimmsnarl with a Sludge Wave or Encore. When given a Focus Sash becomes a solid counter to Galarian Darmanitan, another fearsome lead-off Pokemon, due to its access to Overheat. While Salazzle is not a staple it warrants consideration while bearing the most used Pokemon in mind.
Mr. Rime
Strengths: Nice Sp. Def and Sp. Atk stats, great abilities, diverse move pool
Weaknesses: Not many resistances, low HP stat, very item dependent.
Held items to consider: Choice Specs, Assault Vest, Quick Claw, Red Card
Mr. Rime is a very customizable niche pick. Many Pokemon rely on their item to give them an edge in battle but Mr. Rime will be centered around it. With a stat spread that is just shy of greatness, Mr. Rime needs an extra kick to rise to the occasion of Ranked. An Assault Vest makes him a very capable special-oriented tank, while Choice Specs will see Mr. Rime annihilating nearly any opposition it hits. Screen Cleaner and Ice Body are also stellar abilities that add an extra layer of depth to this Pokemon. Mr. Rime will require some experimenting, as the potential of this Pokemon is not easily unlocked.
Tyranitar
Strengths: Incredible bulk with high attack, highly versatile move pool, Ability creates a sandstorm upon entering the battlefield, great Dynamax target.
Weaknesses: Slow, 4x weakness to Fighting
Held Items to consider: Life Orb, Weakness Policy, Blunder Policy, Choice Scarf, Choice Band
Tyranitar is a fearsome opponent to face down and should always be considered when building a team. Much like Gyarados, this powerhouse attacker could spell doom for an unprepared trainer if it gets an edge in. Moves such as Iron Head deter Fairy types and Superpower can deter the likes of Ferrothorn. This beastly Pokemon can even pack Thunder Fang to handle Water Types and Fire Fang to handle Grass, effectively covering its own weaknesses. It also has access to powerful enhancement moves such as Dragon Dance and Rock Polish to solve its own Speed problem. Be wary of this Pokemon, it will require finesse to defeat.
These are simply scratching the surface of what Pokemon you can use to claim victory. As expressed earlier, you will want to know how to adapt to the metagame as it changes around you. The higher you climb on the Ranked ladder, the more Pokemon you will see as teams become more refined and focused to win. It is a fun and engaging experience to evolve within the ranked mode so always have more than 6 battle-ready Pokemon available to take on any threat.
Preparing for battle
Pokemon Battles are intense when taken seriously. They are a balance of adaptation, luck, prediction, scouting and planning that results in making tough decisions. Understanding how moves interact with not only the enemy Pokemon but your current one, the rest of your team and the battlefield itself are all to be considered. It can be a spirit breaking experience to be hit by a combination of moves that you didn’t know would result in your demise. Here we’ll go over what steps you need to take to hit the ground running.
Showing Off
In Ranked Online battling the match begins at the Team Preview. When you connect with an opponent you will be able to check their team before the actual battle, which is where your overall knowledge of Pokemon comes into play. Within your team of 6 you will select 3 to enter battle in Singles and choosing the correct Pokemon for the job is paramount. With 3 Pokemon battles are decided quickly and rarely become long, drawn out affairs. This means that your best defense is your knowledge of not only types, but what moves each individual Pokemon can potentially hit you with. One way to do this is adapting with the flow of battle.
Mind War
Pokemon is a mind game. Its Rock-Paper-Scissors nature is one that develops into a game heavily based in positioning and leverage. Moving your Pokemon around for the right chance to strike is the name of the game and the key is looking for information. When battling, it’s easy to simply select a super effective move and think it is the best option, especially with the new UI prompting you to do so. While a viable course of action, remember to not lose sight of the bigger picture and be weary of an enemy switch or bait opportunity. It may be tempting to have your Gyarados use Waterfall on the freshly switched in Cinderace on sight, but it would be a shame if the rabbit outsped you and nailed the KO with an Electro Ball.
One Step Ahead
A battle can be tough to gauge in-motion. As the old saying goes, everyone has a plan until they are punched in the face and when a scenario such as the one previously mentioned occurs, it can be tough to recover from. The best way to prepare for this is to make sure your bases are covered from the get-go. Make sure your speedy attackers can retreat to a tough tank if need be, while making sure the tanks weaknesses are covered by another member of the team. For example, Dragapult makes an excellent attacker who can maintain momentum through his moveset.
Using high speed and attacking stats, many opponents will instinctively attempt a switch against this menacing Pokemon. If you know this is going to occur because you saw a Pokemon such as Clefable during the preview, you can use a move such as U-Turn to leverage a favorable position. If your plan works, Clefable will take a small amount of damage upon switching in while Dragapult can escape, allowing a pokemon such as Salazzle or Gengar to be in prime position to take out the fairy.
Attaining Glory
Pokemon battling is not for the faint of heart and the main game does little to prepare you for what awaits online. Rival trainers will use every trick in the book to take you out, from cheap One-Hit KO move strategies, to wacky Trick Room setups that make Snorlax move first, the metagame is robust and will take some getting used to. Gigantamax Pokemon were not allowed during season 1, but monsters such as Gyarados or Dragapult have made for incredibly effective powerhouses in their absence. Gyarados in particular rises above nearly everyone due to its access Max Airstream, setting up rain with Max Geyser, Grassy Terrain with Max Overgrowth, on top of possessing the incredibly powerful Moxie ability.
While Sword and Shield may give you the easiest access to competitive play, it does little to demonstrate the nuances of battle. This knowledge ultimately defines the experience, so take your time and experiment with your Pokemon. Raids, jobs, the Battle Tower and the other elements of preparation are enjoyable and it is incredibly satisfying to have a Pokemon be raised just right. The road may be daunting but know that you can make it and have a great time getting there. See you in the stadium!
