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Pokémon: Sword & Shield

Route 2

By
Ben Chard
&
Vincent Lau

There’s more Pokémon to catch here–and trainer battles too!

Wild Pokémon - Overworld

Pokémon Type Encounter Rate
"Chewtle" IconChewtle Water Fixed - Wanders the dirt path
"Yamper" IconYamper Electric Fixed - Wanders the dirt path
"Skwovet" IconSkwovet Normal 38%
"Rookidee" IconRookidee Flying 30%
"Nickit" IconNickit Dark 15%
"Chewtle" IconChewtle Water 10%
"Yamper" IconYamper Electric 5%
"Zigzagoon" IconZigzagoon Dark/Normal 2%

Wild Pokémon - Random Encounters

Pokémon Type Encounter Rate
"Blipbug" IconBlipbug Bug 40%
"Rookidee" IconRookidee Flying 25%
"Seedot" IconSeedot (Sword only) Grass 20%
"Lotad" IconLotad (Shield only) Water/Grass 20%
"Purrloin" IconPurrloin Dark 10%
"Hoothoot" IconHoothoot Normal/Flying 5%

Wild Pokémon - Fishing

Pokémon Type Encounter Rate
"Magikarp" IconMagikarp Water 80%
"Chewtle" IconChewtle Water 15%
"Arrokuda" IconArrokuda Water 5%

This is where the action begins to ramp up somewhat. Start by heading right. When you go past the number 2 signpost, you’ll reach Hop standing before some tall grass. As he’s talking, he gets cut off by Leon, who’s here to teach you about catching Pokémon. If it’s your first time, be sure to pay attention. However, if you caught some Pokémon on Route 1 already, Leon will skip the lecture as you already know how.

Afterwards, Leon and Hop will both dash off into the distance. Follow them by heading right, through the patch of tall grass. Next, the path will gradually bend towards the north. As it bends, there’s another area of tall grass to wade through. Once you’re clear of the grass again, carry on north. Eventually, the path will gradually bend towards the right. Around here, will be your first Pokémon trainer.

Youngster Jake

Pokémon Level Type
"Skwovet" IconSkwovet 6 Normal

"Skwovet" IconSkwovet is a weak early-game Normal-type. For an easy win, use your starter and pick their STAB move (Branch Poke, Ember or Water Gun).

Continue past Jake, into the next patch of tall grass. Here, there’s a branch in the path of sorts. Keep along the top and head for the red signboard. Give it a good read if you want, but be sure to grab the 2 Potions on the floor nearby. Next, jump over the ledge below. Go a few paces right. The path will stretch north and you should be able to see another purple-roofed building in the distance.

For now, head right through another patch of tall grass. Follow the side path as it twists around. Pick up the 3 Poké Balls at the end, then jump off the ledge on the left to return to the main path. Now head north. Soon, there’ll be a female trainer keeping watch. Not every trainer has to be fought; if you want, you can skip this one by going through the tall grass on her left.

Lass Lauren

Pokémon Level Type
"Chewtle" IconChewtle 6 Water

This is a new Water-type that you can encounter in this very route. Since it’s a Water-type, "Sobble" IconSobble and especially "Scorbunny" IconScorbunny users should be careful. That said, this "Chewtle" IconChewtle doesn’t have any Water-type moves, so you can still use them, but whack it with your Normal-type moves instead. Otherwise, a freshly caught "Yamper" IconYamper can Nuzzle it to oblivion.

You’re nearly there! Keep running along the path as it turns right and then starts bending back towards the north. After the bend, there will be another cobblestone bridge and a Youngster getting ready to jump unsuspecting people trying to cross it.

Youngster Benjamin

Pokémon Level Type
"Blipbug" IconBlipbug 5 Bug
"Nickit" IconNickit 7 Dark

Little Benjamin here has two Pokémon commonly found on Route 1. "Blipbug" IconBlipbug is–well, you can tell from its name–a Bug-type. Scorbunny users can roast it with Ember, while "Grookey" IconGrookey’s Branch Poke is ill-advised. Besides that, pretty much anything works, as it’s far from the strongest critter in the woods.

"Nickit" IconNickit is a thieving Dark-type fox. If you’re curious about its name, over here, “nick” is slang for “steal”. “Oh my gosh, they nicked my wallet!” Anyway, you probably don’t have anything super-effective against Dark, but again, it’s not that strong. If in doubt, use your starter.

You can fish over here. Expect to see a lot of Magikarp though!

Cross over the bridge. The professor’s home is just up ahead and you should see Hop, Leon and a third person in front of the entrance. Let’s not keep them waiting… actually, let’s keep them waiting. Go left, across the court. You’ll reach the lake side. Head over to the bench and approach the water just above it. There should be some rippling water that you can interact with.

Once you’ve done a bit of fishing or otherwise, go back and follow the main path to its destination. You’ll be introduced to Professor Magnolia and shown into her house. After a nice friendly chat, Leon agrees to endorse you for the Gym Challenge, on the condition that you and Hop show him an amazing battle. He’ll heal up your Pokémon, then Hop will run off outside to wait for you.

When you’re ready, leave the professor’s house. Although, like Hop’s house, go ahead and give it a good look around if you’d like. Upstairs, you can find Sonia’s bedroom. We do wonder where Magnolia and her husband sleep though. Back outside, head south past the front gate. Hop will shout at you from the court. Go over and speak to him to begin the battle.

Pokémon Trainer Hop

Pokémon Level Type
"Wooloo" IconWooloo 6 Normal
"Rookidee" IconRookidee 5 Flying
"Sobble" IconSobble (if you picked "Grookey" IconGrookey) 8 Water
"Grookey" IconGrookey (if you picked "Scorbunny" IconScorbunny) 8 Grass
"Scorbunny" IconScorbunny (if you picked "Sobble" IconSobble) 8 Fire

Hop leads with his "Wooloo" IconWooloo as before. Now that your starter has a STAB move (Branch Poke, Ember or Water Gun), it should be much easier to defeat.

Next, he may send out "Rookidee" IconRookidee (although the order depends on the AI). This is a Flying-type that you’ve probably seen a lot of on the way here. Grookey users should switch out. Use Yamper if you have it.

Finally, Hop has his starter. This is probably the easiest Pokémon to defeat. Like last time, just use your starter and select their STAB move.

When the battle is over, Leon will uphold his end of the bargain and give you a Letter of Endorsement. This means you can officially enter the Gym Challenge. Amidst the excitement, a pair of Wishing Stars will come falling from the sky. You and Hop will receive a Wishing Star each. Afterwards, Professor Magnolia will hand you a Dynamax Band that uses the power of the Wishing Star.

Well, you got what you came here for! Exit the professor’s house. Hop will be waiting just below. Go over to him and he’ll give you some tips about dealing with wild overworld Pokémon.

Hop will then run ahead to the train station in Wedgehurst. From here, go backwards through Route 2, to reach Wedgehurst again. Once you’re back in town, make your way south towards the Route 1 entrance to find the train station. As you approach the Pokémon Centre, Hop will grab your attention. If necessary, pay the Pokémon Centre a visit. When you’re ready, go to Hop in front of the train station.

Swift is also a Special-based move, so it runs off your Pokémon’s Special Attack stat.

Your friendly rival will give you TM40 Swift. Afterwards, he’ll enter the train station. Follow him inside. Right as you’re about to depart, both your Mum and Hop’s Mum will arrive on the scene. You’ll receive a set of Camping Gear so you can set up camp during your adventures. Finally, the pair of you will board the train to the next city, Motostoke.

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Pokemon Company International
  • Platforms,
    Switch
  • Genre
    RPG
  • Guide Release
    15 November 2019
  • Last Updated
    21 March 2024
    Version History
  • Guide Author

Share this free guide:

Welcome to our comprehensive strategy guide for Pokémon: Sword and Shield, the latest entries in the Pokémon video game franchise. Our guide also incorporates all the DLC, including the Isle of Armor and brand new Crown Tundra DLC.

In Sword and Shield, you explore the Galar region, based on the United Kingdom, alongside rivals Hop, Bede and Marnie, with the aim to dethrone the Pokémon League Champion.

The games introduce several new features such as Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing, functions that increase size and change forms of certain Pokémon; the Wild Area, a large open world with free camera movement; and raids with co-op battling. They also reintroduce features previously seen in Sun and Moon and Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!, such as regional variants and roaming Pokémon depicted in the overworld.

Brand New October 2020:

Version 1.2

  • A Complete Walkthrough of the Isle of Armor.
  • Details of all 16 new Wild Areas, including Pokémon encounter rates.
  • All the new Max Raid Dens: Locations and Featured Pokémon.
  • Images and Locations of All 150 of the Missing Diglett.
  • The Isle of Armor Pokédex (featuring 100 Returning Pokémon).
  • Recipes for the Cram-o-matic.
  • A Full Walkthrough featuring Pokémon encounter rates.
  • All Gym Encounters and Strategies.
  • New Items: Mints & Natures Explained.
  • Post Game content including Champion Cup.
  • Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing.
  • The Galar Region Pokédex (featuring 400 Pokemon).

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