Updated Title Publisher
Updated Title Publisher
Updated Title
Published Title Score Editor's Choice Publisher
Published Title Publisher

Pokémon: Sword & Shield

Max Raids

By
Ben Chard
&
Vincent Lau

Den A

Head for the islet directly opposite Armor Station. With your back facing Armor Station, turn slightly left. Swim towards the longer islet directly ahead. This den is located on the top half of that islet.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Chinchou" IconChinchou Water/Electric ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Clauncher" IconClauncher [Sword] Water ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Skrelp" IconSkrelp [Shield] Poison/Water ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Staryu" IconStaryu Water ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Wailmer" IconWailmer Water ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Wishiwashi" IconWishiwashi Water ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Wailord" IconWailord Water ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Lanturn" IconLanturn Water/Electric ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Starmie" IconStarmie Water/Psychic ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Clawitzer" IconClawitzer [Sword] Water ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Dragalge" IconDragalge [Shield] Poison/Dragon ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Sharpedo" IconSharpedo Water/Dark ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Clauncher" IconClauncher [Sword] Water ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Skrelp" IconSkrelp [Shield] Poison/Water ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Staryu" IconStaryu Water ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Wailmer" IconWailmer Water ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Pelipper" IconPelipper Water/Flying ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Lanturn" IconLanturn Water/Electric ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Seadra" IconSeadra Water ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Clawitzer" IconClawitzer [Sword] Water ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 40%
"Dragalge" IconDragalge [Shield] Poison/Dragon ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 40%
"Lanturn" IconLanturn Water/Eletric ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Starmie" IconStarmie Water/Psychic ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Sharpedo" IconSharpedo Water/Dark ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den B

From Den A, turn so the mainland is on your left. In the distance, there should be an island with three trees (might seem like two). Slightly left, there’s another small, circle-shaped islet. Head for the islet first. Then travel straight ahead to the den that’s to the left of the island with three trees.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Carvanha" IconCarvanha Water/Dark ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 55%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Pawniard" IconPawniard Dark/Steel ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Zorua" IconZorua Dark ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Sharpedo" IconSharpedo Water/Dark ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Malamar" IconMalamar Dark/Psychic ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Drapion" IconDrapion Poison/Dark ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Bisharp" IconBisharp Dark/Steel ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Zoroark" IconZoroark Dark ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Zorua" IconZorua Dark ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 55%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Carvanha" IconCarvanha Water/Dark ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Inkay" IconInkay Dark/Psychic ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Krokorok" IconKrokorok Ground/Dark ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Malamar" IconMalamar Dark/Psychic ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Thievul" IconThievul Dark ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Zoroark" IconZoroark Dark ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Sharpedo" IconSharpedo Water/Dark ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Liepard" IconLiepard Dark ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Krookodile" IconKrookodile Ground/Dark ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den C

Swim towards the island with three trees (Ditto Island). This den is located near the centre of the island, past the tall grass.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Ditto" IconDitto Normal ☆/☆☆ - 100%, ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 95%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Ditto" IconDitto Normal ☆/☆☆ - 100%, ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 95%

Den D

Return to the first islet, directly opposite Armor Station. Straight ahead, in the distance, there should be a den that’s near an islet with a boulder. That’s the den you’re looking for. Expect an incoming Sharpedo.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Fletchling" IconFletchling Normal/Flying ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Woobat" IconWoobat Psychic/Flying ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Rufflet" IconRufflet [Sword] Normal/Flying ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Vullaby" IconVullaby [Shield] Dark/Flying ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Emolga" IconEmolga Electric/Flying ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Fletchinder" IconFletchinder Fire/Flying ☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆ - 50%
"Braviary" IconBraviary [Sword] Normal/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 40%
"Mandibuzz" IconMandibuzz [Shield] Dark/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 40%
"Swoobat" IconSwoobat Psychic/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Talonflame" IconTalonflame Fire/Flying ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Hoothoot" IconHoothoot Normal/Flying ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Pidove" IconPidove Normal/Flying ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Rufflet" IconRufflet [Sword] Normal/Flying ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Vullaby" IconVullaby [Shield] Dark/Flying ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Tranquill" IconTranquill Normal/Flying ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Swoobat" IconSwoobat Psychic/Flying ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Noctowl" IconNoctowl Normal/Flying ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Unfezant" IconUnfezant Normal/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Talonflame" IconTalonflame Fire/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 35%
"Emolga" IconEmolga Electric/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Braviary" IconBraviary [Sword] Normal/Flying ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Mandibuzz" IconMandibuzz [Shield] Dark/Flying ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%

Den E

From Den D, turn so the mainland is on your right. Swim to the islet with a boulder, then gaze ahead in the distance. There should be a den that’s between two rocky islands. Swim towards that den. Alternatively, if you return to the first islet, opposite Armor Station, it’s in the middle of the sea if you look slightly to the right.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Pinsir" IconPinsir [Sword] Bug ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Heracross" IconHeracross [Shield] Bug/Fighting ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆ - 50%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Dwebble" IconDwebble Bug/Rock ☆ - 40%, ☆ - 25%
"Dottler" IconDottler Bug/Psychic ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Crustle" IconCrustle Bug/Rock ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Scyther" IconScyther Bug/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 45%
"Orbeetle" IconOrbeetle Bug/Psychic ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Scizor" IconScizor Bug/Steel ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Scyther" IconScyther Bug/Flying ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Pinsir" IconPinsir [Sword] Bug ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Heracross" IconHeracross [Shield] Bug/Fighting ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Shuckle" IconShuckle Bug/Rock ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Whirlipede" IconWhirlipede Bug/Poison ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Crustle" IconCrustle Bug/Rock ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Scolipede" IconScolipede Bug/Poison ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Accelgor" IconAccelgor Bug ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Escavalier" IconEscavalier Bug/Steel ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Scizor" IconScizor Bug/Steel ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den F

From Den E, swim over to the rocky island that’s closest to the mainland; it should also be the one nearest to you. This den is found behind the rocky island, on the mainland side. You can also come here from the shore opposite Armor Station. Swim forward with the mainland on your right.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Jangmo-o" IconJangmo-o [Sword] Dragon ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Goomy" IconGoomy [Shield] Dragon ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Horsea" IconHorsea Water ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Applin" IconApplin Grass/Dragon ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Seadra" IconSeadra Water ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Druddigon" IconDruddigon Dragon ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Hakamo-o" IconHakamo-o [Sword] Dragon/Fighting ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Sliggoo" IconSliggoo [Shield] Dragon ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Gyarados" IconGyarados Water/Flying ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Flapple" IconFlapple [Sword] Grass/Dragon ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Appletun" IconAppletun [Shield] Grass/Dragon ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Kingdra" IconKingdra Water/Dragon ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Kommo-o" IconKommo-o [Sword] Dragon/Fighting ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Goodra" IconGoodra [Shield] Dragon ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Horsea" IconHorsea Water ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Druddigon" IconDruddigon Dragon ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Turtonator" IconTurtonator [Sword] Fire/Dragon ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Drampa" IconDrampa [Shield] Normal/Dragon ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%, ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Jangmo-o" IconJangmo-o [Sword] Dragon ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Goomy" IconGoomy [Shield] Dragon ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Seadra" IconSeadra Water ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
Hakomo-o [Sword] Dragon/Fighting ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Sliggoo" IconSliggoo [Shield] Dragon ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Noivern" IconNoivern Flying/Dragon ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Kingdra" IconKingdra Water/Dragon ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Kommo-o" IconKommo-o [Sword] Dragon/Fighting ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Goodra" IconGoodra [Shield] Dragon ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%

Den G

From Den F, swim forward with the mainland on your right. Head towards the island with an archway. This den is located near the centre of the island, next to a roaming Rotom.

Common Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Chansey" IconChansey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Magikarp" IconMagikarp Water ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Tentacool" IconTentacool Water/Poison ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Staryu" IconStaryu Water ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Shellder" IconShellder Water ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Tentacruel" IconTentacruel Water/Poison ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Gyarados" IconGyarados Water/Flying ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Starmie" IconStarmie Water/Psychic ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Cloyster" IconCloyster Water/Ice ☆☆☆☆☆ - 15%
"Blastoise" IconBlastoise Water ☆☆☆☆☆ - 10%

Rare Den

Name Type Encounter Rate
"Blissey" IconBlissey Normal ☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆/☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
"Magikarp" IconMagikarp Fairy ☆ - 60%, ☆☆ - 30%
"Tentacool" IconTentacool Grass/Fairy ☆ - 40%, ☆☆ - 25%
"Staryu" IconStaryu Water/Fairy ☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆ - 30%
"Binacle" IconBinacle Fairy ☆☆ - 20%, ☆☆☆ - 25%
"Tentacruel" IconTentacruel Psychic/Fairy ☆☆☆ - 25%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Gyarados" IconGyarados Steel/Fairy ☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆ - 40%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 25%
"Starmie" IconStarmie Psychic/Fairy ☆☆☆☆ - 15%, ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Barbaracle" IconBarbaracle Grass/Fairy ☆☆☆☆☆ - 20%
"Blastoise" IconBlastoise (Gmax) Water/Fairy ☆☆☆☆☆ - 5%
No Comments
No Upvotes
User profile pic

Comment submission error:

The comment must be at least 1 character in length.

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).

Get a Gamer Guides Premium account:

Quick sign up

Already have an account?

Quick log in

Don’t have an account?