4 tips and tricks for raids in Pokémon: Sword and Shield

Raids are a new feature in Pokémon Sword and Shield in which four trainers work together to take on a Dynamaxed or Gigantamaxed Pokemon.

These giant Pokémon usually have better stats or hidden abilities. They make great additions to your team. The only catch? You’re got to take them down and catch them first. Here are a few tips and tricks we’ve learned while facing these giant raid Pokémon!

Focus sash

The Pokémon in raids hit hard and often Pokémon are taken down in a single hit. The Focus Sash is a held item that will leave your Pokémon with a sliver of health if you’re ever struck by a one-hit KO. In raids you have a limited number of times your team’s Pokémon can faint. Being able to protect yourself from at least one faint can be the difference between victory and defeat.

You can find the Focus Sash by defeating the trainer in the house next to the Pokémon Center in Hammerlocke. After defeating the game you can also purchase the Focus Sash in the Battle Tower for battle points.

Online play

To defeat one of these raid Pokémon you need a team of four trainers. If you’re alone the game will provide three NPC trainers to assist you. If you have Nintendo Online those trainers can be players from around the world. NPC trainers aren’t always that reliable, especially when they decide to use a Magikarp. With other players you can coordinate your efforts and support each other far more efficiently.

Dusk balls

After defeating these raid Pokémon you have a chance to catch them. If you’re the host of the raid the odds of catching it are quite high. If you’re not the host, the chances are slimmer. That’s where Dusk Balls come in handy. Dusk balls have an increased catch rate at night or in caves. This makes Dusk balls extremely viable for raid battles because they always take place in caves, immediately giving you those increased catch odds. While other Poké balls may have increased odds in a raid, the Dusk Ball always meets its requirements, making it viable against any raid Pokémon.

You can buy Dusk Balls from one of the Watt Vendors in the Wild Area or in Hammerlocke.

Berries

Berries have always been a staple in competitive battles in Pokémon. They come in handy in a pinch and can save you a turn. When you have only a certain amount of turns to begin with, the last thing you want is to waste a turn because you’re trying to use an item to heal back up. Unlike regular items, held berries can be activated in battle when certain circumstances are met. It won’t cost you a turn. Your Pokémon will use them automatically. Just make sure you aren’t battling a Pokémon with the ability unnerved, because you won’t be able to use berries.

Hopefully these tips will help in your own raiding adventures and save you some headache. Let us know in the comments below what raid you’re going to take on next.