This building functions as the headquarters of Team Skull, so expect a fair amount of battles before you reach the Skulls’ boss. From the main entrance, you can head east to battle the first of many grunts.

Team Skull Grunt¶

All Poison-types. Psychic-types will have an absolute field day. If you’re using Zygarde, it can blast its way through with Thousand Arrows, which hits Zubat neutrally and the others for super-effective damage.

There’s nothing of interest past the Grunt, so head west afterwards. Around here, you can proceed in a number of directions. To make things easier, we’ll head for the far west to start with. Be cautious of the female Grunt patrolling around towards the back.

Team Skull Grunt¶

You may have battled one of these bullies on Route 17. It’s weak to Electric, Psychic and Ground-types, although the latter should be cautious due to its weakness to Water.

At the end of the western corridor, there’s an exit leading back outside. Here, go around and retrieve the Ice Stone at the north side of the swimming pool. You can use this new evolution stone to evolve Alolan Vulpix or Sandshrew, bearing in mind the usual rules.

Back inside, head for the back corridor, west from the staircase, where the female grunt was patrolling. Go inside the bottom room. You’ll find a grunt lazying around on the beds and a coveted Max Revive in the far corner. Next, check out the room above.

In the corner of this room is a memo with one of Team Skull’s passwords: “Beat Up”. Head back into the main corridor and enter the door to the west of the staircase. In the next room, cautiously head east. By the fireplace is a female grunt who won’t let you past easily.

Team Skull Grunt¶

Not something you want to encounter in the dark. Shoo this ghost away with Dark, Psychic or Ghost-types, bearing in the mind the latter two’s weakness to Ghost moves. Zygarde’s Thousand Arrows can also bypass Levitate and hit it for super-effective damage.

Carry on east past the stubborn grunt and swing open the door at the end. You’ll emerge back in the main corridor, behind the cardboard boxes past the first grunt. Enter the door opposite on the right. In the next room, there’s another memo lying haphazardly on the floor.

This one includes another password, “Tapu Cocoa” (what?), and a hint that Team Skull members always respond with “No!” After memorising the contents, head south from the memo to find a Heal Powder on the floor. Now retrace your steps until you’re back at the main entrance.

From here, head up the staircase directly north. Upstairs, there are a bunch of rooms accessible via the west corridor. First, head inside the top-most room, next to the sofa. You’ll find an oddly well-kept room; what’s the story here? While you wonder, don’t forget the TM36 Sludge Bomb .

Next, check out the middle room, but not before checking your Pokemon are all OK. Beyond are a pair of excited grunts.

Team Skull Grunt¶

These rats are everywhere, so you should be well aware of their weaknesses. In case you’re unsure, hit them with Fighting-types for a clean OHKO or go with Fairy or Bug-types for an easy KO. Actually, pretty much anything can KO them without a fuss.

You won’t be allowed to rest as Grunt B immediately tries to exact revenge for Grunt A.

Team Skull Grunt¶

An evolved rat, but the same weaknesses apply. So long as you don’t use a Pokemon that’s weak to Dark moves or incredibly fragile, you should be able to easily outlast it. Super Fang can catch you off guard, but that’s about it.

You don’t earn anything special from the battle so escape while you can. In the final, bottom room, go forward to meet the male grunt head on.

Team Skull Grunt¶

Another common sight among the Team Skull rank. These guys do know it can evolve into Lurantis, right? Perhaps they simply don’t have the time to step out and expose it to sunshine…

Once you’ve silenced the grunt, grab the nearby Iron , sitting between the TVs and the Wii U consoles. Before you leave, head for the north east corner to find another memo above the armchair. This one reveals a third password: “Golisopod”.

Return to the upstairs corridor and head east along the south side of the building. Around here is a grunt patrolling by the balcony.

Team Skull Grunt¶

One super weak Pokemon and one weak Pokemon, both of which you should’ve encountered before. Next!

To proceed, you need to get past a grunt towards the far south. Speak to him and he’ll ask for three passwords. You should have all the information you need, but just in case, the answers are: “Beat Up”, “Golisopod” and “Tapu Cocoa”. Finally, respond with “No!”

Choose correctly and you’ll be allowed to proceed. Through the exit, you’ll emerge outside the building, above the front entrance. Making sure to watch your step, head east and across the boardwalk. In the corner of the roof, there’s an Escape Rope if you’re crazy enough to pick it up.

Meanwhile, you can try and push over the female grunt who’s standing near the edge of the room. If you want to end up serving time that is. A Pokemon battle is fine though.

Team Skull Grunt¶

Not very imaginative folk, these Skulls. You must have all of Zubat and Golbat’s weaknesses drilled into your head by now.

Finally, enter the window that’s wide open to return inside the Shady House. From here, go forward and approach the pair of grunts guarding the door. They won’t do anything to stop you, so head on through whenever you’re ready.

Beyond, approach Guzma atop his throne to incite his wrath.

Team Skull Boss Guzma¶

Pretty much the same as your first encounter at Malie Garden.

Golisopod shouldn’t be underestimated as it can surprise you with the powerful Bug-type First Impression during the first turn it’s out. It also has Swords Dance to boost the power of Razor Shell.

To handle this goliath, Flying or Electric-types are recommended. Once it drops below half HP, Emergency Exit will kick in and it’ll switch out to Ariados if it’s still available.

Ariados is easier, but still a pain if you’re careless. It’s weak to Fire, Rock, Flying and Psychic-types. However Psychic-types need to be able to handle a hit from Fell Stinger and its other super-effective moves.

Beat down Guzma and he’ll leave angrily. Once he’s out of sight, inspect the red suitcase to obtain one of the hundreds of Buginium Z that the Team Skull members have been hoarding. If you’re bored, you also sit on Guzma’s chair to trigger an amusing cutscene.

Once it’s time to leave, exit the Shady House via the front entrance. As you leave, a familiar face comes to see you off. Your Pokemon will be healed as well, which is nice.