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Pokémon: Sword & Shield

Ballonlea Stadium (Fairy)

By
Ben Chard
&
Vincent Lau

What exactly are they trying to imply here?

Inside the stadium, you’ll run into Marnie. You’ll receive Marnie’s League Card from her. Afterwards, go over to the Ball Guy on the right to receive another rare Poké Ball. This time it’s a Love Ball, which works better if the wild Pokémon is the opposite gender. Once you’re all geared up, speak to the staff member ahead to enter the Gym mission.

Opal’s a shrewd one. Maybe in the next Gym mission, you’ll be in a factory doing somebody’s work for free!

The Fairy-type Gym mission involves quizzes. Halfway during each battle, you’ll be asked a question. Answer correctly and your Pokémon’s stats will increase. Answer incorrectly and their stats will decrease. Honestly, it barely amounts to anything and you can switch your Pokémon to reset their stat penalties. So just relax and let your Pokémon do the answering!

From the entrance, head right to enter the audition hall. Note that you’ll be battling multiple trainers without a break.

Gym Trainer Annette

Pokémon Level Type
"Spritzee" IconSpritzee 34 Fairy
"Slurpuff" IconSlurpuff 34 Fairy

Annette has a "Spritzee" IconSpritzee and the evolved form of "Swirlix" IconSwirlix; both are Fairy-types. On your 2nd turn, you’ll be asked what Fairy-types are weak against. Both answers (Poison and Steel) are correct.

Gym Trainer Teresa

Pokémon Level Type
"Swirlix" IconSwirlix 34 Fairy
"Aromatisse" IconAromatisse 34 Fairy

Teresa has a Swirlix and the evolved form of Spritzee; again, both are pure Fairy. On your 2nd turn, you’ll be asked what the previous trainer’s name was. Er, were you paying attention? It was “Annette”, of course.

Gym Trainer Theodora

Pokémon Level Type
"Morgrem" IconMorgrem 35 Dark/Fairy
"Gardevoir" IconGardevoir 35 Psychic/Fairy

Theodora has a "Morgrem" IconMorgrem, which is an evolved Imdipimp, and "Gardevoir" IconGardevoir, the final evolved form of "Ralts" IconRalts. The former is weak to Poison and Steel; the latter is weak to Poison, Ghost and Steel.

On your 2nd turn, you’ll be asked what the trainer eats for breakfast. What kind of question is that!? Logically, it should be “omelets” and thankfully that’s the correct answer. Note that Morgrem has Fake Out (causes a flinch on the 1st turn), while Gardevoir has Mystical Fire (strong against Steel-types).

After you’ve done three battles, you’ll proceed to the exit. Keep going to be transported to the entrance tunnel. From there, go forth and greet your adoring crowd!

Gym Leader Opal

Pokémon Level Type
"Weezing" IconWeezing (Galarian) 36 Poison/Fairy
"Mawile" IconMawile 36 Steel/Fairy
"Togetic" IconTogetic 37 Fairy/Flying
"Alcremie" IconAlcremie 38 Fairy

Opal leads with Galarian "Weezing" IconWeezing, which has evolved from a common "Koffing" IconKoffing. It’s gained the Fairy-type and is weak to Ground, Psychic and Steel.

Next, she may send out "Mawile" IconMawile. This deceitful Pokémon is weak to Fire and Ground. Avoid using Poison moves because it’s immune to them. Also, be wary of its Intimidate ability, which reduces Attack.

Her third Pokémon is "Togetic" IconTogetic, which is a fully evolved "Togepi" IconTogepi. It’s weak to Electric, Rock, Ice, Poison and Steel.

Finally, she has an "Alcremie" IconAlcremie that she will Gigantamax straightaway. It can use G-Max Finale, which restores HP for its party. You should clean up with a Dynamax or Gigantamax Poison or Steel-type.

During the battle, Opal will pose up to three questions. The correct answers are “wizard”, “purple” (not pink!) and “16” (that’s a lie, but flattery will get you everywhere).

After that dazzling showcase, you’ll receive the Fairy Badge, TM87 Draining Kiss and a Fairy Uniform all from Opal. Exit the stadium. Outside, Opal will ask if you want to follow her to Hammerlocke. You need to go there next, so you might as well accompany her. In any case, when you reach Hammerlocke, head over to the main entrance, from the Wild Area side.

You’ll run into Bede, although he’s not here for a fight. Next, head all the east, to reach the exit to Route 7. When you get to the train station, Sonia will stop you this time. As luck would have it, there’s another explosion. This time, you don’t need to go and investigate though. Carry on east to where Hop is waiting for you. Once he’s gone, follow him east to Route 7.

Before that though, there’s a third Pokémon Centre! Inside, the right Poké Mart clerk is selling TMs. Of note, there are TMs that alter the terrain. Plus the “Fang” series, which you can teach to "Boltund" IconBoltund (Thunder Fang and Fire Fang) or "Drednaw" IconDrednaw (Ice Fang) to take advantage of their Strong Jaw ability. Finally, exit Hammerlocke via the right.

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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

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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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