An appropriate name for a very dubious-looking building, belonging to an equally dubious group of thugs. As soon as you enter, there’s a Grunt towards the north-east who’s begging for a battle.

Team Skull Grunt¶

What is it with Team Skull and their Drowzee? This one is basically the same as the one used by the Grunt behind the second barricade. So expect a STAB Psybeam, unless your Pokémon is immune, in which case it’ll probably try and Headbutt you in desperation.

Directly north from the entrance is a grand staircase that leads upstairs. For now, stick to the ground floor and make your way west. Around here is a corridor that leads north, being patrolled by a female Grunt.

Team Skull Grunt¶

This Grunt also has a male Salandit with a not-so-bright future. Still, you should KO it fast with super-effective Water, Rock, Ground and Psychic moves before it can make use of Toxic, Nasty Plot and Venoshock. Meanwhile her Fomantis has Leaf Blade as its only threatening move.

Further west is a door that leads out of the mansion. Outside, you’ll be standing in front of an empty swimming pool. Head over to the north side of the pool and pick up the Ice Stone underneath the shelter. This new stone can be used to evolve Alolan Vulpix and Sandshrew. Next, go around the south-west corner of the building.

Call Tauros so you can break the boulder that’s blocking access to the shiny sticker on the wall. Peel off the sticker to find it’s actually three stickers in one: Totem Stickers #081, #082 and #083. If you recall, Team Skull has been known to steal stickers; presumably these were the only stickers they managed to actually find.

Back inside the mansion, head towards the corridor to the west of the grand staircase. On the left side of the corridor, there are two doors that you can enter. Inside the bottom room, there’s a lazying Grunt and a Max Revive at the end. Meanwhile, inside the top room, there’s a piece of paper with “Poison Jab” written on it.

Next, come out of the corridor and enter the door just to the left of the grand staircase. In this room, there’s a female Grunt nearby who doesn’t want to fight and a female Grunt near the fireplace who does.

Team Skull Grunt¶

Trubbish carries Toxic and Sludge Bomb, which can be avoided by fielding a Steel-type or quickly defeating it with super-effective Ground and Psychic-types. Houndour is an unevolved Houndoom. This pooch is weak to Water, Ground, Rock and Fighting.

After clearing out the rubbish, exit the room via the east. You’ll emerge in the eastern corridor, past the very first Grunt you can encounter. Head south towards the pile of cardboard boxes and yank off Totem Sticker #080 stuck on one of the boxes. Then go through the nearby door on the right side of the corridor.

Beyond is an empty pantry of sorts. Over in the north-east corner, pick up the piece of paper to find another secret password: “Tapu Cocoa”. As well as Team Skull’s mantra, which is to always say “No!” Afterwards, head south and scoop up the Heal Powder from the floor. Exit the room and head all the way back towards the front entrance.

From here, the only way is up; without further ado, climb the grand staircase to reach the floor above. Upstairs, there are three doors along the west side. First, take a peek inside the top-most room. You’ll find an oddly clean room, perhaps belonging to Plumeria. In any case, be sure to pick up TM36 Sludge Bomb below the bed.

Next, visit the middle room, but not before confirming that your Pokémon are fighting fit. You’ll stumble upon a pair of misfits, who decide to take out their anger on you, one immediately after the other.

Team Skull Grunt¶

The first Grunt has an Alolan Rattata that is easy peasy, especially for Fighting, Bug and Fairy-types. Because it’s high Level, it has access to powerful moves such as Double Edge, Super Fang and Sucker Punch. Not that it’ll get a chance to use them.

Team Skull Grunt¶

Next up is an evolved Rattata, which is stronger, but shares the exact same weaknesses. Because it’s evolved, it learns moves at a slower pace, but the ones it does have–such as Crunch and Assurance–are more than enough to cause decent damage.

After that hairy encounter, promptly let yourself out of the room, then go inside the remaining room just below. Standing in the back of this room is a Grunt waiting for somebody to make a move.

Team Skull Grunt¶

Spooky Haunter is weak to Ghost, Psychic and Dark. Beware of its STAB Shadow Ball, Confuse Ray and Dark-type moves that can surprise Psychics. Gloopy Grimer is weak to Ground only. This one knows Knock Off, which removes your Pokémon’s held item and deals increased damage.

Once he’s toast, go over and grab the Iron on the floor, next to the pair of TVs. Huh, what are the Grunts playing on? Wii U consoles? Pfft, it’s all about the Switch now. Also, look for the piece of paper between the armchair and the lonesome TV in the corner. Written on the paper is another password to remember: “Bounsweet”.

Finally, head towards the south side of this floor. As you approach, be mindful of the Grunt patrolling left and right.

Team Skull Grunt¶

A crafty little Pokémon found on Route 16. It’s weak to Flying and Fighting, and has a double weakness to Fairy. This one can use Crunch and Hi Jump Kick for STAB damage. The latter in particular packs a serious punch, but damages Scraggy if its misses.

Once the coast is clear, speak to the Grunt guarding the exit to the south. He will request three passwords just to make sure you’re a Team Skull member, even though you look nothing like them.

Answer correctly and the Grunt will move aside, allowing you to continue south. On the other side, you’ll emerge on a balcony outside the mansion. First, inspect the collapsed window panel towards the west to retrieve Totem Sticker #084. After that, go east and step on the wooden planks to reach the roof.

Here, being careful not to slip to your doom, head towards the corner of the roof and pick up the Escape Rope. After that, you can try and catch the attention of the female Grunt, who’s standing way too close to the edge, for an unbridled battle.

Team Skull Grunt¶

Her first Pokémon, Spinarak, is weak to Fire, Flying, Rock and Psychic. Meanwhile, Pawniard is weak to Fire and Ground, and doubly weak to Fighting. Finally, Golbat is weak to Electric, Rock, Ice and Psychic. Don’t forget Fire-types are weakened by the rain.

Before you catch a cold or worse, step through the open window at the end of the wooden planks to go back inside the mansion. Beyond, a pair of Grunts are guarding both sides of a door, although they’re uninterested in a fight. If it’s not obvious, somebody very important is waiting past this door, so only go in when prepared.

Team Skull Boss Guzma¶

You’ll have seen Guzma’s first two Pokémon when you fought him at Malie Garden. As a reminder, Golisopod is weak to Electric, Flying and Rock. Like before, this brute that can go first and deal massive damage with First Impression, but only during the very first turn of battle.

Ideally, you should send out a Pokémon that resists Bug, such as Poison, Flying or Steel, so Golisopod doesn’t bother using First Impression. Keep in mind Golisopod also has Razor Shell, so you may want a Pokémon that resists Water in addition to Bug. Pelipper is one of many possibilities.

Finally, Golisopod can use Sucker Punch to go first if your Pokémon is using an attacking move. If both of your Pokémon are on low health, don’t attack or you’ll get sucker punched. Instead, heal or switch. When Golisopod goes under half health, it will switch out using Emergency Exit.

Next up can be Masquerain, which is weak to Fire, Electric and Flying, and doubly weak to Rock. This critter is a potent special attacker with a powerful STAB Bug Buzz, and Air Slash for causing flinch. It also has Icy Wind, which lowers your Pokémon’s Speed and is super-effective against Flying-types.

Ideally, you’ll want Pokémon that can resist Masquerain’s STAB moves or are durable enough to survive a hit. Rock and Steel-types immediately come to mind. Although Masquerain hits hard, it is incredibly frail, so it doesn’t take much to knock it out.

Guzma’s final Pokémon is Pinsir, a pure Bug-type that boasts stellar Attack. In addition to a powerful STAB X-Scissor, it can use the Dark-type Throat Chop to deal damage and prevent moves that rely on sound, plus Storm Throw, a Fighting-type move that always triggers a critical hit.

Afterwards, return to the ground floor, then make your way to the swimming pool area towards the west. Here, speak to the Grunt sulking in the corner to trigger an event.

Team Skull Grunt¶

You may have already battled a Scraggy belonging to a different Grunt. This one is slightly higher Level, but otherwise can be dealt with in the same manner. In other words, Flying or Fighting-types, or Fairy to take advantage of the double weakness.

As a reward for poking your nose where it doesn’t belong, you’ll receive a Full Restore. To finish off, head back round to the front door, then exit the mansion. As you try to leave, Nanu will come over to check that you’re still alive.