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Pokémon Sword and Shield starters Sobble, Scorbunny and Grookey - evolutions, base stats and which starter is best?

Everything we know about Pokémon Sword and Shield's three starter Pokémon.

Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble were the first Pokémon to be revealed for Pokémon Sword and Shield when the game was first properly announced in early 2019. They also happen to be the three starter Pokémon for the new Gen 8.

Now that the game has been released, we know about the second and third evolution for each starter Pokémon, along with the base stats for each one. We also know more about the abilities each starter Pokémon has.

Hopefully this will help you find the right starter Pokémon for you!

On this page:

Which is the best starter Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield?

Picking your Starter Pokémon is by far one of the most important choices you make in any Pokémon game. It determines the early formation of your team or for the entire play-through if you decide to keep it in your party. This means that you'll want to know which starter in Pokémon Sword and Shield is the best.

The answer is - it's completely subjective. (Sorry...)

Since the first three Pokémon gyms are focused around Grass, Water and Fire, in that order, there is no definitive starter Pokémon who can easily walk you through the three gyms. The decision becomes harder as well when you remember that certain gyms leaders are different depending on whether you're playing Pokémon Sword or Shield.

You could pick Scorbunny for a quick walk through the first gym, but then you'll have to find an electric or grass-type Pokémon to help you out in the second. Or you could Sooble and focus on building up your whole Pokémon party, before you face a gym that you truly have an advantage over.

The choice is completely up to you. Though, if you're having trouble picking, we recommend planning out your Pokémon type in advance - that way you'll be able to build your own perfect, balanced, Pokémon type. We've got guides on both the entire Pokémon Sword and Shield Galar Regional Pokédex and all the new Gen 8 Pokémon to help you out!

If you want to know what each final evolution looks like, then check out this video made by ProsafiaGaming. Keep in mind this does contain spoilers for both the starter and legendary Pokémon:

Cover image for YouTube videoPokémon Sword & Shield - All Starter & Legendary Signature Moves

Pokémon Sword and Shield starter Pokémon Grookey: evolutions, base stats and movesets

Grookey is the Grass-type starter for Pokémon Sword and Shield, taking the number one slot in the Pokémon Sword and Shield Regional Pokédex, as the Grass-type starters always do.

Grookey evolves into Thwackey at Level 16, which will then evolve into Rillaboom at Level 35.

Each one knows the ability, Overgrow. This ability powers up grass-type moves when the Pokémon using them has a low HP.

If you're looking for a powerful physical attacker with a high amount of HP to keep it in the fight, then Grooky is your starter of choice.

Once you reach Grooky's final evolution, Rillaboom, it will have the highest HP base stat out of all three starter Pokémon. This means that Rillaboom can survive some powerful hits from your opponents Pokémon. Match this with its high Attack base stat and you've got a Pokémon that can both survive deadly moves and deal them out.

Below you'll find the base stats (HP, Attack, etc.) for Grookey and each of its evolutions if you want to know more.

Thank you to AnonBB21 from reddit for the help with this information.

Grookey, Thwackey and Rillaboom's Base Stats:

PokémonHP AttackDefenceSp. AttackSp. Defence Speed
Grookey 506550404065
Thwackey708570556080
Rillaboom10012590607085

Below you'll find the movesets for Grookey, Thwackey and Rillaboom:

Grooky Moveset:

Level LearnedMove NameType Move CategoryAttackAccuaryPPEffect
N/AScratchNormalAttack4010035N/A
N/AGrowlNormalStatus EffectingN/A10040N/A
6Branch PokeGrassAttack4010040N/A
8TauntDarkStatus EffectingN/A10020N/A
12Razor LeafGrassAttack559525N/A
17ScreechNormalStatus EffectingN/A8540N/A
20Knock OffDarkAttack6510020N/A
24SlamNormalAttack807520N/A
28UproarNormalSpecial Attack9010010N/A
32Wood HammerGrassAttack12010015N/A
36EndeavorNormalAttack???1005N/A

Thwackey Moveset:

Level LearnedMove NameType Move CategoryAttackAccuaryPPEffect
N/AScratchNormalAttack4010035N/A
N/AGrowlNormalStatus EffectingN/A10040N/A
N/ABranch PokeGrassAttack4010040N/A
N/ATauntDarkStatus EffectingN/A10020N/A
Evolve Double HitNormalAttack359010N/A
12Razor LeafGrassAttack559525N/A
19ScreechNormalStatus EffectingN/A8540N/A
24Knock OffDarkAttack6510020N/A
30SlamNormalAttack807520N/A
36UproarNormalSpecial Attack9010010N/A
42Wood HammerGrassAttack12010015N/A
48EndeavorNormalAttack???1005N/A
Thwackey and Rillaboom.

Rillaboom Moveset:

Level LearnedMove NameType Move CategoryAttackAccuaryPPEffect
N/AScratchNormalAttack4010035N/A
N/AGrowlNormalStatus EffectingN/A10040N/A
N/ABranch PokeGrassAttack4010040N/A
N/ATauntDarkStatus EffectingN/A10020N/A
N/ADouble HitNormalAttack359010N/A
N/AGrassy TerrainGrassStatus EffectingN/A10110N/A
N/ANoble RoarNormalStatus EffectingN/A10030N/A
EvolveDrum BeatingGrassAttack80100101
12Razor LeafGrassAttack559525N/A
19ScreechNormalStatus EffectingN/A8540N/A
24Knock OffDarkAttack6510020N/A
32SlamNormalAttack807520N/A
38UproarNormalSpecial Attack9010010N/A
46Wood HammerGrassAttack12010015N/A
54EndeavorNormalAttack???1005N/A
62DoomburstNormalSpecial Attack14010010N/A

Pokémon Sword and Shield starter Pokémon Scorbunny: evolutions, base stats and moveset

Scorbunny is the Fire-type starter for Pokémon Sword and Shield, occupying the fourth slot in the Sword and Shield Regional Pokédex.

Scorbunny evolves into Raboot at Level 16, which evolves into Cinderace at Level 35.

Each one knows the ability, Blaze, which powers up fire-type moves when this Pokémon's HP is low.

Cinderace has the highest Special Defence base stat out of all the final evolutions for the starter Pokémon, which allows it to survive some of the more dangerous moves you might encounter during your Pokémon journey.

Cinderace is also a powerful attacker as well, thanks to its high Attack and Speed base stat. This combination gives Cinderace a better chance of being able to use its strong fire-type moves first in any round of a Pokémon battle, making this Pokémon incredibly deadly to any opponents who is especially weak to fire-type, such as grass-type Pokémon.

Below you'll find the base stats (Attack, Defence, etc.) for Scorbunny and each of its evolutions.

Thank you to AnonBB21 from reddit for the help with this information.

Scorbunny, Raboot and Cinderace's Base Stats:

PokémonHP AttackDefenceSp. AttackSp. Defence Speed
Scorbunny507140404069
Raboot658660556094
Cinderace80116756575119

Below you'll find the movesets for Scorbunny and its evolutions:

Scorbunny Moveset:

Level LearnedMove NameType Move CategoryAttackAccuaryPPEffect
N/ATackleNormalAttack4010035N/A
N/AGrowlNormalStatus EffectingN/A10040N/A
6Ember FireSpecial Attack40100250.1
8Quick AttackNormalAttack4010030N/A
12Double KickFightingAttack3010030N/A
17Flame ChargeFireAttack50100201
20AgilityPsychic Status EffectingN/A10130N/A
24HeadbuttNormalAttack70100150.3
28CounterFightingAttack???10020N/A
32BounceFlyingAttack858550.3
36Double-EdgeNormalAttack12010015N/A

Raboot Moveset:

Level LearnedMove NameType Move CategoryAttackAccuaryPPEffect
N/ATackleNormalAttack4010035N/A
N/AGrowlNormalStatus EffectingN/A10040N/A
N/AEmber FireSpecial Attack40100250.1
N/AQuick AttackNormalAttack4010030N/A
12Double KickFightingAttack3010030N/A
19Flame ChargeFireAttack50100201
24AgilityPsychic Status EffectingN/A10130N/A
30HeadbuttNormalAttack70100150.3
36CounterFightingAttack???10020N/A
42BounceFlyingAttack858550.3
48Double-EdgeNormalAttack12010015N/A
Raboot and Cinderace.

Cinderace Moveset

Level LearnedMove NameType Move CategoryAttackAccuaryPPEffect
N/ATackleNormalAttack4010035N/A
N/AGrowlNormalStatus EffectingN/A10040N/A
N/AEmber FireSpecial Attack40100250.1
N/AQuick AttackNormalAttack4010030N/A
N/AFeintNormalAttack3010010N/A
Evolve Pyro Ball FightingAttack1209050.1
12Double KickFightingAttack3010030N/A
19Flame ChargeFireAttack50100201
24AgilityPsychic Status EffectingN/A10130N/A
30HeadbuttNormalAttack70100150.3
38CounterFightingAttack???10020N/A
46BounceFlyingAttack858550.3
54Double-EdgeNormalAttack12010015N/A
62Court ChargeNormalStatus EffectingN/A10010N/A

With it finally in the wild, here's how to start the Crown Tundra DLC and our full Pokémon Crown Tundra walkthrough. Plus, here's how to catch Calyrex, Glastrier and Spectrier, the Regieleki and Regidrago puzzle solution and Regirock, Regice, Registeel locations, details on how to catch Legendary Birds Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres in the Crown Tundra, the Ultra Beasts and Necrozma adventure, Dynamax Adventures, including the legendries you can catch on these adventures, and the new Crown Tundra Pokédex and returning Pokémon explained. For Isle of Armor players, here's how to find the Slowpoke, where to find Max Mushroom locations, and how to get Kubfu, become best friends and evolve it, plus all Diglett locations too! For the base game, here's info on the ability to transfer Pokémon to Pokémon Home, the Wild Area, lists of all TM locations and TRs, all Galarian forms and finally our main Pokémon Sword and Shield walkthrough for the whole game.


Pokémon Sword and Shield starter Pokémon Sobble: evolutions, base stats and movesets

Sobble is the Water-type starter for Sword and Shield, and is the seventh Pokémon in the Pokémon Sword and Shield Regional Pokédex.

Sobble evolves into Drizzile at Level 16 and, finally, Inteleon at Level 35.

Each one knows the ability Torrent, which will make their water-type moves stronger, the lower their HP falls.

Sobble has the highest Special Attack base stat out of all the starter Pokémon and this continues as it evolves. When you reach its final evolution, Inteleon, it will also have the highest Speed base stat.

This makes up for Inteleon's relatively low HP and Defence base stat, allowing it to deal some very powerful moves. Inteleon may not be able to stay in the Pokémon battle for very long, but, while its there, it can certainly cause a lot of damage.

Below you'll find the base stats (Defence, Special Attack, etc.) for Sobble and it's evolutions.

Thank you to AnonBB21 from reddit for the help with this information.

Sobble, Drizzile and Inteleon's Base Stats:

PokémonHP AttackDefenceSp. AttackSp. Defence Speed
Sobble504040704070
Drizzile656055955590
Inteleon70856512565120

Below you'll find the movesets for Sobble, Drizzile and Inteleon:

Sobble Moveset:

Level LearnedMove NameType Move CategoryAttackAccuaryPPEffect
N/APoundNormalAttack4010035N/A
N/AGrowlNormalStatus EffectingN/A10040N/A
6Water GunWaterSpecial Attack4010025N/A
8BindNormalAttack1585201
12Water PulseWaterSpecial Attack60100200.2
17Tearful LookNormalStatus EffectingN/A101201
20Sucker PunchDarkAttack701005N/A
24U-TurnBugAttack7010020N/A
28LiquidationWaterAttack85100100.2
32SoakWaterStatus EffectingN/A10020N/A
36Rain DanceWaterStatus EffectingN/A1015N/A

Drizzile Moveset:

Level LearnedMove NameType Move CategoryAttackAccuaryPPEffect
N/APoundNormalAttack4010035N/A
N/AGrowlNormalStatus EffectingN/A10040N/A
N/AWater GunWaterSpecial Attack4010025N/A
N/ABindNormalAttack1585201
12Water PulseWaterSpecial Attack60100200.2
19Tearful LookNormalStatus EffectingN/A101201
24Sucker PunchDarkAttack701005N/A
30U-TurnBugAttack7010020N/A
36LiquidationWaterAttack85100100.2
42SoakWaterStatus EffectingN/A10020N/A
48Rain DanceWaterStatus EffectingN/A1015N/A
Drizzile and Inteleon.

Inteleon Moveset:

Level LearnedMove NameType Move CategoryAttackAccuaryPPEffect
N/APoundNormalAttack4010035N/A
N/AGrowlNormalStatus EffectingN/A10040N/A
N/AWater GunWaterSpecial Attack4010025N/A
N/ABindNormalAttack1585201
N/AAcrobaticsFlyingAttack5510015N/A
EvolveSnipe ShotWaterSpecial Attack8010015N/A
12Water PulseWaterSpecial Attack60100200.2
19Tearful LookNormalStatus EffectingN/A101201
24Sucker PunchDarkAttack701005N/A
30U-TurnBugAttack7010020N/A
38LiquidationWaterAttack85100100.2
46SoakWaterStatus EffectingN/A10020N/A
54Rain DanceWaterStatus EffectingN/A1015N/A
62Hydro Pump WaterSpecial Attack110805N/A

If you need any more Pokémon Sword and Shield help, then check out our Pokémon Sword and Shield walkthrough.