Pokemon Sword and Shield contain many elements of Pokemon breeding. Here’s a guide to help trainers master breeding their Pokemon. Pokemon Breeding has been a staple element in the Pokemon franchise since its introduction in Pokemon Gold and Silver back in 1999. Placing two Pokemon together of opposite genders and similar species in a daycare center in their respective region would provide an egg. The offspring of these Pokemon would carry over some of the traits from their parents.

For the first time ever, Pokemon Sword and Shield introduce two daycare centers in the Galar region. One of them on Route 5, and the other in the Bridge Field section of the Wild Area. This effectively doubles the amount of breeding that trainers can go through. Several elements return to Pokemon Sword and Shield from previous entries, like additional abilities to help hatch eggs faster and items to help eggs appear more often. This guide will break down each of these gameplay mechanics to help players maximize their breeding. Beginning with the Oval Charm.

How To Get The Oval Charm in Pokemon Sword and Shield

The Oval Charm is an item that has existed in the Pokemon series since Pokemon Black and White 2. What the Oval Charm does is increase the chance of eggs appearing in the Nursery. This drastically cuts down the time of waiting for when Pokemon are left at the daycare to produce an egg and is a must-have item for all Pokemon breeders. In order to get the Oval Charm in Pokemon Sword and Shield, players must have completed the Pokemon League and become the champion. Head to Circhester and enter the building right next to the Pokemon Center. Inside will be a trainer who will only battle the player after they become champion. Defeat him, and he will award the player with the Oval Charm.

How To Hatch Eggs Faster in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Another key element to Pokemon breeding would be the ability Flame Body. Certain fire type Pokemon can have this ability. While in combat, this ability has the chance to burn the attackers when they are using physical attacks. Although, Flame Body has another out of combat ability. In the overworld, Flame Body lets eggs hatch half the number of required steps. The player will need a Pokemon with Flame Body in their party while hatching the eggs for this to work. There’s currently 7 Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield with this ability. Those Pokemon are Litwick, Lampent, Chandelure, Carkol, Coalossal, Sizzilipede, and Centiscorch. Carkol is the easiest to get in this group, as players can find them spawning in the Galar Mine. Once players have a Carkol with Flame Body, eggs will hatch much faster.

How To Get The Everstone in Pokemon Sword and Shield

The Everstone is an item that has been a staple in the Pokemon series for decades. If a Pokemon is holding this item, it prevents them from evolving. For breeding, if the mother is holding an Everstone, the offspring can inherit their nature. In Pokemon Sword and Shield, players can find an Everstone in Turffield. Head right from the Pokemon Center and towards the stadium. There will be a fork in the road with rocks covered in grass. The Everstone will be hidden here. Use this item to carry over nature while breeding.

How To Use Incense in Pokemon Sword and Shield

In order to get certain baby versions of Pokemon, players must use specific incense. For example, if the player tries to breed a Snorlax without the proper incense, the baby will be another Snorlax rather than the desired Munchlax. Players can purchase all of the incense at the market in Hulbury. Here’s a breakdown of the Pokemon and their correct incense to breed a proper offspring.

  • Snorlax (Full Incense): Munchlax Sudowoodo (Rock Incense): Bonsly Roserade/Roselia (Rose Incense): Budew Mantine (Wave Incense): Mantyke Mr. Mime/ Mr. Rime (Odd Incense): Mime Jr. Wobboffet (Lax Incense): Wynaut

Give the proper incense to the Pokemon egg will contain the baby version of these Pokemon.

How To Get Ditto in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Ditto has been a key part of Pokemon breeding since its introduction. As Ditto can breed with almost every Pokemon (aside from legendaries) to create an egg, regardless of the Pokemon’s gender. This makes it much easier to find a match for the Pokemon the player’s trying to get an offspring of. Ditto is only found in one location in the Galar region. Players can find Ditto in the Lake of Outrage in the Wild Area. This place is only accessible after the player receives the bike upgrade that allows the bike to cross over bodies of water. Catch a Ditto and use its unusual ability to mate with any Pokemon.

How To Get A Destiny Knot in Pokemon Sword and Shield

The final important piece to achieve mastery of Pokemon breeding comes in the Destiny Knot item. When the Destiny Knot is held by a Pokemon in battle and that Pokemon becomes infatuated, the opposite Pokemon will also become infatuated. Through breeding, the Destiny Knot when held by a Pokemon, will carry over 5 IVs (Individual Values that are important for competitive Pokemon battling) to its offspring. This is an important item for creating powerful Pokemon for competitive play. To get the Destiny Knot, players must first become the Pokemon champion. After completing the league, players will have access to the Battle Tower, a place where they can battle for BP. Players can purchase the Destiny Knot at Hammerlocke for 10 BP.

Pokemon Breeding is a much appreciated past time once the main story of the game is over. Shiny hunting is a hobby created from Pokemon breeding where players hatch as many eggs as it takes to find the elusive shiny Pokemon. Using breeding is also important for creating competitively viable Pokemon for online play or for real-life tournaments around the world. The upcoming Pokemon World Championships are taking place in London, the real-world inspiration for the Galar region, later this year. While the strategy is important to winning battles, making their Pokemon as powerful as they can be is also important and it all begins with breeding the perfect Pokemon.

Next: Pokemon Sword and Shield: Post-Game Activities (& Where To Find Them)

Pokemon Sword and Shield are available on the Nintendo Switch.