Beating Nessa in Pokémon Sword and Shield is about preparation. Nessa is the Water-type Gym Leader in Pokémon Sword and Shield. She presents a formidable challenge for aspiring trainers to become the Galar region’s Champion. To conquer her and claim the coveted badge, you must craft a meticulously planned strategy and assemble a versatile team of Pokémon. Let’s walk through every intricate detail of the battle.
First up, her team.
Nessa’s Team Overview
Nessa commands a formidable team centered around Water-type Pokémon. Her squad includes the agile Arrokuda, the aquatic marvel Goldeen, and her star performer, the resilient Drednaw. To secure victory, you must gain a deep understanding of her team’s strengths and vulnerabilities.
| Pokémon | Level | Weakness | Move List |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrokuda | 22 | Electric, Grass | Aqua Jet, Agility, Fury Attack |
| Goldeen | 23 | Electric, Grass | Horn Attack, Aqua Ring, Water Pulse |
| Drednaw | 24 | Electric, Grass | Bite, Water Gun, Bite, Headbutt |
Pre-Battle Preparation
Before entering Nessa’s Gym, you must be primed for the challenge. Exploiting type advantages is paramount to success. Electric and Grass-types are your most valuable assets against Nessa’s Water-type Pokémon. Consider training Pokémon like Pikachu or Ferrothorn them to a minimum level of 25. Make sure you have more than just one option as well.
In your preparatory phase, you should also carry critical items. Stock up on Potions, Super Potions, and Paralyze Heals to maintain your team’s vitality throughout the battle. Additionally, consider employing held items such as the Miracle Seed (augmenting Grass-type moves) or the Magnet (bolstering Electric-type moves) to gain a significant edge.
Choose the Right Team
We’ve gone ahead and built a list of powerful Pokémon you could use against Nessa. All of these are feasible at this point in the game.
| Pokémon | Level | Weaknesses | Move List |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pikachu | 25 | Ground | Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Double Team, Iron Tail |
| Ferrothorn | 27 | Fire, Fighting, Ground | Power Whip, Thunder Wave, Leech Seed, Protect |
| Ludicolo | 28 | Flying, Poison, Bug | Surf, Giga Drain, Rain Dance, Ice Beam |
| Toxicroak | 26 | Psychic, Electric, Ground | Poison Jab, Brick Break, Venoshock, Swagger |
| Barraskewda | 29 | Electric, Grass | Liquidation, Close Combat, Agility, Ice Fang |
| Eldegoss | 30 | Fire, Ice, Poison, Bug | Cotton Spore, Energy Ball, Synthesis, Rapid Spin |
Solving the Water Puzzle
As with most Gyms, there are small puzzles to solve first before you can challenge the Gym Leader. Most mysteries are built on whether you want to face all the trainers leading up to the Gym Leader. This isn’t a big deal if you plan to save, heal, and return. But if you want to do this in one visit, keeping your Pokémon is essential before the big battle.
- Enter Turffield Gym: Begin your journey by entering the Turffield Gym. As you proceed, you’ll notice a unique water-themed puzzle awaiting you.
- Observe the Waterwheels: Inside the gym, you’ll encounter spinning waterwheels. These waterwheels create currents that can either propel you forward or block your path.
- Understand the Flow: Pay close attention to the direction of the water’s flow. It’s essential to comprehend how the currents move to navigate effectively.
- Step on the Markings: As you explore the gym, you’ll see markings on the ground. These markings indicate where the water’s flow will carry you. Step on the arrows that guide you in the direction you want to go.
- Avoid Red Arrows: Be cautious of red arrows on the ground. These indicate the direction that will push you back. Stepping on them will send you in the opposite direction.
- Reach the End: Use the blue arrow markings strategically to advance toward Nessa’s location. It may take some trial and error to figure out the correct path, so be patient.
- Confront Nessa: After successfully navigating the water puzzle, you’ll reach Nessa at the end of the gym. Prepare your team for the upcoming battle.
- Save Your Game: Before engaging Nessa in battle, it’s a good idea to save your game to ensure that you can retry the battle if needed.
How to Beat Nessa in Pokémon Sword and Shield
Nessa’s Pokémon possess substantial offensive capabilities and should not be underestimated. It is imperative to prioritize dismantling her team systematically, starting with the most formidable threats. If your Pokémon possess status-inducing moves such as Thunder Wave or Stun Spore, deploy them strategically to gain a decisive advantage.
Don’t go easy on her as the tides of battle can change at any moment. Deploy Pokémon with inherent Water or Ice weakness, as they will face an uphill struggle. Additionally, exercise caution against over reliance on a single Pokémon; constructing a balanced team is of paramount importance. If that one Pokémon goes down, you’ll be screwed.