Pokémon Sword & Shield Ranking The Usefulness Of Each Route 1 Pokémon

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Pokémon Sword & Shield Ranking The Usefulness Of Each Route 1 Pokémon

The Galar Region's Route 1 has some good Pokémon to pick up early, and some that you shouldn't bother with. Ah, . Alola, Kanto, Galar, every region in the Pokémon world has that first route, where the Pokémon can either accompany you all the way to Elite Four, or to the first PC that you see. The first route of contains a pretty wide array of Pokémon, some good, and some not so good. Today we'll be ranking all of them based on how useful they actually are. THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY

Caterpie

Caterpie really isn't a bad Pokémon, not at all. Caterpie is on the list because this isn't the Caterpie that you want to catch. If you catch a Butterfree through a Max Raid Battle in the Wild Area, it will have the ability to Gigantamax, which this poor little Caterpie simply won't be able to do. Caterpie isn't a bad Pokémon, catch one if you want. However, just be aware that it doesn't have the ability to Gigantamax once it evolves, setting it below other Butterfree.

Rookidee

Unfortunately, Rookidee falls into the same pitfall as Caterpie, it is a fine Pokémon that loses out on the chance to Gigantamax later down the line when it evolves. Rookidee's final form is Corviknight, a powerful Flying/Steel-type Pokémon, which has a Gigantamax form. If you want Corviknight to be able to Gigantamax, you'll want to wait until you get access to the Wild Area and fight a Gigantamaxed Corviknight in a Max Raid Battle.

Blipbug

Finally, rounding up our Gigantamax trio is Blipbug. Blipbug is a new Bug-type introduced in the Galar Region. Later on it evolves into Orbeetle, a Psychic/Bug-type that, you guessed it, can Gigantamax. You're tired of hearing this, surely, but just catch a Gigantamaxed Orbeetle in the Wild Area through a Max Raid Battle, it's worth the small wait that comes with not catching it on Route 1. Now, let's get on to the rest of the Pokémon on this list that can't Gigantamax.

Skwovet

You don't want Skwovet. Nobody wants Skwovet. Skwovet is the resident rodent of the Galar Region, the Rattata, if you will. You're going to see Skwovet and its evolution basically everywhere you go in Galar. Unless you're really into this thing, there's just no reason to pay any sort of attention to Skwovet, especially on Route 1. It's going to be haunting you for the rest of your journey, you've got plenty of time to catch one.

Nickit

Nickit isn't a bad Pokémon, per se. Well, it really isn't that great, because it evolves into Thievul, one of the early route Pokémon that isn't going to hold up very well as the story progresses. Still, its theme of being a little fox thief is cute, so that's a point in its direction. You're not making the worst choice if you choose to catch a Nickit, but it certainly isn't the most informed choice of all time, either. It's a good choice for a solid Dark-type that can help to carry you through some of the early game, as Nickit evolves at a low level 18.

Hoothoot

You really can't go wrong with this little round boy. Look at him. The original circle owl. Rowlet absolutely could never. While Hoothoot isn't too much of the battler, it evolves into Noctowl, who, well honestly, it still really isn't all that good. Still, the Normal/Flying-type bird evolves at level 20, meaning that it will be fully evolved early on into your journey. That means that Noctowl, like Nickit, will make a good Pokémon to help carry you through some of the earlier gyms, especially the first gym, where it will have an advantage against the creatures that you'll be facing off against.

Grubbin

Grubbin is a Pokémon that was first introduced in the Alola Region, and it's quite the fun one. It evolves into Charjabug at level 20, an evolution in which it becomes a literal phone charger. From there, Charjabug can evolve at any time through the use of a Thunder Stone, giving you a very powerful Vikavolt to really push your team to the next level. Vikavolt is a super awesome Bug/Electric-type Pokémon that will be a great help on your journey. Vikavolt is one of the stronger final evolutions of the Pokémon that you can find on this route, making it a smart choice to catch as soon as possible.

Wooloo

Of course, the star of Route 1 is the iconic, the mesmerizing, the angelic, Wooloo. This lil king or queen, depending on which gender you'd like to catch, is an absolute icon. Its evolution is Dubwool, but do we care about that? Absolutely not. You should keep Wooloo as a Wooloo because look at Wooloo. Look at Wooloo right now. You'll have to catch Wooloo as an overworld encounter, meaning that you'll be able to see it and run into it if you're wanting to catch it. And you will, because, once more, look at Wooloo. That lil face? Precious. You should be lucky that Wooloo will even allow you to put it in your party.