Pokemon Sword’s Stow-on-Side gym: Guide to beating Bea

The fourth gym in Pokémon Sword is in Stow-on-Side, and is against a fighting-type expert, Bea.

Note that if you have Pokémon Shield, then you battle a ghost-type gym leader, Allister, instead.

The Stow-on-Side gym is when things start getting just a little bit tricky, so check out our guide below.

Stow-on-Side gym challenge

Bea’s gym has you spinning around in a vehicle that works similarly to a teacup ride from a carnival. You spin your analog stick to make it twist in the direction you want it to go, while letting boxing gloves on springs punch you into the right direction. Each time you clear a section, you’ll battle a gym trainer. After getting through the challenge, you’ll take on Bea.

Bea’s Pokémon

Game Freak, The Pokémon Company/Nintendo via Polygon

Bea uses fighting-type Pokémon, and just like other gyms, she’ll Gigantamax her last Pokémon, Machamp. Plan accordingly since it’ll hit pretty hard.

1. Hitmontop, level 34, fighting
2. Pangoro, level 34, fighting/dark
3. Sirfetch’d, level 35, fighting
4. Machamp, level 36, fighting

Recommended counters against Bea

All of Bea’s Pokémon are weak against flying-, psychic-, and fairy-type Pokémon. Note that psychic-type moves will not effect Pangoro due to its dark-typing, but fairy-type moves will be four times more effective.

Here are some good Pokémon to catch and evolve for this gym, as well as the easiest places to find them:

• Woobat, psychic/flying
  Found in Galar Mine
• Espurr, psychic
  Found on Route 5
• Swirlix (Sword only), fairy
  Found on Route 5
• Spritzee (Shield only), fairy
  Found on Route 5

Stow-on-Side gym rewards

After being the Stow-on-Side gym, you’ll get TM42, Revenge, and a fighting-type gym uniform to wear outside of gym challenges. You’ll also be able to catch Pokémon up to level 40.