Pokémon Sword and Shield’s Hammerlocke gym: Guide to beating Raihan

The final gym leader in Pokémon Sword and Shield is Raihan, a dragon-type gym leader.

While he’s labeled as a dragon-type user, he actually only uses two dragon-type Pokémon, so check out our guide to figure out how to beat him.

Hammerlocke gym challenge

Raihan’s gym challenge has you fight against three different trainers, who all use different types of weather to give them an advantage in a double battle. Once you successfully beat them, you’ll be able to take on Raihan.

Raihan’s Pokémon

Game Freak, The Pokémon Company/Nintendo via Polygon

Raihan is trickier than other gym leaders and he only uses two Pokémon that are actually dragon-type. Not only is his battle a double battle, but he utilizes sandstorm, meaning that all your Pokémon that aren’t ground-, rock-, or steel-type will take damage every turn. His Gigalith also knows Stealth Rock, a move that will damage your Pokémon when they get sent out. As with the other gym leaders, he’ll Gigantamax his last Pokémon, Duraludon.

1. Flygon, level 47, ground/dragon
2. Gigalith, level 46, rock
3. Sandaconda, level 46, ground
4. Duraludon, level 48, dragon/steel

Recommended counters against Raihan

Raihan’s dragon-types are weak against dragon-, fairy-, and ice-types, with a couple of exceptions. For Gigalith and Sandaconda, you can use water- and grass-types to knock them down.

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

• Milcrey, fairy
  Found on Route 4
• Axew, dragon
  Found on Route 6
• Darumaka, ice
  Found on Route 8
• Magikarp, water-type
  Route 2, Wild Area, Motostoke, via fishing

Raihan gym rewards

After winning, you’ll get TM99, Breaking Swipe, a dragon-type gym uniform to wear outside of challenges, and the ability to catch Pokémon up to level 60.