How to beat Hammerlocke Gym and Gym Leader Raihan in Pokémon Sword and Shield

As is often the case with Pokémon games, Sword and Shield's path to becoming the best it has never been before is by taking on various Pokémon Gyms. In total, there are eight Pokémon Gyms to challenge, each with a specific type of Pokémon as a theme. Of these gyms, the Hammerlocke Gym is the last and most challenging gym you'll have before you can start thinking about challenging Leon for the Pokémon champion title. Here are some tips for beating the Hammerlocke Gym and its Gym Leader, Raihan.

be ready

Before embarking on this challenge, it is essential to know that the specialty of Hammerlocke Gym is the Dragon Pokémon. Dragon-type Pokémon are sensitive to ice, fairy, and dragon-type movements. While the gym focuses on dragon types, when you fight Raihan you will only see two Pokémon that are actually dragon type. Whatever you do, don't go into this challenge with a bird Pokémon, as multiple opponents can take them down quickly, and you won't have a chance to thrive with them.

Throughout this gym challenge, you'll take on Pokémon while dealing with the game's four weather effects, changing the way your moves affect your opponent.

Gym Challenge

Hammerlocke Gym doesn't have much of a gym challenge compared to others in Sword and Shield. This gym challenge has you fighting three Duo Battles, which means each side will have two Pokémon fighting at the same time. Between each match, you can heal your Pokémon with whatever items you have in your inventory, so be prepared.

In each battle, the enemy will have one Dragon Pokemon and one Non-Dragon Pokemon that affects the weather of the terrain. Firstly, Pelipper will have Drizzle, which increases water type moves by 50% while reducing fire type attacks by 50%. The second battle has a Ninetales with drought, which increases fire-type attacks by 50% and reduces water-type damage by 50%. Finally, the last installation battle will have an Abomasnow with snow warning. Snow Warning will trigger a hailstorm that will lightly damage all Pokémon on the field that are not Ice-type at the end of each turn. It will also increase the accuracy of ice-type movements when in effect. Once you've completed these three battles, you can take on Gym Leader Raihan.

Fight Raihan

Oddly enough, Raihan only has two types of dragon in his party. This battle will also be a duo battle, and the fight will start with a sandstorm via Gigalith of Raihan. The Sandstorm will lightly damage any Pokemon that is not a Stone, Ground, or Steel type. It will also increase the special defense of rock types. Here is Raihan's full party.

• Flygon, level 47, ground and dragon
• Gigalith, level 46, rock
• Sandaconda, level 46, land
• Duraludon, level 48, dragon and steel

As noted above, only two of Raihan's Pokémon are dragon-type. For Gigalith and Sandaconda, you'll be successful with grass, water, or ice moves, creating an Ice-type Pokémon or a Water-type that knows ice moves, even more important in this fight when you consider the force of the ice-type movement against the dragons.

First, you will be greeted by Flygon and Gigalith. Gigalith will start a sandstorm with her ability, and for her first turn, will use Stealth Rock. This will leave rocks floating in the air on your side which will damage any Pokemon you send for the rest of the game. This damage is in addition to any damage you might see from the sandstorm.

As Gigalith, hit him with water, grass, soil, or combat moves to bring him down quickly. For Flygon, you'll want to focus your ice, dragon, or fairy attacks. If you don't have one, use your best types of water or grass.

Once you take out one of these Pokémon, Raihan will send out his Sandaconda. This Sandaconda knows the Protect move, so there is a chance that some of your attacks will be rendered useless on various turns. A water type will be especially useful here as Sandaconda is an earth type and has Fire Fang as one of his attacks. Defeat two of Raihan's Pokémon and he will cast his last hope, Duraludon.

Like the other Gym Leaders, Raihan registers his Dynamax for his latest Pokémon, making Duraludon look like a skyscraper in his Gigantamax form. You should also save yours for this showdown. Duraludon is a type of steel and dragon. The dragon in him does this, so fire moves aren't very effective against him, unlike other Steel Pokémon, but he's weak against ground and combat moves. Take down Duraludon and you will have earned the Dragon badge as well as TM99 Breaking Swipe. As an added bonus, you can also catch Pokémon of any level in the wild area.