The Pokémon series has been around since 1995 and each new game is always highly anticipated. The current game series is Pokémon Sword and Shield and this list features some of the rarest Pokémon in both games. All of the Pokémon on this list have extremely low spawn rates and can typically be found in a singular location. Obtaining these rare Pokémon can be difficult and time consuming, but is ultimately worth it as they are some of the strongest Pokémon in Sword and Shield.
Please note that legendaries were left off this list because they are inherently rare.
As of November 2020, the information on this list is as accurate as possible and will be updated as needed.
- Stonjourner
- Eiscue
- Trapinch
- Super Size Pumpkaboo
- Sizzlipede
- Feebas
- Duraludon
- Dhelmise
- Antique Sinistea
- Dreepy
Location(s): Route 10 and Lake of Outrage
Type: Rock
photo source: Bulbapedia
Stonjourner is the Pokémon Sword exclusive that is the counterpart to the Shield exclusive Eiscue. Like Eiscue, Stonjourner has a low spawn rate of 2% on Route 10 or the Lake of Outrage. During a sandstorm at the Lake of Outrage, Stonjourner’s spawn chance is raised to 5%. Stonjourner is the rarest encounter in the grass around Route 10 and the second rarest on the actual route after Duraludon. The only way for Pokémon Shield players to get Stonjourner is through trades.
Did You Know?
Stonjourner’s design resembles the famous Stonehenge monument in England.
Location(s): Route 10 and Lake of Outrage
Type: Ice
photo source: Bulbapedia
Eiscue is an incredibly cute Ice-type Pokémon that features a penguin with an ice cube for its head. Because of its cuteness, Eiscue is highly sought after, but unfortunately it is a Pokémon Shield exclusive. Not only is it it restricted to one game, but Eiscue is also difficult to find. Eiscue has a 2% spawn chance on Route 10. Depending on the weather, snow or a full on snowstorm, Eiscue has a 2% or 5% chance to appear at the Lake of Outrage. The only way for Pokémon Sword owners to get their hands on Eiscue is through a trade.
Did You Know?
Eiscue reveals its face, called Noice (No Ice) Face, with its Ice Face ability.
Location(s): Route 6 and Hammerlocke Hills (Pokémon Shield only)
Type: Ground
photo source: Bulbapedia
Trapinch is one of a few Pokémon in the Sword and Shield games that has different spawn rates in each version of the game. For players with Pokémon Sword, Trapinch only appears on Route 6 with a 1% encounter rate, while there is a 5% chance in Pokémon Shield. Additionally, Trapinch appears during a sandstorm in Hammerlocke Hills in Shield with a 2% capture rate.
Did You Know?
Trapinch and its evolved forms are the only Pokémon that are in the Bug and Dragon Egg Groups.
Location(s): Route 4, Hammerlocke Hills, and Giant’s Mirror
Type: Grass and Ghost
photo source: Bulbapedia
Pumpkaboo is a Pokémon that resembles a jack-o-lantern and comes in various sizes: Small, Average, Large, and Super Size. To casual players, the size of the Pumpkaboo might not matter, but the different sizes do have different stats and the Super Size Pumpkaboo is the strongest. While the smaller sizes of Pumpkaboo are pretty common, the Super Size Pumpkaboo is rare an only has an encounter rate of 1%. Although it is rare, Super Size Pumpkaboo can be found in several places: Route 4, which is early in the game; during various weather conditions in Hammerlocke Hills; and only under normal weather conditions in Giant’s Mirror.
Did You Know?
Super Size Pumpkaboo has a lower pitched cry than the other three sizes.
Location(s): Route 3
Type: Fire and Bug
photo source: Bulbapedia
Sizzlipede is another new Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield. This Fire/Bug type Pokémon is one of the earliest rare Pokémon that players encounter in Sword and Shield. Sizzlipede can only be found on Route 3 and has a spawn chance of 1%. If a player has a hard time catching a wild Sizzlipede, they do have a chance during Kubo’s gym trial. But if the player can’t catch it at Kubo’s, its back to searching around Route 3 for hours.
Did You Know?
There are unconfirmed rumors that Sizzlipede’s (and other Fire-types) wild encounter rate can be increased if the player has Pokémon with the Flash Fire ability at the head of the party.
Location(s): Route 2 near Professor Magnolia’s House
Type: Water
photo source: Bulbapedia
Feebas is often called one of the ugliest Pokémon ever, but this doesn’t stop it from being one of the most sought after Pokémon in any of the games it appears in and Pokémon Sword and Shield is no exception. Over the years, Feebas has gained a reputation for being a rare/hard to catch Pokémon. In Sword and Shield, Feebas has a spawn rate of 1% in the fishing spots near Professor Magnolia’s house. Despite how difficult Feebas is to catch, players often seek it out because of its evolution, Milotic, which is a powerful Pokémon that can’t be caught in the wild.
Did You Know?
Feebas is the first and only Pokémon so far to change its method of evolution from one generation to another.
Location(s): Route 10 and Lake of Outrage
Type: Dragon and Steel
photo source: Bulbapedia
Besides the legendary Dialga, Duraludon is the only other Dragon/Steel type Pokémon in the entire series. So it makes sense for Duraludon to be a rare find in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Duraludon can only be seen after the player becomes the champion in the Giant’s Seat. After achieving this, Duraludon has a spawn rate of 1% on Route 10 and 2% at the Lake of Outrage during a snowstorm. Currently Duraludon doesn’t have an evolved form, but it does have a Gigantamax form in Sword and Shield.
Did You Know?
Duraludon is the first Pokémon that can have either Light Metal or Heavy Metal as an ability.
Location(s): Route 9
Type: Grass and Ghost
photo source: Bulbapedia
Dhelmise first appeared in Pokémon Sun and Moon and appears again as a rare Pokémon in Sword and Shield. Wild Dhelmise only have a 1% chance of spawning on Route 9 near Circhester Bay and Outer Spikemuth. Thankfully, Dhelmise’s appearance isn’t tied to any specific weather conditions. Players can also obtain Dhelmise from Max Raid Battles in Bridge Field, Dappled Grove, Stony Wilderness, and Giant’s Mirror, but these are incredibly hard battles to win.
Did You Know?
Dhelmise can’t learn any one-hit knockout moves, but is supposedly able to K.O. Wailord in one hit.
Location(s): Glimwood Tangle
Type: Ghost
photo source: Bulbapedia
Sinistea is another new Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield. While Sinistea is technically easy to catch with a rate of 10%, its Antique form is rare. 99% of Sinisteas that spawn are Phony, while only 1% are Antique and have a tag of authenticity on the bottom of the cup. Despite there being two different forms, there really isn’t a stat difference between Antique Sinistea and Phony Sinistea, except in what they need to evolve. A Phony Sinistea will only evolve into Polteageist with a Cracked Pot item, while an Antique Sinistea requires a Chipped Pot.
Did You Know?
Although it appears purple, the tea inside of Sinistea is black tea.
Location(s): Lake of Outrage
Type: Dragon and Ghost
photo source: Bulbapedia
Dreepy is probably the rarest Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield because it only spawns in a single place under certain weather conditions. This new generation pseudo-legendary dragon is only found in the Lake of Outrage during overcast, heavy fog, or thunderstorm weather. Even if these weather conditions are met, Dreepy’s spawn rate is only 1% – 2%, making it a an elusive catch. However, Dreepy is worth the extra trouble as it evolves into one of the strongest Pokémon in Sword and Shield.
Did You Know?
Dreepy is the first and only Dragon-type that is also a Ghost.
