Is Boldore Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?
Boldore handles the midgame adequately as a physical Rock-type. AbilitySturdy keeps it alive for one guaranteed hit. Trade for Gigalith whenever possible. If you can't trade, Boldore with Eviolite is a passable alternative.
Milo's team hits Roggenrola's weaknesses hard.
Roggenrola trades roughly evenly with Nessa's team.
Boldore has the type edge here and should clean up Kabu's team.
Bea's Pokemon outpace and outclass Boldore here.
Gigalith trades roughly evenly with Opal's team.
Gigalith has the type edge here and should clean up Gordie's team.
Piers's team hits Gigalith's weaknesses hard.
Raihan's team hits Gigalith's weaknesses hard.
Gigalith trades roughly evenly with Bede's team.
Gigalith trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.
Catch Roggenrola on Rolling Fields (overworld, Lv 8-10). Snowstorm.
Your Roggenrola should hit Level 25 before you reach Kabu, at typical leveling pace.
Most players are ready to trade before reaching Opal.
How to Get Boldore in Sword & Shield
Boldore's 3-stage chain starts with Roggenrola, which appears at solid rates in the locations below. Level through 3 stages while you find a trade partner. Everything except the trade step is solo.
Where To Catch Boldore in SwSh
Roggenrola is your first catch on the way to Boldore. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 8-58 across 109 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch RoggenrolaRolling Fields - GroundLv.8-10OverworldRate 80%OvercastRolling Fields - GroundLv.8-10OverworldRate 80%SandstormRolling Fields - GroundLv.8-10OverworldRate 80%Intense SunChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 56%SnowstormChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 56%Heavy FogChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 56%SnowingChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 56%Normal WeatherChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 36%RainingChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 36%Intense SunChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 36%OvercastChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 36%SandstormChallenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 36%ThunderstormGalar MineLv.11-15CaveShieldRate 30%All WeatherGalar MineLv.11-14OverworldShieldRate 25%All WeatherRolling Fields - GroundLv.8-10OverworldRate 20%ThunderstormRolling Fields - GroundLv.8-10OverworldRate 20%Normal WeatherRolling Fields - GroundLv.8-10OverworldRate 20%RainingRolling Fields - GroundLv.8-10OverworldRate 20%SnowstormRolling Fields - GroundLv.8-10OverworldRate 20%Heavy FogRolling Fields - GroundLv.8-10OverworldRate 20%SnowingGalar MineLv.11-14OverworldSwordRate 5%All WeatherGalar MineLv.11-15CaveSwordRate 5%All WeatherChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 56%Normal WeatherChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 56%SnowstormChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 56%Heavy FogChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 56%SnowingChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 36%SandstormChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 36%ThunderstormChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 36%RainingChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 36%Intense SunChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 36%OvercastChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%Normal WeatherChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%SnowstormChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%Heavy FogChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%RainingChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%Intense SunChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%SnowingChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%OvercastChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%SandstormChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 30%ThunderstormMotostoke OutskirtsLv.21-24GrassRate 30%All WeatherStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldRate 15%SandstormStony Wilderness - 2Lv.28-30OverworldSwordRate 15%Intense Sun
Step 2Boldore ✓Stony WildernessLv.26-28GrassShieldRate 40%SandstormStony WildernessLv.27-29GrassShieldRate 40%Normal WeatherStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassShieldRate 30%ThunderstormStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassShieldRate 30%Intense SunStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassSwordRate 20%SandstormStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassShieldRate 10%SnowingGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%SnowstormGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%Heavy FogGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%SnowingGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%OvercastGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%SandstormGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%ThunderstormGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%Normal WeatherGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%RainingGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%Intense SunGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%SnowstormGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%Heavy FogGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%SnowingGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%OvercastGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%SandstormGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%ThunderstormGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%Normal WeatherGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%RainingGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldShieldRate 30%Intense SunRoute 8Lv.39-41OverworldShieldRate 25%All WeatherGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%RainingGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%Intense SunGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%SnowstormGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%Heavy FogGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%SnowingGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%OvercastGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%SandstormGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%ThunderstormGiant's Cap - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%Normal WeatherGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%ThunderstormGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%Normal WeatherGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%RainingGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%Intense SunGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%SnowstormGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%Heavy FogGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%SnowingGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%OvercastGiant's Mirror - GroundLv.31-34OverworldSwordRate 10%SandstormRoute 8Lv.39-41OverworldSwordRate 10%All WeatherLake of OutrageLv.55-58OverworldRate 30%Sandstormor evolve from Roggenrola (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into GigalithBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Gigalith egg.
Boldore Weakness
Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, and Steel moves hit Boldore for super-effective damage. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Boldore's physical bulk (base 105 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground, Steel |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Fire, Poison, Flying |
What is Boldore Weak Against
FragileBest Pokemon Against Boldore
 Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x79-93% Metal Claw 2x50-59% | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Hippowdon builds →Dig 2x68-81% Revenge 2x35-41% | ||
 Bewear NormalFighting | C | |
 Mudsdale Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Mudsdale builds →High Horsepower 2x88-104%KO Low Sweep 2x41-49% | ||
 Sawk Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Sawk builds →Brick Break 2x68-81% Dig 2x49-58% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x79-94% Metal Claw 2x52-62% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Hippowdon builds →Dig 2x68-80% Revenge 2x35-41% | ||
Bewear NormalFighting | C | |
Mudsdale Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Mudsdale builds →High Horsepower 2x88-104%KO Low Sweep 2x40-48% | ||
Sawk Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Sawk builds →Brick Break 2x71-83% Dig 2x50-59% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x76-90% Smart Strike 2x68-80% Brick Break 2x48-57% | ||
Mudsdale Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Mudsdale builds →Earthquake 2x89-105%KO Low Sweep 2x40-47% | ||
 Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Passimian builds →Brick Break 2x66-78% Bulldoze 2x36-42% | ||
 Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Gurdurr builds →Hammer Arm 2x78-93% Dig 2x41-49% | ||
 Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Pangoro builds →Brick Break 2x68-80% Dig 2x48-57% Bullet Punch 2x24-29% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x77-91% Smart Strike 2x67-79% Brick Break 2x48-57% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x83-98% Revenge 2x34-40% | ||
 Hitmonchan Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Hitmonchan builds →Focus Punch 2x116-137%KO Bulldoze 2x31-37% Bullet Punch 2x22-26% | ||
Mudsdale Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Mudsdale builds →Earthquake 2x88-105%KO Low Sweep 2x40-47% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Passimian builds →Brick Break 2x65-77% Bulldoze 2x35-42% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x78-92% Smart Strike 2x69-81% Brick Break 2x49-59% | ||
 Rhydon GroundRock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 2x94-111%KO Hammer Arm 2x63-74% Smart Strike 2x44-53% Whirlpool 2x20-24% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x84-99% Revenge 2x34-40% | ||
 Duraludon SteelDragon | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Duraludon builds →Solar Beam 2x144-170%KO Brick Break 2x37-44% Stomping Tantrum 2x37-44% Metal Claw 2x38-45% | ||
 Timburr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Timburr builds →Focus Punch 2x94-111%KO Dig 2x34-40% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x97-115%KO Smart Strike 2x69-81% Brick Break 2x48-57% | ||
Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Gurdurr builds →Focus Punch 2x118-139%KO Dig 2x43-50% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Passimian builds →Close Combat 2x105-124%KO Bulldoze 2x36-42% | ||
 Kommo-o DragonFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Kommo-o builds →Close Combat 2x97-115%KO Stomping Tantrum 2x41-48% | ||
Sawk Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Sawk builds →Close Combat 2x109-128%KO Dig 2x48-57% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x97-115%KO Smart Strike 2x69-81% Brick Break 2x48-57% | ||
Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Gurdurr builds →Focus Punch 2x118-139%KO Dig 2x43-50% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Passimian builds →Close Combat 2x105-124%KO Earthquake 2x59-69% Energy Ball 2x48-56% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Pangoro builds →Close Combat 2x109-128%KO Earthquake 2x60-71% Bullet Punch 2x25-29% | ||
Kommo-o DragonFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Kommo-o builds →Close Combat 2x97-115%KO Earthquake 2x54-64% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x97-115%KO Smart Strike 2x69-81% Brick Break 2x48-57% | ||
Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Gurdurr builds →Focus Punch 2x118-139%KO Dig 2x43-50% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Passimian builds →Close Combat 2x105-124%KO Earthquake 2x59-69% Energy Ball 2x48-56% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Pangoro builds →Close Combat 2x109-128%KO Earthquake 2x60-71% Bullet Punch 2x25-29% | ||
Kommo-o DragonFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Kommo-o builds →Close Combat 2x97-115%KO Earthquake 2x54-64% | ||
In Sword & Shield, Garchomp's Earthquake hits Boldore for 54-64%. Gyarados's Waterfall hits Boldore for 43-51%. Lucario deals 76-90% with Close Combat.
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x54-64% | ||
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityIntimidate ItemWacanberry NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Gyarados builds →Waterfall 2x43-51% Earthquake 2x35-42% Crunch14-17% | ||
 Lucario FightingSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityInnerfocus ItemLife Orb NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Lucario builds →Extreme Speed8-10% Close Combat 2x76-90% Aura Sphere 2x65-76% | ||
 Scizor BugSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTechnician ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Boldore View Scizor builds →Bullet Punch 2x24-29% Knock Off13-15% | ||
Boldore Evolutions
Boldore is partway through a three-stage line between Roggenrola and Gigalith. The chain involves a trade, so it's not a straightforward grind. So far, Attack got the biggest boost (+30 from Roggenrola). The final form adds another 125 stats on top. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed with Boldore to get Roggenrola eggs easily using 61 partners from the Mineral egg group. Notable egg moves include Autotomize, Curse, Gravity and 2 more.
SwSh Boldore Best Moveset
105 in both Attack and Defense behind Rock typing. AbilitySturdy survives one hit and 20 Speed means going last in every matchup. The moveset has raw physical power for a middle evolution. One evolution from Gigalith's sand-setting physical bulk.
Best Build
Boldore best EVs are Sp. Def and Defense
Bulky Support Moveset
- Stone Edge
- Earthquake
- Iron Defense
- Body Press
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Without breeding, Boldore misses out on Autotomize and Curse. That's 5 egg moves adding depth that the base kit lacks. STAB comes from Meteor Beam and Stone Edge, with Normal and Ground coverage and more rounding things out.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
If you see its orange crystals start to glow, be wary. It’s about to fire off bursts of energy.
It relies on sound in order to monitor what’s in its vicinity. When angered, it will attack without ever changing the direction it’s facing.
Boldore Sword & Shield Guide
In Sword & Shield, Boldore isn't fully evolved, so it's not built for competitive play. You'll want to evolve it into Gigalith to unlock its full potential. At 390 BST, it's a stepping stone rather than a team anchor.
In Sword & Shield, watch for Starmie (Water), Breloom (Grass), and Blaziken (Fighting) when using Boldore. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Ground and Steel-type attackers are also a problem. With 5 weakness types, most competitive teams carry at least one counter. At base 20 Speed, Boldore won't outrun any of these threats so switching to a resist is usually the safer play.
No. Boldore only evolves into Gigalith through a real trade. There is no in-game alternative in Sword & Shield. Trade needs a Game Boy Advance link cable and a second GBA running another Gen 3 game (FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). Trade Boldore to a friend, then have them trade it back. The 2026 Switch re-release supports the same trade through local wireless on the Pokemon Center 2F Wireless Club, with no cables required.
Sturdy prevents being KOed from full HP, leaving 1 HP instead. That's the one you want on Boldore. Sand Force is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses. Weak Armor works too if your team needs something different.
In Sword & Shield, Boldore fills the attacker role. It's a physical attacker with base 105 Attack. Base 20 Speed is low. Priority moves or Trick Room are the way to go. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
Game Availability
Introduced in Black & White, Boldore has appeared in 7 games across 6 generations. Later debuts mean fewer total appearances, but it's been a consistent presence since its introduction.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1RB
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BWDebut
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLA
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves