Is Honedge Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?
Honedge appears on Route 6 and the Wild Area. Steel/Ghost with AbilityNo Guard making all moves hit. Evolves through Doublade into Aegislash with a Dusk Stone. Leon uses Aegislash on his Champion team. This is one of the best early investments in the game.
Honedge has the type edge here and should clean up Milo's team.
Honedge trades roughly evenly with Nessa's team.
Honedge trades roughly evenly with Kabu's team.
Honedge trades roughly evenly with Bea's team.
Doublade trades roughly evenly with Opal's team.
Doublade has the type edge here and should clean up Gordie's team.
Aegislash trades roughly evenly with Piers's team.
Aegislash trades roughly evenly with Raihan's team.
Aegislash trades roughly evenly with Bede's team.
Aegislash trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.
Catch Honedge on Hammerlocke Hills (walking, Lv 28-30). Snowstorm.
Your Honedge should hit Level 35 before you reach Opal, at typical leveling pace.
You can pick up the Dusk Stone in Lake of Outrage. 2 other locations are also available.
How to Get Honedge in Sword & Shield
A handful of locations for Honedge with high spawn rates across mid-game routes. The sort toggle below swaps between best odds and earliest access, so you can approach it based on where you are in the game.
Where To Catch Honedge in SwSh
To get Honedge, start by catching Honedge through walking encounters at Lv. 28-52. The chain covers 2 catchable stages before reaching the final form.
Step 1Honedge ✓Hammerlocke HillsLv.29-31OverworldRate 44%Heavy FogHammerlocke HillsLv.28-30GrassRate 15%Snowstorm
Step 2Catch or Evolve into DoubladeLake of OutrageLv.50-52GrassRate 25%Snowstormor evolve from Honedge (Step 1)
Step 3Evolve into AegislashBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Aegislash egg.
Honedge Weakness
Honedge's Steel/Ghost typing leaves it vulnerable to Fire, Ground, Ghost, and Dark. It shrugs off Normal, Fighting, and Poison-type attacks completely. With 9 resistances, the defensive profile is strong. Honedge's physical bulk (base 100 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ground, Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Grass, Ice, Flying, Psychic, Rock, Dragon, Steel, Fairy |
| 0.25x (Resist) | Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Fighting, Poison |
What is Honedge Weak Against
FortressBest Pokemon Against Honedge
 Mudbray Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Mudbray builds →Bulldoze 2x65-78% Payback 2x37-44% | ||
 Golett GroundGhost | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Golett builds →Phantom Force 2x74-89% Mud-Slap 2x22-28% | ||
 Diggersby NormalGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Diggersby builds →Mud Shot 2x70-83% Brutal Swing 2x28-33% | ||
 Drifloon Ghost | C | |
Obtain MethodChallenge Beach Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Drifloon builds →Shadow Ball 2x107-128%KO Brutal Swing 2x28-33% | ||
 Growlithe Fire | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Growlithe builds →Flame Wheel 2x52-61% Bite 2x33-41% | ||
 Shedinja BugGhost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Shedinja builds →Phantom Force 2x81-95% Dig 2x48-57% | ||
 Stunfisk GroundElectric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Stunfisk builds →Mud Shot 2x89-105%KO Payback 2x27-32% | ||
 Thievul Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Thievul builds →Snarl 2x92-110%KO Mud Shot 2x62-73% | ||
Mudbray Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Mudbray builds →Bulldoze 2x60-71% Payback 2x35-41% | ||
 Gastly GhostPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Gastly builds →Hex 2x121-143%KO Payback 2x17-22% | ||
Stunfisk GroundElectric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Stunfisk builds →Mud Shot 2x88-104%KO Sucker Punch 2x33-41% | ||
Shedinja BugGhost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Shedinja builds →Phantom Force 2x77-91% Dig 2x46-55% | ||
 Haunter GhostPoison | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Haunter builds →Hex 2x136-161%KO Payback 2x22-26% | ||
 Pawniard DarkSteel | C | |
Thievul Dark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Thievul builds →Snarl 2x96-113%KO Mud Shot 2x64-75% | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x97-115%KO Brutal Swing 2x49-58% | ||
 Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Pangoro builds →Crunch 2x91-108%KO Dig 2x61-72% | ||
 Arcanine Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x122-145%KO Crunch 2x55-65% Dig 2x55-65% | ||
 Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Hippowdon builds →Dig 2x82-98% Crunch 2x55-65% Fire Fang 2x45-54% | ||
 Mudsdale Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Mudsdale builds →High Horsepower 2x108-128%KO Payback 2x39-47% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x101-119%KO Brutal Swing 2x51-60% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Pangoro builds →Crunch 2x92-110%KO Dig 2x61-73% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x126-148%KO Crunch 2x56-67% Dig 2x56-67% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Hippowdon builds →Dig 2x85-100%KO Crunch 2x56-67% Fire Fang 2x47-56% | ||
Mudsdale Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Mudsdale builds →High Horsepower 2x110-129%KO Payback 2x40-47% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x94-112%KO Brutal Swing 2x48-57% | ||
 Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Darmanitan builds →Fire Punch 2x92-109%KO Dig 2x67-78% Bite 2x50-59% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Pangoro builds →Crunch 2x89-106%KO Dig 2x60-71% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x120-141%KO Crunch 2x55-65% Dig 2x55-65% | ||
 Crawdaunt WaterDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Crawdaunt builds →Night Slash 2x77-91% Dig 2x58-69% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x148-174%KO Dig 2x66-79% Bite 2x50-60% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x102-121%KO Crunch 2x55-65% Fire Fang 2x46-54% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x97-115%KO Brutal Swing 2x49-58% | ||
Crawdaunt WaterDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Crawdaunt builds →Night Slash 2x79-93% Dig 2x58-69% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x121-143%KO Crunch 2x53-64% Dig 2x53-64% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x151-178%KO Dig 2x67-79% Bite 2x51-60% | ||
Hippowdon Ground | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Hippowdon builds →Earthquake 2x105-124%KO Crunch 2x57-67% Fire Fang 2x47-55% | ||
Crawdaunt WaterDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Crawdaunt builds →Crunch 2x90-106%KO Dig 2x59-71% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Excadrill builds →Dig 2x98-116%KO Shadow Claw 2x59-69% Brutal Swing 2x49-59% | ||
Arcanine Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Arcanine builds →Flare Blitz 2x122-145%KO Crunch 2x55-66% Dig 2x55-66% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x152-179%KO Dig 2x68-80% Bite 2x52-61% | ||
 Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x359-423%KO Shadow Ball 2x221-260%KO Thief 2x24-29% | ||
 Bisharp DarkSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Bisharp builds →Throat Chop 2x93-110%KO Dig 2x62-73% Shadow Claw 2x54-63% | ||
 Turtonator FireDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Turtonator builds →Shell Trap 2x278-327%KO Stomping Tantrum 2x39-46% Brutal Swing 2x32-38% | ||
 Torkoal Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Torkoal builds →Eruption 2x262-309%KO Stomping Tantrum 2x42-50% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x152-179%KO Earthquake 2x85-100%KO Bite 2x52-61% | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x359-423%KO Shadow Ball 2x221-260%KO Dark Pulse 2x147-173%KO | ||
Bisharp DarkSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Bisharp builds →Throat Chop 2x93-110%KO Dig 2x62-73% Shadow Claw 2x54-63% | ||
Turtonator FireDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Turtonator builds →Shell Trap 2x278-327%KO Earthquake 2x52-61% Brutal Swing 2x32-38% | ||
Torkoal Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Torkoal builds →Eruption 2x262-309%KO Earthquake 2x55-66% | ||
Darmanitan Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Darmanitan builds →Flare Blitz 2x152-179%KO Earthquake 2x85-100%KO Bite 2x52-61% | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Chandelure builds →Overheat 2x359-423%KO Shadow Ball 2x221-260%KO Dark Pulse 2x147-173%KO | ||
Bisharp DarkSteel | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Bisharp builds →Throat Chop 2x93-110%KO Dig 2x62-73% Shadow Claw 2x54-63% | ||
Turtonator FireDragon | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Turtonator builds →Shell Trap 2x278-327%KO Earthquake 2x52-61% Brutal Swing 2x32-38% | ||
Torkoal Fire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Torkoal builds →Eruption 2x262-309%KO Earthquake 2x55-66% | ||
In Sword & Shield, Cinderace's Sucker Punch hits Honedge for 48-57%. Weavile's Knock Off hits Honedge for 69-82%. Excadrill's Earthquake also KOs at 115-136%.
 Cinderace Fire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLibero ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Cinderace builds →Sucker Punch 2x48-57% U Turn6-7% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Weavile builds →Knock Off 2x69-82% Ice Shard11-13% | ||
Excadrill GroundSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandrush ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x115-136%KO | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityFlashfire ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Honedge View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball 2x205-242%KO Energy Ball38-45% Flamethrower 2x231-271%KO Psychic38-45% | ||
Honedge Evolutions
Three stages ahead. Honedge grows into Doublade, then pushes on to Aegislash. Check the evolution methods below. For breeding, average hatch time with plenty of partners via one egg group. The evolved forms gain up to 175 total stats over Honedge. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
SwSh Honedge Best Moveset
Steel/Ghost pre-evo with AbilityNo Guard making every move hit both ways. 80 Attack and 100 Defense on 45 HP give the moveset some physical substance. Two evolutions from Aegislash's A-tier Stance Change mechanics that redefine how offensive and defensive turns work.
Best Build
Honedge best EVs are HP and Attack
Physical Tank Moveset
- Destiny Bond
- Autotomize
- Iron Head
- Facade
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
The natural movepool does the job, but Block and Destiny Bond from the egg pool give Honedge something extra. Pair those with Iron Head and Flash Cannon for STAB and coverage across 8 types for reach, and the kit fills out nicely.
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
Honedge’s soul once belonged to a person who was killed a long time ago by the sword that makes up Honedge’s body.
The blue eye on the sword’s handguard is the true body of Honedge. With its old cloth, it drains people’s lives away.
Honedge Sword & Shield Guide
For Sword & Shield, you can run Honedge through the first few routes without issues. 325 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Doublade as fast as you can.
Game Availability
Honedge joined the series in X & Y and has been available in 6 titles so far. With 5 generations of appearances, it's established itself despite the later start.
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 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XYDebut
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