Is Pawniard Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?
Pawniard spawns on Route 8 and the Wild Area. Dark/Steel heading toward Bisharp at level 52. AbilityDefiant boosts Attack when stats are lowered, punishing Intimidate users. The late evolution is the main barrier, but Bisharp is one of the best Dark-types in the game.
Pawniard has the type edge here and should clean up Milo's team.
Pawniard trades roughly evenly with Nessa's team.
Kabu's team hits Pawniard's weaknesses hard.
Bea's team hits Pawniard's weaknesses hard.
Pawniard trades roughly evenly with Opal's team.
Pawniard trades roughly evenly with Gordie's team.
Pawniard trades roughly evenly with Piers's team.
Raihan's team hits Pawniard's weaknesses hard.
Pawniard trades roughly evenly with Bede's team.
Bisharp trades roughly evenly with Leon's team.
Catch Pawniard on Motostoke Outskirts (walking, Lv 21-24). All Weather.
Your Pawniard should hit Level 52 before you reach Leon, at typical leveling pace.
How to Get Pawniard in Sword & Shield
Pawniard's scattered across 28 spots in early-game routes with high spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Pawniard in SwSh
Pawniard is your first catch on the way to Pawniard. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 10-58 across 30 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Pawniard ✓Challenge RoadLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 20%OvercastForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldSwordRate 20%OvercastPotbottom DesertLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 20%OvercastSoothing WetlandsLv.10-15OverworldSwordRate 20%OvercastForest of FocusLv.13-18GrassRate 15%OvercastSoothing WetlandsLv.13-18GrassRate 15%OvercastForest of FocusLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 10%OvercastSoothing WetlandsLv.10-15OverworldShieldRate 10%OvercastGiant's MirrorLv.28-30OverworldRate 50%SnowstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28GrassRate 35%SnowstormGiant's CapLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SnowstormStony WildernessLv.26-28GrassRate 30%SnowstormMotostoke OutskirtsLv.21-24GrassRate 20%All WeatherChallenge RoadLv.19-24GrassRate 15%OvercastChallenge RoadLv.16-21OverworldSwordRate 10%OvercastPotbottom DesertLv.19-24OverworldSwordRate 10%OvercastMotostoke RiverbankLv.26-28OverworldSwordRate 5%SnowstormMotostoke RiverbankLv.28-30OverworldShieldRate 5%SnowstormRoute 8Lv.39-41OverworldRate 20%All Weather
Step 2Catch or Evolve into BisharpLake of OutrageLv.55-58OverworldRate 25%Snowstormor evolve from Pawniard (Step 1)
Pawniard Weakness
Pawniard is weak to Fighting, Fire, and Ground. Watch out for Fighting attacks, those deal 4x damage. On the flip side, it's immune to Poison and Psychic-type moves entirely. 9 resistances give it solid defensive coverage on top of that. Pawniard's physical bulk (base 70 Def) helps cushion physical weakness hits, but special attackers are the bigger threat.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 4x (Critical) | Fighting |
| 2x (Weak) | Fire, Ground |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Normal, Grass, Ice, Flying, Rock, Ghost, Dragon, Dark, Steel |
| 0x (Immune) | Poison, Psychic |
What is Pawniard Weak Against
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Pawniard
 Pancham Fighting | D | |
 Machop Fighting | C | |
 Mudbray Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Mudbray builds →Bulldoze 2x80-94% Rock Smash 4x74-89% | ||
 Diggersby NormalGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Diggersby builds →Mud Shot 2x65-78% Double Kick 4x43-52% | ||
 Growlithe Fire | C | |
 Hitmonlee Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Hitmonlee builds →Brick Break 4x217-257%KO Blaze Kick 2x81-95% | ||
Pancham Fighting | D | |
 Stunfisk GroundElectric | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Stunfisk builds →Revenge 4x75-89% Mud Shot 2x84-100%KO | ||
Machop Fighting | C | |
 Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
 Sawk Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Sawk builds →Brick Break 4x229-270%KO Dig 2x82-97% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Hitmonlee builds →Close Combat 4x349-411%KO Blaze Kick 2x83-99% | ||
 Bewear NormalFighting | C | |
 Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Pangoro builds →Vital Throw 4x211-249%KO Dig 2x80-94% | ||
 Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Sawk Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Sawk builds →Brick Break 4x235-277%KO Dig 2x82-97% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Hitmonlee builds →Close Combat 4x356-419%KO Blaze Kick 2x84-99% | ||
Bewear NormalFighting | C | |
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Pangoro builds →Vital Throw 4x219-258%KO Dig 2x82-97% | ||
 Passimian Fighting | C | |
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Passimian builds →Brick Break 4x215-253%KO Bulldoze 2x58-69% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Pangoro builds →Brick Break 4x225-265%KO Dig 2x79-94% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Gallade builds →Brick Break 4x225-265%KO Bulldoze 2x60-71% | ||
Sawk Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Sawk builds →Brick Break 4x225-265%KO Dig 2x79-94% | ||
Hitmonlee Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Hitmonlee builds →Close Combat 4x344-406%KO Blaze Kick 2x81-96% Bulldoze 2x58-69% | ||
 Hitmonchan Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Hitmonchan builds →Focus Punch 4x386-454%KO Fire Punch 2x64-77% Bulldoze 2x52-62% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Passimian builds →Brick Break 4x219-258%KO Bulldoze 2x58-69% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Pangoro builds →Brick Break 4x223-264%KO Dig 2x79-93% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Gallade builds →Brick Break 4x223-264%KO Bulldoze 2x60-71% | ||
Sawk Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Sawk builds →Brick Break 4x223-264%KO Dig 2x79-93% | ||
 Hawlucha Fighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Hawlucha builds →High Jump Kick 4x303-357%KO Dig 2x63-74% | ||
Hitmonchan Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Hitmonchan builds →Focus Punch 4x386-455%KO Fire Punch 2x66-78% Bulldoze 2x53-62% | ||
 Timburr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Timburr builds →Focus Punch 4x312-367%KO Dig 2x57-67% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Passimian builds →Brick Break 4x220-259%KO Bulldoze 2x59-71% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Pangoro builds →Brick Break 4x224-264%KO Dig 2x80-95% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Passimian builds →Close Combat 4x354-417%KO Bulldoze 2x60-71% | ||
 Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Gurdurr builds →Focus Punch 4x395-465%KO Dig 2x70-83% Fire Punch 2x66-78% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Gallade builds →Close Combat 4x366-432%KO Fire Punch 2x76-90% Bulldoze 2x62-73% | ||
 Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Heracross builds →Close Combat 4x366-432%KO Dig 2x82-96% | ||
Sawk Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Sawk builds →Close Combat 4x366-432%KO Dig 2x82-96% Fire Punch 2x76-90% | ||
 Poliwrath WaterFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Poliwrath builds →Close Combat 4x292-344%KO Earthquake 2x80-95% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Passimian builds →Close Combat 4x354-417%KO Earthquake 2x98-116%KO | ||
Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Gurdurr builds →Focus Punch 4x395-465%KO Dig 2x70-83% Fire Punch 2x66-78% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Gallade builds →Close Combat 4x366-432%KO Earthquake 2x102-121%KO Fire Punch 2x76-90% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Heracross builds →Close Combat 4x366-432%KO Earthquake 2x102-121%KO | ||
Poliwrath WaterFighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Poliwrath builds →Close Combat 4x292-344%KO Earthquake 2x80-95% | ||
Passimian Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Passimian builds →Close Combat 4x354-417%KO Earthquake 2x98-116%KO | ||
Gurdurr Fighting | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Gurdurr builds →Focus Punch 4x395-465%KO Dig 2x70-83% Fire Punch 2x66-78% | ||
Gallade PsychicFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Gallade builds →Close Combat 4x366-432%KO Earthquake 2x102-121%KO Fire Punch 2x76-90% | ||
Heracross BugFighting | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Heracross builds →Close Combat 4x366-432%KO Earthquake 2x102-121%KO | ||
In Sword & Shield, Garchomp can KO Pawniard with Earthquake (128-151%). Cinderace threatens a KO with High Jump Kick (203-239%). Machamp's Close Combat also KOs at 335-395%.
 Garchomp DragonGround | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityRough Skin ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Garchomp builds →Earthquake 2x128-151%KO | ||
 Cinderace Fire | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityLibero ItemHeavy-Duty Boots NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Cinderace builds →Sucker Punch13-16% High Jump Kick 4x203-239%KO U Turn27-32% | ||
 Machamp Fighting | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityGuts ItemFlame Orb NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Pawniard View Machamp builds →Bullet Punch10-11% Knock Off15-18% Close Combat 4x335-395%KO | ||
Pawniard Evolutions
Pawniard evolves into Bisharp. It's a two-stage chain with the method shown below. Plenty of partners for breeding via one egg group. Eggs are average hatch time. Evolving adds up to 150 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Pawniard easily with 52 breeding partners from the Humanshape egg group. Pass egg moves like Headbutt, Mean Look, Quick Guard and 1 more to offspring.
SwSh Pawniard Best Moveset
Pre-evo with AbilityDefiant raising Attack +2 whenever a stat drops, punishing AbilityIntimidate switches hard. Dark/Steel typing and 85 Attack at 60 Speed give some offensive identity. The moveset previews Bisharp's S-tier Defiant game but can't compete at this level.
Best Build
Pawniard best EVs are Attack and Speed
Physical Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Iron Head
- Sucker Punch
- Knock Off
- Swords Dance
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Breeding opens up real options for Pawniard. Headbutt and Mean Look come exclusively from egg moves, and they're worth the effort. The rest of the kit covers basics through Foul Play and Iron Head and coverage across 9 types.
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
It uses river stones to maintain the cutting edges of the blades covering its body. These sharpened blades allow it to bring down opponents.
A pack of these Pokémon forms to serve a Bisharp boss. Each Pawniard trains diligently, dreaming of one day taking the lead.
Pawniard Sword & Shield Guide
In Sword & Shield, Pawniard does the job early-game if you need a Dark/Steel type on your team. Evolve it into Bisharp before the later gyms and it holds up fine through the story.
Game Availability
Introduced in Black & White, Pawniard has appeared in 8 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