Is Polteageist Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?
Polteageist with Shell Smash and 134 Special Attack is one of the most explosive setup Pokemon in Galar. One boost and it outspeeds and KOs nearly everything. AbilityCursed Body occasionally disables moves. Ghost handles Allister (Shield) and Bea (Sword, immunity). Fragile without the boost. Devastating with it.
Sinistea trades roughly evenly with Milo's team.
Sinistea has the type edge here and should clean up Nessa's team.
Sinistea trades roughly evenly with Kabu's team.
Bea's team hits Sinistea's weaknesses hard.
Polteageist trades roughly evenly with Opal's team.
Polteageist has the type edge here and should clean up Gordie's team.
Piers's team hits Polteageist's weaknesses hard.
Polteageist trades roughly evenly with Raihan's team.
Polteageist has the type edge here and should clean up Bede's team.
Polteageist has the type edge here and should clean up Leon's team.
Catch Sinistea on Glimwood Tangle (walking, Lv 34-36). All Weather.
You can pick up the Cracked Pot in Giant's Bed. 1 other location is also available.
How to Get Polteageist in Sword & Shield
Can't catch Polteageist directly. Start with Sinistea at decent rates from the locations below, then evolve through a special method. The 2-stage line from Sinistea to Polteageist is where the leveling time goes.
How to Obtain Polteageist in SwSh
Sinistea is your first catch on the way to Polteageist. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 34-65 across 44 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Catch SinisteaGlimwood TangleLv.34-36GrassRate 10%All WeatherGlimwood TangleLv.34-36OverworldShieldRate 10%OvercastGlimwood TangleLv.34-36OverworldShieldRate 10%SandstormGlimwood TangleLv.34-36OverworldShieldRate 10%ThunderstormGlimwood TangleLv.34-36OverworldShieldRate 10%Normal WeatherGlimwood TangleLv.34-36OverworldShieldRate 10%RainingGlimwood TangleLv.34-36OverworldShieldRate 10%Intense SunGlimwood TangleLv.34-36OverworldSwordRate 10%All WeatherGlimwood TangleLv.34-36OverworldShieldRate 10%SnowstormGlimwood TangleLv.34-37OverworldShieldRate 10%Heavy FogGlimwood TangleLv.34-36OverworldShieldRate 10%SnowingOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 21%SnowstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 21%Heavy FogOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 20%Normal WeatherOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%Normal WeatherOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%OvercastOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%RainingOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%SnowingOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%ThunderstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65OverworldRate 20%Intense SunOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 18%Heavy FogOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 18%Intense SunOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 18%RainingOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 18%SnowstormOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 18%OvercastOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 18%SnowingOld CemeteryLv.60-65GrassRate 14%Thunderstorm
Step 2Polteageist ✓BREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Polteageist egg.
Polteageist Weakness
Polteageist's Ghost typing leaves it vulnerable to Ghost and Dark. It shrugs off Normal and Fighting-type attacks completely. Polteageist's special bulk (base 114 Sp.Def) helps absorb special-type weaknesses, though physical moves exploit the lower Defense.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Fighting |
What is Polteageist Weak Against
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Polteageist
 Golett GroundGhost | D | |
 Stunky PoisonDark | C | |
 Nuzleaf GrassDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Nuzleaf builds →Payback 2x50-60% Astonish 2x22-27% | ||
 Drifloon Ghost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Drifloon builds →Shadow Ball 2x50-60% Brutal Swing 2x33-40% | ||
 Nickit Dark | D | |
 Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Obstagoon builds →Night Slash 2x76-90% Lick 2x23-28% | ||
 Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
 Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Mimikyu builds →Phantom Force 2x99-117%KO Payback 2x37-44% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
 Liepard Dark | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Liepard builds →Sucker Punch 2x76-90% | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Obstagoon builds →Night Slash 2x77-91% Lick 2x24-29% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Mimikyu builds →Phantom Force 2x99-117%KO Payback 2x37-44% | ||
Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Liepard Dark | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Liepard builds →Sucker Punch 2x75-89% | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Obstagoon builds →Night Slash 2x75-89% Lick 2x22-26% | ||
 Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Grimmsnarl builds →False Surrender 2x108-128%KO | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Mimikyu builds →Phantom Force 2x95-112%KO Payback 2x37-43% | ||
 Crawdaunt WaterDark | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Crawdaunt builds →Night Slash 2x95-112%KO | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Obstagoon builds →Night Slash 2x76-90% Lick 2x23-27% | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Grimmsnarl builds →False Surrender 2x110-130%KO | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Mimikyu builds →Phantom Force 2x98-115%KO Payback 2x37-43% | ||
Crawdaunt WaterDark | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Crawdaunt builds →Night Slash 2x95-113%KO | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Obstagoon builds →Night Slash 2x78-92% Shadow Claw 2x52-62% | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Grimmsnarl builds →False Surrender 2x112-132%KO Shadow Claw 2x65-77% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Pangoro builds →Crunch 2x113-134%KO Shadow Claw 2x66-78% | ||
Crawdaunt WaterDark | B | |
Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Mimikyu builds →Phantom Force 2x98-115%KO Payback 2x38-45% | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Obstagoon builds →Throat Chop 2x88-104%KO Shadow Claw 2x51-61% | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Grimmsnarl builds →Foul Play 2x132-156%KO Shadow Claw 2x65-77% | ||
 Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball 2x84-99% Thief 2x30-36% | ||
 Dragapult DragonGhost | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Dragapult builds →Phantom Force 2x125-148%KO Sucker Punch 2x65-77% | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Krookodile builds →Foul Play 2x129-152%KO Shadow Claw 2x64-76% | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Obstagoon builds →Throat Chop 2x88-104%KO Shadow Claw 2x51-61% | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Grimmsnarl builds →Foul Play 2x132-156%KO Shadow Claw 2x65-77% | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball 2x84-99% Dark Pulse 2x56-66% | ||
Dragapult DragonGhost | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Dragapult builds →Phantom Force 2x125-148%KO Sucker Punch 2x65-77% | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Krookodile builds →Foul Play 2x129-152%KO Shadow Claw 2x64-76% | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Obstagoon builds →Throat Chop 2x88-104%KO Shadow Claw 2x51-61% | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Grimmsnarl builds →Foul Play 2x132-156%KO Shadow Claw 2x65-77% | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball 2x84-99% Dark Pulse 2x56-66% | ||
Dragapult DragonGhost | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Dragapult builds →Phantom Force 2x125-148%KO Sucker Punch 2x65-77% | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Krookodile builds →Foul Play 2x129-152%KO Shadow Claw 2x64-76% | ||
In Sword & Shield, Tyranitar threatens a KO with Crunch (240-283%). Gengar's Shadow Ball also KOs at 91-107%.
A | ||
Recommended Build AbilityRegenerator ItemBlack Sludge NatureBold Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Toxapex builds →Scald12-15% Knock Off 2x32-38% | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySand Stream ItemChoice Band NatureAdamant Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Tyranitar builds →Crunch 2x240-283%KO Stone Edge150-176%KO Earthquake100-118%KO | ||
 Gengar GhostPoison | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityCursedbody ItemChoice Scarf NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Polteageist View Gengar builds →Shadow Ball 2x91-107%KO Sludge Bomb25-30% Giga Drain28-33% | ||
Polteageist Evolutions
Polteageist doesn't evolve through normal leveling. You'll need an evolution item to get here from Sinistea's line. Breed this form to get Sinistea eggs (average hatch time). Evolving from Sinistea gave Polteageist the biggest boost in Sp.Atk (+60), bringing the total to 508 stats. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Polteageist is genderless — breed with Ditto to produce Sinistea eggs. Part of the Indeterminate and Mineral egg groups.
Ditto onlySwSh Polteageist Best Moveset
MoveShell Smash boosts +2 Attack, Sp. Atk, and Speed in one turn, and 134 Sp. Atk after the boost is devastating with Ghost TermStab. AbilityWeak Armor from the primary slot adds more Speed when hit physically. The moveset sets up into an extremely fast special cannon. B-tier because one hit after setup and the fragile 60/65/65 defenses end it.
Best Build
Polteageist best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Sweeper Moveset
- Shadow Ball
- Shell Smash
- Giga Drain
- Stored Power
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Without TMs, Polteageist's movepool is bare bones. With them, you get Grass and Dark coverage and more on top of Poltergeist and Phantom Force for STAB. The natural kit handles basics, but TMs are doing the real work.
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
This species lives in antique teapots. Most pots are forgeries, but on rare occasions, an authentic work is found.
Leaving leftover black tea unattended is asking for this Pokémon to come along and pour itself into it, turning the tea into a new Polteageist.
Polteageist Sword & Shield Guide
In Sword & Shield, Polteageist has a 508 base stat total and ranks as B-Tier: a solid option in Sword & Shield for the right team. It works best as a wallbreaker. Shadow Ball with Focus Sash is the standard set.
In Sword & Shield, watch for Chandelure (Ghost) and Hydreigon (Dark) when using Polteageist. They all hit it super-effectively with STAB. Only 2 weaknesses means fewer dedicated counters to worry about.
Weak Armor raises Speed and lowers Defense by one stage each upon being hit by a physical move. That's the one you want on Polteageist. Cursed Body is the hidden ability. Niche, but it has its uses.
In Sword & Shield, Polteageist fills the wallbreaker role. It's a special attacker with base 134 Sp. Atk. Base 70 Speed is workable. Faster than some, slower than many. And it's enough bulk to take a hit or two.
In Sword & Shield, run Shadow Ball, Shellsmash, Giga Drain, and Storedpower on Polteageist. Shadow Ball is the most common pick at 0% usage. This set covers the wallbreaker role with a mix of damage and utility.
Game Availability
Introduced in Sword & Shield, Polteageist has appeared in 2 games across 3 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 5BW
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 8SwShDebut
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