Is Sinistea Good in Sword & Shield Playthrough?
Sinistea spawns in Glimwood Tangle. Ghost type evolving into Polteageist via Cracked Pot or Chipped Pot depending on authenticity. AbilityWeak Armor trades Defense for Speed when hit. Polteageist's 134 Special Attack with Shell Smash is devastating. Worth the Glimwood detour.
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 Sinistea in Sword & Shield
decent spawn rates for Sinistea across 44 locations in late-game routes. Nothing complicated. Check the sorted list below, compare the top few options, and head to whichever is closest.
Where To Catch Sinistea in SwSh
The path to Sinistea starts with Sinistea at Lv. 34-65 via walking encounters. 1 catchable stage total, with locations listed for each one below.
Step 1Sinistea ✓Glimwood 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 2Evolve into PolteageistBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Pokemon Day Care to receive a Polteageist egg.
Sinistea Weakness
Type-wise, Sinistea takes extra damage from Ghost and Dark. Normal and Fighting moves do nothing thanks to a full immunity.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Ghost, Dark |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Poison, Bug |
| 0x (Immune) | Normal, Fighting |
What is Sinistea Weak Against
ExcellentBest Pokemon Against Sinistea
 Golett GroundGhost | D | |
 Stunky PoisonDark | C | |
 Nuzleaf GrassDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Nuzleaf builds →Payback 2x73-87% Astonish 2x33-38% | ||
 Drifloon Ghost | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Drifloon builds →Shadow Ball 2x92-110%KO Brutal Swing 2x44-54% | ||
 Nickit Dark | D | |
 Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Obstagoon builds →Night Slash 2x116-138%KO Lick 2x35-42% | ||
 Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
 Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Mimikyu builds →Phantom Force 2x149-176%KO Payback 2x55-66% | ||
 Weavile DarkIce | A | |
 Liepard Dark | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Liepard builds →Sucker Punch 2x113-134%KO | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Obstagoon builds →Night Slash 2x119-140%KO Lick 2x36-42% | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Mimikyu builds →Phantom Force 2x152-180%KO Payback 2x57-67% | ||
Weavile DarkIce | A | |
Liepard Dark | C | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Liepard builds →Sucker Punch 2x116-137%KO | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Obstagoon builds →Night Slash 2x114-135%KO Lick 2x35-41% | ||
 Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Grimmsnarl builds →False Surrender 2x163-193%KO | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Mimikyu builds →Phantom Force 2x145-171%KO Payback 2x55-65% | ||
 Crawdaunt WaterDark | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Crawdaunt builds →Night Slash 2x145-171%KO | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Obstagoon builds →Night Slash 2x115-135%KO Lick 2x34-41% | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Grimmsnarl builds →False Surrender 2x165-194%KO | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Mimikyu GhostFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Mimikyu builds →Phantom Force 2x147-174%KO Payback 2x55-65% | ||
Crawdaunt WaterDark | B | |
Available Move Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Crawdaunt builds →Night Slash 2x144-171%KO | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Obstagoon builds →Night Slash 2x117-138%KO Shadow Claw 2x77-92% | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Grimmsnarl builds →False Surrender 2x169-200%KO Shadow Claw 2x99-117%KO | ||
Pangoro FightingDark | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Pangoro builds →Crunch 2x172-203%KO Shadow Claw 2x101-119%KO | ||
Crawdaunt WaterDark | B | |
 Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball 2x177-208%KO Payback 2x40-47% | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Obstagoon builds →Throat Chop 2x134-159%KO Shadow Claw 2x79-93% | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball 2x176-208%KO Thief 2x46-55% | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Grimmsnarl builds →Foul Play 2x204-241%KO Shadow Claw 2x101-118%KO | ||
 Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Krookodile builds →Foul Play 2x199-235%KO Shadow Claw 2x98-116%KO | ||
 Dragapult DragonGhost | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Dragapult builds →Phantom Force 2x193-227%KO Sucker Punch 2x101-118%KO | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Obstagoon builds →Throat Chop 2x134-159%KO Shadow Claw 2x79-93% | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball 2x176-208%KO Dark Pulse 2x118-139%KO | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Grimmsnarl builds →Foul Play 2x204-241%KO Shadow Claw 2x101-118%KO | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Krookodile builds →Foul Play 2x199-235%KO Shadow Claw 2x98-116%KO | ||
Dragapult DragonGhost | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Dragapult builds →Phantom Force 2x193-227%KO Sucker Punch 2x101-118%KO | ||
Obstagoon DarkNormal | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Obstagoon builds →Throat Chop 2x134-159%KO Shadow Claw 2x79-93% | ||
Chandelure GhostFire | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Chandelure builds →Shadow Ball 2x176-208%KO Dark Pulse 2x118-139%KO | ||
Grimmsnarl DarkFairy | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Grimmsnarl builds →Foul Play 2x204-241%KO Shadow Claw 2x101-118%KO | ||
Krookodile GroundDark | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Krookodile builds →Foul Play 2x199-235%KO Shadow Claw 2x98-116%KO | ||
Dragapult DragonGhost | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Dragapult builds →Phantom Force 2x193-227%KO Sucker Punch 2x101-118%KO | ||
In Sword & Shield, Dragapult can KO Sinistea with Shadow Ball (241-284%). Hydreigon threatens a KO with Dark Pulse (281-331%).
Dragapult DragonGhost | S | |
Recommended Build AbilityInfiltrator ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Dragapult builds →Draco Meteor195-230%KO U Turn22-26% Shadow Ball 2x241-284%KO Flamethrower90-106%KO | ||
 Hydreigon DarkDragon | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityLevitate ItemChoice Specs NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Sinistea View Hydreigon builds →Dark Pulse 2x281-331%KO Draco Meteor228-268%KO Flamethrower105-124%KO | ||
Sinistea Evolutions
To get Polteageist from Sinistea, you need an evolution item. The evolution method matters here. Evolving adds up to 200 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Sinistea is genderless and can only breed with Ditto. Part of the Indeterminate and Mineral egg groups.
Ditto onlySwSh Sinistea Best Moveset
Ghost pre-evo with 74 Sp. Atk and AbilityCursed Body from the hidden slot occasionally disabling moves. The moveset is non-competitive at this level. Evolve into Polteageist for 134 Sp. Atk and MoveShell Smash access at B-tier.
Best Build
Sinistea best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed
Special Setup Sweeper Moveset
- Substitute
- Stored Power
- Nasty Plot
- Baton Pass
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
Most of Sinistea's flexibility comes from TMs. Same-type output runs through Poltergeist and Phantom Force, but Grass and Dark and the rest of the TM pool push it from predictable to genuinely threatening.
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 Pokémon is said to have been born when a lonely spirit possessed a cold, leftover cup of tea.
The teacup in which this Pokémon makes its home is a famous piece of antique tableware. Many forgeries are in circulation.
Sinistea Sword & Shield Guide
In Sword & Shield, For a casual playthrough, Sinistea works as a placeholder. Ghost coverage is useful early. The real payoff is Polteageist. That's where the stats start mattering.
Game Availability
Since Sword & Shield, Sinistea has been obtainable in 2 games. A Generation 8 debut means a shorter history, but Sinistea has appeared steadily across every generation since.
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