Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Crimson Desert
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Don't miss these
Tatora, the Pokemon Champions ranked battle NPC, smiles.
Pokemon All Pokemon Champions ranks
Incineroar gets ready for battle in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon The best Pokemon in Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Gold and Silver
Pokemon The best Pokemon games, ranked from worst to best
A screenshot from the Pokemon Pokopia trailer shows Ditto transformed into a human.
Pokemon 13 things I wish I knew before starting Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia screenshot showing Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle all gathered around a Ditto in human form between two green trees
Pokemon The ultimate Pokemon Pokopia guide for restoring the world around you
Pokemon Champion Caraway winks to the camera in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon Pokemon Champions Mystery Gift codes (April 2026)
Key art for Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Pokemon Champions: Everything you need to know about the Nintendo game
Pokemon Pokopia screenshot
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia review: "A brilliantly bizarre blend of Pokemon and Animal Crossing"
Posing with Altaria in Pokemon Pokopia with Ditto wearing a Team Rocket costume
Pokemon How to get new outfits and hairstyles in Pokemon Pokopia
A night time scenic view in Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon How to level up environments in Pokemon Pokopia
A screenshot of Kitt in Pokemon Champions, standing in front of two Tauros.
Pokemon Pokemon Champions patches out strategies players have been using for years, but at least Freeze has finally been nerfed
A trainer looking out at the ocean during the trailer for Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves: Everything we know about the next Pokemon game so far
Greninja and Sylveon fight in Pokemon Champions
Pokemon I made a competitive team in minutes in Pokemon Champions – this could open the door for newcomers
Pokemon Pikachu
Adventure Games The 10 best games like Pokemon for the discerning trainer
Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon All Pokemon in Winds and Waves confimed so far
  1. Games
  2. Adventure
  3. Pokemon
  4. Pokemon Sword and Shield

Pokemon Sword and Shield starters and what their evolutions are

Guides
By Sam Loveridge published 12 April 2022

What do Sobble, Grookey and Scorbunny evolve into in Pokemon Sword and Shield?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Knowing about the Pokemon Sword and Shield starter choices and their evolutions is really important as, despite the fact that they're all adorable, you can only choose one starter. Don't fret though, budding Galarian trainer, as we're here to help. Although you could argue that there technically is no 'best' starter Pokemon as they're all wonderful, knowing how they might turn out after a couple of evolutions might affect who you choose, and its important to think about their stats and not just about how cool they'll look either.

But first, a brief rundown of the three Pokemon Sword and Shield starters, their type and the official description straight from Champion Leon who actually offers you your very first Pokemon in the new games, and the pros and cons of choosing each.

Grookey

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Type: Grass

Article continues below
You may like
  • A Gigantamax Machamp appears - from Pokemon Sword and Shield's entry in The Story of Pokemon bookazine These five Pokemon Sword and Shield features made huge changes, taking the RPG series from handheld to the big screen
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves starter the blue lizard Gecqua Pokemon Winds and Waves trailer gives us our first glimpse at the new starter Pokemon
  • Pombon in Pokemon Winds and Waves. As Pokemon Winds and Waves' Pombon quickly racks up fans, everyone hopes the fiery Pomeranian can avoid a starter curse

Best nature for Grookey: Adamant

Official description: "It's soothing - like a nice, long walk in the woods."

Grookey is all about using his stick to beat the music into and pulp out of his foes, adorably of course. But, it's worth considering that the first Gym Challenge is leader Milo in Tuffield, and he's also a Grass Type user. So you'll need to arm yourself with a Fire, Flying, Ice, Poison, and Bug Type Pokemon alongside Grookey, as your Grass Type starter isn't going to make waves in this gym. 

However, the second Gym Challenge is against the Water Gym Leader Nessa, who you can use Grookey to take down single-handedly.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Scorbunny

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Type: Fire

Best nature for Scorbunny: Jolly

Official description: "It's filled to bursting with fiery passion!"

You may like
  • A Gigantamax Machamp appears - from Pokemon Sword and Shield's entry in The Story of Pokemon bookazine These five Pokemon Sword and Shield features made huge changes, taking the RPG series from handheld to the big screen
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves starter the blue lizard Gecqua Pokemon Winds and Waves trailer gives us our first glimpse at the new starter Pokemon
  • Pombon in Pokemon Winds and Waves. As Pokemon Winds and Waves' Pombon quickly racks up fans, everyone hopes the fiery Pomeranian can avoid a starter curse

Scorbunny is focused on highlighting us Brits' love of sports, and is wanting to be active all the time. Because it's a Fire Type though, it's actually a great Pokemon Sword and Shield starter to choose because your first gym is the Grass Type, which Scorbunny will be super effective against. Not so much for Nessa and the Water Type Gym though, which is the second on your Challenge list, but as long as you have a good Grass or Electric Type Pokemon in your party, you'll be golden. 

Sobble

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Type: Water

Best nature for Sobble: Timid

Official description: "It adapts to anything, as surely as water flows."

Seemingly in keeping with its personality, Sobble's actually going to be the one that struggles in the first two hurdles in your Gym Challenge. It's not until the third gym - Kabu's Fire Type Gym in Motostoke - that it'll really be an asset to your party. However, because it can learn moves from other Types, Sobble is still a fantastic Pokemon Sword and Shield starter. 

Pokemon Sword and Shield starter evolutions

The other big consideration when picking your very first Galarian friend is the Pokemon Sword and Shield starter evolutions. Here's what Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble evolve into aka their final evolutions:

Pokemon Sword and Shield Grookey evolutions

(Image credit: Nintendo)

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Pokemon Sword and Shield Scorbunny evolutions

(Image credit: Nintendo)

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Pokemon Sword and Shield Sobble evolutions

(Image credit: Nintendo)

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Pokemon Sword and Shield review | Pokemon Sword and Shield walkthrough | Pokemon Sword and Shield tips | Pokemon Sword and Shield differences | Pokemon Sword and Shield Pokedex | Pokemon Sword and Shield starters | Pokemon Sword and Shield Currydex | Pokemon Sword and Shield gym leaders | Pokemon Sword and Shield camping | Pokemon Sword and Shield fossils | Best Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield | Pokemon Sword and Shield type chart | Pokemon Sword and Shield Poke Jobs | Pokemon Sword and Shield Battle Tower | Pokemon Sword and Shield glowing Pokemon | Pokemon Sword and Shield Mystery Gift codes | Gigantamax Pokemon | Pokemon Sword and Shield TM locations | Pokemon Sword and Shield legendaries | Pokemon Sword and Shield shiny hunting | Pokemon Sword and Shield evolution items | Pokemon Sword and Shield rare Pokemon

CATEGORIES
Nintendo Switch Platforms Nintendo
Sam Loveridge
Sam Loveridge
Social Links Navigation
Brand Director, GamesRadar+

Sam Loveridge is the Brand Director and former Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar. She joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for a decade, and for GamesRadar, she's in charge of the site's overall direction, managing the team, and making sure it's the best it can be. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. She plays across all platforms, and specializes in titles like Pokemon, Assassin's Creed, The Sims, and more. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles! In her spare time, Sam likes to live like Stardew Valley by cooking and baking, growing vegetables, and enjoying life in the countryside.

Read more
A Gigantamax Machamp appears - from Pokemon Sword and Shield's entry in The Story of Pokemon bookazine
Pokemon These five Pokemon Sword and Shield features made huge changes, taking the RPG series from handheld to the big screen
 
 
Pokemon Winds and Waves starter the blue lizard Gecqua
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves trailer gives us our first glimpse at the new starter Pokemon
 
 
Pombon in Pokemon Winds and Waves.
Pokemon As Pokemon Winds and Waves' Pombon quickly racks up fans, everyone hopes the fiery Pomeranian can avoid a starter curse
 
 
Pokemon Winds and Waves starters
Pokemon All Gen 10 starters in Pokemon Winds and Waves
 
 
Incineroar gets ready for battle in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon The best Pokemon in Pokemon Champions
 
 
The player takes a selfie - from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's entry in The Story of Pokemon bookazine
Pokemon These five Pokemon Sword and Shield features helped to open up this RPG series forever, ushering in a new era
 
 
Latest in Pokemon
Lugia in Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness
Pokemon Nasty Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness Switch 2 bug that was costing players progress has been fixed
 
 
A female, pink-haired Pokemon trainer stands victorious after a battle in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon I spent 12 hours making a Pokemon Champions team that's caused so many forfeits I almost feel bad
 
 
A pink-haired player punches the air in victory in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon Does Pokemon Champions require NSO?
 
 
Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Pokemon Champions matches end in draws when the timer runs out, and no one can decide if that's a good thing
 
 
Incineroar gets ready for battle in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon The best Pokemon in Pokemon Champions
 
 
Tatora, the Pokemon Champions ranked battle NPC, smiles.
Pokemon All Pokemon Champions ranks
 
 
Latest in Guides
Helldivers 2 Exo Experts Warbond helldivers standing between lumberer and breakthrough mechs while firing Gallant SMG
Third Person Shooters Helldivers 2 Exo Experts Warbond release date and all items
 
 
Arc Raiders Riven tides
Third Person Shooters Everything we know about the Arc Raiders Riven Tides update
 
 
Fifteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest in Windrose
Survival Games How to complete Fifteen men on a Dead Man’s chest mission in Windrose
 
 
Pragmata Lunatic difficulty option on main menu featuring Hugh and Diana
Action Games How to unlock Lunatic difficulty in Pragmata
 
 
Pragmata New Game+ Hugh walking into shelter as it boots up
Action Games How New Game+ in Pragmata works
 
 
A red-haired woman with red eyes in the Roblox game Elementalism.
RPGs All Elementalism codes (April 2026) codes for free Aureus
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Pirkštejn Castle in Kingdom Come: Deliverance
    1
    Kingdom Come: Deliverance devs donating $1 of each copy sold on Steam this week to a real-life castle
  2. 2
    "My board games are naturally nonconfrontational." Wingspan designer talks about her latest board game, Sanibel
  3. 3
    The price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is falling, and all it cost was day one access to new Call of Duty games
  4. 4
    The 10 best story-driven RPGs to play in 2026
  5. 5
    The 6 best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and more (April 21–April 26)

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...