Pokemon Sword and Shield camping: Tips and tricks for getting the most out of camping

Camping in the new Pokemon Sword and Shield Wild Area allows you to use a tent to establish a home away from home for all your Pokemon needs. If you want to build a Pokemon team that's totally in sync with you, then you're going to need to embrace outdoor living. Not only do you get an adorable little tent to visit and invite your friends too, but it also acts as a place where you can build a bond with your Pokemon and make yourself (and them) some curry - there's a Pokemon Sword and Shield currydex to fill up and everything. Before you start pitching your tent and getting the camping stove out, here are some Pokemon Sword and Shield camping tips that you should know.

What's the point of Pokemon Sword and Shield camping?

There are a couple of main reasons to pop up a tent and start camping in Pokemon Sword and Shield. The first is to make curry that'll feed you and your Pokemon. Not only will the recipes you unlock by combining key ingredients and berries, but with every curry you make you'll revive fainted Pokemon, restore their HP and make them friendlier towards you. Money is quite scarce in Sword and Shield - especially if you want to really partake in all the glorious character customisation - so camping is a cheap way to get your party back in action without having to fork out for revives and potions.

You can also use toys to forge stronger relationships with your Pokemon, and the more you play with them the higher the XP boost they'll get when you leave the camp - and I'm talking thousands for a few minutes of focused interaction. It's a great way to boost your Pokemon's level without having to battle grind.

How to make a good curry

With that in mind, you'll now want to know how to make a good curry right? After all, no-one wants to eat a sub-par, burnt dinner. Not even your Pokemon. So a few little tips for making a really tasty curry:

How to unlock new toys

Are your Pokemon bored of that feather on a stick and same old ball? Well, you can actually unlock a range of new toys that will have other effects on your Pokemon. You'll need to speak to the Camping King in East Lake Axewell, just on the left of the main steps down from Motostoke into the Wild Area. For every five curry recipes you unlock, he'll give you a new toy for your Pokemon. For example, after discovering 15 curry recipes, he'll give you a Soothe Ball, which is very similar to the held item Soothe Bell in that it'll calm your Pokemon, getting them ready for the next battle.

How to change your tent colour

If you want to really show off to your fellow trainers, you could also change the colour of your tent. To do so, just pay a visit to the Camping King in East Lake Axewell, who'll change your tent's colour scheme to match the Type of the first Pokemon in your party.

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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.