Can You Obtain Both Solgaleo and Lunala in Pokémon Sword? The Ultimate Guide

The short answer is: No, you cannot directly catch or obtain both Solgaleo and Lunala in Pokémon Sword through normal gameplay. However, there is a way to get either of these legendary Pokémon into your Sword game. Let’s dive into how, and explore the nuances of obtaining these powerful creatures.

How to Get Solgaleo or Lunala in Pokémon Sword

The key to acquiring either Solgaleo or Lunala in Pokémon Sword hinges on the Crown Tundra DLC, specifically the Dynamax Adventures feature.

Within Dynamax Adventures, you team up with other trainers (either online or AI-controlled) to battle through a series of Dynamax Pokémon dens. At the end of these adventures, you have a chance to battle a Legendary Pokémon. The Legendary Pokémon available in Dynamax Adventures rotate, and include Solgaleo, Lunala, and many others.

Here’s the catch: You won’t find Solgaleo and Lunala in the same Dynamax Adventure pool. To encounter either of them, you need to talk to Peonia in the Max Lair. She offers clues about the location of Legendary Pokémon, and sometimes, she’ll give you a lead on Solgaleo or Lunala. The Pokémon she offers changes depending on the save file.

Once you’ve received a clue from Peonia about Solgaleo or Lunala, you can then attempt a Dynamax Adventure targeting that specific Legendary.

Important Note: You can only catch each Legendary Pokémon once per save file in Dynamax Adventures. So, if you catch Solgaleo, you can’t catch another one on that same save.

The Necrozma Connection

While you can’t get both Solgaleo and Lunala naturally in Sword, it’s worth noting their connection to Necrozma. In the original Sun and Moon games, Necrozma could fuse with either Solgaleo or Lunala to become Dusk Mane Necrozma or Dawn Wings Necrozma, respectively. Unfortunately, Necrozma cannot fuse with Solgaleo or Lunala in Sword and Shield. If you transfer a Necrozma, Solgaleo, and Lunala to Pokémon HOME, they remain separate entities.

Understanding Dynamax Adventures

Dynamax Adventures are core to acquiring many Legendary Pokémon in Sword and Shield. Understanding their mechanics is crucial.

• Rental Pokémon: You start each Dynamax Adventure with a rental Pokémon. This means you won’t be using your own team initially.
• Path Choices: After each Dynamax Pokémon battle, you get to choose which path to take to the next den, influencing the type of Pokémon you’ll encounter next.
• Pokémon Swapping: If you defeat a Dynamax Pokémon and prefer it to your current rental Pokémon, you can swap them. Choose wisely!
• Shared Lives: The team shares a limited number of “lives.” If all Pokémon faint during a battle, you lose a life. Losing all lives ends the adventure.
• Shiny Hunting: Dynamax Adventures offer boosted shiny odds for Legendary Pokémon, making them a popular method for shiny hunting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Solgaleo, Lunala, and Pokémon Sword

1. Can I trade for Solgaleo or Lunala if I don’t have the Crown Tundra DLC?

No, you need the Crown Tundra DLC to access Dynamax Adventures, which are the primary method for obtaining Solgaleo or Lunala in Pokémon Sword. Without the DLC, you’re out of luck.

2. What are the shiny odds in Dynamax Adventures?

The shiny odds in Dynamax Adventures are significantly boosted to 1 in 300 without the Shiny Charm and 1 in 100 with the Shiny Charm. This makes it one of the best methods for shiny hunting Legendary Pokémon.

3. Can I transfer Solgaleo and Lunala from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Sword?

No, you cannot directly transfer Solgaleo and Lunala from Pokémon GO to Pokémon Sword. You would need to transfer them from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME and then transfer them from Pokémon HOME to Sword and Shield. The only exception to this is if you transfer them from other Pokémon games to Pokémon HOME and then to Sword and Shield.

4. Do Solgaleo and Lunala have Gigantamax forms in Pokémon Sword?

No, Solgaleo and Lunala do not have Gigantamax forms in Pokémon Sword and Shield. They can Dynamax, but they don’t have unique Gigantamax forms.

5. What is the best nature for Solgaleo?

A good nature for Solgaleo depends on how you want to use it. Adamant (Attack Up, Special Attack Down) boosts its physical attack, while Jolly (Speed Up, Special Attack Down) boosts its speed. A Careful nature can also be beneficial, increasing Special Defense.

6. What is the best nature for Lunala?

For Lunala, Timid (Speed Up, Attack Down) is often preferred, as it boosts its already high speed and reduces its less important attack stat. Modest (Special Attack Up, Attack Down) can be viable for maximizing special attack damage.

7. Can I use Solgaleo or Lunala in competitive battles?

Yes, you can use Solgaleo and Lunala in competitive battles, depending on the format. They are often powerful additions to teams due to their high stats and abilities. However, many competitive formats restrict the use of multiple Legendary Pokémon.

8. What is Solgaleo’s ability?

Solgaleo’s ability is Full Metal Body, which prevents other Pokémon from lowering its stats.

9. What is Lunala’s ability?

Lunala’s ability is Shadow Shield, which functions like Multiscale when Lunala is at full health, reducing the damage it takes from attacks.

10. Can I breed Solgaleo or Lunala in Pokémon Sword?

No, you cannot breed Solgaleo or Lunala in Pokémon Sword (or any other Pokémon game). Legendary Pokémon are generally unable to breed.

11. How do I access Dynamax Adventures?

To access Dynamax Adventures, you need to progress through the main story of the Crown Tundra DLC. After reaching the Max Lair, you can participate in Dynamax Adventures.

12. Are there any other ways to get Solgaleo or Lunala besides Dynamax Adventures?

Outside of trading with another player, Dynamax Adventures is the only legitimate way to obtain Solgaleo or Lunala in Pokémon Sword. Be wary of online sources promising alternative methods, as they may involve hacked or illegitimate Pokémon.

13. Can I transfer Solgaleo or Lunala from older Pokémon games to Pokémon Sword?

Yes, you can transfer Solgaleo or Lunala from older Pokémon games (such as Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon) to Pokémon Sword via Pokémon HOME. However, you will still need Pokémon HOME and a paid subscription in some cases to do so.

14. Are there any version-exclusive Legendary Pokémon in Dynamax Adventures besides Solgaleo and Lunala?

Yes, many Legendary Pokémon are more common depending on your game version. For example, certain Legendaries might be easier to find in Pokémon Sword while others are easier to find in Pokémon Shield. However, all legendaries can still be found in either version of the game.

15. Where can I learn more about the science behind video games and learning?

To dive deeper into the educational aspects of gaming, including studies and research on how games like Pokemon influence learning and development, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. This organization explores the intersection of games and education.

In conclusion, while you can’t directly catch both Solgaleo and Lunala in a single playthrough of Pokémon Sword, the Dynamax Adventures in the Crown Tundra DLC offer a thrilling and rewarding way to obtain either of these legendary creatures. Happy hunting, trainers!