Does Leon Give You His Charizard? Unpacking the Post-Game Charmander in Pokémon Sword and Shield
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No, Leon does not give you his Charizard in Pokémon Sword and Shield. However, you do receive a Charmander from him after defeating him and becoming the Champion. This Charmander has the potential to evolve into a Charizard capable of Gigantamaxing, making it a highly desirable and practically “Leon-adjacent” Pokémon. It’s a great post-game reward, hinting at Leon’s impact and influence even after you’ve surpassed him.
Obtaining the Champion’s Gift: Charmander in Postwick
After the climactic battle with Leon in the Champion Cup and watching the credits roll, you’ll wake up back in your home in Postwick. This is where your journey to claim your “Leon’s Charmander” begins.
- Head to Leon’s room in your house. (You can easily recognize it because it’s filled with his signature hats.)
- Inside, you’ll find a Poke Ball containing the Charmander. Pick it up, and it’s yours!
This Charmander is pre-programmed with the capability to Gigantamax upon evolving into Charizard. This makes it exceptionally valuable, as Gigantamax Charizard is a potent battler and a rare find in the wild.
Leon’s Legacy: More Than Just a Pokémon
While Leon doesn’t hand over his Charizard, this post-game gift serves several key purposes within the narrative and gameplay of Pokémon Sword and Shield:
- A Symbolic Hand-Off: It represents the passing of the torch from the former Champion to the new one.
- A Gameplay Incentive: It provides a powerful Pokémon for post-game content and competitive battling.
- Storytelling Device: It keeps Leon’s presence felt even after the main storyline concludes, solidifying his role as a key figure in the Galar region.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Leon and His Charizard
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the relationship between Leon, his Charizard, and the Charmander you receive:
1. How do you get Leon’s Charmander?
You obtain the Charmander by visiting Leon’s room in your house in Postwick after defeating him in the Champion Cup and becoming the Champion.
2. What item does Leon give you after the main story?
After becoming champion and going back to your home, Leon gives you an item that depends on which starter Pokémon you picked. He gives a Miracle Seed if you chose Grookey, a Charcoal if you chose Scorbunny, or a Mystic Water if you chose Sobble. He gives you this item before you find the Charmander.
3. Why is Charizard so strongly associated with Leon?
Charizard is Leon’s signature Pokémon. He’s had it since he started his journey, it’s a consistent presence on his team, and he’s even capable of Gigantamaxing it, which is quite rare. He also uses it in all of his matches.
4. Can Leon’s Charmander be shiny?
No, the Charmander you receive from Leon is guaranteed to not be Shiny. Don’t waste your time soft-resetting in hopes of a Shiny; it’s not programmed to appear that way.
5. What are Leon’s strongest Pokémon?
Leon’s team in his Champion battle (strongest to weakest) typically consists of: Charizard, Dragapult, Rillaboom, Inteleon, Mr. Rime, and Cinderace. Note that this varies slightly depending on your starter choice.
6. What Pokémon does Leon lead with in the Champion battle?
In the Champion battle, Leon typically leads with Aegislash. Be prepared with Fire, Ground, Ghost, or Dark-type moves to exploit its weaknesses.
7. Why did Ash not use Charizard against Leon in the anime?
In the Pokémon anime, Ash’s choices are dictated by the story that the writers want to tell. In the World Coronation Series, Ash only used Pokémon that he caught in the current series.
8. How rare is a Gigantamax Charizard?
Gigantamax Charizard are found in certain Max Raid Battles or may be used by other trainers. It is a rare find.
9. How do you evolve Charmander into Charizard?
Charmander evolves into Charmeleon at Level 16, and Charmeleon evolves into Charizard at Level 36.
10. Why is Leon’s Charizard so strong?
Leon trains his Charizard exceptionally well, taking advantage of its powerful moves, its Gigantamax form, and strategic move set adjustments based on his opponents.
11. What level is Leon’s Charizard in the Champion battle?
Leon’s Charizard is level 65 during the Champion battle in the main story, if you chose Grookey. This may vary depending on the starter you picked.
12. Is Leon considered one of the strongest trainers in the Pokémon world?
Yes, Leon is consistently portrayed as one of the strongest trainers. He was the undefeated Champion of the Galar region and went on to become Monarch of the World Coronation Series.
13. What should you do after beating Leon?
After defeating Leon, you can pursue post-game quests, including catching the legendary Pokémon Zacian or Zamazenta (depending on your game version), completing the Pokedex, and engaging in online battles.
14. Is Leon’s Charizard a legendary Pokémon?
No, Charizard is not a legendary Pokémon, but Leon’s Charizard holds a special status due to its connection to the Champion and its ability to Gigantamax.
15. Does Leon have any other notable achievements besides being Champion?
Yes, Leon’s most notable achievement is becoming the Monarch of the World Coronation Series, solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s top trainers.
The Enduring Appeal of Leon and Charizard
The dynamic between Leon and Charizard is a classic example of a trainer and their ace Pokémon achieving greatness together. While you don’t get Leon’s specific Charizard, the Charmander he gifts you allows you to forge your own path to victory with a powerful Pokémon deeply connected to the legacy of the Galar Champion. This emphasizes the concepts of mentorship and surpassing your heroes. To further understand these game-based learning concepts, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.