Are you on a quest to add the elusive Mawile to your Pokémon Sword team? Look no further! This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about locating, battling, and capturing this unique Steel/Fairy-type Pokémon. From its habitat preferences to the most effective catching strategies, we've got you covered. Let's dive into the world of Mawile and turn you into a master Mawile hunter!
Understanding Mawile: Know Your Quarry
Before we embark on our Mawile-catching adventure, let's take a moment to understand this fascinating Pokémon. Mawile, known as the Deceiver Pokémon, made its debut in Generation III. Initially a pure Steel-type, it gained the additional Fairy typing in Generation VI, making it one of the few Pokémon to undergo a type change across generations. This dual-typing gives Mawile a unique set of resistances and weaknesses that trainers should be aware of when planning their capture strategy.
Mawile's most striking feature is the large, intimidating set of jaws protruding from the back of its head. This deceptive Pokémon often lures opponents in with its cute facade before unleashing its powerful bite. In battle, Mawile can be a formidable opponent, especially when equipped with its signature ability, Intimidate, which lowers the opponent's Attack stat upon entry. This ability makes Mawile a valuable asset in competitive battling, often used as a defensive pivot to deter physical attackers.
While not directly relevant to catching Mawile in Pokémon Sword, it's worth noting that Mawile has a Mega Evolution form. When holding a Mawilite and Mega Evolving, Mawile transforms into Mega Mawile, gaining an additional set of jaws and a significant boost to its Attack stat. This form turns Mawile into a potent offensive threat, with its base Attack stat skyrocketing from 85 to an impressive 105.
Locating Mawile in Pokémon Sword
Now that we're acquainted with our target, let's explore the various locations where you can find Mawile in Pokémon Sword. The game offers several opportunities to encounter this Pokémon, each with its own unique conditions and challenges.
The Wild Area: Dusty Bowl
The Dusty Bowl, located in the northern part of the Wild Area, is one of the primary locations to find Mawile. However, encountering this Pokémon here comes with specific weather requirements. Mawile only appears during blizzard weather conditions, with an encounter rate of approximately 35%. This means that timing and patience are key when hunting for Mawile in this area.
Trainers should keep a close eye on the weather patterns in the Wild Area. The weather changes daily at midnight in-game time, so if you don't see a blizzard in the Dusty Bowl, you may need to wait or manipulate the game's clock to create favorable conditions. It's worth noting that Mawile found in this area will typically be between levels 28-32, making them suitable for mid-game teams.
The Wild Area: Bridge Field
Another spot in the Wild Area where you might encounter Mawile is Bridge Field. The conditions here are a bit more challenging, with Mawile appearing only during blizzards and at a lower encounter rate of about 10%. While the odds are lower in Bridge Field, it's worth checking if you're in the area during a blizzard, especially if you're looking for variety in your Mawile hunting locations.
Bridge Field Mawile tend to be slightly higher level than those in the Dusty Bowl, typically ranging from levels 30-35. This slight level increase can be beneficial for trainers looking to add a stronger Mawile to their team without extensive training.
Max Raid Dens
Max Raid Battles offer another exciting opportunity to catch Mawile. These cooperative battles not only provide a chance to catch Mawile but also offer additional rewards such as rare candies, TRs, and other valuable items. You can find Mawile in dens across several locations in the Wild Area, including Bridge Field, Giant's Seat, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Stony Wilderness, and Rolling Fields.
The appearance rate in these dens varies between 10-20% under five-star challenge ratings. The Rolling Fields den has the highest chance at 20%, making it your best bet for Raid encounters. It's important to note that Mawile encountered in Max Raid Battles will have better base stats than those found in the wild, with guaranteed perfect IVs in some stats depending on the difficulty of the raid.
When participating in Max Raid Battles, trainers should be prepared with a strong team. Mawile's dual Steel/Fairy typing means it's weak to Ground and Fire-type moves, so bringing Pokémon with these attack types can be particularly effective. Additionally, Dynamaxing your Pokémon can turn the tide of battle, allowing you to deal massive damage and potentially capture Mawile more easily.
The Crown Tundra: Lakeside Cave
For trainers who have purchased the Expansion Pass, the Crown Tundra offers another location to find Mawile. In the Lakeside Cave, Mawile can be encountered with levels ranging from 60-65, making this an excellent spot for high-level catches. The appearance rate is around 10%, which means you may need to explore the cave thoroughly to find your quarry.
The Lakeside Cave is also home to other rare Pokémon, including the legendary Terrakion, so keep your eyes peeled for other valuable catches while hunting for Mawile. This location provides an opportunity to potentially catch a Mawile that's ready for competitive battling with minimal training required.
Strategies for Catching Mawile
Now that you know where to find Mawile, let's discuss how to increase your chances of successfully catching this deceptive Pokémon. Preparation is key to a successful capture, so consider the following strategies before setting out on your Mawile hunt.
Preparing for the Encounter
First and foremost, stock up on Poké Balls. Ultra Balls and Great Balls are your best options for catching Mawile. Don't skimp on quantity – you may need several attempts, especially if you're aiming for a Mawile with specific characteristics like nature or IVs. Dusk Balls can also be highly effective if you're hunting Mawile in caves or at night.
Bringing the right Pokémon to the encounter can significantly increase your chances of success. A Fire or Ground-type Pokémon will be effective against Mawile's Steel typing, allowing you to weaken it without accidentally knocking it out. Avoid using Dragon or Poison types, as Mawile is immune to these thanks to its Fairy typing. Consider bringing a Pokémon with False Swipe, which can reliably bring Mawile's HP down to 1 without risk of fainting it.
Status moves are incredibly useful when catching Pokémon. Bring along Pokémon with sleep-inducing moves like Hypnosis or paralysis-causing moves like Thunder Wave. These status conditions will make Mawile easier to catch, increasing your success rate significantly.
If you're hunting in the Wild Area, keep track of the weather patterns. Use the date-changing trick to manipulate the weather if needed. This involves changing your Switch's system clock to advance the in-game weather to your desired conditions.
During the Encounter
When you finally encounter Mawile, start by weakening it. Use your Fire or Ground-type moves to bring Mawile's HP into the red zone. Be careful not to knock it out – Mawile's relatively low HP stat means it can faint quickly if you're not cautious.
Once weakened, apply status conditions. A sleeping or paralyzed Mawile is much easier to catch than one at full health. Sleep is generally more effective than paralysis, but both will significantly increase your catch rate.
With Mawile weakened and statused, it's time to start throwing Poké Balls. Begin with Ultra Balls for the highest catch rate. If you run low, Great Balls are a good backup. Remember, catching Pokémon often requires patience. Don't get discouraged if Mawile breaks free – keep trying, and eventually, you'll succeed.
Advanced Techniques for Mawile Hunting
For trainers looking to optimize their Mawile hunting experience, consider these advanced strategies that can help you catch a Mawile with specific characteristics or even increase your chances of finding a shiny variant.
Synchronize for Nature
If you're aiming for a specific Nature, which can be crucial for competitive battling, lead your party with a Pokémon that has the Synchronize ability and the desired Nature. This gives you a 50% chance that wild Mawile will have the same Nature. For example, if you want an Adamant Mawile to maximize its Attack stat, lead with an Adamant Pokémon with Synchronize.
Chaining for Shiny Mawile
While the mechanics differ from previous games, chaining encounters can potentially increase your odds of finding a Shiny Mawile. The exact mechanics of shiny chaining in Sword and Shield are still debated in the Pokémon community, but many trainers report success with this method. Keep encountering and defeating (or catching) Mawile without encountering other Pokémon to build your chain. Some trainers believe that chains of 25 or more significantly increase shiny odds.
Masuda Method Breeding
If you manage to catch a Mawile but want better IVs or a Shiny variant, consider breeding. The Masuda Method, which involves breeding Pokémon from two different language games, significantly increases Shiny odds. To use this method, you'll need a Ditto (or another Mawile) from a game in a different language than your own. Place the two Pokémon in the nursery and hatch eggs. Not only does this method increase shiny odds (to approximately 1 in 683 with the Shiny Charm), but it also allows you to pass down desirable natures, abilities, and moves to your Mawile offspring.
Mawile in Competitive Battling
Once you've successfully caught your Mawile, you might be wondering how to utilize it effectively in battles. Mawile has found a niche in competitive battling, particularly in its Mega Evolved form in formats where Mega Evolution is allowed.
In its base form, Mawile's Intimidate ability makes it a useful defensive pivot, able to switch in on physical attackers and lower their Attack stat. Its typing gives it resistance to many common attack types, including Normal, Flying, Rock, Bug, Steel, Grass, Ice, Dragon, Dark, and Fairy moves. This wide range of resistances allows Mawile to fill a valuable defensive role on many teams.
Offensively, Mawile can be surprisingly potent. Its signature move, Play Rough, is a powerful Fairy-type physical attack that synergizes well with its high Attack stat. Iron Head provides Steel-type coverage and can cause flinching. Sucker Punch is a priority move that can catch opponents off guard, while Fire Fang covers Mawile's weakness to Steel-types.
For hold items, Choice Band can boost Mawile's Attack to impressive levels, while Leftovers provides sustain for a more defensive set. In formats where it's available, Mawilite turns this already useful Pokémon into a powerhouse, with Huge Power doubling its already respectable Attack stat.
Conclusion: Becoming a Mawile Master
Catching Mawile in Pokémon Sword requires patience, preparation, and a bit of luck. By understanding its habitat preferences, preparing the right team and tools, and employing effective catching strategies, you'll be well on your way to adding this unique Steel/Fairy-type to your roster.
Remember, the thrill of the hunt is part of the Pokémon experience. Even if Mawile proves elusive at first, persist in your efforts. Each encounter brings you closer to your goal and makes the eventual capture all the more satisfying. Whether you're building a competitive team, filling out your Pokédex, or simply drawn to Mawile's intriguing design, the journey to catch this Pokémon is an adventure in itself.
As you venture into the Wild Area, brave the blizzards of the Dusty Bowl, or delve into the depths of the Lakeside Cave, keep this guide in mind. With perseverance and the right approach, you'll soon find yourself the proud trainer of a Mawile. So gear up, head out, and may your Poké Balls fly true. Happy hunting, Trainers!
