Navigating the vibrant Galar region in Pokemon Sword offers players an incredible adventure filled with diverse creatures to collect and train. While the generation eight starters provide an excellent baseline for your journey, many trainers eagerly look for classic companions from older regions. Securing a Kanto favorite like Charmander requires specific progression, meaning you will need patience before adding this fiery lizard to your party.
Defeating the Galar Champion
Before you can obtain this iconic Fire-type companion, you must successfully complete the main narrative arc of the game. This means exploring the expansive map, defeating all eight gym leaders, and challenging the reigning Champion, Leon. The ultimate showdown takes place at Wyndon Stadium, requiring a highly optimized team to emerge victorious.
Once Leon is defeated in the tournament finals, the credit sequence will roll to signal your transition into the endgame content. Returning to the world after the credits unlocks several new activities across Galar. It is only during this post-game phase that the specific gift event becomes available to the player.
Visiting Postwick Town
After your triumphant victory in the Champion Cup, your character will spawn back in your home village of Postwick. From your house, step outside and make your way to the neighboring residence belonging to your rival, Hop. This familiar location holds the special reward left behind by the former champion himself.
Walk straight up the stairs to the second floor and enter Hop's bedroom to look for the gift. You will instantly notice a standard Poke Ball sitting neatly on the floor in the middle of the room. Interacting with this object triggers a short dialogue message confirming that Leon left this creature specifically for you.
Inspecting Your New Charmander
Picking up the Poke Ball grants you a level five Charmander to add directly to your current party or storage boxes. This gift version is incredibly unique because it carries a special trait that regular wild encounters lack. As it grows, this particular pocket monster possesses the ability to eventually Gigantamax during stadium battles.
To unlock this powerful form, you will need to invest time into leveling up your new partner through traditional combat or EXP candy. The creature will evolve into Charmeleon at level sixteen and subsequently into its final form, Charizard, at level thirty-six. Once fully evolved, activating the Dynamax mechanic in eligible zones triggers the rare Gigantamax transformation automatically.
Alternative Methods for Early Access
If you prefer not to wait until the post-game content to secure this Fire-type companion, alternative options exist through multiplayer systems. Utilizing the Link Trade feature allows you to receive a hatched egg or an extra creature from another player who has already finished the story. This dynamic cooperative system lets you enjoy the main campaign alongside your favorite Kanto companion from the very start.
Additionally, participating in Max Raid Battles within the Wild Area can occasionally yield encounters with the Charizard evolutionary line. Defeating these powerful denizens in high-tier dens offers a chance to catch them using your own collection of specialized capturing tools.
