Honestly, if you’ve spent any time in the Galar region, you’ve probably heard the phrase "undefeated Champion" more times than you’ve seen a Wooloo roll down a hill. It’s basically his entire personality. Leon is everywhere. He’s on your TV, he’s on the posters, and he’s constantly getting lost in a straight line while his Charizard looks on in what I can only assume is deep, draconic embarrassment.
But here’s the thing: despite the memes about his terrible sense of direction, the actual Leon Sword and Shield boss fight is a massive wake-up call for players who spent the rest of the game breezing through gyms.
Most Champions in the series show up at the very end to say hi and then lose. Leon is different. He’s the first one who actually feels like a final boss because the game builds him up as this unreachable hero from the very first cutscene. By the time you finally step onto the pitch at Wyndon Stadium, it’s not just about a trophy. It’s about whether you’ve actually caught up to the guy who gave you your first Pokémon.
The Strategy Behind the "Undefeated" Team
People like to joke that Leon is a "Charizard fanboy," but his team composition is actually surprisingly sophisticated for a main-series Pokémon game. He doesn’t just stick to one type. He adjusts his roster based on your starter, which is a low-key brutal move by Game Freak. If you picked Sobble, he’s bringing a Rillaboom to ruin your day. If you went with Scorbunny, he’s got an Inteleon waiting.
Basically, he’s trying to counter-pick you before the fight even starts.
His core team is always terrifying. You’ve got Aegislash leading the charge, which is a nightmare if you aren’t ready for King’s Shield. Then there’s Dragapult. It’s one of the fastest things in the game, and if it outspeeds your entire party, it can sweep you before you’ve even clicked a move. Haxorus is there just to hit like a freight train with Outrage.
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The level jump is the real killer, though. Most players walk into Wyndon around level 58 or 60. Leon’s team starts at 62 and hits 65 with his Charizard. That five-level gap might not sound like much, but in a game where you’ve likely been "overleveled" the whole time, it hits like a ton of bricks.
Why Charizard is Actually a Threat
We need to talk about that Charizard. It isn't just a normal fire lizard; it’s a Gigantamax powerhouse with a movepool designed to cover its own weaknesses.
You think you’re smart bringing a Water-type like Seismitoad or Drednaw? Think again. Leon’s Charizard knows Solar Beam. Because it’s Gigantamaxed, it can turn that into Max Overgrowth, which will 4x effective delete your Water/Ground types instantly. It also carries Ancient Power to deal with other Fire types and Air Slash for speed control.
The Narrative Weight of Leon Sword and Shield
There’s a lot of debate in the community about whether Leon is a "good" character. Some people find the constant "glazing" by NPCs annoying. Others think he’s the most fleshed-out Champion we’ve ever had.
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What’s interesting is how he handles the "Darkest Day" crisis. While previous Champions like Cynthia or Steven usually help you solve the problem, Leon actually tells you to stay away. He views it as his job to protect the kids. He wants you to focus on your gym challenge while he handles the world-ending legendary Pokémon in the basement.
It feels patronizing at first. But when you see him standing in front of Eternatus, trying—and failing—to catch it to save the region, you realize he isn’t just arrogant. He’s burdened. He’s the guy who took the "Hero of Galar" title literally.
- The Rivalry Factor: Leon acts more like your true rival than Hop does for most of the game.
- The Aftermath: Once you beat him, he doesn't just disappear. He takes over the Rose Tower, turns it into the Battle Tower, and helps you become a better trainer.
- The Look: That cape with the sponsor logos? It’s a genius bit of world-building. Galar treats Pokémon battling like professional football (soccer), and Leon is their Cristiano Ronaldo.
How to Actually Win Without Revive-Spamming
If you want to beat Leon Sword and Shield without burning through twenty Max Revives, you need a plan. Don't just bring your favorites and hope for the best.
First, you need a dedicated lead for Aegislash. A strong Dark or Fire type is great, but watch out for its Sacred Sword. A Pokémon with the Ability Infiltrator or moves like Phantom Force can help bypass its defensive gimmicks.
Second, deal with Dragapult early. If you can’t outspeed it, you need something bulky that can take a Shadow Ball or Dragon Pulse and hit back with a Play Rough or Ice Beam. Grimmsnarl is an MVP here because of its Prankster ability and Dark/Fairy typing.
Lastly, save your Dynamax. Do not use it early. If you Dynamax on turn one, Leon will wait you out, and then his Charizard will G-Max Wildfire your entire team into oblivion. Wait until he sends out the lizard, then counter-Dynamax with a Rock-type move. Rock moves are 4x effective against Charizard and will usually one-shot it even through the Dynamax HP buff.
Is He Better Than Cynthia?
This is the big question. Everyone remembers Cynthia from Diamond and Pearl because she was the first "unfiltered" difficulty spike. She had a Garchomp that gave an entire generation of kids PTSD.
Leon is different because he’s a "technical" challenge. Cynthia was about raw power and perfect IVs; Leon is about coverage moves and the Dynamax mechanic. He might feel easier to some because modern games give you more tools (like the Exp. Share), but if you fight him on "Set" mode without using items in battle, he is arguably one of the most balanced and difficult AI opponents in the franchise.
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Honestly, the best part of the Leon Sword and Shield experience is the post-game. Finding that Charmander in Hop’s house feels like a passing of the torch. It’s a quiet moment that shows Leon isn't bitter about losing. He’s actually relieved. He finally found someone who could take the weight of the region off his shoulders.
To prepare for the fight, make sure your team is at least level 63. Focus on getting a Pokémon with Stealth Rock; it strips 50% of Charizard's health the moment it enters the field, making the final phase of the battle a total cakewalk. You should also check out the Wild Area for Exp. Candies if you're lagging behind—it's way faster than grinding wild encounters.