Honestly, if you've played through the Galar region, you know the vibe changes the second you step into Hammerlocke for that final badge. Most of the Gym Leaders in the Galar region are, well, a bit of a pushover. You walk in, you type-advantage your way through a few Scorbunnies or Yamper-adjacent Mons, and you leave with a badge. But the dragon gym pokemon sword experience—specifically the showdown with Raihan—is a completely different beast. It isn’t just about the dragons. It’s about the weather.
Raihan is the only leader who actually plays like a competitive VGC (Video Game Championships) player. He doesn't just throw out a Haxorus and hope for the best. He traps you in a sandstorm, messes with your speed tiers, and forces you into a double battle format that catches casual players completely off guard.
It's refreshing. It's frustrating. It's easily the high point of the main story.
The Sandstorm Trap: Why Raihan is Different
Most players expect a Dragon-type gym to be all about Outrage and Draco Meteor. Instead, Raihan greets you with a weather war. He’s obsessed with his "Selfie" brand, sure, but his tactical depth is what actually matters. In Pokémon Sword, his team focuses heavily on the Sandstorm weather condition.
This is a massive curveball.
If you aren't prepared, the chip damage from the sand will eat your team alive while his Pokémon benefit from Special Defense boosts (for Rock-types) or total immunity. He leads with Flygon and Gigalith. This isn't just flavor; it's a mechanical pincer move. Gigalith sets the sand immediately with its Sand Stream ability. Flygon, meanwhile, is there to annoy you with Earth Power and Dragon Claw. You're forced to think about two targets at once, which is a massive jump in difficulty compared to the single-target snooze-fests of the previous seven gyms.
The Double Battle Dynamic
Let’s talk about the format. Double battles are rare in the main Galar campaign. Because of this, most players have a "lead" Pokémon and five bench-warmers. Raihan punishes this. You need synergy. If you bring a Fire-type to deal with his (eventual) Duraludon, it’s going to get rocked by Gigalith. If you bring a Fairy-type for the dragons, the sandstorm and Steel-type moves are going to wear you down before you can even click Moonblast.
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It’s a masterclass in teaching players that "type advantage" isn't the only way to win. You need positioning. You need to consider what happens when your partner Pokémon gets knocked out.
Breaking Down the Team
Raihan’s team in Sword differs slightly from Shield, but the core threat remains the same. He’s got that Flygon, which is a classic, but the real problems start when the Sandaconda and Duraludon come out.
- Gigalith: This thing is a tank. It’s purely there to set the weather and soak up hits.
- Flygon: Fast, annoying, and has great coverage.
- Sandaconda: It has the Sand Spit ability. Even if you manage to change the weather (maybe you brought a Pelipper for rain?), hitting Sandaconda just resets the sandstorm. It feels like fighting a wall that keeps rebuilding itself.
- Duraludon: The ace. The skyscraper.
Duraludon is a Steel/Dragon type. This is a nightmare pairing for anyone relying on traditional Dragon counters. Fairies? Duraludon is a Steel-type; it resists them and hits back with heavy Steel damage. Ice-types? Same problem. You basically have to rely on Fighting or Ground moves, but Raihan knows this. He’s waiting for it.
When he Gigantamaxes that Duraludon, the fight goes from a tactical skirmish to an all-out brawl. G-Max Depletion doesn't just hit hard; it reduces the PP of the last move your Pokémon used. It’s spiteful. It’s brilliant.
Why People Struggle with the Hammerlocke Gym
Usually, by the time you reach the eighth gym, you're overleveled. You've been catching everything in the Wild Area, you've done the Max Raid battles, and your Cinderace or Inteleon is ten levels above the competition. But Raihan levels the playing field with his strategy.
The sandstorm is the great equalizer.
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A lot of players go in with a "sweeper" mindset. They think they can just use one fast Pokémon to one-shot everything. In a double battle, that’s much harder. If you focus on Flygon, Gigalith sets up Stealth Rock or just chips away at you. If you focus on Gigalith, Flygon hits you with a STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) Dragon Claw.
Common Pitfalls
- Ignoring the Weather: If you don't have a way to clear the sand, you're playing the game on Hard Mode.
- Focusing only on Dragon-types: Raihan’s team is actually very diverse. Half his team isn't even Dragon-type. He uses the "Dragon Gym" moniker as a bit of a trick. He's really a "Weather Gym" leader in disguise.
- Lack of Protect: In double battles, the move Protect is king. Most casual players delete Protect the moment their Pokémon learns a damaging move. During the dragon gym pokemon sword fight, that's a mistake you’ll regret by turn three.
How to Beat the Dragon Gym Without Tearing Your Hair Out
You need a plan that doesn't involve "hit it until it dies."
First, consider your own weather setter. Bringing a Pokémon with the Drizzle or Drought ability can overwrite his sandstorm immediately. This stops the chip damage and removes the Special Defense buff his Rock-types are enjoying.
Second, look at Fighting-types. Lucario is a solid choice here because its Steel typing makes it immune to the sandstorm damage. It can hit Duraludon for super effective damage with Aura Sphere or Close Combat. Just watch out for Flygon's Ground moves.
Third, use Wide Guard if you have it. Raihan loves moves that hit both your Pokémon. Wide Guard can completely negate a turn of his offense, giving your second Pokémon a free window to set up a Dragon Dance or a Bulk Up.
It’s also worth visiting the move tutor to make sure your team has coverage. If you’re just running four attacking moves of the same type, Raihan is going to laugh at you. You need variety. You need tools.
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The Legacy of the Galar Dragon Gym
Looking back at the history of Dragon-type leaders—Clair, Lance, Drayden—Raihan stands out because he isn't a "purist." Lance was basically a Flying-type trainer who liked the idea of dragons. Clair was just a challenge because Kingdra had almost no weaknesses back in Gen 2.
Raihan represents the modern era of Pokémon.
He’s a social media star who understands synergy. He’s the reason the Galar endgame feels like it has stakes. When you beat him, you actually feel like you’ve earned the right to head to the Champion Cup. It isn't just a formality; it’s a graduation.
The dragon gym pokemon sword experience teaches you more about high-level play than any other moment in the Galar region. It forces you to look at the UI, check the turn order, and respect the environment.
Practical Steps for Your Next Run
If you're staring at the entrance to the Hammerlocke Gym right now, don't just rush in.
- Check your items. Give your lead Pokémon a Smooth Rock if you’re running your own weather, or an Eviolite if you're using a mid-evolution tank.
- Re-evaluate your duo. Pick two Pokémon that cover each other's weaknesses. Don't lead with two Glass Cannons.
- Target the Gigalith first. Getting rid of the source of the sand (and the potential Stealth Rocks) makes the rest of the fight much more manageable.
- Save your Dynamax. Don't Dynamax on turn one. Wait for Duraludon. You need those Max Moves to overwite the weather or boost your stats to match his Gigantamax bulk.
Raihan is a test of flexibility. If you try to brute force him, he’ll just take another selfie over your fainted team. Play smart, control the weather, and remember that in a double battle, your partner is your greatest asset. Once you take down that Duraludon, the path to Leon is finally open. Good luck. You're gonna need it when the sand starts blowing.