How to beat Milo in 'Pokémon Sword and Shield's Turffield City grass gym
The grass is greener on your side.
So you’ve entered the first gym in Pokémon Sword and Shield. You’re ready to test your mettle against Milo, the league’s resident grass-type expert and Turffield City’s Gym Leader. As the first “challenge” in both versions of the game, Milo isn’t too tough, but there are a few goodies you won’t want to miss.
Milo’s gym mission
Before reaching Milo himself, you’ll be asked to round up Woo-loos a few times to proceed forward. To do this, you need to make sure they’re all on the same blue platform at the end. Simply chase them a little until they reach the marker at the end. Once there, the bales of hay will fall down.
After the first wrangling, a Yamper will appear to disrupt your progress on the second one. They’re not too difficult to avoid, but if you’re having trouble, try defeating the nearby Pokémon Trainer. They all have either grass or bug-type Pokémon. The first trainer you see will have a LV 16 Gossifluer (Grass).
The next area will be divided into three rows. Again, it will contain some Yampers that can be silenced by defeating a nearby Pokémon Trainer. The trainer is located on the rightmost side of the area. He’s equipped with two Pokémon: a LV 16 Budew (Grass/Poison) and a LV 17 Oddish (Grass/ Poison). If you’d like to avoid fighting him, try taking the middle path.
In the final room, your progress will be blocked by Leah, the toughest of Milo’s subordinates. She has one LV 17 Bounsweet (Grass) and a LV 17 Oddish(Grass/ Poison). Once she’s defeated, you’re onto Milo himself!
Facing Milo
Like his subordinates, Milo’s not too tough. He can be brought down swiftly with a simple fire-type Pokémon by your side. If you chose Scorbunny at the start, then you’re in the clear. If not, a Vulpix can be found nearby on Route 3 or within the Wild Area during sunny weather.
Milo has two Pokémon by his side: a LV 19 Gossifluer (Grass) and a LV 20 Eldegoss (Grass). He will Dynamax Eldegoss immediately. To counter this, I suggest Dynamaxing your own Pokémon. (With my Dynamaxed Scorbunny, I was able to defeat Milo in a single devastating blow!) With Milo defeated, you get a slew of rewards.
Goodies from Milo and prizes around the gym
Following his defeat, Milo pays 2,300 and presents your first badge, the Grass Badge. With it, you’ll be able to catch Pokémon up to LV 25. Traded Pokémon will listen to your orders up to LV 30.
Outside, Milo’s aide awards you with HM10 Magical Leaf and a replica of Turffield City Gym uniform to wear around town. Before you leave, make sure to speak with the man with a Poké-Ball head. He’ll give you a Friend Ball for free! If you caught a Galarian Meowth on Route 4 before coming in, you can speak to a boy in a Blue Hoodie at the Gym. He’ll trade you a Kanto Meowth for it.
And with that, you’ve conquered Pokémon Sword and Shield’s first gym in Turffield City.
Pokémon Sword and Shield are available now for Nintendo Switch.
