Pokemon Dollars, called money in-game, is the main currency used in the world of Pokemon. Like any other Pokemon game, money is important in Pokemon Sword and Shield to buy very important items to use in Pokemon battles like Potions, Ethers, Antidotes, and, most especially, powerful Poke Balls! Not only that, but you can also buy different outfits in the game, which can get rather expensive, along with the TMs and TRs to teach new moves to your Pokemon.
At the beginning of the game, the player will start with 5,000 Pokemon Dollars. Then, money is primarily acquired as a prize for winning Pokemon battles. On the other hand, you can also lose money by losing in Pokemon battles.
In this guide, You will learn how to earn money fast in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
Sell Items
This is obvious, but you may not know that there are items that have no uses other than being sold. These items can be found in the Treasures tab of your Pokemon Trainer’s Inventory like Pretty Feather, Rare Bone, Pearl, Big Pearl, Pearl String, Nugget, Big Nugget, Tiny Mushroom, Big Mushroom, Balm Mushroom, Stardust, Star Piece, and Comet Shard.
It is important to note, however, that there are also certain items in the Treasures tab of your Pokemon Trainer’s Inventory that may be rare to obtain and have actual uses like Bottle Caps, which are used to maximize a Pokemon’s IV through Hyper Training in the Battle Tower, and Fossils, which are required to revive Fossil Pokemon.
You can sell items on the Poke Mart at any Pokemon Center. It is also worth checking on the buyer in Stow-on-Side who will purchase certain items from you for a much higher price than what is offered at a Poke Mart. The catch, however, is that this buyer will only ask for one item each day, so it is best to sell to him first before selling at a Poke Mart, so you do not accidentally sell an item he is looking for for a lower price. As mentioned, this seller can be found in Stow-on-Side on the left side of the Bargain Shop on the left side of the Pokemon Center.
Pokemon Moves
There are certain moves that Pokemon can do in a battle that will raise the money earned for winning battles. These moves are Pay Day and G-Max Gold Rush. PayDay is a move that, if used, the Pokemon will throw coins to inflict damage on the opposing Pokemon. Then, after the battle, the prize money will be a little more than usual. On the other hand, G-Max Gold Rush is a move exclusive to the Gigantamax Meowth, which you can obtain as a Mystery Gift if you pre-purchased Pokemon Sword and Shield. This move will confuse the opposing Pokemon and, after the battle, you gain bonus money.
Champion Cup
After defeating all of the eight Gyms of the Galar Region, you can now enter the Champion Cup in the Wyndon Stadium! In the Champion Cup, you must go through the Semi-Finals and beat the Champion in the Finals instead of the Elite Four like previous Pokemon games. Winning battles in the Champion Cup will yield big money rewards.
You can enter the Champion Cup again even after beating it the first time. In re-entering the Champion Cup, you can invite one of 10 trainers to participate. You have to win three matches to keep your Champion title. Aside from the prize money after every battle, you will also be rewarded with a Wishing Piece for your first win of the day in the Champion Cup. On successive victories of the day, you will be awarded one random Poke Ball or other unique items.
Amulet Coin
You can also let your Pokemon hold the Amulet Coin. The Amulet Coin will double the prize money received after winning a battle if the Pokemon that holds the item takes part in the battle. The Amulet Coin will also double the PayDay and G-Max Gold Rush money.
To obtain the Amulet Coin, go to Motostoke, and from the Gym in Motostoke, head right, and you will be in Motostoke Outskirts. Continue right and cross the bridge then you will eventually reach the entrance to Galar Mine No. 2. Do not enter the Mine and instead head a little bit on the sign that says Motostoke Outskirts, and behind it, you will see a Poke Ball that contains the Amulet Coin. However, it is worth mentioning that you should never sell the Amulet Coin as there is no other way of obtaining it again unless you have the Isle of Armor DLC so you can make one on the Cram-o-Matic.
Luck Incense
Another item that your Pokemon can hold is the Luck Incense. Like the Amulet Coin, Luck Incense also doubles the amount of prize money received after winning a battle if the Pokemon holding it takes part in the battle. Additionally, Luck Incense also doubles the money from Pay Day and G-Max Gold Rush.
The only difference between Amulet Coin and Luck Incense (aside from the name, of course) is that when breeding a Chansey or Blissey with the Luck Incense being held by one of the parent Pokemon, the resulting egg will be a Happiny egg.
To obtain a Luck Incense, you can purchase it from the Incense merchant in Hulbury for 11,000 Pokemon Dollars.
Unfortunately, the effects of Amulet Coin and Luck Incense cannot be stacked by letting two Pokemon hold them and using them in battle. Only one item will have an effect.
Galarian Star Tournament
If you have the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra DLCs for Pokemon Sword and Shield, then you may enter the Galarian Star Tournament. This new tournament is a Multi Battle elimination tournament that will take place in Wyndon Stadium, similar to the Champion Cup. Leon created the Galarian Star Tournament with the help of Sordward and Shielbert to help the Trainers of Galar become stronger. After completing the main storyline of the game and the stories of both Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra, you can then unlock the Galarian Star Tournament by starting the ‘They Came From The Ultra Beyond!’ adventure.
Aside from the prize money for winning every battle, you will be rewarded a whopping 1,000,000 Pokemon Dollars along with a new Sports Uniform and 100 Poke Balls from the Ball Guy for winning the tournament the first time. However, for successive wins, you will only receive around 50,000 to 70,000 Pokemon Dollars for winning the tournament, along with a random Poke Ball from the Ball Guy.
Final Thoughts
A great strategy to earn money is letting one of your Pokemon hold the Amulet Coin then enter the Champion Cup or Galarian Star Tournament again to win per battle. Then, go to the buyer in Stow-on-side if you have the item he is looking for, then proceed to a Poke Mart to sell your other items. It is also important to note that the items you can obtain in the Wild Area replenish every day, so you can search for items in the Wild Area and sell them after.
Like in real life, money can help you become the best at something. Fortunately, in Pokemon Sword and Shield, it is relatively easy to earn money and make your way to becoming the very best like no one ever was!
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