How to get the Pokemon Sword and Shield Ability Capsule

Pokemon Sword and Shield ability capsule
(Image credit: Nintendo)

The Pokemon Sword and Shield Ability Capsule is a very helpful item, allowing Pokemon to swap abilities (assuming they have two to pick from). It's a very useful item in Pokemon Sword and Shield, especially if you're deep into the competitive battling scene and want to have total control over your Pokemon team and what they're capable of. Below we'll show you how to get the Ability Capsule in Pokemon Sword and Shield, as well as how to use to change your Pokemon pals' abilities.

How to get the Ability Capsule in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Pokemon Sword and Shield Ability Capsule

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Unfortunately, the only way to get an Ability Capsule in Sword and Shield is to beat the game. If you’re getting into the competitive side of the game though this shouldn’t be too much of an ask. You’re going to want your monsters to be as powerful as possible in the first place regardless. Once you’ve finished the story and beaten Leon, you can then head to the Battle Tower, a looming competitive gauntlet that you can compete in for a new currency, Battle Points. 

Once you’ve beat the game, head over to the Battle Tower and speak to the man at the desk on the left hand side. He will sell you an Ability Capsule for a staggering 50 Battle Points, so you best put your best team forward and get to competing if you wish to buy one! This is the only known way to get an Ability Capsule in Sword and Shield.

How to use the Ability Capsule in Pokemon Sword and Shield

The point of an Ability Capsule is to swap the ability of a Pokemon, and it only works on certain Pokemon who have two abilities that can be swapped. For example, Rookidee can have either Keen Eye or Unnerve, and if you don’t like Keen Eye, you can use an Ability Capsule to manually swap the ability to Unnerve. The same goes for plenty of other Pokemon in Sword and Shield like Chewtle, Wooloo, Rolycoly and more. Google is your friend if you want to find out which Pokemon have two abilities that can be swapped! 

Pokemon Sword and Shield Fire Stone | Pokemon Sword and Shield Water Stone | Pokemon Sword and Shield Leaf Stone | Pokemon Sword and Shield Ice Stone | Pokemon Sword and Shield Thunder Stone | Pokemon Sword and Shield Dawn Stone | Pokemon Sword and Shield Dusk Stone | Pokemon Sword and Shield Moon Stone | Pokemon Sword and Shield Sun Stone | Pokemon Sword and Shield Shiny Stone | Pokemon Sword and Shield Razor Claw | Pokemon Sword and Shield Protector | Pokemon Sword and Shield Metal Coat | Pokemon Sword and Shield Reaper Cloth | Pokemon Sword and Shield Sachet | Pokemon Sword and Shield Whipped Dream | Pokemon Sword and Shield Oval Charm | Pokemon Sword and Shield Destiny Knot | Pokemon Sword and Shield Ability Capsule | Pokemon Sword and Shield Beast Ball

Freelance writer

Jordan Oloman has hundreds of bylines across outlets like GamesRadar+, PC Gamer, USA Today, The Guardian, The Verge, The Washington Post, and more. Jordan is an experienced freelance writer who can not only dive deep into the biggest video games out there but explore the way they intersect with culture too. Jordan can also be found working behind-the-scenes here at Future Plc, contributing to the organization and execution of the Future Games Show.  

Read more
Monster Hunter Wilds change appearance
How to change armor appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds with layered armor
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
A single frame in the new Pokemon Legends Z-A trailer gives hardcore shiny hunters and Nuzlocke runners hope for a huge quality-of-life change
Monster Hunter Wilds change appearance
How to change appearance in Monster Hunter Wilds
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Evolution – All the Pokemon who can Mega-Evolve we know about so far
A blastoise and venusaur card in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Trading in Pokemon TCG Pocket explained
The player character in Pokemon Legends: Z-A looks at the three starter Pokemon, Totodile, Tepig, and Chikorita.
You can let fate decide your Pokemon Legends Z-A starter with a random plushie pre-order bonus, just in case you couldn't pick between Totodile, Tepig, and Chikorita
Latest in Pokemon
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shiny Cards
How to get Shiny Pokemon in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Pokemon Legends: Z-A's director appears to be a Xenoblade Chronicles fan, and I'm now feeling very validated about a tiny detail I spotted in the upcoming RPG's gameplay trailer
Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon TCG Pocket is getting yet another new expansion as the addition of shinies and Gen 9 Pokemon keep free-to-play players drowning in new cards to collect
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry release date and details
Pokemon GO
Despite new ownership's iffy history, Pokemon GO lead claims intrusive ads and playtime restrictions won't plague the game: "Not now, not ever"
Lego Pikachu tail over the top of the 'Who's that Pokemon?' anime screen
Lego Pokemon revealed for 2026 after 'shocking' Pikachu tease
Latest in Guides
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe "justice must be served" or "killing them isn't justice" Yaya and Mistumune choice
Should you side with Mitsumune or Yaya in Assassin's Creed Shadows?
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shiny Cards
How to get Shiny Pokemon in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Assassin's Creed Shadows money naoe and merchant
How to get money in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry release date and details
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe in outfit
Best Assassin’s Creed Shadows armor for Naoe and Yasuke
A player carrying a potion in horror game REPO.
REPO Strength explained and how to upgrade it