Pokémon Sword & Shield is the newest entry into the ever-popular Pokémon video game franchise. It sees brand new trainers completing their Pokémon journey by traveling across the Galar region, inspired by United Kingdom. The game features a lot of new features, but also had a fair amount of content cut in decisions many fans have been debating about since before its release.
However, Sword & Shield does introduce a host of new gym leaders your trainer has to face off against if they way to be champion. We all know by now that being a gym leader seems to be more about your passion and style than real mastery of battling if the difficulty is anything to go by. But we wanted to take a closer look at some of these new faces. Let’s go over the Myers-Briggs© personality types of every leader.
10 10. Milo - ISFP (The Adventurer)
Milo is the Grass Gym Leader and the first leader you’ll encounter on your journey. He’s known as “the fighting farmer”, but according to his league card he’s so early in the challenge because he can’t bring himself to go all out on opponents.
For this gentle giant, we decided to go with ISFP. They’re known for being caretakers, which fits a gardeners well. They’re also spontaneous and tend to go with the flow, seeking beauty in their surroundings. Anyone who’s seen Milo take off after a Wooloo on an adventure can attest to that.
9 9. Nessa - ESTP (The Entrepreneur)
Nessa grew up the humble daughter of a fisherman and worked her way up to become the Water Gym Leader. She’s known to have an indomitable spirit as a Leader, but she also has an entirely separate career as a model. She doesn’t let defeats or disappointments in one part of her life drag down any of the others.
Those with ESTP personality type are always looking for new challenges to conquer and refuse to let themselves be beaten. Instead of being overly sensitive, they just plow ahead into the next task.
8 8. Kabu - ENTP (The Debater)
Kabu has had a tumultuous career as a Gym Leader, even once dropping into the minor division. But he’s never let setbacks get him down and fights every day to improve his battling technique. On his rare league card, he’s quoted as saying “experiment with every possibility … Try everything, and there’s sure to be a path forward!”
ENTPs are people who are stimulated by solving new problems. They become quickly bored by routine and are unlikely to do something the same way twice. Kabu’s dedication to growing and trying new strategies makes him ENTP.
7 7. Allister - INFJ ( The Advocate)
Despite his unsettling appearance, Allister is really just a kid. He became a Gym Leader very young and still struggles with his insecurities. He wears the mask partially to shield himself from the world and hide his own fears.
He also has the ability to see ghosts when no one else is. We believe he’s INFJ because of his sensitive and intuitive personality. They tend to be reserved and private, but intimately clued into the emotions of people around them.
6 6. Bea - ISTP (The Virtuoso)
Bea is deeply dedicated to her training. She strives not just to master her Pokémon, but also her own mind. Because of her ability to remain calm under extreme stress, some have speculated that she lacks emotions—perhaps because of the tremendous pressure her parents put on her as a child.
But she’s shown to have superb judgement, and she fits the ISTP type. They are attentive to the small details and will quietly observe a situation to gather information, then decisively act to resolve a problem as efficiently as possible.
5 5. Opal - ENTJ (The Commander)
Opal spends much of the game looking for a worthy successor to take over her Fairy-type Gym in Ballonlea. However, she has standards, as shown through the quizzes she devised as the Gym Challenge to weed out unworthy candidates.
Even after passing her title on, she continues to show up to the gym to give advice and make sure it’s being run to her standards. She fits the ENTJ personality type because she’s a quick-witted and analytical leader. She formulated a long-term plan to discover and mold her successor in her own image, and won’t stop until she’s satisfied.
4 4. Melony - ESTJ (The Executive)
Melony has a lot in common with Opal; however, rather than working to develop new solutions to a problem, she values tradition and logical progression. Both her battle and coaching style are known to be incredibly strict.
So much so that, when her son refused to take her place as the Ice-type Leader, they had a terrible fight that drove a wedge in their relationship. ESTJs are devoted traditionalists that work hard to organize projects. They want things to abide by the rules of their systems and will establish rules if none currently exist.
3 3. Gordie - ENFP (The Campaigner)
Gordie does take over his mother’s Gym in Pokémon Sword, but changes the focus to his preferred Rock-type Pokémon. He’s one of the more popular trainers in the League and works hard to make his fanbase happy, often hosting events or giving out autographs.
However, he does have a habit of shutting himself away when he experiences defeat. ENFPs are people-centered and tend to bring their infectious enthusiasm with them into any new project. They’re flexible and passionate, more than willing to give their support, but they also tend to chase affirmation from other people.
2 2. Piers - INFP (The Mediator)
Piers becomes an ally to the player after the reveal that he’s the leader of Team Yell—because Team Yell is actually composed of Spikemuth Gym Trainers. He’s the only Gym Leader who doesn’t use Dynamax, since he refused to abandon his own city for one with a Power Spot. He’s passionate about his crew, his music, and especially his younger sister Marnie, who he supports wholeheartedly.
He has the INFP personality type because he’s guided by his core beliefs and doesn’t compromise for the promise of power or popularity. He’s also intensely loyal to those close to him, and fulfills his individualistic and artistic needs through his music.
1 1. Raihan - INTJ (The Architect)
Raihan, the Dragon-type Leader, is the last roadblock on your way to the Galar Championship. He is one of the most skilled trainers in the Galar region and Leon’s only true rival (before you come along!) He makes strategic use of weather effects in his matches and never gives up, even after his many defeats to Galar’s Champion. He’s an INTJ because he’s intently focused on improving his skill, coming up with new ideas and strategies that might give him an edge over Leon.
INTJs have very high standards for competency, especially in themselves. Raihan never lets himself off the hook for any defeat—he even takes selfies to commemorate his losses.
NEXT: Top 10 Competitively Viable Galar Region Pokémon
