Here's how to get and use Bottle Caps in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Steven Rondina Published 26/01/2021

Bottle Caps are an important part of building up an ideal team in Pokemon Sword and Shield. The item is basically a necessary component in optimizing legendary Pokemon, and they’re also key to making wild-caught shinies ready for proper battles.

The trouble is that these items are elusive and with Crown Tundra dumping literally dozens of legendaries and Ultra Beasts onto the lap of every player, they’re a very precious commodity. Here’s a complete guide on how to get and use Bottle Caps in Pokemon Sword and Shield.

What do Bottle Caps do in Pokemon Sword and Shield?

Pokemon Sword bottle cap

Bottle Caps are treasures in Pokemon Sword and Shield that are used to Hyper Train Pokemon. Hyper Training is a mechanic introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon which allows trainers to max out the Individual Values, or IVs, of a Pokemon.

Pokemon can be Hyper Trained once they reach level 100. This can be done in the post-game by traveling to the Battle Tower and talking to the Pokemon League Staff trainer behind the counter in the top right corner of the building. One Bottle Cap can be exchanged to max out the IV of one stat, and a Gold Bottle Cap can be exchanged to max out all of the Pokemon’s IVs.

What are IVs in Pokemon Sword and Shield?

Pokemon stats are determined from three different metrics, being base stats, Individual Values, and Effort Values.

Base stats are consistent between Pokemon of the same species. Individual Values vary between Pokemon of the same species, ranging from 0 to 31. Effort Values are stats that the trainer imparts on their Pokemon through battling, missions, or vitamins like HP Up and Iron.

For example, all Pikachus have 90 base speed, but each Pikachu caught in the wild will have a speed IV that ranges from 0 to 31. The trainer can battle specific enemies or use Carbos to raise a captured Pikachu’s speed Effort Values.

An optimized Pikachu will have 31 speed IVs and maxed out speed Effort Values. While Pokemon can be bred to have 31 IVs, legendary Pokemon cannot be bred and shiny Pokemon do not pass down that trait. Because Bottle Caps are rare, it is recommended to reserve Hyper Training for legendary and shiny Pokemon.

How to get Bottle Caps in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Bottle Caps can be obtained through a number of different methods:

Purchase from Battle Tower
Rare prize from Max Raid Battles
Random prize from Digging Duo skilled brother
Rare find for level 70-100 Pokemon with Pickup ability
Cram-o-Matic prize
Daily highlighted item for Crown Tundra Watt Trader

While Bottle Caps can be found in a number of different ways, only two of these methods can be effectively, reliably, and affordably done. Purchasing them from the Battle Tower is by far the most efficient method as they cost a modest 25 BP. BP can be obtained through a number of different means, with the best being grinding in the Battle Tower or on ranked matchmaking.

The Digging Duo is another option, depending on the spending habits of the player. If the player has a surplus of Watts, the currency used in the Wild Area and DLC regions, hiring the skilled brother can yield both Bottle Caps and Gold Bottle Caps. Unless the player has an abundance of Watts this won’t necessarily yield a huge number of caps, but it is an option for those who have been frequently jumping into Max Raid Battles.

Steven Rondina

About Steven Rondina

Steven Rondina is a true lifelong gamer. His earliest memories are of playing video games, and he has continued playing them throughout his life with no plans to stop any time soon. Steven’s favorite franchises in gaming include Pokemon, Dark Souls, and Counter-Strike. He has previously published with Bleacher Report and other gaming outlets.

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