Pokemon Sword and Shield has a slightly different approach to fossils than past games, so it’s no biggie if you’re unclear on how to obtain the Pokémon tied to them. Fortunately, we’re here to help with a guide on how to get all of the Fossil Pokémon in Pokemon Sword & Shield.
How to Get All of the Fossil Pokemon in Pokemon Sword & Shield
Like with past entries in the series, Pokemon Sword and Shield tasks you with collecting Fossils which you can return to the scientist Cara Liss found on Route 6, just to the left of a campsite South of Stow-on-Side’s entrance. Doing so will reward you with one of a select few Fossil Pokémon, which can’t be obtained through any other means aside from trading.
However, unlike in past generations, Sword and Shield sees you combine two of an available four Fossil fragments – namely, a Fossilized Bird, Drake, Dino or Fish – with one another to create a Frankenstein-esque mix of different ancient Pokémon.
Not only that, but certain fossil pieces are more common based on the version you own. Those with Sword will have a much easier time finding the Fossilized Bird and Dino pieces, while those with Shield will find the Fossilized Drake and Fish pieces with ease.
As such, it may seem like it would be difficult to get all of the new entries’ fossilized Pokémon without trading items with friends. However, there are workarounds to get all of the fossils you need with only one game.
How to Get Common Fossil Pieces for Your Version
To get every Fossil Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield, you’ll need to have two of each fossil type. Doing so will allow you to make all of the four possible combinations and obtain all of the possible Fossil Pokemon in one go.
Fortunately, getting two of each Fossil piece type common to your version of the game is easy. You can nab shortly after discovering the scientist who can revive them, and doing so should only take about 15 minutes at the most.
As you’re making your way North toward Stow-on-Side, look for an item glimmer just below the ledge where you find Cara Liss. Go toward this item glimmer and examine it, and you’ll be rewarded with two Fossilized Fish in Shield or two Fossilized Dino pieces in Sword.
From there, head North into Stow-on-Side and make a beeline toward its Pokémon Center. Head inside, and then go to the man on the lower left side of the room next to a table. After speaking to him, he’ll give you two Fossilized Drake pieces in Shield or two Fossilized Bird pieces in Sword.
Time needed: 15 minutes
So, to recap how you can get the Fossil pieces common to your version of Pokemon Sword and Shield:
- Head North toward Stow-on-Side
Before arriving at the town, you’ll come to a campsite with the Fossil resurrecting professor to the left of it on a ledge.
- Look for an item glimmer below the ledge
Examining it will net you two Fossilized Fish pieces in Shield or two Fossilized Dino pieces in Sword.
- Head North into Stow-on-Side
Once inside, make your way toward the town’s Pokémon Center and head into the building.
- Look for a man in the lower left corner next to a table
Speak to him, and you’ll be rewarded with two Fossilized Drake pieces in Shield or two Fossilized Bird Pieces in Sword.
How to Get Fossil Pieces Uncommon to Your Version in Pokemon Sword and Shield
As for getting the Fossil pieces that are uncommon to your version of Pokemon Sword and Shield, it’s a bit more tedious.
Near the center of the Bridgefield section of the Wilds, you’ll come across two identical NPCs known as the Digging Duo. They’ll both be dressed in what appear to be green muscle suits, and will offer to find treasures such as Star Pieces and Fossil Pieces for you at 500 Watts per expedition.
Paying the NPC on the left will net you more common loot, such as Star Pieces and Fossil Pieces common to your version, from each expedition. However, he’ll have a lower chance of finding rare treasure like the Fossil pieces uncommon to your version.
Paying the NPC on the right, meanwhile, will net you less common loot, but will give you an increased chance of getting rare treasures and uncommon Fossil pieces for your version out of his haul.
Players have reported success using either member of the Digging Duo so long as they had roughly 25,000 Wats to burn on attempts, though how long it’ll take any given player is still left up to luck and RNG.
As such, all you need to do is amass some Watts and then make your way to the Digging Duo. Then, pay them to search for treasure until you have two pieces of both Fossil types that aren’t common to your version of the game.
Which Fossil Combinations Make Which Fossil Pokemon
Once you’ve got two of each Fossil type Available in Pokemon Sword and Shield, you’ll be ready to create all four Fossil Pokemon available in the game.
Head back to Cara Liss and speak to her with all of the Fossils in your inventory. When you do, she’ll ask you which Fossils you’d like to show her.
There are four possible combinations that will yield one of the games’ Fossil Pokemon, and you can use the table below to ensure you get all of them right off the bat.
| Bird Fossil + Drake Fossil | Dracozolt |
| Bird Fossil + Dino Fossil | Arctozolt |
| Fish Fossil + Drake Fossil | Dracovish |
| Fish Fossil + Dino Fossil | Arctovish |
Each Fossil Pokemon will look a little strange, but they’ll also have double typing as a result of their fusion-based resurrection. Dracozolt is Electric/Dragon, Arctozolt is Electric/Ice, Dracovish is Dragon/Water and Arctovish is Ice/Water.
That should cover everything there is to know about how to get every Fossil Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield. For more on the game, check out our guide wiki as well as our guides on hot topics like how to get the Pokerus and how to get Ditto.
