Munchlax is the fan-favorite pre-evolution of Snorlax. In Pokémon Sword & Shield, players can find Munchlax in the Motostoke Riverbank area.

In Pokémon Sword & Shield, players can travel around the open world in search of their favorite Pokémon to collect and add to the Pokédex. Many fan-favorites are represented in the game, which takes place in the Galar region. Players can also find a few new creatures, like the new Galar legendary Pokémon Zarude. Many Pokémon in each version of the game are only accessible during certain weather conditions and can have rare spawning chances. Players will need to be sure to look around often to find new and rarer Pokémon.

Related: How to Find (& Catch) Tyranitar in Pokémon Sword & Shield

One fan-favorite Pokémon found in both Sword and Shield is Munchlax. Munchlax is the pre-evolution form of the wildly popular and very sleepy Snorlax. Munchlax loves to eat and is a Normal Type Big Eater Pokémon. While not very fast or particularly difficult to catch when found, Munchlax does not spawn very often and only appears under very specific conditions. Players can evolve Munchlax into Snorlax with a very high friendship rating. Here's how to find and catch Munchlax in Pokémon Sword & Shield.

Find Munchlax in Pokémon Sword & Shield

Munchlax, like Snorlax, is located in the Motostoke Riverbank area in the Overworld. Munchlax has a 5% spawn chance at this location in normal, sunny weather, as long as the player is level 26-28. Munchlax also spawns and can be caught during a 2-Star Raid if the player has reached level 25-30.

While Munchlax is not much more difficult to find than Snorlax, it is possible that players will find and catch Snorlax sooner. If that happens, the player can breed Snorlax with a Ditto at one of the Nurseries. Ditto is great for breeding situations because it will always transform into a Pokémon of the same species, meaning this Ditto would also turn into a Snorlax.

To ensure the egg will produce a Munchlax, players will also need to purchase Full Incense and equip Snorlax with it prior to sending it to the Nursery. Once players have an egg, they will need to walk or bike around the open world for a little while until it hatches. If the resulting Pokémon is not Munchlax, players will need to repeat the process until Munchlax appears.

Catch Munchlax in Pokémon Sword & Shield

Once players find Munchlax at Motostoke Riverbank, they will need to engage it by running into it. Munchlax is weak to Fighting-type moves, so players will want to use a Fighting-type Pokémon during the battle. It is possible that the wild Munchlax's stats will be low enough that players can simply catch it using a higher-level ball, like the Ultra Ball.

If not, players can try to chip Munchlax's HP down to around 1 using Fighting-type moves and then capture it.

Later, if players want to evolve Munchlax into Snorlax, they will need a very high friendship level. To achieve this, players can play with Munchlax at camp, cook curry, or offer it special Friendship-raising balls.

Next: How to Find (& Catch) Galarian Darmanitan in Pokémon Sword & Shield

Pokémon Sword & Shield is available for the Nintendo Switch.