LAN Mode

There are two connection modes in Pokémon Sword and Shield: Local Wireless Mode and LAN Mode. Within LAN mode, there are two connection types: wired (using Ethernet cables) and wired (using WiFi).

Local Wireless is the default mode in Pokémon Sword and Shield. This mode is recommended for most local-level tournaments. In Local Wireless Mode, Nintendo Switch systems wirelessly connect directly to each other ad-hoc, so no additional equipment is required.

LAN Mode is an alternative mode in Pokémon Sword and Shield. This mode is recommended for extremely large tournaments such as Regional Championships, International Championships, and World Championships. In LAN Mode, Nintendo Switch systems connect to each other through a networking interface, either wired or wireless. Depending on the setup, a mix of wired and wireless can be used in LAN Mode.

Connection Types

Wired (Ethernet)

LAN Mode via Ethernet requires (among other things) a LAN adapter for each Nintendo Switch system. First-party and officially licensed LAN/Ethernet adapters are recommended for use at Play! Pokémon tournaments, as most adapters are not compatible with the Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Switch only supports some adapters using the ASIX AX88179 (max speed 1Gbps) and ASIX AX88772 (max speed 100Mbps) chipsets.

Using the wired option, you may connect Nintendo Switch systems together using a router, a networking switch, or even directly to each other. However, IP addresses must be manually assigned if using a networking switch or direct connections. When using a router, IP addresses do not need to be manually assigned. For more information on manually assigning IP addresses, and for the recommendation by TPCi on what IP addresses to use, go to the Manually Assigning IP Addresses section below.

Wireless (WiFi)

LAN Mode via WiFi requires a router to connect Nintendo Switch systems together through. As routers are able to assign IP addresses, no manual assignment is needed.

Utilizing LAN Mode

Battle: To battle in LAN mode, go to the Battle screen and hold the L button and R button, and then press the left stick in (also known as the L3 button). The buttons must be held for about four seconds. To exit LAN Mode, press this button combination again.To battle in LAN mode, go to the Battle screen and hold the 𝗟 button and 𝗥 button, and then press the left stick in (also known as the 𝗟𝟯 button). To exit LAN Mode, press this button combination again.
Spectate: To spectate in LAN mode, go to the Host screen and hold the L button and R button, and then press the left stick in (also known as the L3 button). The buttons must be held for about four seconds. To exit LAN Mode, press this button combination again.To spectate in LAN mode, go to the Host screen and hold the 𝗟 button and 𝗥 button, and then press the left stick in (also known as the 𝗟𝟯 button). To exit LAN Mode, press this button combination again.
Send Regulations: To send battle regulations in LAN mode, go to the Send to Others screen and hold the L button and R button, and then press the left stick in (also known as the L3 button). The buttons must be held for about four seconds. To exit LAN Mode, press this button combination again.To send battle regulations in LAN mode, go to the Send to Others screen and hold the 𝗟 button and 𝗥 button, and then press the left stick in (also known as the 𝗟𝟯 button). To exit LAN Mode, press this button combination again.
Receive Digital Player ID: To receive a Digital Player ID in LAN mode, go to the Participate screen and hold the L button and R button, and then press the left stick in (also known as the L3 button). The buttons must be held for about four seconds. To exit LAN Mode, press this button combination again.To receive a Digital Player ID in LAN mode, go to the Participate and hold the 𝗟 button and 𝗥 button, and then press the left stick in (also known as the 𝗟𝟯 button). To exit LAN Mode, press this button combination again.

Manually Assigning IP Addresses

This section is based on a draft document compiled by The Pokémon Company International.
When connecting Nintendo Switch systems through a networking switch or directly to each other in LAN Mode, IP addresses need to be manually assigned.

Step 1: From the HOME Menu, open System Settings.Step 1: From the 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘂, open 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.
Step 2: Scroll down to the Internet section and select Internet Settings.Step 2: Scroll down to the Internet section and select 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.
Step 3: At the bottom of the Registered Networks section, select Wired Connection.Step 3: At the bottom of the 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 section, select 𝗪𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Step 4: Select Change Settings.Step 4: Select 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.
Step 5: Set both the IP Address Settings and DNS Settings to Manual.Step 5: Set both the 𝗜𝗣 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 and 𝗗𝗡𝗦 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 to 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹.
Step 6: Select IP Address to set the IP address for the system. TPCi recommends constructing the IP address based on your Player ID. Follow the table below as a guide on how to create it based on the number of digits in your Player ID:

Player IDIP Address
7654321 (7 digits)107.65.43.21
654321 (6 digits)100.65.43.21
54321 (5 digits)100.5.43.21
4321 (4 digits)100.0.43.21
321 (3 digits)100.0.3.21
Step 6: Select 𝗜𝗣 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 to set the IP address for the system. TPCi recommends constructing the IP address based on your Player ID.
Step 7: Set the Subnet Mask to 240 (it will automatically add zeroes when you press OK).Step 7: Set the 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗸 to 𝟮𝟰𝟬 (it will automatically add zeroes when you press 𝗢𝗞).
Step 8: Set the Gateway to 100 (it will automatically add zeroes when you press OK).Step 8: Set the 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝘆 to 𝟭𝟬𝟬 (it will automatically add zeroes when you press 𝗢𝗞).
Step 9: Set the Primary DNS to 100 (it will automatically add zeroes when you press OK). Do not change the Secondary DNS.Step 9: Set the 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗡𝗦 to 𝟭𝟬𝟬 (it will automatically add zeroes when you press 𝗢𝗞). Do not change the 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗡𝗦.
Step 10: Your settings should now look similar to this. Click Save. You’re now ready for the tournament!Step 10: Your settings should now look similar to this. Click 𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲. You're now ready for the tournament!
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