Sonia is one of the more active recurring characters of Pokémon Sword & Shield, and always a pleasant face to see. You meet her throughout the story studying the history of Galar, and over the course of the game she goes on to become Professor Magnolia’s successor as Galar’s newest Pokémon Professor.

Unlike most recurring characters, though, Sonia lacks her own team of Pokémon to battle against and alongside you. As someone who studies Pokémon herself, it only makes sense that she has her own, so here are the Pokémon that would suit her best if she were to try battling in a future game or update.

6 Yamper

The one known Pokémon she owns and has affection for is Yamper, the adorable electric corgi that’s native to Galar. It doesn’t take part in battles and appears mostly as a friendly companion, but with the Yamper stickers in her bedroom and the adorable Yamper mug when she takes over Magnolia’s laboratory it’s impossible to imagine this puppy not being by her side.

Whether it would evolve into Boltund is a bigger question, but Sonia isn’t a competitive battler so having a fully-evolved team is hardly necessary for her. It embodies her youth and enthusiasm as a new professional in her field, and being able to electrify opponents with an adorable Nuzzle is worth Yamper’s weaker stats.

5 Roselia

Living on Route 2 by Wedgehurst, Sonia is greatly suited to having flowers and nature near her at all times. Her hometown and laboratory are full of wildflowers and decorative plants, so having one in her Pokémon team is a vital nod to her home. But since there aren’t many Grass-types in this route she’d likely take her pick from anywhere throughout Galar.

There are tons of great possible candidates for this role in her team, but Roselia might be the most fitting for a character by being tasteful and caring like Sonia herself. It isn’t as intimidating as its masked evolution Roserade, and not as youthfully incapable like its earlier form Budew, and is thus perfect for representing the growth and capability that Sonia has as she takes her new job.

4 Rotom

One of the key responsibilities of a Pokémon Professor is to help new trainers start their journey, which usually involves giving two gifts to the kids of the Pokémon world. The first is their choice of starter Pokémon, but the latter is the Pokédex that lets them learn about the world they’re exploring.

Since Pokémon Sun & Moon, this has also meant providing a Rotom inside their digital encyclopedia, to lend a little more personality and automation to this relatively bland piece of hardware. As a trainer, it only makes sense that Sonia can use a Rotom herself in battle since they make for an incredibly fast and strong Electric-type. It doesn’t inherently fit Sonia’s personality, but it definitely fits her job.

3 Stonjourner

The key aspect of Sonia’s identity is based on her interest in the history of Galar. While Professor Magnolia is more known for her research with Dynamax Pokémon, Sonia spends the game pursuing the cover legendaries Zacian and Zamazenta and learning the truth about Galar’s myths and ancient history.

Having a Pokémon that represents that past is vital, and Stonjourner is perhaps the best fit from Galar’s Pokédex. It’s an extremely mysterious Pokémon that gathers in groups to watch the sun, making for a beautiful Rock-type species that Sonia would surely find fascinating enough to capture for herself.

2 Elgyem

Mysteries shouldn’t have to be specific to Galar for Sonia to consider fascinating. Elgyem has its own uncertain history with some Pokédex entries saying people confuse them for aliens, but others claim the species first arrived in the Pokémon world during a UFO crash several decades ago. Its lore is extremely conflicted and is in desperate need of a Pokémon Professor to unravel.

As Sonia moves on from learning the truth of Galar’s history, it seems fitting that she’d want to grow to discover more truths about the historical origins of mysterious Pokémon. With someone as excitable and adventurous as her, trying to learn how this species spread around the Pokémon world is a reasonable next step, and could eventually lead her down the deep rabbit hole of other Pokémon that come from the stars.

1 Butterfree

Sonia’s Pokémon mostly fit her personality and interests, but that isn’t to say she can’t just appreciate or admire Pokémon regardless of her personality and research interests. Going to her bedroom in Professor Magnolia’s house will showcase much of her private life, including a wall of research which features a beautiful sketch of a Butterfree alongside her notes.

Since the Zubat on this wall isn’t available to trainers in Galar currently, it would make sense that the larger picture of Butterfree indicates her love for this classic Bug-type from Pokémon Red & Blue. Since she lacks a Gigantamax Pokémon so far compared to most other trainers of the region, this would make a perfect and powerful finisher for her team in more intense fights.

NEXT: Pokémon Sword & Shield: 10 Characters That Could Have Made Up The Elite 4