Pokémon Sword and Shield/Route 2

Route 2
After meeting up with Hop again, Leon will come in and give you a catching tutorial. However, if you've already previously caught a Pokémon, he'll skip said tutorial and you'll simply receive 20 Pokéballs. It's a good opportunity to start filling up your team a bit more if you haven't already started as there are some great encounters to find here, so proceed down the route toward Magnolia's house while keeping an eye out for some Pokémon that may appeal to you.

Professor Magnolia
Arriving at Magnolia's house, you'll see Leon and her talk about the Dynamax phenomenon. After you go inside, Leon explains that Professor Magnolia has been researching Dynamax for years. Hop asks Magnolia to help convince Leon to endorse you two for the Gym Challenge. Leon shows worry as you have just begun your journey as trainers, but he proposes that you and Hop show him a battle that's so brilliant that he can't help but endorse you. Nothing left to do in the house, so go outside and, once you've got all the items, go out to the small battle arena, and talk to Hop whenever you're ready to battle.

Rival: Hop
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🇨🇴 🇨🇴

After your battle, Leon gives you both a letter of Endorsement, which will allow you to compete in the Gym Challenge. Just as Leon's giving you both advice on how to become stronger, something comes falling out of the sky. It's a pair of Wishing Stars. Magnolia agrees to use these to make Dynamax Bands for you and Hop, which will allow your Pokémon to Dynamax. Meanwhile, Sonia arrives and cooks for everyone. The next morning, you get your Dynamax Band.

Going outside, Hop will teach you about how crouching is good for sneaking past or on Pokémon, while whistling is good for getting their attention. Afterwards, he runs off to Wedgehurst station.