How Do You Get Evolution Stones in Pokémon Sword?
In Pokémon Sword, you can acquire evolution stones through various methods, primarily by exploring the Wild Area's Lake of Outrage, utilizing the Digging Duo, purchasing them from Watt Traders, and finding them at specific fixed locations across Galar.
Unlocking Pokémon Evolutions: Where to Find Evolution Stones in Galar
Evolution stones are crucial for evolving many Pokémon in Sword and Shield. Understanding their various acquisition methods will help you build your ideal team and complete your Pokédex.
1. The Lake of Outrage: A Stone Goldmine
The Lake of Outrage in the Wild Area is a primary hub for evolution stones, offering both initial guaranteed finds and daily respawns. To access this area, you'll typically need the Water Bike upgrade for your Rotom Bike, obtained after defeating the Circhester Gym Leader.
- Initial Guaranteed Finds: When you first enter the Lake of Outrage section, you'll discover a prominent circle of eight large standing stones. Crucially, for your initial visit to this area, each of these large stones will have a different evolution stone hidden directly behind it, allowing you to collect a wide array of stones right away.
- Daily Sparkling Items: After your initial haul, the area behind these large stones will continue to have sparkling items appear daily. While not always evolution stones, there's a good chance to find various stones here regularly, including duplicates. Make sure to check back daily!
2. Digging Duo: Reliability for Watts
Located in Bridge Field (Wild Area), near the Pokémon Nursery, the Digging Duo offers a reliable, albeit luck-based, method for obtaining various items, including evolution stones.
- How it Works: For 500 Watts per dig, you can hire either brother to dig for items. Watts can be easily earned by participating in Max Raid Battles.
- The brother on the left has more skill but less stamina, meaning he's less likely to find many items but has a higher chance of unearthing rarer ones like evolution stones.
- The brother on the right has less skill but more stamina, often finding many common items in a single digging session.
- Tips: Both brothers can dig up evolution stones, but the "skillful" brother is often preferred for targeting rarer items.
3. Watt Traders: Rotating Stock for Every Need
Certain Watt Traders in the Wild Area sell a rotating stock of evolution stones for Watts.
- Bridge Field Watt Trader: The Watt Trader located in Bridge Field, specifically near the Pokémon Nursery and the Digging Duo, is particularly noteworthy. This trader's inventory cycles daily, often featuring different evolution stones for sale.
- Cost: Evolution stones typically cost 1,000 Watts each from Watt Traders. Always check their stock!
4. Fixed Item Locations: Specific Stone Discoveries
Many evolution stones can be found as one-time pickups at specific locations across the Galar region. These are usually hidden as sparkling items or visible Poké Balls. For more detailed locations, you can consult resources like Serebii.net's Evolutionary Items page.
- Fire Stone: Found in Motostoke (next to the stairs heading down from the stadium) and as a daily respawn in the Lake of Outrage.
- Water Stone: Located on a small island in the lake on Route 2 and as a daily respawn in the Lake of Outrage.
- Leaf Stone: Can be found near the Pokémon Gym in Turffield and as a daily respawn in the Lake of Outrage.
- Thunder Stone: Located on a small hill in North Lake Miloch, behind Professor Magnolia's lab on Route 2, and as a daily respawn in the Lake of Outrage.
- Ice Stone: Found on Route 9 (north of Circhester) and as a daily respawn in the Lake of Outrage.
- Moon Stone: Can be discovered in Dusty Bowl (near a cluster of rocks) and as a daily respawn in the Lake of Outrage.
- Sun Stone: Located in Dusty Bowl (behind the large rock in the center) and as a daily respawn in the Lake of Outrage.
- Dusk Stone: Found on the roof near the gym entrance in Stow-on-Side (requires the Rotom Bike water upgrade) and as a daily respawn in the Lake of Outrage.
- Dawn Stone: Can be discovered next to a large boulder in Giant's Cap and as a daily respawn in the Lake of Outrage.
- Shiny Stone: Located on a ledge near the doctor on Route 8, behind the Pokémon Center in Hammerlocke, and as a daily respawn in the Lake of Outrage.
5. Battle Cafe Rewards
After you complete the main story, you can visit the Battle Cafes in Motostoke, Hammerlocke, and Wyndon. Battling the Cafe Master once per day in each location can reward you with various items, including rare sweets, mushrooms, and occasionally, evolution stones. While not the most reliable method for specific stones, it's a good daily activity for general item farming.
Summary of Evolution Stone Acquisition
For a quick overview, here are the most common ways to find each type of evolution stone:
| Evolution Stone | Primary Acquisition Methods |
|---|---|
| Fire Stone | Lake of Outrage (initial/daily), Motostoke, Digging Duo, Bridge Field Watt Trader |
| Water Stone | Lake of Outrage (initial/daily), Route 2, Digging Duo, Bridge Field Watt Trader |
| Leaf Stone | Lake of Outrage (initial/daily), Turffield, Digging Duo, Bridge Field Watt Trader |
| Thunder Stone | Lake of Outrage (initial/daily), North Lake Miloch, Route 2, Digging Duo, Bridge Field Watt Trader |
| Ice Stone | Lake of Outrage (initial/daily), Route 9, Digging Duo, Bridge Field Watt Trader |
| Moon Stone | Lake of Outrage (initial/daily), Dusty Bowl, Digging Duo, Bridge Field Watt Trader |
| Sun Stone | Lake of Outrage (initial/daily), Dusty Bowl, Digging Duo, Bridge Field Watt Trader |
| Dusk Stone | Lake of Outrage (initial/daily), Stow-on-Side, Digging Duo, Bridge Field Watt Trader |
| Dawn Stone | Lake of Outrage (initial/daily), Giant's Cap, Digging Duo, Bridge Field Watt Trader |
| Shiny Stone | Lake of Outrage (initial/daily), Route 8, Hammerlocke, Digging Duo, Bridge Field Watt Trader |
By regularly checking the Lake of Outrage, engaging with the Digging Duo, monitoring the Bridge Field Watt Trader's stock, and exploring the Galar region thoroughly, you'll be well-equipped to collect all the evolution stones you need for your Pokémon journey. For more information on Pokémon Sword and Shield, you can visit the official Pokémon website.
