Evolving Pokémon in Pokémon Shield involves a variety of methods, from simply gaining experience to using special items or meeting unique conditions. Understanding these different evolution triggers is key to completing your Pokédex and strengthening your team.
Main Evolution Methods in Pokémon Shield
Pokémon can evolve through several distinct processes in the Galar region. Here's a breakdown of how you can evolve your Pokémon:
1. Leveling Up
The most common way for a Pokémon to evolve is by gaining enough experience to reach a specific level. Once a Pokémon hits its required level, it will automatically attempt to evolve after battle or after receiving enough experience points.
- How it works: Engage in battles, use Exp. Candies, or have your Pokémon in your party when another Pokémon battles to earn experience.
- Examples:
- Grookey evolves into Thwackey at Level 16, and then into Rillaboom at Level 35.
- Pikachu evolves into Raichu (though Pikachu can also evolve via a Thunder Stone).
- Rookidee evolves into Corvisquire at Level 18, then into Corviknight at Level 38.
2. Using Evolution Stones
Only a certain number of Pokémon need an Evolution Stone to evolve, and it can be used at any level. All you have to do is find the specific Evolution Stone your Pokémon requires, and you can start the evolution process. These special items cause immediate evolution when used on the correct Pokémon, regardless of its level.
- How it works: Select the Evolution Stone from your Bag and use it on the Pokémon you wish to evolve.
- Examples:
- Vulpix will only evolve into Ninetales if a Fire Stone is used on it.
- Eevee can evolve into Flareon (Fire Stone), Vaporeon (Water Stone), or Jolteon (Thunder Stone).
- Togetic evolves into Togekiss with a Shiny Stone.
Here's a table of common Evolution Stones and some Pokémon they affect:
| Evolution Stone | Common Evolutions |
|---|---|
| Fire Stone | Vulpix → Ninetales, Growlithe → Arcanine, Eevee → Flareon |
| Water Stone | Poliwhirl → Poliwrath, Shellder → Cloyster, Eevee → Vaporeon |
| Thunder Stone | Pikachu → Raichu, Eevee → Jolteon, Charjabug → Vikavolt |
| Leaf Stone | Gloom → Vileplume, Weepinbell → Victreebel, Nuzleaf → Shiftry |
| Moon Stone | Nidorina → Nidoqueen, Nidorino → Nidoking, Clefairy → Clefable |
| Sun Stone | Gloom → Bellossom, Sunkern → Sunflora, Cottonee → Whimsicott |
| Dusk Stone | Murkrow → Honchkrow, Misdreavus → Mismagius, Doublade → Aegislash |
| Dawn Stone | Kirlia (male) → Gallade, Snorunt (female) → Froslass |
| Shiny Stone | Togetic → Togekiss, Roselia → Roserade, Minccino → Cinccino |
| Ice Stone | Eevee → Glaceon, Galarian Darumaka → Galarian Darmanitan |
3. Trading Pokémon
Some Pokémon evolve only when they are traded between players. In some cases, they also need to be holding a specific item during the trade.
- How it works: Initiate a trade with another player (locally or online) and exchange the Pokémon.
- Examples (Standard Trade):
- Kadabra evolves into Alakazam upon trade.
- Machoke evolves into Machamp upon trade.
- Examples (Trade with Held Item):
- Onix holding a Metal Coat evolves into Steelix upon trade.
- Scyther holding a Metal Coat evolves into Scizor upon trade.
- Dusclops holding a Reaper Cloth evolves into Dusknoir upon trade.
4. Leveling Up with a Held Item
A few Pokémon require you to level them up while they are holding a particular item. The item is typically consumed upon evolution.
- How it works: Give the required item to your Pokémon to hold, then gain a level.
- Examples:
- Sneasel holding a Razor Claw and leveling up at night evolves into Weavile.
- Porygon holding an Upgrade and leveling up evolves into Porygon2. (Note: Porygon2 then evolves into Porygon-Z by holding a Dubious Disc and being traded).
- Milcery holding a specific Sweet item evolves into Alcremie when you spin your character in a circle in the overworld.
5. High Friendship/Affection
For certain Pokémon, developing a strong bond (high friendship) with them is necessary for evolution. Once their friendship level is high enough, they will evolve when they gain a level.
- How it works: Increase friendship by battling with the Pokémon, giving them items, playing with them in Pokémon Camp, or having them walk with you (in the Isle of Armor/Crown Tundra DLC).
- Examples:
- Eevee evolves into Espeon during the day (with high friendship) or Umbreon at night (with high friendship).
- Pichu evolves into Pikachu with high friendship.
- Golbat evolves into Crobat with high friendship.
6. Unique Conditions
Some Pokémon have very specific and often quirky requirements to evolve in Pokémon Shield. These can include learning a certain move, reaching a specific location, or even taking a certain amount of damage.
- How it works: Fulfill the specific condition unique to that Pokémon, then often level it up.
- Examples:
- Galarian Farfetch'd evolves into Sirfetch'd after landing three critical hits in a single battle.
- Galarian Yamask evolves into Runerigus after taking at least 49 HP in damage in a single battle and then walking under the stone arch in the Dusty Bowl.
- Applin evolves into Flapple when given a Tart Apple or Appletun when given a Sweet Apple.
- Mime Jr. evolves into Mr. Mime when it levels up knowing the move Mimic.
- Galarian Slowpoke evolves into Galarian Slowbro using a Galar Cuff, or Galarian Slowking using a Galar Wreath.
Finding Evolution Items
Many evolution items, including stones and held items, can be found throughout the Wild Area, purchased from vendors in Stow-on-Side, or dug up by the Digging Duo near the Pokémon Nursery in Bridge Field. Specialized items for Galarian forms may require crafting or specific quests in the Isle of Armor or Crown Tundra DLC.
By understanding these diverse methods, you can strategically plan your Pokémon's evolution journey and build the ultimate team in Pokémon Shield.
