Pokémon Legends: Arceus - How to Evolve Pokémon and All Evolution Methods

Pokémon Legends: Arceus has set fans up for one of the most simplistic, yet rewarding, Pokédex completing experiences ever. The game has swapped out menus for more seamless gameplay, and allows players to explore the ancient region of Hisui at their own pace, with a few changes having been made to evolution too.

One aspect of Pokémon Legends: Arceus that many players have been gearing up for is new Pokémon, including the likes of Hisuian variations of Pokémon that we already know and love. One of the most exciting elements of Pokémon is when a member of your party is able to evolve, and watching them do so.

Evolution isn't going to be much different in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Here is every evolution method in the game, and how to evolve every Pokémon.

Natural Evolution

As you may expect, some Pokémon will evolve naturally as they level up.

• Ponyta → Rapidash (Level 40)
• Shinx → Luxio (Level 15) → Luxray (Leve
• Starly → Staravia (Level 14) → Staraptor (Level 34)
• Bidoof → Bibarel (Level 15)
• Oshawott → Dewott (Level 17) → Samurott (Level 36)
• Rowlet → Dartrix (Level 17) → Decidueye (Level 34)
• Cyndaquil → Quilava (Level 14) → Typhlosion (Level 36)
• Paras → Parasect (Level 24)
• Wurmple → Silcoon or Cascoon (Level 7, evolved Pokémon is random based on personality)
• Silcoon → Beautifly (Level 10)
• Cascoon → Dustox (Level 10)
• Drifloon → Drifblim (Level 28)
• Zubat → Golbat (Level 22) → Crobat (high friendship)
• Psyduck → Golduck (Level 33)
• Cherubi → Cherrim (Level 25)
• Chimchar → Monferno (Level 14) → Infernape (Level 36)
• Piplup → Prinplup (Level 16) → Empoleon (Level 36)
• Turtwig → Grotle (Level 18) → Torterra (Level 32)
• Kricketot → Kricketune (Level 10)
• Magikarp → Gyarados (Level 20)
• Shellos → Gastrodon (Level 30)
• Barboach → Whiscash (Level 30)
• Croagunk → Toxicroak (Level 37)
• Hippopotas → Hippowdon (Level 34)
• Stunky → Skuntank (Level 34)
• Skorupi → Drapion (Level 40)
• Spheal → Sealeo (Level 32) → Walrein (Level 44)
• Glameow → Purugly (Level 38)
• Tentacool → Tentracruel (Level 30)
• Gible → Gabite (Level 24) → Garchomp (Level 48)
• Cranidos → Rampardos (Level 30)
• Swinub → Piloswine (Level 33) → Mamoswine (Learn Ancient Power)
• Bergmite → Avalugg (Level 37)
• Bronzor → Bronzong (Level 33)
• Finneon → Lumineon (Level 31)
• Ralts → Kirlia (Level 20) → Gardevoir (Level 30)
• Shieldon → Bastiodon (Level 30)
• Snorunt → Glalie (Level 42)
• Remoraid → Octillery (Level 24)
• Rufflet → Braviary (Level 54)
• Zorua → Zoroark (Level 30)

We wouldn't necessarily call this next one a natural evolution, but it isn't too unnatural either:

• Mantyke → Mantine (have a Remoraid in your party)

Move-Based Evolutions

Move evolutions occur when a Pokémon learns a specific move.

• Yanma → Yanmega (Learn Ancient Power)
• Tangela → Tangrowth (Learn Ancient Power)
• Swinub → Piloswine (Level 33) → Mamoswine (Learn Ancient Power)
• Mime Jr. → Mr. Mime (Learn Mimic)
• Bonsly → Sudowoodo (Learn Mimic)
• Lickitung → Lickilicky (Learn Rollout)
• Aipom → Ambipom (Learn Double Hit)

Battle Evolutions

Some Pokémon need to complete certain activites during battle in order to evolve, either by taking a set amount of damage or completing a particular move multiple times. This can be done over the course of multiple battles, too, so can be achieved quickly!

• Hisuian Qwilfish → Overqwil (Use Barb Barrage in Strong Style 20 times)
• Basculin → Basculegion (Take 250 damage as recoil)
• Standler → Wyrdeer (Use Psyshield Bash in Agile Style 20 times)

Gender-Based Evolutions

Some Pokémon will only evolve into other Pokémon provided that they're of a specific gender.

• Burmy → Mothim (Male)
• Burmy → Wormadam (Female)
• Combee → Vespiquen (Female)
• Ralts → Kirlia (Level 20) → Gallade (Male, with Dawn Stone)
• Snorunt → Froslass (Female, with Dawn Stone)

click to enlarge

Friendship Evolutions

A good handful of Pokémon will only evolve after you've spent some time bonding with them and reached a high friendship level. You can also have the friendship levels with your Pokémon evaluated by speaking to Belamy in front of the Village Pastures, in Jubilife Village.

• Pichu → Pikachu (high friendship) → Raichu (Thunder Stone)
• Togepi → Togetic (high friendship) → Togekiss (Shiny Stone)
• Riolu → Lucario
• Eevee → Umbreon (during Night)
• Eevee → Espeon (during Day)
• Eevee → Sylveon (after learning a Fairy-type move)
• Budew → Roselia (high friendship during Day) → Roserade (Shiny Stone)
• Buneary → Lopunny
• Zubat → Golbat (Level 22) → Crobat (high friendship)
• Munchlax → Snorlax
• Cleffa → Clefairy → Clefable
• Chingling → Chimecho (during Night)

Location-Based Evolutions

Some Pokémon are prompted to evolve if they're in a certain location, and this can sometimes be easier than locating the relevant evolution stone.

• Eevee → Leafeon (Mossy Rock, southwest in The Heartwood of Obsidian Fieldlands)
• Eevee → Glaceon (Ice Rock inside a caverin in Bonechill Wastes of Alabaster Icelands)
• Goomy → Sliggoo (Level 40) → Goodra (rainy area)
• Nosepass → Probopass (Coronet Highlands)
• Magnemite → Magneton (Level 30) → Magnezone (Cornonet Highlands)

Item-Based Evolutions

Some Pokémon need you to use a specific item or stone to evolve them. If you have the item in your inventory, your Pokémon will say 'compatible' as you hover over the item.

Additionally, some Pokémon require trading in order to evolve, yet this isn't always possible. Instead, players can use the 'Linking Cord' item to complete trade evolutions without the need to trade online, including Pokémon who normally need to hold items while trading, such as Onix and Metal Coat.

• Eevee → Flareon (Fire Stone)
• Eevee → Glaceon (Ice Stone)
• Eevee → Leafeon (Leaf Stone)
• Eevee → Jolteon (Thunder Stone)
• Eevee → Vaporeon (Water Stone)
• Vulpix → Ninetales (Fire Stone)
• Cleffa → Clefairy → Clefable (Moon Stone)
• Duskull → Dusclops → Dusknoir (Reaper Cloth)
• Elekid → Electabuzz (Level 30) → Electivire (Electirizer)
• Gligar → Gliscoll (Razor Fang during Night)
• Happiny → Chinsey (Oval Stone during Day) → Blissey (high friendship)
• Sneasel → Weavile (Razor Claw during Night)
• Hisuian Sneasel → Sneasler (Razor Claw during Night)
• Hisuian Growlithe → Arcanine (Fire Stone)
• Hisuian Voltorb → Electrode (Leaf Stone)
• Magby → Magmar (Level 30) → Magmortar (Magmarizer)
• Magnemite → Magneton (Level 30) → Magnezone (Thunder Stone)
• Murkrow → Honchkrow (Dusk Stone)
• Misdreavus → Mismagius (Dusk Stone)
• Petilil → Lilligant (Sun Stone)
• Onix → Steelix (Metal Coat)
• Pichu → Pikachu (high friendship) → Raichu (Thunder Stone)
• Porygon → Porygon2 (Upgrade)
• Porygon2 → Porygon-Z (Dubious Disc)
• Budew → Roselia (high friendship during Day) → Roserade (Shiny Stone)
• Rhyhorn → Rhydon (Level 42) → Rhyperior (Protector)
• Scyther → Scizor (Metal Coat)
• Scyther → Kleavor (Black Augurite)
• Togepi → Togetic (high friendship) → Togekiss (Shiny Stone)
• Teddiursa → Ursaring (Level 30) → Ursaluna (Peat Block during Full Moon)

Trade Evolutions

These Pokémon will evolve through trading. However, for those who are unable to trade at a Trading Post, the 'Linking Cord' item can be used instead.

• Geodude → Graveler (Level 25) → Golem (Linking Cord, or Trading)
• Gastly → Haunter (Level 25) → Gengar (Linking Cord, or Trading)
• Abra → Kadabra (Level 16) → Alakazam (Linking Cord, or Trading)
• Machop → Machoke (Level 28) → Machamp (Linking Cord, or Trading)

Pokémon That Don't Evolve

The following Pokémon simply don't evolve.

• Heracross
• Pachirisu
• Spiritomb
• Unown
• Rotom
• Arceus
• Azelf
• Uxie
• Mesprit
• Palkia
• Dialga
• Cresselia
• Shaymin
• Darkrai
• Heatran
• Regigigas
• Thundurus
• Tornadus
• Landorus
• Enamorus
• Giratina
• Phione
• Manaphy

That's all you need to know about evolutions in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, now you can fill out your Pokédex!

For more on the new Pokémon title, we recommend our guides to tackling both Alpha Pokémon and Noble Pokémon, as well as our character customisation guide and what rideable Pokémon are available to help you travel Hisui in style.