Guide on Evolutionary Methods
In addition to evolution stones, there are other methods of evolving a player’s pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. Below is a list of other evolution methods and how to apply them.
Evolutionary Stones
Some Pokemon require the use of special evolutionary stones in order to evolve. The available evolutions and locations of each stone are on our Evolutionary Stone page.
By Trading
| Current Form | Next Evolution | Item Required | Evolution Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machoke | Machamp | – | Evolves after being traded to another game |
| Haunter | Gengar | – | Evolves after being traded to another game |
| Onix | Steelix | Metal Coat | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Rhydon | Rhyperior | Protector | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Feebas | Milotic | Prism Scale | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Dusclops | Dusknoir | Reaper Cloth | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Boldore | Gigalith | – | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Gurdurr | Conkeldurr | – | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Karrablast | Escavalier | – | Evolves after being traded for Shelmet. |
| Shelmet | Accelgor | – | Evolves after being traded for Karrablast. |
| Spritzee | Aromatisse | Sachet | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Swirlix | Slurpuff | Whipped Dream | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Phantump | Trevenant | – | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Pumpkaboo | Gourgeist | – | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Slowpoke | Slowking | King’s Rock | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Seadra | Kingdra | Dragon’s Scale | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
| Electabuzz | Electavire | Electirizer | Evolves after being traded to another game. |
By Attaching Items and Spinning
| Current Form | Next Evolution | Item Required | Evolution Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milcery | (Vanilla Cream) Alcremie | Berry Sweet Clover Sweet Flower Sweet Love Sweet Ribbon Sweet Star Sweet Strawberry Sweet |
Attach one sweet to Milcery. Then, quickly spin on the spot clockwise. This should be done during the daytime. |
| (Ruby Cream) Alcremie | Attach one sweet to Milcery. Then, quickly spin on the spot counter-clockwise. This should be done during the daytime. | ||
| (Caramel Swirl) Alcremie | Attach one sweet to Milcery. Then, spin on the spot clockwise for more than 5 seconds. This should be done during the daytime. | ||
| (Ruby Swirl) Alcremie | Attach one sweet to Milcery. Then, spin on the spot counter-clockwise for more than 5 seconds. This should be done during the daytime. | ||
| (Matcha Cream) Alcremie | Attach one sweet to Milcery. Then, quickly spin on the spot clockwise. This should be done at night. | ||
| (Salted Cream) Alcremie | Attach one sweet to Milcery. Then, quickly spin on the spot counter-clockwise. This should be done at night. | ||
| (Lemon Cream) Alcremie | Attach one sweet to Milcery. Then, spin on the spot clockwise for more than 5 seconds. This should be done at night. | ||
| (Mint Cream) Alcremie | Attach one sweet to Milcery. Then, spin on the spot counter-clockwise for more than 5 seconds. This should be done at night. | ||
| (Rainbow Swirl) Alcremie | Attach one sweet to Milcery. Then, spin on the spot counter-clockwise for more than 5 seconds. This should be done at dusk/dawn. |
By Using Items
| Current Form | Next Evolution | Item Required | Evolution Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applin | Flapple (Sword only) | Tart Apple | Use the item. |
| Applin | Appletun (Shield only) | Sweet Apple | Use the item. |
| Common Sinistea (Forgery) | Polteageist | Cracked Pot | Use the item. |
| Rare Sinistea (Authentic) | Polteageist | Chipped Pot | Use the item. |
By Attaching Items
| Current Form | Next Evolution | Move Required | Evolution Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sneasel | Weavile | Razor Claw | Level up Sneasel while Razor Claw is held. This should be done at night. |
By Attaching Moves
| Current Form | Next Evolution | Move Required | Evolution Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonsly | Sudowoodo | Mimic | Level up Bonsly in battle while Mimic is in its moveset. |
| Mime Jr. | Mr. Mime | Mimic | Level up Mime Jr. in battle while Mimic is in its moveset. |
| Mamoswine | Piloswine | Ancient Power | Level up Piloswine in battle while Ancient Power is in its moveset. |
| Pancham | Pangoro | Dark type move | Level up Pancham in battle while having a dark type move in its moveset. |
| Clobbopus | Grapploct | Taunt | Level up Clobbopus in battle while Taunt is in its moveset. |
By Battle Conditions
| Current Form | Next Evolution | Battle Condition Required | Evolution Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inkay | Malamar | Use handheld mode and turn the switch upside down | After reaching level 30, level up Inkay in battle while holding the switch upside down. |
| Sliggoo | Goodra | Raining | After reaching level 50, level up Sliggoo in battle while it’s raining. |
| Farfetch’d | Sirfetch’d (Sword only) | Perform 3 critical hits | Attack an opponent with three critical hits in a single battle. |
| Linoone | Obstagoon | Reach level 35 at night time | Level up Linoone up to 35 during night time. |
| Mantyke | Mantine | Must have Remoraid in party | Level up Mantyke while Remoraid is in the same party. |
By Gender
| Current Form | Next Evolution | Gender Required | Evolution Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combee | Vespiquen | Must be female | After reaching level 21, level up Combee in battle. |
| Salandit | Salazzle | Must be female | After reaching level 33, level up Salandit in battle. |
By Specific Nature
| Current Form | Next Evolution | Nature Required | Evolution Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toxel | Toxtricity | Adamant Brave Docile Hardy Hasty Impish Jolly Lax Naive Naughty Rash Quirky Sassy |
Level up Toxel to 30 while it has one of these specific natures in its state. |
| Toxel | Toxtricity | Bashful Bold Calm Careful Gentle Lonely Mild Modest Quiet Relaxed Serious Timid |
Level up Toxel in battle up to 30 while it has one of these specific natures in its current state. |
By Happiness / Friendship Level
| Current Form | Next Evolution | Happiness Value Required | Evolution Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eevee | Espeon | 220 happiness | Level up Eevee at day time while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
| Umbreon | 220 happiness | Level up Eevee at night time while maintaining its 220 happiness value. | |
| Sylveon | 160 happiness | Level up Eevee while it has a fairy type move in its moveset while maintaining its 160 happiness value. | |
| Pichu | Pikachu | 220 happiness | Level up Pichu while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
| Cleffa | Clefairy | 220 happiness | Level up Cleffa while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
| Togepi | Togetic | 220 happiness | Level up Togepi while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
| Budew | Roselia | 220 happiness | Level up Budew at day time while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
| Riolu | Lucario | 220 happiness | Level up Riolu at day time while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
| Munchlax | Snorlax | 220 happiness | Level up Munchlax while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
| Woobat | Swoobat | 220 happiness | Level up Woobat while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
| Type: Null | Silvally | 220 happiness | Level up Type: Null while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
| Snom | Frosmoth | 220 happiness | Level up Snom at night time while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
| Marill | Azumarill | 220 happiness | Level up Marill up to Level 18 while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
| Chansey | Blissey | 220 happiness | Level up Chansey while maintaining its 220 happiness value. |
By Received Damage and Location
| Current Form | Next Evolution | Requirements | Evolution Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamask | Runerigus | 49 damage received | Take at least 49 HP damage. Then walk under a stone sculpture in the Dusty Bowl wild area. |
By Timezone
| Current Form | Next Evolution | Item Required | Evolution Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amaura | Aurorus | None | Level up Amaura at night starting at level 39. |
Pokemon Sword and Shield Recommended Article List
| ▼Pokemon Sword and Shield Recommended Articles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Expansion Pass | All Diglett Locations | Gen 8 Starters |
| Galar Dex | Pokemon Battles | Walkthroughs |
| Beginner Guides | Strategy Guides | Game Database |
| Strategy Guides | Post-Game | TM Locations |
| TR List | Evolution Stones | Evolution Methods |
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