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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIn Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, reaching a certain level is only one way to evolve. Some Pokémon need an evolution stone or held item, high friendship, a particular time or gender, a move, a battle, 1,000 steps in Let’s Go mode, or another player. This checklist covers the special evolution methods in the base game and both DLC expansions; ordinary level-based evolutions are not included.
How to use this evolution checklist
Find your Pokémon in the first column, then meet every requirement listed in its row. “Level up” means gain a level after satisfying the other condition; an evolution item is generally used from the Bag unless the row says the Pokémon must hold it. “Base game” refers to Scarlet and Violet without the expansions; The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk add the DLC methods identified below. Serebii’s Scarlet and Violet evolution reference includes newer mechanics and DLC evolutions, while Rebecca Spear’s iMore guide from November 23, 2022 covers the base-game methods.
Pokémon that evolve simply by reaching a level have a species-specific threshold and are outside this special-method checklist. A Rare Candy can supply a level-up without a battle.
Stone and item evolutions
These evolutions use an item directly, except where the row specifically calls for a held item or a trade. For Sinistea, match the pot to its form.
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- New Pokémon to Discover - Learn new details about Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly—the three Pokémon from which you’ll choose your first partner—along with other wonderful new Pokémon, including the Legendary Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon!
- The World of Pokémon Has Evolved - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet offer an open-world experience that only the Pokémon series can deliver—one welcoming even to newcomers to the series.
- You can experience a new style of adventure, with a world that you’re free to explore at your leisure and not in an order dictated by the story. You will, of course, journey to hone your skills as a Pokémon Trainer, but many more discoveries and stories await you. Meet a variety of people and Pokémon, and adventure in the world of Pokémon the way you want to.
- A Deeper Experience with Multiplayer* Gameplay - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet allow multiplayer gameplay with up to four players. Along with series staples, such as trading and battling Pokémon, you will be able to explore the various locations of the region in these games with other players. You can discover new Pokémon and explore unfamiliar areas with your friends and family, opening the door to an adventure more precious and fun than ever!
- Meet the characters - As one of the main characters, you’ll set off on your adventure. Your outfit will vary depending on whether you play Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. Who knows what kind of story awaits you? For the first time in the series, one of two different professors will appear in your game depending on the version you choose to play.
| Pokémon | Evolves into | Requirement | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applin | Flapple | Use a Tart Apple | Base game |
| Applin | Appletun | Use a Sweet Apple | Base game |
| Applin | Dipplin | Use a Syrupy Apple | The Teal Mask |
| Capsakid | Scovillain | Use a Fire Stone | Base game |
| Cetoddle | Cetitan | Use an Ice Stone | Base game |
| Charcadet | Armarouge | Use Auspicious Armor | Base game |
| Charcadet | Ceruledge | Use Malicious Armor | Base game |
| Crabrawler | Crabominable | Use an Ice Stone | Base game |
| Eevee | Flareon | Use a Fire Stone | Base game |
| Eevee | Glaceon | Use an Ice Stone | Base game |
| Eevee | Leafeon | Use a Leaf Stone | Base game |
| Eevee | Jolteon | Use a Thunder Stone | Base game |
| Eevee | Vaporeon | Use a Water Stone | Base game |
| Floette | Florges | Use a Shiny Stone | Base game |
| Growlithe | Arcanine | Use a Fire Stone | Base game |
| Jigglypuff | Wigglytuff | Use a Moon Stone | Base game |
| Magneton | Magnezone | Use a Thunder Stone | Base game |
| Misdreavus | Mismagius | Use a Dusk Stone | Base game |
| Murkrow | Honchkrow | Use a Dusk Stone | Base game |
| Petilil | Lilligant | Use a Sun Stone | Base game |
| Pikachu | Raichu | Use a Thunder Stone | Base game |
| Shellder | Cloyster | Use a Water Stone | Base game |
| Sinistea | Polteageist | Use the pot item that matches Sinistea’s form | Base game |
| Sunkern | Sunflora | Use a Sun Stone | Base game |
| Tadbulb | Bellibolt | Use a Thunder Stone | Base game |
| Duraludon | Archaludon | Use Metal Alloy | The Indigo Disk |
Held items and trade evolutions
For a trade evolution, the item must be held by the Pokémon when the trade takes place. A trade partner is required; these are not solo evolutions.
| Pokémon | Evolves into | Requirement | Another player? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haunter | Gengar | Trade Haunter | Yes |
| Scyther | Scizor | Trade Scyther while it holds Metal Coat | Yes |
| Slowpoke | Slowking | Trade Slowpoke while it holds King’s Rock | Yes |
| Happiny | Chansey | Hold an Oval Stone and level up during the day | No |
| Sneasel | Weavile | Hold Razor Claw and level up at night | No |
Set up a Link Trade
- Open the in-game X menu and select Poké Portal.
- Choose Link Trade, then set the same link code as your partner.
- Begin searching and complete the trade. Confirm that the Pokémon is holding the required item before trading it.
Nintendo Support says online play requires an internet connection and an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nearby players can use local communication instead.
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- If you purchase either the physical or digital double pack, you will receive a 200 Poké Ball bonus via download codes* that can be entered in the Mystery Gift** feature in your game!
- The packaged version of the double pack includes 1 physical Pokémon Scarlet game and 1 physical Pokémon Violet game
- Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities
- Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea
Friendship evolutions
Build friendship, then level up the Pokémon. The evolution branches below have extra conditions where noted.
| Pokémon | Evolves into | Extra condition |
|---|---|---|
| Azurill | Marill | None listed beyond friendship |
| Chansey | Blissey | None listed beyond friendship |
| Igglybuff | Jigglypuff | None listed beyond friendship |
| Pichu | Pikachu | None listed beyond friendship |
| Riolu | Lucario | None listed beyond friendship |
| Eevee | Espeon | Level up during the day; it must not meet the conditions for Sylveon |
| Eevee | Umbreon | Level up at night; it must not meet the conditions for Sylveon |
| Eevee | Sylveon | Know a Fairy-type move |
Picnic interaction and care can help build friendship. The Soothe Bell is a held item that increases friendship. Eevee’s friendship evolutions compete with its stone evolutions: use a stone for Flareon, Glaceon, Leafeon, Jolteon, or Vaporeon instead of relying on a friendship level-up.
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Walking in Let’s Go mode
Send the Pokémon out using Let’s Go mode and walk with it outside its Poké Ball. After it has taken 1,000 steps, level it up to trigger the evolution. Serebii lists 1,000 steps for each of these three evolutions.
| Pokémon | Evolves into | Requirement | Another player? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bramblin | Brambleghast | 1,000 Let’s Go steps, then level up | No |
| Pawmo | Pawmot | 1,000 Let’s Go steps, then level up | No |
| Rellor | Rabsca | 1,000 Let’s Go steps, then level up | No |
Time, level, and gender conditions
These evolutions need the stated level and time of day, or a particular gender. The Rockruff dusk form has a narrower evening window than the usual day-or-night split.
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| Pokémon | Evolves into | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Fomantis | Lurantis | Reach level 34 and level up during the day |
| Greavard | Houndstone | Reach level 30 and level up at night |
| Rockruff | Midday Lycanroc | Reach level 25 and level up during the day |
| Rockruff | Midnight Lycanroc | Reach level 25 and level up at night |
| Own Tempo Rockruff | Dusk Lycanroc | Reach level 25 and level up in the 7–8 p.m. window |
| Yungoos | Gumshoos | Reach level 20 and level up during the day |
| Female Combee | Vespiquen | Reach level 21 |
| Female Salandit | Salazzle | Reach level 33 |
| Male Kirlia | Gallade | Use a Dawn Stone |
| Female Snorunt | Froslass | Use a Dawn Stone |
Move, battle, coin, and multiplayer conditions
| Pokémon | Evolves into | Requirement | Another player? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primeape | Annihilape | Use Rage Fist 20 times, then level up | No |
| Girafarig | Farigiraf | Know Twin Beam, then level up | No |
| Dunsparce | Dudunsparce | Know Hyper Drill, then level up | No |
| Dipplin | Hydrapple | Know Dragon Cheer, then level up | No |
| Bisharp | Kingambit | Hold Leader’s Crest, defeat three Bisharp that also hold Leader’s Crest, then level up | No |
| Gimmighoul | Gholdengo | Collect 999 Gimmighoul Coins, then level up | No |
| Tandemaus | Maushold | Reach level 25; the evolution can occur randomly after leveling without the usual evolution screen | No |
| Finizen | Palafin | Reach level 38 or higher and battle while in a Union Circle with other players | Yes |
The 1,000-step requirement and 999 Gimmighoul Coins are mechanics listed in Serebii’s Scarlet and Violet evolution reference. For Finizen, the current reference specifies battling in a Union Circle; leveling alone is not enough.
Why didn’t my Pokémon evolve when it reached the expected level?
Check whether the evolution also needs a held item, a particular time, high friendship, a move, a gender, a battle condition, steps, or multiplayer. If the Pokémon passed the level it needed before the other condition was met, it may need to gain another level after you satisfy that condition. iMore’s 2022 guide suggests a traditional battle level-up or Rare Candy when an expected evolution is missed, but presents this as its own reported experience rather than a universal rule.
Quick Recap
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- For a time-based evolution, confirm the game is in the required day or night period when the Pokémon levels up.
- For a move-based evolution, make sure the Pokémon knows the required move before gaining a level.
- For trade evolutions, verify the held item is equipped and that the trade completed.
- For walking evolutions, walk with the Pokémon outside its Poké Ball in Let’s Go mode before leveling it.
- For Finizen, join a Union Circle and battle with other players after meeting the level threshold.
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