In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, qualifying does not make a Pokémon evolve automatically: open the Pokémon menu and trigger the evolution yourself. The requirement depends on the species—it may involve a level or Friendship threshold, an evolution item, move use in a particular style, or a special condition such as the time of day or a full moon.
How evolution works in Legends: Arceus
When a Pokémon is ready to evolve, select it in the Pokémon menu and choose the evolution option. Evolution items that would traditionally be held or used in other Pokémon games are used as evolution items here; they are not all simply held by the Pokémon.
There is no single rule that covers every species. The examples below show several important methods, but they are not a complete species-by-species evolution list. Exact Friendship thresholds are not established here, so check the requirement for the particular Pokémon you are trying to evolve.
Evolution methods and examples
| Trigger | Examples | Extra condition | Avoids trading? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evolution item or trade | Kadabra → Alakazam; Machoke → Machamp; Graveler → Golem; Haunter → Gengar | Use a Linking Cord, or trade the Pokémon. | Yes, with a Linking Cord. |
| Evolution item | Hisuian Voltorb → Electrode; Scyther → Kleavor | Use a Leaf Stone for Hisuian Voltorb or Black Augurite for Scyther. | Yes. |
| Evolution item plus time or place | Hisuian Sneasel → Sneasler; Ursaring → Ursaluna; Nosepass → Probopass | Use a Razor Claw on Hisuian Sneasel during the day; use a Peat Block on Ursaring during a full moon; use a Thunder Stone on Nosepass or take it to Coronet Highlands. | Yes. |
| Move use in a specified style | Stantler → Wyrdeer; Hisuian Qwilfish → Overqwil | Use Agile Style Psyshield Bash 20 times with Stantler; use Strong Style Barb Barrage 20 times with Hisuian Qwilfish. | Yes. |
| Damage requirement | Basculin → Basculegion | Accumulate 294 recoil damage without fainting. | Yes. |
| Level or Friendship | Some species | Meet the relevant level or Friendship requirement, then trigger evolution in the Pokémon menu. A specific threshold depends on the species. | Yes. |
How to use the Linking Cord instead of trading
A Linking Cord provides an in-game alternative for Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, and Haunter. Trading is still an option, but it is not required for those evolutions if you have the item.
#1 Best Overall
- Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series
- Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed Poké Ball to catch them
- Unleash moves in the speedy agile style or the powerful strong style in battles
- Travel to the Hisui region—the Sinnoh of old—and build the region’s first Pokédex
- Learn about the Mythical Pokémon Arceus, the key to this mysterious tale
Nintendo Support says trading becomes available after reaching First Star rank. Local wireless trading is available; online trading requires an internet connection and an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. Trading access is therefore separate from the Linking Cord route.
How to meet move, time, and damage conditions
Move-use evolutions
For Stantler and Hisuian Qwilfish, the move and style both matter: the required move must be used 20 times in the specified style. Once the condition is met, select the Pokémon in the menu and trigger its evolution.
Rank #2
![Nintendo Pokémon Legends: Arceus - Standard - Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51obvZjDksL._SL160_.jpg)
- Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series
- Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed Poké Ball to catch them
- Unleash moves in the speedy agile style or the powerful strong style in battles
- Travel to the Hisui region—the Sinnoh of old—and build the region’s first Pokédex
- Learn about the Mythical Pokémon Arceus, the key to this mysterious tale
Time and location evolutions
Hisuian Sneasel must use a Razor Claw during the day to evolve into Sneasler. Ursaring must use a Peat Block during a full moon to evolve into Ursaluna. Nosepass can use a Thunder Stone, or evolve at Coronet Highlands.
Recoil-damage evolution
Basculin must take 294 recoil damage without fainting to become Basculegion. Keep track of the recoil it has accumulated; fainting before reaching the requirement means it has not met the stated condition.
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- This game comes in UK packaging, but it is region-free and compatible with all Nintendo Switch consoles worldwide.
Level and Friendship requirements
Level and Friendship are among the evolution triggers in Hisui, but the precise Friendship threshold varies by species and is not specified for the examples covered here. Do not assume that reaching a particular level automatically causes evolution: after the Pokémon meets its requirement, initiate the evolution from the Pokémon menu.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this guide does—and does not—cover
Hisui includes familiar Pokémon, regional forms, and evolutions introduced for the game. Nintendo identifies Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott as the first partners, whose final evolutions are Hisuian Decidueye, Hisuian Typhlosion, and Hisuian Samurott; it also names Wyrdeer, Basculegion, and Kleavor among the newly discovered Pokémon. The methods and examples here explain several major evolution patterns, but they do not verify every species or every Friendship threshold. For a specific Pokémon not listed above, confirm its individual requirement rather than treating this list as the full roster.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Included is the following: Pokémon Legends: Arceus for Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, 8 pack of PremGear 4 different Colors Thumb Grips (Joystick Cap Covers Compatible with Nintendo Switch/Lite/OLED), PremGear 24 Slot Game card Case/Holder with 2 Slot MicroSD Memory Card Adapter and PremGear Quality Cleaning Cloth
- Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series
- Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed PokéBall to catch them
- Unleash moves in the speedy agile style or the powerful strong style in battles
- Travel to the Hisui region - the Sinnoh of old - and build the region's first Pokédex
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