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Pokémon Legends: Z-A Evolution Guide: Trade, Special & Stone Evolutions

A practical, source-attributed checklist of Pokémon Legends: Z-A stone, special-condition, and trade evolutions—with held items and Link Play basics.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A can evolve by leveling up, using an Evolution stone, meeting a special condition, or trading. Below is a practical checklist of stone, special-condition, and trade examples reported by Insider Gaming and Serebii—not a verified, complete list for every update or DLC. Check the in-game evolution prompt or current Pokédex information for a disputed or newly added case.

How evolution works in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

The Pokémon Company’s official adventure guide says some Pokémon evolve through “more surprising methods” rather than leveling up. That can mean using a particular stone, meeting a condition such as time of day or weather, or trading with another player. The species-specific examples below come from secondary guides, so treat them as a helpful checklist rather than an official, exhaustive Pokédex index.

When Pokémon evolve or are traded, their data is registered in the Rotom Phone Pokédex, according to the official guide. If your goal is Pokédex completion, keep track of both the evolution and any trade-dependent entries.

Stone evolutions: which Evolution stones to use

Insider Gaming lists the following stone evolutions. The gender requirements shown in that guide are preserved here; use the evolution prompt in your game if a requirement appears different in your version.

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Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
  • Venture into Hyperspace Lumiose in this additional story content that can be accessed after completing the main game
  • Work with the mysterious baker, Ansha, to make donuts that awaken the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa’s power and grant you and your Pokémon a variety of useful effects
  • Join Team MZ and the Mega Evolution Successor, Korrina, to investigate Hyperspace Lumiose, the otherworldly home to rare and hyper-strong Pokémon
  • Discover new Mega Evolutions such as Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y, Mega Chimecho and Mega Baxcalibur
  • Claim Holo-X and Holo-Y in-game apparel items, which you can wear as soon as you are able to customize your character’s look and outfit in the main game
Pokémon Evolves into Requirement
Roselia Roserade Shiny Stone
Staryu Starmie Water Stone
Floette Florges Shiny Stone
Pikachu Raichu Thunder Stone
Clefairy Clefable Moon Stone
Doublade Aegislash Dusk Stone
Weepinbell Victreebel Leaf Stone
Pansage Simisage Leaf Stone
Pansear Simisear Fire Stone
Panpour Simipour Water Stone
Male Kirlia Gallade Dawn Stone
Eevee Jolteon Thunder Stone
Eevee Vaporeon Water Stone
Eevee Flareon Fire Stone
Eevee Leafeon Leaf Stone
Eevee Glaceon Ice Stone
Eelektrik Eelektross Thunder Stone
Female Snorunt Froslass Dawn Stone
Lampent Chandelure Dusk Stone
Helioptile Heliolisk Sun Stone

The official Pokémon guide identifies the Stone Emporium as a place to obtain Evolution stones and related items. Mega Stones are a separate category: the guide says they can be exchanged for Mega Shards at Quasartico Inc., but that exchange is not the same as using an Evolution stone to change a Pokémon’s species.

Special evolution methods

Insider Gaming lists these level, friendship, time-of-day, and weather conditions. Exact friendship thresholds are not specified in the source, so the table uses its reported “high friendship” wording.

Pokémon Evolves into Condition
Budew Roselia High friendship during the day
Pichu Pikachu High friendship
Cleffa Clefairy High friendship
Eevee Espeon High friendship during the day
Eevee Umbreon High friendship at night
Eevee Sylveon High friendship and a Fairy-type move known
Buneary Lopunny High friendship
Riolu Lucario High friendship during the day
Sliggoo Goodra Reach level 50 while it is raining
Tyrunt Tyrantrum Reach level 39 during the day
Amaura Aurorus Reach level 39 at night

Serebii’s evolution-method reference also reports two unusual cases: Yamask evolves into Runerigus after taking more than 49 HP of damage without being knocked out, then walking under the bridge between Wild Zones 11 and 17; Qwilfish evolves into Overqwil after using Barb Barrage 20 times. These are individual reported examples, not a complete list of unusual methods.

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Pokémon Legends: Z-A Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]
  • Your journey will take you to all manner of sights in the streets arrayed around Prism Tower, including shops, restaurants, and places called wild zones—where Pokémon roam free.
  • As you catch, train, and battle Pokémon, there will be plenty of people to meet too—like AZ, the enigmatic owner of Hotel Z.
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Trade evolutions and held-item requirements

Insider Gaming lists these trade evolutions. Four require the listed item to be held when the Pokémon is traded.

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Pokémon Evolves into Trade requirement
Kadabra Alakazam Trade
Haunter Gengar Trade
Spritzee Aromatisse Trade while holding Sachet
Swirlix Slurpuff Trade while holding Whipped Dream
Machoke Machamp Trade
Slowpoke Slowking Trade while holding King’s Rock
Scyther Scizor Trade while holding Metal Coat
Phantump Trevenant Trade
Onix Steelix Trade while holding Metal Coat
Pumpkaboo Gourgeist Trade

Choose local wireless or remote Link Play

Nintendo Support says Link Play becomes available after the Rewards feature in Mable’s Research is unlocked, which it estimates takes about 1 to 1.5 hours of play. Local trades use local wireless; remote play uses an internet connection. Remote online play requires Nintendo Switch Online, an eligible copy of the game on each system, and the latest software update. Local wireless is an alternative and does not require an online membership.

Nintendo’s support instructions explain Link Play and private battle rooms, but do not provide a complete trade walkthrough in the referenced page. Follow the current Link Play menus in the game to start the trade, and confirm any required held item before sending the Pokémon.

Rank #3
Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
  • [4K ULTRA HD PERFORMANCE] Protect the peace in Lumiose City in this enhanced edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 system, featuring native 4K resolution and a stable 60FPS frame rate. Experience the urban re-development plan with high-fidelity textures and advanced lighting effects centered around the iconic Prism Tower.
  • [REAL-TIME BATTLE ENGINE] For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, command your Pokémon in seamless real-time battles. Engage over 100+ unique species with zero loading transitions, utilizing an upgraded combat AI that leverages the increased processing power of the Switch 2 hardware.
  • [MEGA EVOLUTION MECHANICS] Master the power of Mega Evolution to suppress rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon appearing across the Kalos region. This edition introduces 15+ newly discovered Mega-Evolved forms, each rendered with dynamic particle effects and exclusive Z-A signature moves for tactical depth.
  • [MULTIPLAYER Z-A ROYALE] Compete in the Z-A Royale each night to test your skills against global Trainers. Supported by Nintendo Switch 2's improved low-latency wireless architecture, these competitive events allow you to climb leaderboards and unlock rare evolution stones in 20-player lobbies.
  • [EXPANSIVE WILD ZONES] Explore vibrant Wild Zones where Pokémon roam free in their natural habitats, from bustling city shops to hidden restaurants. This Hong Kong physical edition is region-free and supports English, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese, featuring the enigmatic AZ and the peacekeeping Team MZ.

Mega Evolution is not a standard species evolution

Mega Evolution is a battle transformation rather than a permanent species evolution. The Pokémon Company describes Mega Evolutions as “evolved forms that transcend standard Evolution.” It announced Mega Chesnaught, Mega Delphox, and Mega Greninja, each tied to its respective Mega Stone.

The announcement says those three Mega Stones are awarded through promotion in online Ranked Battles, are not normally obtainable through regular gameplay, and are planned for redistribution in future seasons. It also limits players to one of each kind. Ranked schedules and online availability can change, so check the game’s current news for the active reward details. Online features require a Nintendo Account and Nintendo Switch Online membership, and availability varies by country.

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