Over the years, there has been new evolutions methods introduced in almost every generation, beginning with level-up, item-based evolution, and trading. Since then, there have been a ton of new methods — so many, in fact, that it can be hard to keep track of them all.
In Sword & Shield, many of these confusing or frustrating methods still exist, and a few new ones have been introduced as well. If you’re looking to complete your full Pokédex, here are the most annoying evolution methods that might cause you some trouble.
10 Gender-Based Evolutions
Generation IV introduced a new mechanic that allowed formerly single-evolution Pokémon to branch into a second option. Gender-based evolution allowed for male Kirlia to now evolve into Gallade and female Snorunt to become a Froslass. It also allowed the then-newly-introduced Combee to evolve into Vespiquen when female, and for Burmy to have two different evolutions, based on gender.
One of the most difficult gender-based evolutions, though, was introduced in Generation VII. Female Salandit can evolve into Salazzle, while males cannot. With a 7:1 male to female ratio, it’s pretty hard to find a female to evolve.
9 Weavile
There are plenty of Pokémon that need to hold an item to evolve, or can evolve at a certain time of day. However, Weavile is one of the only Pokémon that requires both of these conditions. In order to get a Sneasel to evolve, it needs to be holding a Razor Claw and level up at night.
What makes this even more annoying, though, is that Razor Claws are few and far between, meaning you’ll have to search everywhere for one. Luckily, it’s a bit easier in Generation VIII, with one respawning regularly in Dusty Bowl.
8 Dusk Form Lycanroc
Initially, there were only two evolutions available to Generation VII’s Rockruff. It could evolve into two different forms of Lycanroc: Midday Lycanroc or Midnight Lycanroc.
However, a third option was eventually introduced: Dusk Form Lycanroc. The catch here is that this evolution is very hard to obtain. In order to evolve a Rockruff into Dusk Form Lycanroc, it needs to have its hidden ability, Own Tempo, and be leveled up between 7 p.m. and 7:59 p.m., real time.
7 Runerigus
One of the many older Pokémon to receive a new Galarian form and corresponding evolution was Yamask, which can now evolve into Runerigus, rather than its Unovan counterpart which evolves into Cofagrigus. However, this is no easy evolution.
If you’ve caught yourself a Galarian Yamask and want to evolve it, here’s how you do so: Let it lose at least 49 HP and then walk under the stone archway in the Dusty Bowl before it takes any more damage or faints.
6 Sirfetch’d
Yamask isn’t the only Pokémon that received a new regional form, evolution, and annoying method to make it evolve. Farfetch’d, introduced originally in Generation I, now has a Galarian form as well. This one evolves into Sirfetch’d, a sword and shield-wielding Fighting-type duck.
To evolve Galarian Farfetch’d into Sirfetch’d, you’ll need it to land three critical hits in a single battle. There are a few items and tricks to make this easier to obtain, but it’s definitely one of the harder evolution methods, to be sure.
5 Hitmontop
Hatched or caught a few Tyrogue and want to evolve them into Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, and Hitmontop? You’d better hope that they have the right stats. This is because Tyrogue’s evolution end results are determined by its stats.
This Fighting-type Baby Pokémon will evolve into Hitmonlee at level 20 if its attack is higher than its defense, Hitmonchan if defense is higher, and Hitmontop if the two stats are completely equal. It can be a nightmare and a headache to get the right stats, so good luck!
4 Goodra
Most pseudo-legendary Pokémon have to be leveled up pretty high before they’ll evolve. The lowest level at which a pseudo-legendary can be obtained is a tie between Metagross and Kommo-o, which evolve from their pre-evolutions at level 45.
It makes sense, then, that Generation VI pseudo-legendary Goodra is pretty hard to obtain already. It will evolve from Sliggoo at level 50. However, it has another condition that the other pseudos lack. It needs to be raining in the overworld, otherwise its evolution won’t trigger. Rain in battle won’t count, either, so watch the Wild Area weather for rain.
3 Escavalier & Accelgor
Trade evolution is, of course, nothing new. Machamp, Gengar, Golem, and Alakazam were all obtained by trading their pre-evolutions. This can be, at times, a huge pain, as you’ll need a friend or someone very nice online to trade you your Pokémon back after you send it to them and it evolves.
However, Generation V took this a step further when it introduced Karrablast and Shelmet, which both evolve by trading. However, there’s a catch. They need to be traded for each other, specifically.
2 Milotic
Very few Pokémon have ever had their evolution method changed, but Feebas is one of them. This poor, ugly fish would evolve into Milotic when its Beauty condition is high enough prior to Generation V. However, now Feebas needs to be traded while holding a Prism Scale.
Evolving by trade with a held item is not new, of course, but it’s not easy and the hardest part can be finding Feebas in the first place. This sad Water-type has a low 1 percent encounter rate in one single place: Route 2.
1 High-Level Evolutions
There are many strange and difficult evolution methods, but they can typically be obtained quickly if you have a trading partner, the necessary item, or a bit of strategy prepared in advance. However, there is one method that will always take a long time, regardless of how prepared you are, and that’s the original one: leveling up.
Some Pokémon evolve at truly high levels, including the aforementioned pseudo-legendaries (Zweilous holds the record at level 64), but also Larvesta, which evolves at level 59, and many others like Vullaby & Rufflet (level 54) and Pawniard (level 52).
Luckily, once the game is cleared, all Wild Area Pokémon are level 60, which can make this task a bit easier.
NEXT: Pokémon Sword & Shield: Ranking Every Rival In The Game (Including The Isle Of Armor)
