One of the most-loved aspects of the Pokemon series is the ability for creatures to evolve and take on totally new forms. It’s been a core aspect of the series since day one, and Game Freak continues to conjure up new methods for making Pokemon evolve into their next form. For many Pokemon, it’s a straightforward leveling up process, but for some, it can be challenging, bizarre, or even mysterious, much like the creatures of our planet Earth.
One common method of evolution that has been around since Generation I is the use of an item, specifically a special stone like a Thunder Stone or Moon Stone. The introduction of Generation IV not only meant new creatures in the Pokedex, but also new evolutionary stones for players to help them complete said Pokedex. A sizeable amount of Sinnoh Pokemon evolve via stone, and interestingly enough, all of them evolve from Pokemon that existed before Sinnoh’s debut.
10 Roserade
No Pokemon Generation has expanded upon existing Pokemon through new evolutions quite like Generation IV. Roselia is one Pokemon that got the royal treatment, receiving a baby form in Budew and a stronger evolution in Roserade. While Budew evolves through level-up with high friendship during the day, Roselia requires a Shiny Stone to evolve into Roserade. It makes sense that a previously discovered Pokemon such as Roselia would have a method of evolving absent from previous regions.
Shiny Stones were new in Generation IV and could be found in areas such as Route 228 or Iron Island. For a renewable source of Shiny Stones, players should have a Pokemon level 41 or above with the ability Pickup, which will allow them to randomly pick up items after every battle, regardless of whether they participated.
9 Mismagius
Misdreavus was the only Ghost-type Pokemon introduced in Generation II, meant to expand upon the popularity of the Gastly line in the first Pokemon games. Many found Misdreavus underwhelming due to its lack of evolution to help it hold up in battle. Luckily, Gen IV pulled through again with the introduction of Mismagius.
Misdreavus evolves when exposed to a Dusk Stone, another new stone introduced in Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Dusk Stones can be found in the Galactic Warehouse of Veilstone City and Sinnoh’s Victory Road, but like the Shiny Stone, Pickup can be used to find as many as needed (if you have the patience to farm for them).
8 Honchkrow
There are multiple Pokemon families that rely on the Dusk Stone for evolution, and Murkrow happens to be the other Johto Pokemon on that list. Up until Generation V, Murkrow and Honchkrow were the only Dark and Flying-type Pokemon to exist in the world.
In the Generation IV games, Murkrow can only be found in Pokemon Diamond’s Eterna Forest, as well as the Lost Tower during nighttime. Once caught, simply expose it to a Dusk Stone to obtain a Honchkrow, also referred to as the “Summoner of Night.”
7 Happiny
Happiny is a special exception when it comes to Evolution stones; though its evolution into Chansey technically requires the use of a stone, the Oval Stone is considered a held item and will not be consumed upon use. By leveling up while holding the Oval Stone during the day, Happiny will evolve into the well-known and well-loved Egg Pokemon, Chansey.
Happiny is one of eight baby Pokemon introduced in Generation IV, along with Pokemon such as Mime Jr. and Bonsly. Many trainers will obtain a Happiny by hatching the egg given to them in Hearthome City, but many Happiny can be found in Mr. Backlot’s Trophy Garden. For Oval Stones, head to the Lost Tower or try mining in the Underground.
6 Leafeon
Eevee has been a special Pokemon from the very beginning, with three different evolutions possible depending on which stone was used. Subsequent Pokemon games added to the Eevee family, including methods such as high friendship and love. Generation IV’s additions were Leafeon and Glaceon, who evolve in a very special way related to the Sinnoh region itself.
To evolve Eevee into Leafeon, trainers must level it up near a Moss Rock, a special boulder originally found in Eterna Forest. The Moss Rock is unique in that it is a location rather than a held item or a traditional evolution stone, and most Pokemon games after Sinnoh had their own Moss Rocks somewhere in the region. In Generation VIII, Eevee can be given a Leaf Stone to evolve into Leafeon.
5 Glaceon
Glaceon is the Ice-type Eeveelution introduced in the Sinnoh games, most likely to fit in with the snowy north of the region. Similar to Leafeon, Glaceon evolves when leveled up in the vicinity of a special rock. The Ice Rock can be found near Snowpoint City, within the raging blizzard that is Route 216.
Ice Rocks can also be found in Unova, Kalos, Hoenn, and Alola, but unfortunately is absent from Galar. Generation VIII players can evolve their Eevee into Glaceon using an Ice Stone instead.
4 Togekiss
Known as the Jubilee Pokemon, Togekiss is the final form of popular Togepi, made famous by Misty’s Togepi in the Pokemon anime. Togekiss felt like a long-awaited completion to the evolutionary line, with Togetic’s wings expanding and becoming a Pokemon to spread peace and blessings across the world.
After having Togepi evolve through high friendship, Togetic takes a different route and requires a Shiny Stone to evolve, similar to the Roserade line.
3 Magnezone
Magnezone is admittedly a technicality on this list due to the recent changes brought on by the Generation VIII Pokemon games. Originally, Magneton would evolve when leveled up in a special magnetic field, which could be found in Sinnoh’s Mt. Coronet. Future regions had areas that met the requirements for evolving Magneton, such as Unova’s Chargestone cave.
With there being no such magnetic field in the Galar region, Magnezone can now be obtained by exposing Magneton to a Thunder Stone, technically making it a Gen IV Pokemon that uses an evolutionary stone.
2 Froslass
Based on the Japanese yōkai Yuki-onna, Froslass is an Ice and Ghost-type Pokemon that freezes prey with its negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit breath. Because the yuki-onna is often depicted as a woman in folklore, Froslass can only be obtained through a female Snorunt. Male Snorunts can only be evolved into Glailies.
Female Snorunts can become Froslass when exposed to a Dawn Stone, another Gen IV evolutionary stone that is used to add an evolution to an already existing Pokemon family. Dawn Stones can be found on Sinnoh’s Route 225, inside Mt. Coronet, or by using the Pickup ability.
1 Gallade
Kirlia is the only other Pokemon that requires a Dawn Stone, which results in Psychic and Fighting-type Pokemon Gallade. Gallade also has a gender requirement; only male Kirlia can evolve into Gallade, likely due to its role as a courteous swordsman. Kirlia will normally attempt to evolve into Gardevoir at level 30 and above, but if male, Kirlia can evolve into Gallade using the Dawn Stone.
Gallade echoes the chivalrous knight archetype, with its name having elements of both the words “gallant” and “blade” in it.
NEXT: Pokemon Sword & Shield: The Location Of Every Sinnoh Pokemon Added To Crown Tundra
