How to evolve Pokemon in Arceus

Pokémon Legends Arceus has got some different mechanics including no hold items and has changed evolution fundamentally. No longer is evolution automatic but needs to be triggered in the Pokémon menu. Any hold item evolutions are now just utilised as if they were stones.

However, there are multiple new evolution methods, in addition to new items. Some of which are included with existing Pokémon so they have two methods.

Item Evolutions

There are several new evolution methods through items in the game, including some older Pokémon who have changed their evolution method to use a stone. Some of these have a certain extra condition

Move Based Evolutions

There are several Pokémon that will only evolve in the game when they have used certain moves several times, this also requires use of them in Agile or Strong styles

Damaged Based Evolutions

There is also a Pokémon that will only evolve when it has received a certain amount of recoil damage

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The majority of Pokémon are able to evolve once they reach a specific predetermined level. However, in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, players must initiate the evolution sequence themselves because Pokémon will not evolve on their own. There are also Pokémon that require special conditions or items in order for them to move on to their next phase. Another surprise is that Pokémon that previously needed to be traded to evolve now just need to be given a special item. There's plenty to discuss, so let's dive in.

Unlike previous Pokémon games, none of the Pokémon in Legends: Arceus can evolve on their own, even if they would normally have evolved at a specific level in a previous game. You must go into your satchel and evolve them yourself. Any Pokémon that require items to evolve must be given that item from your satchel and then the process will begin.

1. Press up on the D-Pad to bring up the menu.
2. Use the ZL or ZR buttons to navigate to your satchel.

1. If a Pokémon in your party is ready to evolve, its Poké Ball will glow yellow. Select the Pokémon you want to evolve.
2. Select Evolve.Source: iMore

A cool cutscene follows, showing your Pokémon evolving into its next phase. Now you can run around with the new and improved form.

Stone and Item Evolutions

By far the most common way to make Pokémon evolve outside of natural level evolution is by using Stones or special items. Just give the Pokémon the required item and they'll start to evolve. Any Pokémon that previously needed to be traded to evolve now just needs to be given the Linking Cord. All of these items can be purchased from Simona at the Trading Post in exchange for MP.

• Alolan Vulpix → (Ice Stone) → Alolan Ninetails
• Clefairy → (Moon Stone) → Clefable
• Dusclops → (Reaper Cloth) → Dusknoir
• Eevee → (Fire Stone) → Flareon
• Eevee → (Ice Stone) → Glaceon
• Eevee → (Thunder Stone) → Jolteon
• Eevee → (Leaf Stone) → Leafeon
• Eevee → (Water Stone) → Vaporeon
• Electabuzz → (Electirizer) → Electivire
• Gligar → (Razor Fang at night) → Gliscor
• Graveler → (Linking Cord) → Golem
• Happiny → (Oval Stone during day) → Chansey
• Haunter → (Linking Cord) →Gengar
• Hisuian Growlithe → (Fire Stone) → Hisuian Arcanine
• Hisuian Sneasel → (Razor Claw during day) → Sneasler
• Hisuian Voltorb → (Leaf Stone) → Hisuian Electrode
• Johto Sneasel → (Razor Claw during nighttime) → Weavile
• Kadabra → (Linking Cord) → Alakazam
• Kirlia (M) → (Dawn Stone) → Gallade
• Machoke → (Linking Cord) → Machamp
• Magmar → (Magmarizer) → Magmortar
• Magneton → (Thunder Stone) → Magnezone
• Misdreavus → (Dusk Stone) → Mismagius
• Murkrow → (Dusk Stone) → Honchkrow
• Onix → (Metal Coat) → Steelix
• Petilil → (Sun Stone) → Hisuian Lilligant
• Pikachu → (Thunder Stone) → Raichu
• Porygon → (Upgrade) → Porygon2
• Porygon2 → (Dubious Disc) → Porygon-Z
• Ralts (M) → (Dawn Stone) → Gallade
• Rhydon → (Protector) → Rhyperior
• Roselia → (Shiny Stone) → Roserade
• Scyther → (Black Augurite) → Kleavor
• Scyther → (Metal Coat) → Scizor
• Snorunt (F) → (Dawn Stone) → Froslass
• Togetic → (Shiny Stone) → Togekiss
• Ursaring → (Peat Block during a full moon) → Ursaluna
• Vulpix → (Fire Stone) → Ninetails

Friendship Evolutions

Some Pokémon must have a high level of friendship with you in order to evolve. You can check the status of your relationship by going to Jubilife Village and talking to Belamy, who stands near the Pokémon Pasture.

• Budew → Roselia
• Buneary → Lopunny
• Chingling → Chimecho
• Cleffa → Clefairy
• Eevee → Espeon (during day)
• Eevee → Sylveon (after learning a Fairy-type move)
• Eevee → Umbreon (at night)
• Golbat → Crobat
• Munchlax → Snorlax
• Pichu → Pikachu
• Riolu → Lucario
• Togepi → Togetic

Hisuian forms were introduced with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, so it's not too surprising to learn that some Hisuian evolutions can only be brought about by a new method: doing something specific in battle. For instance, Stantler can only evolve after it has used Psyshield Bash in its Agile Style 20 times.

• Stantler → (Psyshield Bash in Agile Style x20) → Wyrdeer
• White Stripe Basculin → (Receive 300 damage in recoil) → Basculegion
• Hisuian Quilfish → (Barb Barrage in Strong Style x20) → Overquil

Location & weather Evolutions

For years now, certain Pokémon have only been able to evolve if they are in a very specific spot within the game. Take them to the place listed below and watch them grow up.

• Eevee → Leafeon: You must travel to the southwest part of Obsidian Fieldlands and interact with the Mossy Rock located in The Heartwood.
• Eevee → Glaceon: Go to the Alabaster Icelands and travel through the ice cave. Eevee evolves when you interact with the Ice Rock just to the northeast of Bonechill Wastes.
• Magneton → Magnezone: Go to the Coronet Highlands and level it up.
• Nosepass → Probopass: Go to the Coronet Highlands and level it up.
• Hisuian Sliggoo → Hisuian Goodra: While it's raining, level up Hisuian Sliggoo to level 50.

Move Evolutions

A small number of Pokémon can only evolve once they learn a specific move or attack. You might need to talk to Zisu in the training grounds to make this possible.

• Aipom → (Double Hit) → Ambipom
• Bonsly → (Mimic) → Sudowoodo
• Lickitung → (Rollout) → Lickilicky
• Mime Jr. → (Mimic) → Mr. Mime
• Piloswine → (Ancient Power) → Mamoswine
• Tangela → (Ancient Power) → Tangrowth
• Yanma → (Ancient Power) → Yanmega

Gender Evolutions

The Pokémon in this category have different evolutions based on what gender they are. So, if you want to complete that Pokédex, you'll need to evolve both genders.

• Burmy (M) → Mothim: Male and female Burmy look the same.
• Burmy (F) → Wormadam: Male and female Burmy look the same.
• Combee (F) → Vespiquen: Female Combee have a red widows peak on the lowest honeycomb.
• Combee (M): Doesn't evolve.
• Ralts (M) → Kirlia (M) → (Dawn Stone) → Gallade: Male and female Ralts look the same.
• Ralts (F) → Kirlia (F) → Gardevoir: Male and female Ralts look the same.
• Snorunt (F) → (Dawn Stone) → Froslass: Male and female Snorunt look the same.
• Snorunt (M) → Glalie: Male and female Snorunt look the same.

It takes a little more work to evolve Pokémon in Legends: Arceus, but it's still a fun experience nonetheless. Fortunately, just about every evolution aside from Legendaries and Mythical Pokémon can be found plentifully if you take the time to look for them. So you don't really have to evolve anyone if you don't want to.