Pokémon Legends: Z-A special evolutions guide

9 months ago 172

How to evolve those Pokémon that need more than levels

There are tons of Pokémon that have special evolution requirements in Pokémon Legends Z-A, just like in the games that came before it. Some Pokémon just need some specific stones thrown at them, some need to be traded, and some even need to be specific genders. If you're sitting around with your level 40 Pumpkaboo wondering why it hasn't evolved yet, then we're here to help you figure that out.

Below we list all the Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A that have special evolution requirements, along with what you need to transform those pals into their stronger forms. We've ordered them by their National Pokédex number and grouped them by evolution methods, but since some Pokémon have multiple requirements, you may see it in two sections, like Slowbro's evolution method for Slowking, for example.

These Pokémon need evolution stones, found around the city, to evolve in Legends: Z-A:

Raichu = Pikachu + Thunder Stone
Clefable = Clefairy + Moon Stone
Victreebell = Weepinbell + Leaf Stone
Starmie = Staryu + Water Stone
Vaporeon = Eevee + Water Stone
Jolteon = Eevee + Thunder Stone
Flareon = Eevee + Fire Stone
Roserade = Roselia + Shiny Stone
Glaceon = Eevee + Ice Stone
Leafeon = Eevee + Leaf Stone
Gallade = male Kirlia + Dawn Stone
Froslass = female Snorunt + Dawn Stone
Simisage = Pansage + Leaf Stone
Simisear = Pansear + Fire Stone
Simipour = Panpour + Water Stone
Eelektross = Eelektrik + Thunder Stone
Chandelure = Lampent + Dusk Stone
Florges = Floette + Shiny Stone
Aegislash = Doublade + Dusk Stone
Heliolisk = Helioptile + Sun Stone

These Pokémon need items, either held or used on them, to evolve in Legends: Z-A.

Galarian Slowbro = Galarian Slowpoke + Galarica Cuff
Slowking = Slowpoke + trade + holding a King's Rock
Galarian Slowking = Galarian Slowpoke + Galarica Wreath
Steelix = Onix + trade + holding a Metal Coat
Scizor = Scyther + trade + holding a Metal Coat
Aromatisse = Spritzee + trade + holding a Sachet
Slurpuff = Swirlix + trade + holding a Whipped Dream

These Pokémon will need to be traded with another player in order to evolve in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Some of these also need to be holding a specific item.

Alakazam = Kadabra + trade
Machamp = Machoke + trade
Gengar = Haunter + trade
Slowking = Slowpoke + trade + holding a King's Rock
Steelix = Onix + trade + holding a Metal Coat
Scizor = Scyther + trade + holding a Metal Coat
Aromatisse = Spritzee + trade + holding a Sachet
Slurpuff = Swirlix + trade + holding a Whipped Dream
Trevenant = Phantump + trade
Gourgeist = Pumpkaboo + trade

These Pokémon require you to befriend them in Legends: Z-A more before they can evolve.

Pikachu = Pichu + high friendship
Clefairy = Cleffa + high friendship
Espeon = Eevee + high friendship + daytime
Umbreon = Eevee + high friendship + nighttime
Roselia = Budew + high friendship + daytime
Lopunny = Buneary + high friendship
Lucario = Riolu + high friendship + daytime
Sylveon = Eevee + knows a fairy-type move + high friendship

These Pokémon will only evolve in Legends: Z-A when they're a specific gender. Some of these also require items or other prerequisites.

Gallade = male Kirlia + Dawn Stone
Froslass = female Snorunt + Dawn Stone

These Pokémon require it to be a specific time in order to evolve in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Aurorus = Amaura + level 39 + nighttime
Espeon = Eevee + high friendship + daytime
Umbreon = Eevee + high friendship + nighttime
Roselia = Budew + high friendship + daytime
Lucario = Riolu + high friendship + daytime
Tyrantrum = Tyrunt + level 39 + daytime
Aurorus = Amaura + level 39 + nighttime

Pokémon that require other specific conditions to evolve

These evolution methods don't quite fit in with the others, but they require something very niche and specific — some kind of requirement that no other Pokémon in Legends: Z-A shares.

Pangoro = Pancham + level 32 + a dark-type Pokémon in your party
Sylveon = Eevee + knows a fairy-type move + high friendship
Goodra = Sligoo + level 50 + rainy weather
Malamar = Inkay + level 30 + holding your Nintendo Switch upside down in handheld mode*

*Note for Inkay's evolution, the glowing arrow that indicates evolution did not show up for us, even when we met these requirements. When holding the full Nintendo Switch 2 console upside down while in handheld mode, the "evolve" option did show up in the sub-menu as usual, just without the glowing arrow.