In Pokemon Sword and Shield evolution is simple, however, you will need a specific item or method for the evolution of some Pokemon. The natural way to evolve your Pokemon is by leveling them up, but there are special requirements to evolve some Pokemon into their new form. Here you can find out everything about the special evolution of Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
These unique Pokemon types need something different to change their forms, some of them need special evolution stones, some can evolve by running in the same place, and some need to take a certain amount of damage to evolve.
Pokemon Sword & Shield: Special Evolutions List
Here is the list of all the methods needed for special evolution in Pokemon Sword and Shield:
High Happiness Pokemon Evolutions:
You will have to make some Pokemon happy so that their hidden stat reaches the requirement to evolve:
| Budew | during the day only |
| Cleffa | |
| Eevee | day for Espeon, night for Umbreon |
| Munchlax | |
| Pichu | |
| Riolu | during the day only |
| Snom | during the night only |
| Togepi | |
| Woobat |
Fossil Pokemon
Fossil Pokemon is one of the unique types of Pokemon that are made through a living Pokemon. You will have to combine specific Fossil to bring them to life:
| Arctovish (water/ice) | Fossilized Fish + Fossilized Dino |
| Arctozolt (electric/ice) | Fossilized Bird + Fossilized Dino |
| Dracovish (water/dragon) | Fossilized Fish + Fossilized Drake |
| Dracozolt (electric/dragon) | Fossilized Bird + Fossilized Drake |
Stone-Based Pokemon Evolutions
Let’s take a look at all the Pokemon who need Special evolution stones to evolve:
| Charjabug | Thunder Stone |
| Clefairy | Moon Stone |
| Cottonee | Sun Stone |
| Eevee | Fire Stone, Ice Stone, Leaf Stone, Thunder Stone, Water Stone |
| Galarian Darumaka | Darumaka: Ice Stone |
| Gloom | Leaf Stone, Sun Stone |
| Growlithe | Fire Stone |
| Helioptile | Sun Stone |
| Kirlia | Dawn Stone |
| Lampent | Dusk Stone |
| Lombre | Water Stone |
| Minccino | Shiny Stone |
| Nuzleaf | Leaf Stone |
| Pikachu | Thunder Stone |
| Roselia | Shiny Stone |
| Snorunt | Dawn Stone |
| Togetic | Shiny Stone |
| Vulpix | Fire Stone |
Trade-Based Pokemon Evolutions:
There are some Pokemon who need to be traded with another Pokemon to evolve. To get that Pokemon in your Pokedex you will have to trade them back.
| Boldore | |
| Dusclops | Needs to be holding a Reaper cloth |
| Feebas | Needs to be holding a Prism scale |
| Gurdurr | |
| Haunter | |
| Karrablast | Needs to be traded for a Shelment |
| Machoke | |
| Onix | Needs to be holding a Metal coat |
| Phantump | |
| Pumpkaboo | |
| Rhydon | Needs to be holding a protector |
| Rhydon | Needs to be traded for a Karrablast |
| Spritzee | Needs to holding a Sachet |
| Swirlix | Needs to holding a whipped cream |
Unique Evolutions:
There are some unique Pokemon that require specific attack locations or orders to evolve:
| Clobbus | Once it knows the Taunt move it will evolve. |
| Farfetch’d | It will evolve by taking three critical hits in a single battle. |
| Galarian Linoone | If you level it up at night it will evolve after level 35. |
| Sliggoo | If you level it up during rain or fog in the overworld it will evolve after level 50. |
| Toxel | It will take one or two forms at level 30 based on its nature. |
| Yamask | Go to the Dusty Bowl after taking 49 damage. |
Item-Based Pokemon Evolutions
Let’s take a look at the Pokemon who don’t only need special items but also require specific conditions with certain items to evolve:
| Applin | Sweet Apple, Tart Apple |
| Milcery | Spinning along with several items |
| Sinistea | Cracked Pot, Chipped Pot |
| Zacian | When it is given a Rusted sword or Shield it changes into the second form. |
