Pokemon Scarlet And Violet: 7 Hardest To Evolve Pokemon (2024)

A lot of things in the Pokemon series have changed since Pokemon Red and Blue was released in 1996. Every new generation of games brings new Pokemon and new mechanics, and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the same.

Even evolution, one of the core mechanics of the series, has seen some alteration. It’s the way Pokemon gain new forms and new strength, making it a vital part of the journey. Previously, Pokemon only evolved by leveling up, using evolution items, or trading. However, a lot of newer Pokemon have much more complicated evolution methods, and obtaining some of the strongest creatures in the game is now a challenge of its own.

Updated December 23, 2023 by Ben Painter: Pokemon used to be simple when it came to evolution, level up the Pokemon to a certain level and it would change form. Or gamers would need a certain stone or even needed to trade their Pokemon to evolve them. As the games developed, Game Freak came up with new methods of evolution, the Pokemon needed to be in a specific place, needed high amounts of friendship, or needed to know a certain move. This is also the case in , some evolutions are straightforward, but overs take a lot of work in order to accomplish, including some of the latest 'mons added in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 2: The Indigo Disk DLC.

10 Inkay

Evolution Requirement: Turn the Nintendo Switch Upside Down

• Type: Dark/Psychic
• Level Requirement: 30

Introduced in Pokemon X & Y Inkay came with the unique method of evolution that the Nintendo 3DS must be turned upside down in order for Inkay to become Malamar. This is a reference to Malamar being an upside-down squid.

The Dark/Psychic type recently made a return to the franchise as part of the Indigo Disk DLC in Scarlet & Violet and the evolution method remained the same. Gamers must turn their Nintendo Switch upside down, this means that they must not play in docked mode or the method will not work. Also, if players are using the Pro Controller, then it will not work either, the console must be in handheld mode with the joycons attached for this to work. Level up Inkay to level 30 and make sure the console is upside down.

9 Duraludon

Evolution Requirement: Expose To Metal Alloy

• Type: Steel/Dragon
• Level Requirement: N/A

Duraludon is an often forgotten Pokemon, it first appeared in Pokemon Sword & Shield and was used as the Ace Pokemon of Raihan of Hammerlocke showcasing a Gygantamax form.

In the latest DLC, Duraludon was given some love from the Pokemon franchise with a new evolution in Archaludon, in order to evolve this, gamers must find a Metal Alloy. This item can be rewarded after filling 190 Pokemon in the Pokedex, found in Chargestone Cave or purchased from the Blueberry Academy store from 300 BP. Give it to Duraludon at any level, just like a stone, and it will evolve.

8 Sliggoo

Evolution Requirement: During Rain Or Fog

• Type: Dragon
• Level Requirement: 50

The Goodra line was introduced back in Pokemon X and Y. The powerful Goodra only evolves from Sliggoo when leveled up past level 50 in the rain. This line makes a reappearance in Scarlet and Violet, but the change in location has affected the ease of their evolution.

Whereas Kalos and other regions have routes that are often covered in rain, Paldea’s open world has a more random chance of receiving rain, making evolving Sliggoo potentially a drawn-out endeavor for unlucky trainers, especially since level 50 is already a fairly high evolution requirement.

7 Primeape

Evolution Requirement: Level Up After Using Rage Fist 20 Times

• Type: Fighting/Ghost
• Level Requirement: N/A

Mankey and Primeape have been a part of the Pokemon series from the very beginning, as part of the original 151 Pokemon. Scarlet and Violet have provided them with a new evolution in the form of Annihilape, a fighting/ghost type who is easily one of the best Pokemon in the game.

In order to evolve, a Primeape needs to use the new move "Rage Fist" 20 times in battle before leveling up. Primeape learns rage fist at level 35, so 36 is the minimum level it can evolve. Rage Fist only has 10pp, so the process will take at least one trip to the Pokemon center, or some pp restoring items.

6 Finizen

Evolution Requirement: Level Up While Connected To Another Player In The Union Circle

• Type: Water
• Level Requirement: 38

Finizen is an unusual new Pokemon, both in its evolution method and what it evolves into. Its evolution, Palafin, looks almost identical to it, apart from a heart on its chest. However, its hidden ability allows it to transform into a much more powerful form when switched out and back in during a fight.

Finizen’s evolution involves Scarlet and Violet’s multiplayer system. It will only evolve when past level 38, and if another player is in the world watching. This means 2 players need to play together for either of them to evolve their Finizen. With friends, this is fairly straightforward, but without anyone to play with or an internet connection, Palafin is simply unattainable.

5 Pawmo/Bramblin/Rellor

Evolution Requirement: Level Up While Outside Of The Poke Ball After The Player Walks 1000 Steps Using The Let's Go! Feature.

• Type: Electric/Fighting (Pawmot), Grass/Ghost (Brambleghast), Bug/Psychic (Rabsca)
• Level Requirement: N/A

Scarlet and Violet have introduced a few new evolution methods, one of which is used to evolve Pawmo into Pawmot, Bramblin into Brambleghast, and Rellor into Rabsca. To evolve these Pokemon, trainers have to use the game’s new "Let’s Go" feature, which allows Pokemon to be thrown out into the world to attack wild Pokemon or follow the trainer.

After throwing out the Pokemon, walk with it for 1000 steps without letting it go back into its ball, then level it up. This can be tricky since the Pokemon can’t keep up with the trainer’s run speed. The best strategy is to go up and down the Academy steps 5 times, as there are 200 steps in total. Still, this is a very long process to evolve one Pokemon.

4 Dipplin

Evolution Requirement: Level Up While Knowing Dragon Cheer

• Type: Grass/Dragon
• Level Requirement: N/A

Dipplin was first introduced in The Teal Mask DLC, as another evolution for Applin, when exposed to a Syrupy Apple it will become a Dipplin. Then, in the second part of the DLC Dipplin was given an evolution in Hydrapple.

The Grass/Dragon-type is required to learn the move Dragon Cheer which is given as a reward for beating Drayton of the BB Elite Four. This is a challenging task as Drayton has Pokemon up to level 80, and they are the powerful Dragon-type in a tricky double-battled affair. If gamers are skilled enough to beat the Elite Four member, they will be rewarded with the TM for Dragon Cheer, teach it to Dipplin and level up just once for Hydrapple.

3 Charcadet

Evolution Requirement: When Exposed To The Auspicious Armor Or Malicious Armor

• Type: Fire (Charcadet), Fire/Psychic (Armorouge), Fire/Ghost (Ceruledge)
• Level Requirement: N/A

Armorouge and Ceruledge are two of the best new Pokemon added in Scarlet and Violet. They both boast great stats and strong signature moves that make them quite a threat. They also both evolve from the rare Charcadet, with the item needed for each of their evolutions being exclusive to either Scarlet or Violet.

These items are the Auspicious Armor in Scarlet and Malicious Armor in Violet. Both must be obtained from an NPC in Zapapico, who will exchange them for 10 Bronzor Fragments in Scarlet, and 10 Sinistea Chips in Violet. This requires farming Bronzor and Sinistea respectfully, so it could take a while.

2 Bisharp

Evolution Requirement: When Levelled Up After Defeating Three Bisharp That Hold The Leaders Crest

• Type: Dark/Steel
• Level Requirement: N/A

Pawniard and Bisharp were introduced in Pokemon Black and White, and have always been fairly good Pokemon. In Scarlet and Violet, however, they received a new evolution in the form of Kingambit, who has become one of the strongest Pokemon in the game, making it well worth its unusual method of evolution.

In order to evolve a Bisharp, it must defeat 3 special wild Bisharp, and then level up. These Bisharp are the ones that are surrounded by Pawniard in the wild. Any Bisharp standing by itself will not work. The best place to find them is in North Province Area 2, but it can take a while to get them to spawn, making this one of the more complicated evolution processes in the game.

1 Gimmighoul

Evolution Requirement: When Leveled Up When The Player Has 999 Gimmighoul Coins

• Type: Ghost (Gimmighoul), Steel/Ghost (Gholdengo)
• Level Requirement: N/A

Gimmighoul is a very unique Pokemon that appears throughout the game in several ways. In its roaming form, it can often be found standing around the open world on rocks or signposts. Meanwhile, its chest form can be found at the top of certain towers all over Paldea.

In order to evolve Gimmighoul into the very powerful Gholdengo, all these overworld Gimmighoul are going to be important. Interacting with roaming Gimmighoul will award 1-200 Gimmighoul coins, and defeating/catching the chest form will award 10-777 coins. Only once 999 coins are collected can a Gimmighoul evolve upon leveling up, making it easily the hardest Pokemon in the franchise to evolve.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

RPG

Platform(s)

Switch

Released

November 18, 2022

Developer(s)

Game Freak