Evolution Methods

Like each start to a generation, Pokémon Sword & Shield introduces a variety of new Pokémon each with various new evolution methods for evolving many Pokémon. These evolutionary methods both enhance upon and even duplicate previous methods. With this generation, there are also some changes to some existing Pokémon Evolution Methods

Stone Evolutions

While no new stones have been introduced in this game, multiple Pokémon use various Evolution Stones to evolve, including some older Pokémon who have changed their evolution method to use the stone.

Base No. Pic Base Name Method Final No. Pic Final Name
#082 Magneton Use the Thunder Stone #462 Magnezone
#133 Eevee Use the Leaf Stone #471 Leafeon
#133 Eevee Use the Ice Stone #470 Glaceon
#554 Darumaka Use the Ice Stone #555 Darmanitan
#737 Charjabug Use the Thunder Stone #738 Vikavolt

Item Based

In this generation, there are several Pokémon that evolve simply from using an item, much like an Evolution Stone. These items are quite rare in the game.

Base No. Pic Base Name Method Final No. Pic Final Name
#079 Slowpoke Use the Galarica Cuff #080 Slowbro
#079 Slowpoke Use the Galarica Wreath #199 Slowking
#840 Applin Use the Tart Apple #841 Flapple
#840 Applin Use the Sweet Apple #842 Appletun
#854 Sinistea Use the Cracked Pot #855 Polteageist
#854 Sinistea
(Rare Form)
Use the Chipped Pot #855 Polteageist
(Rare Form)

Hold Item And Spinning

There's another Pokémon with a unique evolution method. To evolve Milcery, you need to attach specific items and then do a spin by rotating the control stick

Base No. Pic Base Name Method Final No. Pic Final Name
#868 Milcery Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot clockwise quickly in the day: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet #869 Alcremie
#868 Milcery Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot anti-clockwise quickly in the day: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet #869 Alcremie
#868 Milcery Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot clockwise for over 5 seconds in the day: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet #869 Alcremie
#868 Milcery Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot anti-clockwise for over 5 seconds in the day: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet #869 Alcremie
#868 Milcery Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot clockwise quickly at night: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet #869 Alcremie
#868 Milcery Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot anti-clockwise quickly at night: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet #869 Alcremie
#868 Milcery Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot clockwise for over 5 seconds at night: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet #869 Alcremie
#868 Milcery Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot anti-clockwise for over 5 seconds at night: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet #869 Alcremie

Attack Based

Across the generations, there have been multiple Pokémon that evolve when they know a specific move. Pokémon Sword & Shield once again add to this with another Pokémon that evolves with a specific move.

Base No. Pic Base Name Method Final No. Pic Final Name
#852 Clobbopus Level up while knowing the move Taunt #853 Grapploct

Battle Based

A new feature in this game is the ability for a Pokémon to evolve based on the number of critical hits it has inflicted in one battle.

Base No. Pic Base Name Method Final No. Pic Final Name
#083 Farfetch'd Get 3 Critical Hits in 1 Battle #865 Sirfetch'd

Nature Based

A new feature in this game is the ability for a Pokémon to evolve into different forms of the same Pokémon once it hits Level 30 with a specific nature.

Base No. Pic Base Name Method Final No. Pic Final Name
#848 Toxel Level 30 + Adamant, Brave, Docile, Hardy, Hasty, Impish, Jolly, Lax, Naive, Naughty, Rash, Quirky, Sassy Nature #849 Toxtricity
#848 Toxel Level 30 + Bashful, Bold, Calm, Careful, Gentle, Lonely, Mild, Modest, Quiet, Relaxed, Serious, Timid Nature #849 Toxtricity

Location & Damage Based

A new feature in this game is the ability for a Pokémon to evolve based on damage it has received in addition to location

Base No. Pic Base Name Method Final No. Pic Final Name
#562 Yamask Presently has more than 49 Hit Points in damage received in one battle, is not knocked out. Walk under stone arch in Dusty Bowl #867 Runerigus

Story Based

In the Isle of Armor, you get given the Legendary Pokémon Kubfu. Kubfu's evolution is dependant upon the Tower you complete with it

Base No. Pic Base Name Method Final No. Pic Final Name
#891 Kubfu Complete Tower of Darkness / Tower of Water. Form depends on which tower you beat #892 Urshifu