Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming

How to evolve Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus

By
Lucario looking sinister.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Pokémon franchise has always been an RPG. For the most part, they're pretty simple ones at that. The combat is turn-based, each Pokémon type has advantages and weaknesses, and winning fights earns them experience points that will level them up and make them stronger. What was unique at the time, and to an extent still is, was the evolution mechanic. When a Pokémon reaches a certain level or is given a specific item, they can evolve into a more powerful version. Pokémon Legends: Arceus has bucked many of the trends the series has stuck to for decades, including the way evolutions work.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

Obviously, Pokémon Legends: Arceus doesn't remove the evolution mechanic. It is so core to Pokémon that it wouldn't really be a Pokémon game without it. However, in an effort to spice up this bold new entry, the developers have reworked how the system works. If you're a long-time fan of the series and jumping into this exciting new, more open, and free-roaming Pokémon adventure, you might be confused and a little scared to see that your Pokémon aren't evolving. Fear not, trainer, because we're here to teach you everything you need to know about how to evolve Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

See more

How to evolve Pokémon using evolution stones

In any previous mainline Pokémon game, once a Pokémon reached a certain level or was given an evolution item, the game would stop and show you a little cinematic of them growing into their next form. This is not so with Pokémon Legends: Arceus, although the triggers for causing an evolution are actually the exact same. If you're using one of the many evolution items, such as Fire Stones, Water Stones, and so on, the process is automatic.

Select the evolution stone from your inventory and apply it to the Pokémon of that same type. This Pokémon will evolve on the spot.

pokemon legends arceus evolution guide pok mon
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to evolve Pokémon naturally

Pokémon still gain levels and will be able to evolve when they hit a certain threshold. However, perhaps in order to give trainers a choice to not have their Pokémon evolve without knowing any hidden button tricks, the process won't begin automatically anymore.

Step 1: Level up your Pokémon until you get a notification that they're ready to evolve.

Step 2: Open your inventory by pressing Up on the D-pad and highlight the Pokémon you want to evolve. You can easily tell which Pokémon are able to be evolved by the glowing Pokéball icon beside them.

Related

Step 3: Press the A button, and then confirm your choice to have them evolve.

pokemon legends arceus evolution guide pok mon
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: Watch your favorite pocket monster transform into a brand new form.

Other ways Pokémon evolve

Some Pokémon have very specific requirements for evolving aside from needing an item or leveling up. Some only evolve during certain times of day, once they reach a specific happiness level, or even using specific moves a certain number of times.

If you're unsure why a Pokémon isn't evolving, check on their entry in the Pokédex to see if they have a unique requirements.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox has been a writer at Digital Trends for over four years and has no plans of stopping. He covers all things…
How to upgrade and repair weapons and gear in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
A soldier with a broken gun in Stalker 2.

It won't be long into Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl that you encounter your first weapon jam. Whether you're fighting mutant dogs or enemy bandits, the last thing you want to hear when lining up a shot is the clicking of your weapon despite still having plenty of ammo. The more you use your weapons, the lower their durability becomes and the more likely you are to experience a jam. You don't have the skills to repair or upgrade your weapons yourself, and Stalker 2 is more than willing to let you miss out on finding the places to do it. Never get caught with a broken or weak weapon again by learning how to repair and upgrade your weapons in Stalker 2.
How to upgrade and repair weapons

You can see how beaten down your weapon is in the inventory by highlighting it or based on the color of the broken shield icon. If that icon appears at all, you can expect jams to start popping up.

Read more
How long is Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl?
Survivors around a camp fire in Stalker 2.

Welcome back to The Zone, Stalker. It's been a while. Xbox has been hyping up the third entry in the cult PC series that made a name for itself for being a hardcore simulation with dynamic AI and events that people loved so much they could overlook the many bugs. After many delays, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is pulling you back into the radiated and deadly Zone with new graphics, better AI, and even more deadly mutants to contend with. Despite the troubled development, Stalker 2 is a massive game with almost too much to do and see. But just how long can even the most hardcore Stalker expect to spend in The Zone this time around? Here's how long Stalker 2 is.
How long is Stalker 2?

Stalker 2 is an open-world game with a lot of immersive sim elements, side quests, and secrets. There's also the fact that it is very, very punishing and meant to be played at a slow and methodical pace. For that reason, even trying to mainline the story missions will still take around 40 hours, but could even be more depending on how skilled you are.

Read more
All rare gadgets in Lego Horizon Adventures and what they do
A Thunderjaw roars in Lego Horizon Adventures.

Reliving Aloy's first adventure in Lego Horizon Adventures is a streamlined but faithful retelling of the first game. However, instead of the massive open-world experiences that made the Horizon series some of the best PS5 games, this entry changes the formula to fall more in line with the best Lego games. It is a much smaller game compared to those, with way fewer collectibles. This makes it much easier to play in co-op, but it isn't without a few things you can gather up. Rare gadgets are pieces of equipment you can wear to enhance or add new abilities. Here are all the rare gadgets in the game and what cool effects they have.
Every rare gadget in Lego Horizon Adventures

Lego Horizon Adventures only has 10 rare gadgets in total that you will unlock as you progress through the story. They each serve a unique purpose and are worth experimenting with as you attempt to clean up any remaining Trophies.

Read more