Stuck with a Pumpkaboo? How to Evolve Every Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z‑A (Stones, Trades & Odd Tricks)
Pokémon Legends: Z-A keeps plenty of classic evolution quirks, so not every buddy will change form just by hitting a higher level. Below you’ll find a clear, friendly guide to every Pokémon in the game that needs something special — like a stone, an item, a trade, or specific conditions — to evolve.
- Pokémon that require other special items to evolve in Legends: Z-A
- Pokémon that need to be traded to evolve in Legends: Z-A
- Pokémon that require high friendship to evolve in Legends: Z-A
- Pokémon that only evolve in Legends: Z-A when a specific gender
- Pokémon that require a specific time of day to evolve in Legends: Z-A
- Pokémon that require other specific conditions to evolve
Quick links to the same sections for convenience:
Pokémon that require evolution stones to evolve in Legends: Z-A
Pokémon that require other special items to evolve in Legends: Z-A
Pokémon that need to be traded to evolve in Legends: Z-A
Pokémon that require high friendship to evolve in Legends: Z-A
Pokémon that only evolve in Legends: Z-A when a specific gender
Pokémon that require a specific time of day to evolve in Legends: Z-A
Pokémon that require other specific conditions to evolve
Pokémon that require evolution stones to evolve in Legends: Z-A
Several Pokémon evolve when you use the right evolution stone. Stones are found around the region, so keep an eye out while exploring.
- Raichu — Pikachu + Thunder Stone
- Clefable — Clefairy + Moon Stone
- Victreebel — Weepinbell + Leaf Stone
- Starmie — Staryu + Water Stone
- Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon — Eevee + Water, Thunder, or Fire Stone respectively
- Roserade — Roselia + Shiny Stone
- Glaceon, Leafeon — Eevee + Ice or Leaf Stone
- Gallade — male Kirlia + Dawn Stone
- Froslass — female Snorunt + Dawn Stone
- Simisage, Simisear, Simipour — Pansage/Pansear/Panpour + Leaf/Fire/Water Stone
- Eelektross — Eelektrik + Thunder Stone
- Chandelure — Lampent + Dusk Stone
- Florges — Floette + Shiny Stone
- Aegislash — Doublade + Dusk Stone
- Heliolisk — Helioptile + Sun Stone
Pokémon that require other special items to evolve in Legends: Z-A
Some evolutions need unique items. In most cases you either use the item on the Pokémon or have it hold the item during a trade.
- Galarian Slowbro — Galarian Slowpoke + Galarica Cuff
- Galarian Slowking — Galarian Slowpoke + Galarica Wreath
- Slowking — Slowpoke + trade while holding a King’s Rock
- Steelix — Onix + trade while holding a Metal Coat
- Scizor — Scyther + trade while holding a Metal Coat
- Aromatisse — Spritzee + trade while holding a Sachet
- Slurpuff — Swirlix + trade while holding a Whipped Dream
Pokémon that need to be traded to evolve in Legends: Z-A
Trading remains a classic evolution method. Some of these also require the Pokémon to hold an item when traded.
- Alakazam — Kadabra + trade
- Machamp — Machoke + trade
- Gengar — Haunter + trade
- Slowking — Slowpoke + trade + holding King’s Rock
- Steelix, Scizor — require trade + Metal Coat
- Aromatisse, Slurpuff — require trade + Sachet or Whipped Dream respectively
- Trevenant — Phantump + trade
- Gourgeist — Pumpkaboo + trade
Pokémon that require high friendship to evolve in Legends: Z-A
Friendship (also called happiness) matters for a handful of evolutions. Raise it by using the Pokémon in battle, healing it, and avoiding fainting.
- 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
Pokémon that only evolve in Legends: Z-A when a specific gender
Gender matters for a couple of evolutions. Make sure you check the Pokémon’s gender before using a stone or trying the evolution method.
- Gallade — male Kirlia + Dawn Stone
- Froslass — female Snorunt + Dawn Stone
Pokémon that require a specific time of day to evolve in Legends: Z-A
Time of day affects some evolutions. So, plan your leveling and friendship grinding accordingly.
- Aurorus — Amaura + level 39 + nighttime
- Tyrantrum — Tyrunt + level 39 + daytime
- Espeon, Umbreon — Eevee + high friendship + daytime or nighttime respectively
- Roselia — Budew + high friendship + daytime
- Lucario — Riolu + high friendship + daytime
Pokémon that require other specific conditions to evolve
Finally, here are the niche cases — unique triggers that don’t fit the usual categories. These are the ones that can catch you off guard.
- Pangoro — Pancham + level 32 + have a dark-type Pokémon in your party
- Sylveon — Eevee + knows a fairy-type move + high friendship (listed again because it overlaps)
- Goodra — Sliggoo + level 50 + rainy weather
- Malamar — Inkay + level 30 + hold your Nintendo Switch upside down in handheld mode
Note: For Inkay, some players report the usual glowing evolution arrow may not appear. However, when the Switch is held upside down in handheld mode the evolve option still shows up in the submenu.
