Evolution has always been an important feature in the Pokémon games, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus is no different in that regard. However, evolution does look a little different in this game than the others…

How to Evolve a Pokémon¶

Much like the other games, the requirements needed to evolve a specific Pokémon are down to the Pokémon itself. The vast majority evolve based on reaching a level, though some may require special items or even a certain level of happiness.

In other Pokémon games, a Pokémon automatically evolves once they hit their target level. After the battle, a screen will pop up to let you know the Pokémon is evolving (and if you want to stop it, that’s up to you).

If you use an item (such as any of the Stones) on your Pokémon in Arceus, evolutions happen the same way they do in any other game. However, if it’s level-based, it’s a little different and you actually have to initiate the evolution manually.

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The game provides tips on evolution throughout the tutorial process.

If your Pokémon is ready to evolve, when you open your Satchel, the little Poké Ball next to their name will be glowing. Select that Pokémon, hit X, and you’ll initiate the evolution process.

This might be an inconvenience for some, but if there are Pokémon you don’t want to evolve, this is actually huge. You won’t have to hit a button to stop the process every time they hit a new level.

Trade Evolutions¶

Seasoned players will know that many Pokémon (such as Graveler, Machoke, Haunter, and Kadabra, in this game) can only evolve if traded.

Arceus, fortunately, does feature the trading mechanism. Speak to the NPC named Simona in Jubilife Village and you can initiate a trade either locally or using the internet. You’ll have to type in the same code as a friend, but if you don’t have anyone to trade with, you can type in an easy, random code and likely find a partner.

Linking Cord¶

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(1 of 2) Plop a Linking Cable on a Pokémon such as Graveler…

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Plop a Linking Cable on a Pokémon such as Graveler… (left), …and it’ll evolve without needing to trade with somebody else! (right)

If you want to get the trade evolutions but don’t have a friend to trade with, Arceus has decided to present a solution: the Linking Cord.

At the Outpost in Jubilife Village, you can buy one for 1000 Merit Points. Additionally, you can occasionally find them on the ground inside Space-Time Distortions. Lastly, you can get one as a reward for completing the request Getting to Know Ghosts.

You can simply use the Linking Cord on one of the Pokémon mentioned above and they will evolve. No longer do you have to trust friends or strangers to send the Pokémon immediately back to you!

Of course, that does make these Pokémon a little less exclusive in Arceus than other games, but it certainly makes rounding off the Pokédex considerably easier.