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Pokémon Sword and Shield Evolution List - benefits of evolving Pokémon, how to prevent Pokémon evolution and Pokémon acquired by levelling up explained

Everything you need to know about evolving Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

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Guide by Lottie Lynn Guides Editor
Updated on

Evolving your Pokémon is a major part of any Pokémon game, including Pokémon Sword and Shield.

If you want to fill the Galar Pokédex, then you're going to have to use a variety of evolution methods; from trading with other players, to raising Friendship Level and, even, spinning round in circles.

There are a range of benefits to evolving Pokémon, which go beyond making them look cooler. You can also, if you so wish, prevent a Pokémon from evolving.

On this page:

Evolution Methods list in Pokémon Sword and Shield

There are the various evolution methods that you can use in Pokémon Sword and Shield:

Unique Gen 8 Evolution Methods in Pokémon Sword and Shield

Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced us to the Gen 8 Pokémon rooster and, amongst all these new Pokémon, are some very interesting new evolution methods. This includes evolving Pokémon in specific locations, with special items or fulfilling certain criteria.

If you want to add Sirfetch'd to your party, for example, then you must ensure that Farfetch'd scores three Critical Hits in one battle.

For an in-depth look at these new evolution methods, have a look at our guides for:

Evolution Stones in Pokémon Sword and Shield explained

Evolution Stones are one of the earliest evolution methods in the Pokémon games, first appearing in Pokémon Red and Blue.

Only a certain number of Pokémon need an Evolution Stone to evolve and it can be used at any level.

All you have to do is find the Evolution Stone your Pokémon requires and you can start the evolution process.

Vulpix will only evolve into Ninetales if a Fire Stone is used on it.

Trade Evolutions in Pokémon Sword and Shield explained

Having a Pokémon evolve after you trade it with another player is a staple of the Pokémon series.

It's as simple as it sounds - trade the Pokémon with a friend, watch it evolve on their Nintendo Switch and then, hopefully, they'll trade it back to you.

Machoke, Haunter and Pumpkaboo all evolve when traded with another player.

Some of the Pokémon that are traditionally evolved by trading can be found in the Wild Area. All of these Pokémon, however, are 'Strong-looking' Pokémon and you'll need specific Gym Badges if you want to catch them.

If want one of these Pokémon before you have the correct Gym Badge, however, then trade evolution is the solution for you.

Below are all the Pokémon that evolve from just trade evolution in Pokémon Sword and Shield:

  • Machoke evolves into Machamp
  • Haunter evolves into Gengar
  • Boldore evolves into Gigalith
  • Pumpkaboo evolves into Gourgeist
  • Phantump evolves into Trevenant

Both Shelmet and Karrablast also evolve by being traded, but they must be traded with each other to cause their evolution.

Special Item Evolutions in Pokémon Sword and Shield explained

Some Pokémon require a special item for them to evolve. This item can be either held by the Pokémon or you use the item on them to begin the evolution.

Here are the Pokémon in Sword and Shield that require an item to evolve:

  • Applin evolves into either Flapple (Sword) using the Tart Apple or Appletun (Shield) using the Sweet Apple
  • Milcery evolves into Alcremie by holding a sweet, while you spin in circles
  • Sneasel evolves into Weavile while holding a Razor Claw at night
  • Sinstea evolves into Polteageist using either the Cracked Pot or Chipped Pot depending on whether or it you have a forgery or rare Sinstea

There are also a couple of Pokémon that need to hold a specific item while being traded with another player to evolve.

Below you'll find a list of all the Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield that need to be traded while holding an item, including the name of that item, to evolve:

  • Onix evolves into Steelix when holding the Metal Coat
  • Rhydon evolves into Rhyperior when holding the Protector
  • Dusclops evolves into Dusknoir when holding the Reaper Cloth
  • Feebas evolves into Milotic when holding the Prism Scale
  • Spritzee evolves into Aromatisse when holding the Sachet
  • Swirlix evolves into Slurpuff when holding the Whipped Dream

Some of the above Pokémon can be found in the Wild Area, like Steelix and Dusknoir. They are, however, 'Strong-looking' Pokémon, which require specific Gym Badges to catch.

A lot of Pokémon that require item or trade evolutions can now be found in the Wild Area.

Friendship Evolutions in Pokémon Sword and Shield

Not all Pokémon need magic stones or trading to evolve, some simply need the power of friendship.

There are a variety of ways you can improve your Friendship level with a Pokémon and, by visiting the Friendship Checker, you can also at an idea about how close you are to your Pokémon.

Artwork showing the Umbreon evolution of the Eevee creature from Pokémon.
Eevee has three evolutions that require a good Friendship level to evolve.

Attack Based Evolutions in Pokémon Sword and Shield

A couple of Pokémon will only evolve if they learn a specific attack.

These attacks can be learned by levelling up the Pokémon and through the use of TMs or TRs.

Bonsly, Mime Jr and, of course, Eevee all have evolutions that only occur if they learn a specific move.

Below you'll find a list of all the Pokémon in Sword and Shield that evolve when they learn a specific attack, the name of the attack and the level at which they learn it:

  • Bonsly evolves into Sudowoodo by learning Mimic at Level 16
  • Clobbopus evolves into Grapploct by learning Taunt at Level 35
  • Eevee evolves into Sylveon by having a high friendship level and knowing either Baby-Doll Eyes at Level 15 or Charm at Level 45
  • Mime Jr. evolves into Mr. Mime by learning Mimic at Level 32
  • Piloswine evolves into Mamoswine when it knows Ancient Power, which it learns from evolving from Swinub
  • Steene evolves into Tsareena by learning Stomp at Level 28

Time-based Evolutions in Pokémon Sword and Shield

Some Pokémon only evolve during the day, while others only evolve during the day.

The day and night cycle in Pokémon Sword and Shield works a little differently than the other main-line Pokémon games.

The day of day in the cities, towns and routes you visit is tied to where you are in the story-line. This means that if you're at a part of the story-line set at night, then these areas will all be set at night.

Meanwhile, the time of day in the Wild Area is tied to your Nintendo Switch's internal clock. If your Nintendo Switch thinks its daytime, then so will the Wild Area.

Below you'll find all the Pokémon in Sword and Shield that only evolve during the day:

    Budew evolves into Roselia with a high friendship level
  • Eevee evolves into Espeon with a high friendship level
  • Riolu evolves into Lucario with a high friendship level

Below you'll find all the Pokémon in Sword and Shield that only evolve at night:

  • Eevee evolves into Umbreon with a high friendship level
  • Galarian Linoone evolves into Obstagoon at Level 35
  • Sneasel evolves into Weavile while holding the Razor Claw
  • Snom evolves into Frosmoth with a high friendship level
To complete the Galar Zizagoon evolution line, you must evolve Linoone at night.

Level-based Evolutions in Pokémon Sword and Shield

There are a number of Pokémon in Sword and Shield that you can only find through by levelling up each one and evolving them.

This includes the second and third evolution for each of the starter Pokémon. You will have to trade with another player, however, for one of the two starter Pokémon you didn't pick at the start of the game.

These Pokémon include:

  • Thwackey from Grookey at Level 16
  • Rillaboom from Thwackey at Level 35
  • Raboot from Scorbunny at Level 16
  • Cinderace from Raboot at Level 35
  • Drizzile from Sobble at Level 16
  • Inteleon from Drizzle at Level 35

You can also only get Cofagrigus and Persian by levelling up and then evolving a non-Galar Meowth and Yamask.

To add Persian and Cofagrigus to your Pokémon, you must find a non-Galar Meowth and Yamask.

You can receive a non-Galar Meowth by trading a Galarian Meowth in the Turffield Stadium and a non-Galar Yamask by trading a Galarian Yamask in the Ballonlea Stadium.

Meowth will evolve into Persian at Level 28, while Yamask will evolve into Cofagrigus at Level 34.

What are the benefits of evolving Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield?

Evolving your Pokémon has a number of great benefits that makes the full process of training your Pokémon team more worthwhile.

Evolving a Pokémon will make it stronger, by raising its base stats and, sometimes, changing its type, making it a dual type Pokémon.

When Hattrem evolves into Hatterene, for example, it goes from being just a psychic-type Pokémon to being both a fairy and psychic-type Pokémon.

Once a Pokémon evolves it might also be able to learn new skills, both from TMs and from levelling up.

A Pokémon's ability might change when it evolves as well, allowing you to adapt your play style to take full advantage of this change.

Toxel's ability will change when it evolves into Toxtricity.

Finally, evolving Pokémon will also fill in empty entries in your Pokédex, allowing you to become the ultimate Pokémon Master.

With it finally in the wild, here's how to start the Crown Tundra DLC and our full Pokémon Crown Tundra walkthrough. Plus, here's how to catch Calyrex, Glastrier and Spectrier, the Regieleki and Regidrago puzzle solution and Regirock, Regice, Registeel locations, details on how to catch Legendary Birds Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres in the Crown Tundra, the Ultra Beasts and Necrozma adventure, Dynamax Adventures, including the legendries you can catch on these adventures, and the new Crown Tundra Pokédex and returning Pokémon explained. For Isle of Armor players, here's how to find the Slowpoke, where to find Max Mushroom locations, and how to get Kubfu, become best friends and evolve it, plus all Diglett locations too! For the base game, here's info on the ability to transfer Pokémon to Pokémon Home, the Wild Area, lists of all TM locations and TRs, all Galarian forms and finally our main Pokémon Sword and Shield walkthrough for the whole game.

How to prevent Pokémon evolving in Pokémon Sword and Shield

There are two main ways you can prevent a Pokémon from evolving in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

The first is to press B as the Pokémon is evolving. This will cancel the evolution completely, until the next time the Pokémon levels up. At this point you can either press B again or allow the Pokémon to evolve.

The second method is to give the Pokémon an Everstone to hold.

An Everstone will prevent this Pokémon from even entering the evolution process, because, when a Pokémon holds an Everstone, they are completely incapable of evolving.

No matter how high its level becomes, Caterpie won't evolve if its holding an Everstone.

Once you take the Everstone away from the Pokémon, they will be able to evolve again.

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