Evolution has always been one of the most prominent features of mainlinePokemongames, where players can get their critters to a level that’s high enough for them to evolve, or maybe use specific items to achieve this result, such as elemental stones. Yet, there are many weird ways in which trainers canevolve their Pokemon, but they can be so obscure that it’s quite tough to discover them on one’s own; figuring these evolutions out was especially hard beforePokemoninformation became widely available online.Pokemon ScarletandVioletwill release less than four months from now, but fans don’t know much about what the games will entail from official sources.
Past releases have included plenty of strange evolution methods, such as Karrablast and Shelmet fromPokemon BlackandWhiteonly evolving when traded for one another, unlike other trade-exclusive evolutions. These mechanics are interesting because the wholePokemoncommunity comes together when secrets of new games are yet to be discovered, and that alone is a good reason forPokemon ScarletandVioletto bring them back. There are many examples of wacky evolutions across all the generations ofPokemongames, but some of the more recent ones set a new bar for the future.
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Weird Evolution Requirements Across the Pokemon Franchise
Some Pokemon only evolve under extremely specific circumstances that are quite difficult to discover on one’s own, as they tend to happen only by accident and sheer luck the first time around. An example of this logic is thatPokemon RubyandSapphireintroduced a Pokemon calledMilotic, which only evolved from Feebasif the base form’s Beauty stat was equal to or greater than 170. This wasn’t clear when the game launched, and it only became common knowledge later. A similar thing happened withPokemon SunandMoon’s Rockruff, which could evolve into Dusk Form Lycanroconly when reaching level 25 or above between 5 PM and 5:59 PM, so long as it has the Own Tempo Ability.
On the Switch, similar methods would have been controversial due to the date and time change functions, butPokemon SwordandShielddid have some of the weirdest evolutions in the series. Chief among them is probably the way Galarian Yamask evolves intoRunerigus, something that only ever happens if players walk under a specific stone arch in the Dusty Bowl area when Yamask has lost a total of 49 or more HP without fainting or being healed, and only from level 34 and above. This is such a specific evolution requirement that it’s amazing to think players still figured it out as quickly as they did; it’s a testament to evolution’s ability to encourage exploration and make a team out of thePokemoncommunity.
Gen 8 also introducedMilcery and Alcremie, with the former evolving into the latter when players spin their character clockwise or anti-clockwise and at specific times of the day or for a specific duration, with multiple Alcremie variants being available. Not only that, butPokemon SwordandShieldalso have multiple toppings for Alcremie to sport, making it a very peculiar pocket monster. Another compelling example is the case of Nincada evolving into Ninjask and Shedinja, which is the only Pokemon to evolve into two separate creatures at the same time in the entire series.This can only ever happen with Shedinja being added to the party if players have an empty party slot and an available Poke Ball when the evolution into Ninjask happens.
Something similar happens with Mantyke evolving into Mantine, which requires players to have a Remoraid in the party for the base form to evolve while leveling up. Another weird evolution requirement is that of Inkay and Malamar, with Inkay only evolving at or after level 30 while holding the console upside down. Overall, there are multiple ways these requirements could be brought back toPokemon ScarletandViolet, and it could be entertaining to discover new ones by searching Generation 9’s open world for clues.ScarletandVioletshould break new ground in strange evolution conditions as a way of bringing thePokemoncommunity together.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletrelease for Nintendo Switch on June 08, 2025.
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