In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, evolution goes far beyond simple leveling. The game includes 45 Pokémon species that evolve through unique conditions — from friendship boosts and specific held items to trading quirks and even console orientation tricks. For players aiming to complete their Pokédex efficiently, understanding these evolution requirements is essential. This guide breaks down every special evolution method in Legends: Z-A, with practical tips to make your progress smoother.
Understanding Evolution Beyond Leveling
Unlike traditional games, Pokémon Legends: Z-A reintroduces several creative evolution mechanics while refining classic ones. Evolution stones like the Shiny Stone, Thunder Stone, and Dusk Stone play crucial roles, many of which can be purchased early at the Stone Emporium. However, others—such as the Dawn Stone and Dusk Stone—unlock later in the postgame. If you’re short on evolution items, it’s often more cost-effective to acquire cheap Legends ZA items from in-game vendors or events before you start evolving multiple Pokémon.
Friendship-Based Evolutions
Several Pokémon rely on friendship to evolve, emphasizing the bond between trainer and companion. Examples include:
Budew → Roselia and Cleffa → Clefairy → Clefable: Achieved through high friendship, with day or night cycles influencing timing.
Pichu → Pikachu → Raichu: Classic friendship and Thunder Stone combination.
Riolu → Lucario: Friendship during daytime.
Eevee → Espeon, Umbreon, or Sylveon: Each depends on the time of day and learned moves. Sylveon, for instance, requires high friendship and a Fairy-type move.
If you’re working on raising multiple friendship-based Pokémon at once, spending time in camp activities (like having coffee with your Pokémon) significantly accelerates the bond.
Trade and Held Item Evolutions
Trade-based evolutions remain a staple of the franchise. Pokémon such as Kadabra → Alakazam, Machoke → Machamp, and Haunter → Gengar evolve through trading, while others require specific held items:
Slowpoke → Slowking (holding King’s Rock)
Scyther → Scizor (holding Metal Coat)
Spritzee → Aromatisse (holding Sachet)
Swirlix → Slurpuff (holding Whipped Dream)
These items are typically obtainable via side quests or mission rewards, though some players prefer to buy shiny Pokémon or evolved forms directly from trading communities to save time — especially when filling out the Pokédex efficiently.
Stone and Gender-Based Evolutions
Elemental stones continue to define many evolutionary paths:
Roselia → Roserade (Shiny Stone)
Weepinbell → Victreebel (Leaf Stone)
Pansear → Simisear (Fire Stone)
Panseage → Simisage, Panpour → Simipour (Leaf/Water Stones)
Helioptile → Heliolisk (Sun Stone)
Kirlia → Gallade (male with Dawn Stone)
Snorunt → Froslass (female with Dawn Stone)
One notable change in Legends: Z-A is the removal of environmental evolution triggers like Moss Rocks and Ice Rocks, making the evolution process simpler and item-focused.
Unique and Gimmick Evolutions
A few Pokémon stand out with unconventional evolution conditions:
Inkay → Malamar: Requires you to play in handheld mode and physically turn the console upside down while evolving.
Goomy → Sliggoo → Goodra: Must be raining in the overworld.
Pumpkaboo → Gourgeist: Evolves via trade, with different forms determined by its size.
The Inkay method, in particular, is a nostalgic callback to previous titles and highlights how Pokémon Legends: Z-A maintains the series’ quirky charm.
