Pokémon Legends: Z-A special evolutions guide

There are tons of Pokémon that have special evolution requirements in Pokémon Legends Z-A, just like in the games that came before it. Some Pokémon just need some specific stones thrown at them, some need to be traded, and some even need to be specific genders. If you’re sitting around with your level 40 Pumpkaboo wondering why it hasn’t evolved yet, then we’re here to help you figure that out.

Below we list all the Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A that have special evolution requirements, along with what you need to transform those pals into their stronger forms. We’ve ordered them by their National Pokédex number and grouped them by evolution methods, but since some Pokémon have multiple requirements, you may see it in two sections, like Slowbro’s evolution method for Slowking, for example.

Update (Dec. 12): We’ve updated this guide with Pokémon from the Mega Dimension DLC, which are indicated with an asterisk by their names.

Pokémon that require evolution stones to evolve in Legends: Z-A

These Pokémon need evolution stones, found around the city, to evolve in Legends: Z-A:

• Raichu = Pikachu + Thunder Stone
• Clefable = Clefairy + Moon Stone
• Wigglytuff* = Jigglypuff + Moon Stone
• Victreebell = Weepinbell + Leaf Stone
• Starmie = Staryu + Water Stone
• Vaporeon = Eevee + Water Stone
• Jolteon = Eevee + Thunder Stone
• Flareon = Eevee + Fire Stone
• Roserade = Roselia + Shiny Stone
• Glaceon = Eevee + Ice Stone
• Leafeon = Eevee + Leaf Stone
• Gallade = male Kirlia + Dawn Stone
• Froslass = female Snorunt + Dawn Stone
• Simisage = Pansage + Leaf Stone
• Simisear = Pansear + Fire Stone
• Simipour = Panpour + Water Stone
• Musharna* = Munna + Moon Stone
• Eelektross = Eelektrik + Thunder Stone
• Chandelure = Lampent + Dusk Stone
• Florges = Floette + Shiny Stone
• Aegislash = Doublade + Dusk Stone
• Heliolisk = Helioptile + Sun Stone
• Crabominable* = Crabrawler + Ice Stone
• Scovillain* = Capsakid + Fire Stone

Pokémon that require other special items to evolve in Legends: Z-A

These Pokémon need items, either held or used on them, to evolve in Legends: Z-A.

• Galarian Slowbro = Galarian Slowpoke + Galarica Cuff
• Slowking = Slowpoke + trade + holding a King’s Rock
• Galarian Slowking = Galarian Slowpoke + Galarica Wreath
• Steelix = Onix + trade + holding a Metal Coat
• Scizor = Scyther + trade + holding a Metal Coat
• Porygon2* = Porygon + trade + holding an Upgrade
• Milotic* = Feebas + trade + holding a Prism Scale
• Porygon-Z* = Porygon2 + trade + holding a Dubious Disc
• Aromatisse = Spritzee + trade + holding a Sachet
• Slurpuff = Swirlix + trade + holding a Whipped Dream
• Armarouge* = Charcadet + Auspicious Armor
• Ceruledge* = Charcadet + Malicious Armor
• Gholdengo* = Gimmighoul + 999 Gimmighoul Coins

Pokémon that need to be traded to evolve in Legends: Z-A

These Pokémon will need to be traded with another player in order to evolve in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Some of these also need to be holding a specific item.

• Alakazam = Kadabra + trade
• Machamp = Machoke + trade
• Gengar = Haunter + trade
• Slowking = Slowpoke + trade + holding a King’s Rock
• Steelix = Onix + trade + holding a Metal Coat
• Scizor = Scyther + trade + holding a Metal Coat
• Porygon2* = Porygon + trade + holding an Upgrade
• Milotic* = Feebas + trade + holding a Prism Scale
• Porygon-Z* = Porygon2 + trade + holding a Dubious Disc
• Aromatisse = Spritzee + trade + holding a Sachet
• Slurpuff = Swirlix + trade + holding a Whipped Dream
• Trevenant = Phantump + trade
• Gourgeist = Pumpkaboo + trade

Pokémon that require high friendship to evolve in Legends: Z-A

These Pokémon require you to befriend them in Legends: Z-A more before they can evolve.

• Pikachu = Pichu + high friendship
• Clefairy = Cleffa + high friendship
• Jigglypuff* = Igglybuff + friendship
• Alolan Persian* = Alolan Meowth + friendship
• Crobat* = Golbat + friendship
• Espeon = Eevee + high friendship + daytime
• Umbreon = Eevee + high friendship + nighttime
• Roselia = Budew + high friendship + daytime
• Chimecho* = Chingling + friendship + nighttime
• 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

These Pokémon will only evolve in Legends: Z-A when they’re a specific gender.

• Gallade = male Kirlia + Dawn Stone
• Froslass = female Snorunt + Dawn Stone

Pokémon that require a specific time of day to evolve in Legends: Z-A

These Pokémon require it to be a specific time in order to evolve in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

• Espeon = Eevee + high friendship + daytime
• Umbreon = Eevee + high friendship + nighttime
• Roselia = Budew + high friendship + daytime
• Chimecho* = Chingling + friendship + nighttime
• Lucario = Riolu + high friendship + daytime
• Tyrantrum = Tyrunt + level 39 + daytime
• Aurorus = Amaura + level 39 + nighttime
• Houndstone* = Greavard + level 30 + nighttime

Pokémon that require other specific conditions to evolve

These evolution methods don’t quite fit in with the others, but they require something very niche and specific — some kind of requirement that no other Pokémon in Legends: Z-A shares.

• Mr. Mime* = Mime Jr. + knows the move Mimic (learned at level 32)
• Pangoro = Pancham + level 32 + a dark-type Pokémon in your party
• Sylveon = Eevee + knows a fairy-type move + high friendship
• Goodra = Sliggoo + level 50 + rainy weather
• Malamar = Inkay + level 30 + holding your Nintendo Switch upside down in handheld mode
• Grapploct* = Clobbopus + knows the move Taunt (learned at level 35)
• Sirfetch’d* = Galarian Farfetch’d + 3 critical hits in a single battle instance
• Runerigus* = Galarian Yamask + 49 or more damage taken + stand under Coulant Waterway bridge
• Overqwil* = Hisuian Qwilfish + use Barb Barrage 20 times
• Annihilape* = Primeape + use Rage Fist 20 times

Looking for more on Pokémon Legends: Z-A? We have a beginner’s guide to help you get started, as well as a type advantage chart, if you’re having a hard time remembering what’s good against what. We also have guides on how to find other early game Pokémon to help you on your journey, like the Kalos starters, the Kanto starters, and even an early spot to find Eevee. If you’re seeking out even more, we have an interactive map of Lumiose City, too.

We also have a list of when you can unlock all of the Mega Stones you’ll need to Mega Evolve.