Look, I’ll be honest—when I first started filling out my Lumiose Pokédex, I kept wondering why some of my Pokémon just wouldn’t evolve no matter how many levels they gained. Turns out, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has a bunch of special evolution requirements that go way beyond the standard “reach level X and you’re good to go.”
With 230 Pokémon to catch and evolve at launch, understanding these special mechanics isn’t just helpful—it’s essential if you want to complete your Pokédex without tearing your hair out. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about the game’s trickier evolutions.
Evolution Stones: Where to Find Them & Who Needs Them
Evolution stones are your bread and butter for 20 different Pokémon evolutions in Z-A. The good news? They’re way easier to get than in previous games.
Where to buy Evolution Stones:
- Stone Emporium on Vernal Avenue (your one-stop shop)
- Red Pokéballs scattered around Lumiose City streets and rooftops
Here’s something I appreciate about this system: you can actually buy the stones you need instead of grinding for hours hoping one drops. It makes Pokédex completion feel less like a chore and more like actual progression.
All Evolution Stone Evolutions
Shiny Stone Evolutions:
- Roselia → Roserade
- Floette → Florges
Water Stone Evolutions:
- Staryu → Starmie
- Panpour → Simipour
Thunder Stone Evolutions:
- Pikachu → Raichu (yes, you’ll need to decide if you want to keep that adorable Pikachu)
- Eelektrik → Eelektross
Moon Stone Evolution:
- Clefairy → Clefable (check out our Cleffa evolution guide for the full family)
Dusk Stone Evolutions:
- Doublade → Aegislash
- Lampent → Chandelure
Leaf Stone Evolutions:
- Weepinbell → Victreebel
- Pansage → Simisage (full details in our Pansage, Pansear, Panpour guide)
Fire Stone Evolution:
- Pansear → Simisear
Dawn Stone Evolutions (Gender-Specific):
- Kirlia (Male only) → Gallade
- Snorunt (Female only) → Froslass
Ice Stone Evolution:
- Eevee → Glaceon
Sun Stone Evolution:
- Helioptile → Heliolisk
The Eevee Exception
Speaking of Eevee and all its Eeveelutions, this little fox gets five different stone evolutions:
- Water Stone → Vaporeon
- Thunder Stone → Jolteon
- Fire Stone → Flareon
- Leaf Stone → Leafeon
- Ice Stone → Glaceon
Pro tip: Make sure you know which Eeveelution you want before using that stone—there’s no going back!
Trading Evolutions: The Classic Headache Returns
Ah yes, trading evolutions. The mechanic that’s been annoying solo players since Generation I. The good news is that Z-A has trade codes that make this process smoother, especially if you don’t have a friend readily available.
How Trading Works in Z-A
You can either trade with someone you know or use specific trade codes to match with random players online who want the same evolution. Just remember: if your Pokémon needs to hold an item, make absolutely sure it’s equipped before you initiate the trade.
Trade Evolutions Without Items
These five Pokémon evolve simply by being traded:
- Kadabra → Alakazam (Code: 0063-0063) – Full catching guide here
- Haunter → Gengar (Code: 0066-0066)
- Machoke → Machamp (Code: 0126-0126)
- Phantump → Trevenant (Code: 0182-0182)
- Pumpkaboo → Gourgeist (Code: 0204-0204)
Trade Evolutions With Hold Items
These five need to be holding specific items when traded:
- Spritzee (holding Sachet) → Aromatisse (Code: 0096-0096)
- Swirlix (holding Whipped Dream) → Slurpuff (Code: 0098-0098)
- Slowpoke (holding King’s Rock) → Slowking (Code: 0139-0139)
- Scyther (holding Metal Coat) → Scizor (Code: 0176-0176)
- Onix (holding Metal Coat) → Steelix (Code: 0197-0197)
Important: When using trade codes for item-based evolutions, double-check that the Pokémon you’re receiving is also holding the required item. You don’t want to accidentally help someone evolve their Pokémon while yours stays unevolved!
Friendship Evolutions: The Café Method Changes Everything
Here’s where Z-A does something genuinely clever. In older Pokémon games, raising friendship meant endless battling, walking around with your Pokémon out, and never letting it faint. It was tedious.
In Legends: Z-A? Just take your Pokémon to a café and buy it a few drinks. Seriously.
The Fast Friendship Method
Head to any café in Lumiose City and share drinks with your Pokémon. After spending about 1,000-1,200 Pokédollars and 2-3 minutes of your time, you’ll max out friendship. It’s ridiculously efficient and honestly one of my favorite quality-of-life changes in the game. Learn more about increasing happiness here.
Friendship Evolution Requirements
Standard Friendship (Any Time):
- Pichu → Pikachu
- Cleffa → Clefairy
- Buneary → Lopunny
Friendship + Daytime:
- Budew → Roselia (daytime only)
- Riolu → Lucario (daytime only)
Friendship + Time/Move (Eevee Special Cases):
- Eevee → Espeon (high friendship + daytime)
- Eevee → Umbreon (high friendship + nighttime)
- Eevee → Sylveon (high friendship + knows a Fairy-type move)
Critical Eevee Warning!
If your Eevee knows ANY Fairy-type move when you try to evolve it via friendship, it will always become Sylveon—regardless of whether it’s day or night. If you’re aiming for Espeon or Umbreon, make absolutely sure your Eevee’s moveset is Fairy-free first. Need help with time manipulation? We’ve got you covered.
The Weird Ones: Unique Evolution Requirements
Now we get to the really quirky evolutions—the ones that made Game Freak’s developers think, “You know what this needs? More complexity.”
Level + Special Conditions
Pancham → Pangoro (Level 32)
- Must have a Dark-type Pokémon in your party when evolving
- The Dark-type doesn’t need to be in battle, just somewhere in your team
Inkay → Malamar (Level 30)
- This is the infamous “hold your Switch upside down” evolution
- Yes, really. You need to physically flip your Switch in handheld mode
- Switch 2 players: You can attach Joy-Cons backward to trigger it (clever workaround!)
- Detailed Inkay evolution guide
Sliggoo → Goodra (Level 40)
- Must be raining when you evolve it
- Check weather conditions before leveling up that last level
Tyrunt → Tyrantrum (Level 39)
- Daytime evolution only
- Make sure the sun is up before hitting that level threshold
Amaura → Aurorus (Level 39)
- Nighttime evolution only
- Opposite of Tyrunt—wait for darkness
My Honest Take: Why These Mechanics Matter
I know some players find these special evolution requirements annoying, but honestly? I think they add personality to the game. Sure, it’s slightly inconvenient to flip my Switch upside down for Malamar, but it’s also memorable and weird in the best Pokémon way.
The café friendship system is a genuine improvement that respects your time. And having evolution stones readily available for purchase means you’re not at the mercy of RNG—you can actually plan your team composition.
The only real pain point is trade evolutions for solo players, but the trade codes help somewhat. Just be patient and double-check those held items.
Quick Tips for Evolution Success
Before you start evolving:
- Stock up on evolution stones from the Stone Emporium
- Keep about 5,000 Pokédollars on hand for café visits
- Check your Eevee’s moveset before attempting friendship evolutions
- Have a Dark-type ready when your Pancham hits level 31
- Pay attention to weather and time of day as Pokémon approach evolution levels
For completing your Pokédex efficiently:
- Prioritize catching Alpha Pokémon for stronger team members
- Use fast travel to quickly access different areas and time zones
- Check out the best early Pokémon to catch before committing to evolutions
Related Resources
Want more evolution help? Check these guides:
- Ralts Location & Evolution Guide
- Spewpa Museum Locations
- Kanto Starters Guide
- Flabébé Locations Guide
Looking for Mega Evolution info? That’s a whole different beast—check out our Mega Evolution Tier List and Hawlucha Mega Evolution Guide.
Final Thoughts
Completing the Lumiose Pokédex requires understanding all these special evolution mechanics, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Keep this guide bookmarked, stock up on stones and Pokédollars, and you’ll be filling out that Pokédex in no time.
And seriously—don’t forget to remove those Fairy-type moves from Eevee. I learned that one the hard way.
For the official game info, check out the Pokémon Legends website or grab the game from Nintendo’s store.
Happy evolving, trainers! Now get out there and complete that Pokédex—Lumiose City is counting on you.
