Pokémon Legends: Z-A and the Mega Dimension DLC use several evolution methods that are easy to confuse: level and time checks, high friendship, Evolution items, battle counters, and Link Trades.
Start with the quick-answer table, then use the detailed sections to confirm the exact condition before spending an item or arranging a trade.
Battle-Based Evolution Requirements
Some Pokémon require you to complete specific battle challenges before they can evolve. These evolutions test your strategic skills and patience.
Clobbopus → Grapploct
Level up after learning the move Taunt. Once Clobbopus knows Taunt, simply gain one level to trigger evolution.
Galarian Farfetch'd → Sirfetch'd
Land 3 critical hits in a single battle. The critical hits must occur within one continuous battle encounter.
Start Side Mission 133 to receive a Leek from Bouche, then equip it to raise Farfetch'd's critical-hit ratio. You can buy additional Leeks from Bouche after unlocking them.
Primeape → Annihilape
Use the move Rage Fist 20 times in battle, then level up. The move counter persists across multiple battles, so you don't need to use it 20 times in a single fight.
Rage Fist's power increases each time Primeape is hit, making it both a tracking tool and a powerful offensive move as you work toward evolution.
Qwilfish → Overqwil
Use Barb Barrage 20 times with Hisuian Qwilfish. The counter accumulates across multiple battles; Legends: Z-A does not require an additional level-up after the counter is complete.
Pro Tip:
Special Evolution Recap
You now have a working map of Z-A special evolution requirements, including battle triggers, friendship routes, and item-dependent branches.
Keep this page open while training and use PokemonLore tools for quick checks when a requirement is easy to misread mid-session.
For Pokémon-specific stats and movesets, explore our
complete Pokédex database
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I evolve Primeape into Annihilape?
Use the move Rage Fist 20 times across any number of battles, then level up Primeape. The move counter is cumulative and persists across all battles, so you don't need to use it 20 times in a single fight.
How do I evolve Greavard in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?
Reach level 30 or higher, then level up Greavard at night. Reaching level 30 during the day does not lock the evolution; gain another level after night begins.
How do I evolve Igglybuff and Jigglypuff?
Raise Igglybuff to high friendship and level it up to get Jigglypuff. Then use a Moon Stone on Jigglypuff to evolve it into Wigglytuff.
How do I evolve Clauncher in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?
Raise Clauncher to level 37 to evolve it into Clawitzer. It is a standard level evolution and does not need an Evolution item or trade.
How do I check my Pokémon's friendship level?
Complete Side Mission 025, then speak to the Friendship Checker outside Café Pokémon-Amie in Lumiose City. The NPC describes the friendship range rather than showing an exact number.
Friendship-Based Evolutions
Friendship is hidden in Legends: Z-A, so the game does not show a numeric value in the party screen. Raise the Pokémon to high friendship, then level it up when any required time-of-day condition is also active.
How to Build Friendship Quickly
- Make the Pokémon your active partner and take it to cafés around Lumiose City
- Give it the Soothe Bell from Side Mission 036 to increase friendship gains
- Keep it in your party while it gains experience and receives useful items
- Check the result with the NPC outside Café Pokémon-Amie after completing Side Mission 025
Standard Friendship Evolutions
Golbat → Crobat: Reach high friendship, then level up
Igglybuff → Jigglypuff: Reach high friendship, then level up
Alolan Meowth → Alolan Persian: Reach high friendship, then level up
Friendship + Time of Day
Chingling → Chimecho: Reach high friendship, then level up at night
Evolution Stone Requirements
Several Pokémon in Legends: Z-A require an Evolution stone. The Stone Emporium in Lumiose City sells an assortment of Evolution stones, while some other evolution items come from missions or Mega Dimension exploration.
Fire Stone Evolutions
Capsakid → Scovillain: Use Fire Stone (purchasable at Stone Shop)
Ice Stone Evolutions
Crabrawler → Crabominable: Use Ice Stone (purchasable at Stone Shop)
Moon Stone Evolutions
Jigglypuff → Wigglytuff: Use Moon Stone (purchasable at Stone Shop)
Munna → Musharna: Use Moon Stone (purchasable at Stone Shop)
Where to Buy Evolution Stones
Check the Stone Emporium for Fire Stones, Moon Stones, Ice Stones, and other standard Evolution stones. Armor, held trade items, and certain DLC items use separate acquisition methods, so they are not interchangeable with stones.
Link Trade Evolution Requirements
Pokémon Legends: Z-A does not include the Linking Cord evolution shortcut from Legends: Arceus. Trade evolutions require a Link Trade, and some Pokémon must hold the correct item when traded.
Feebas → Milotic
Trade Feebas while it holds a Prism Scale. Confirm the held item before starting the trade, because simply using the Prism Scale from the Bag will not trigger this evolution.
Use a trusted trade partner and agree on a tradeback if you want to keep the same Milotic after it evolves.
Before You Trade:
Porygon Evolution Chain
Trade Porygon while it holds an Up-Grade
Porygon → Porygon2:
Trade Porygon2 while it holds a Dubious Disc
Porygon2 → Porygon-Z:
Quick Evolution Answers
These are the direct answers for the evolution questions most often leading players to this guide.
| Pokémon | Evolution | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Greavard | Houndstone | Reach level 30 or higher, then level up at night. |
| Igglybuff | Jigglypuff | Reach high friendship, then level up. |
| Jigglypuff | Wigglytuff | Use a Moon Stone. |
| Clauncher | Clawitzer | Reach level 37. No special item is required. |
| Munna | Musharna | Use a Moon Stone. |
Unique Special Condition Evolutions
These Pokémon have evolution requirements that don't fit standard categories, often involving collection challenges or specific move knowledge.
Charcadet Split Evolution
Charcadet can evolve into two different forms depending on which armor item you use:
Charcadet → Armarouge: Use Auspicious Armor item
Charcadet → Ceruledge: Use Malicious Armor item
Auspicious Armor and Malicious Armor can be found through Mega Dimension exploration. Use the matching armor directly on Charcadet; neither evolution requires a trade.
How to Get Armor Items:
Gimmighoul → Gholdengo
Collect 999 Gimmighoul Coins in your bag inventory. Coins are obtained by catching Gimmighoul in the wild and through special chest encounters. Once you have 999 coins, level up Gimmighoul to trigger evolution.
Greavard → Houndstone
Reach level 30 or higher with Greavard, then level it up at night. If Greavard passes level 30 during the day, it can still evolve after gaining another level at night.
Mime Jr. → Mr. Mime
Level up Mime Jr. while it knows Mimic. Check its current move set before leveling; the exact level when Mimic becomes available can differ with game data updates.
Sources
- Making the Most of Your AdventureThe Pokémon Company International · Primary source
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Mable's Pokédex ResearchSerebii.net
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Friendship & HappinessSerebii.net
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Evolutionary ItemsSerebii.net
- Leek: How to Get and How to UseGame8