There are many different ways to evolve Pokemon in the Pokemon world. The most well-known method is by leveling Pokemon up to a specific level. Since the original Pokemon Diamond/Pearl, a new method of evolution was inputted. Some Pokemon will not evolve until they've learned a certain move. Naturally, as loyal remakes, Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl include this evolution method in their gameplay.
There are currently 11 Pokemon that evolve using this evolution method. Since Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl excludes Pokemon from generations 5-8, that number goes from 11 down to 7. As long as the evolution move is a part of the Pokemon's four-slot movelist, then it will evolve once it levels.
Which Moves Evolve Pokemon
It seems the most common evolution move Pokemon need to know is Ancient Power. This is a Rock-type move with a maximum of 5 PP, base power of 60, and 100% accuracy. If Ancient Power inflicts damage, it has a 10% chance of raising the user's Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed by one stage. These stat bonuses are lost if the Pokemon is switched out of battle. The Pokemon that need to know Ancient Power to evolve may want to erase this move once they've achieved evolution because Ancient Power won't give STAB. However, Ancient Power will increase stats in battle if trainers are lucky.
Other Pokemon may evolve once they've learned other moves such as Rollout, Double Hit, or Mimic.
Pokemon will learn moves once they reach a certain level. However, in some cases, a Pokemon may be higher than the level it naturally learns the move. Thus it may not have the move upon capture. This means they will need to be brought to the Move Tutor to relearn the necessary move for evolution. The price for relearning one move is a Heart Scale, which can be found in certain Sinnoh locations or the Grand Underground.
Once the Pokemon has this move, level it up in battle or feed it a Rare Candy to evolve.
Pokemon that Evolve with Certain Moves
Ironically, the Pokemon that evolve with certain moves, except for Mime Jr. (Brilliant Diamond), Bonsly (Shining Pearl), and Aipom, will not be able until the postgame. Players will have needed to defeat the Elite Four and its Champion and receive the National Dex from Professor Rowan in order to catch the remaining four Pokemon.
Below is a list with everything players need to know:
|
Pokemon |
Evolution |
Move |
Learns Move At This Level |
Dex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lickitung |
Lickilicky |
Rollout |
6 |
National |
|
Tangela |
Tangrowth |
Ancient Power |
24 |
National |
|
Aipom |
Ambipom |
Double Hit |
32 |
Sinnoh |
|
Yanma |
Yanmega |
Ancient Power |
33 |
National |
|
Piloswine |
Mamoswine |
Ancient Power |
1 |
National |
|
Bonsly |
Sudowoodo |
Mimic |
16 |
Sinnoh |
|
Mime Jr. |
Mr. Mime |
Mimic |
32 |
Sinnoh |
To get Lickilicky and Mamoswine, players will need two Heart Scales to give to the Move Tutor in Pastoria City. For version-exclusive Pokemon like Bonsly and Mime Jr., players will need to trade with someone who has the other version of the one they're playing. If someone has Shining Pearl and wants Mime Jr., they need to trade with someone who has Brilliant Diamond.
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.