With the Isle of Armor DLC adding a whole new Wild Area to explore and a whopping 100 old Pokemon to the Pokedex, players have more to do in the Galar region than ever. For those trainers seeking the one hundred percent completion on their Pokedex for Sword & Shield, some evolutions might pose a problem.
Some Pokemon have always been difficult to evolve; Feebas into Milotic in Ruby and Sapphire is an excellent example. But with every new region, and new locations for every evolution item, the most difficult Pokemon to evolve change every generation. While many fully evolved Pokemon now roam the Galar Wild Areas and no longer need to be obtained through evolution, some Pokemon still have tedious or downright frustrating evolution methods.
Updated September 27, 2021 by Adriano Valente: Sword & Shield’s DLC added some great new content alongside a host of familiar faces to the Galar Pokedex. While fans might have been thrown off by the limited number of Pokemon native to the region at first, the new updates seem to have quelled some of the discontent. With all the new faces come a host of new challenges and opportunities eager trainers can take on. Evolution is typically a straightforward process in the Pokemon games, though certain Pokemon do make trainers put in a little more work. With both expansions having added to the Sword & Shield experience, these stand as the most challenging Pokemon trainers can evolve.
15 Toxel to Toxtricity
- Type: Electric/Poison
- Evolves At: 30
Toxel is the first Baby Pokemon introduced since Diamond & Pearl. As such, it’s only natural that this little Electric/Poison-type would pique the interest of some trainers. It might not be the toughest Pokemon to catch in Sword or Shield, but Toxel is certainly among the hardest Pokemon to evolve.
Toxel will evolve into Toxtricity at level 30. Its evolution has two variants; Amped and Low Key. Whichever one trainers manage to get depends on their Toxel’s nature. A Sassy, Brave, Jolly, Naughty, Impish, Adamant, Lax, Hardy, Hasty, Naive, Docile, Rash, or Quirky Toxel will net players an Amped Form Toxtricity, while Lonely, Bold, Relaxed, Timid, Serious, Modest, Mild, Quiet, Bashful, Calm, Gentle, or Careful Toxel’s will net a Low Key Form Toxtricity. The difficulty isn’t so much in training Toxel, but in finding and catching the right one for the evolution players want.
14 Tyrogue to Hitmontop
- Type: Fighting
- Evolves At: 20
One of the original Baby Pokemon introduced in the second generation, Tyrogue was introduced as a predecessor to Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan. Another potential evolution, Hitmontop, was introduced alongside it and stands as the trickiest evolution to obtain of the three.
What makes Tyrogue’s evolutionary line unique is that trainers must favor certain stats when leveling it up. Attack higher than Defense nets a Hitmonlee while the inverse will get trainers a Hitmonchan once the little fighter reaches level 20. Trainers have to strike a perfect balance between the two if they want to get themselves a Hitmontop. While not necessarily a difficult task, it will take some patience and more than simple level-grinding.
13 Goomy to Sliggoo to Goodra
- Type: Dragon
- Evolves At: 40 (Sliggoo), 50 (Goodra)
The Goomy evolutionary line might not be the most intricate in the series, but it can prove to be a challenge to see through. Like any pseudo-legendary Pokemon, Goodra requires a good amount of training and leveling-up before trainers see any sort of payoff.
Goomy will evolve to Sliggoo once it hits level 40, which is somewhat grindy but not a tough task by any means. Trainers will have to wait for a rainy day if they want to add Goodra to their Pokedex, however. Anyone wanting to add the Dragon-type pseudo-legendary to their party must level Sliggoo up to level 50 in the rain.
12 Inkay to Malamar
- Type: Dark/Psychic
- Evolves At: 30
Getting Inkay to evolve into Malamar can prove to be a challenge for trainers, but only if they’re unfamiliar with the exact method of evolution. Inkay is one of a those Pokemon with peculiar evolutionary conditions. Its particular trigger might be difficult for some trainers to pull off depending on how they play on their Switch.
When it was first introduced, players would evolve Inkay at level 30 by flipping their 3DS upside down. The idea is very much the same for the Switch. However, given the fact that it’s a hybrid console, some players might miss out on this opportunity at first. Inkay can’t evolve if players have their console docked, so it’s necessary for certain players to make the momentary change.
11 Milcery to Alcremie
- Type: Fairy
- Evolves At: Holding Sweet
A Pokemon that’s so far exclusive to the Galar region, Milcery has a host of evolutionary variants players can choose from. While the differences between them are aesthetic, getting a specific one can prove to be quite a difficult task.
Milcery evolves when its trainer strikes a pose while it holds a Sweet. Alcremie has nine variants, and which one trainers get is determined by the kind of Sweet it holds, the length of the spin, whether or not trainers spun clockwise or counterclockwise, and even the time of day. All these variables and minuscule differences make Milcery one of the hardest Pokemon to evolve in Sword & Shield.
10 Shelmet To Accelgor
- Type: Bug
- Evolves At: N/A
Depending on a specific trade with another player makes Shelmet quite tricky to evolve. Shelmet can only transform into the speedster Accelgor by trading it for a Karrablast with another trainer. Trade evolutions are always difficult for solo players and the specifics of this one make it even more of a task.
Not only is this little bugger hard to evolve, but it’s also hard to find in the first place! Luckily the Isle of Armor has added a few more locations to Shelmets Pokedex entry; including the Soothing Wetlands, the Forest of Focus, and the Training Lowlands.
9 Karrablast To Escavalier
- Type: Bug
- Evolves At: N/A
Don’t be fooled by this little guy’s huggable shape and adorable smile. This bug type evolves in the high attack high defense monster, Escavalier. Remember how Shelmet evolved, well, Karrablast is exactly the opposite. It only evolves when traded for a Shelmet. Similarly, Karrablast is difficult to catch in the wild, further infuriating hopeful trainers.
Luckily, the Isle of Armor makes Karrablast a little easier to find. The little bug pops up reliably as a random encounter in the Forest of Focus and occasionally shows up in the overworld in the Training Lowlands.
8 Zweilous To Hydreigon
- Type: Dark/Dragon
- Evolves At: 64
Most Pokemon that evolve from a simple level up are no problem for master trainers, but evolving a Zweilous is a totally different story. Many players seek the allure of the Dark-type dragon, Hydreigon, but players who EV train will find Deino and Zweilous to be rather lackluster. Hydreigon is primarily a special attacker, but Deino and Zweilous are both physical Pokemon with special moves far and in-between.
This makes the journey of raising a Zweilous to a whopping level 64 quite the slog. Luckily, Sword and Shield offer a plethora of experience items to make this quest a little more bearable. Trainers should be sure to use those goodies they earn from max raid battles to quickly get their Zweilous from zero to hero, or to an evil dragon monster.
7 Rockruff to Lycanroc (Dusk Form)
- Type: Rock
- Evolves At: N/A
Getting a dusk form Lycanroc has always been a special prize. The orange wolf can learn both the midday and midnight forms’ special moves, and on top of it all, it has cool glowing green eyes! But the only way to get a dusk form Lycanroc is from an Own Tempo ability Rockruff, which can be very rare to find. Own Tempo Rockruffs, luckily, are available to catch in the Galar region (A change from Alola). These special Rockruffs can only be found in max raid battles at a specific raid den at the top of the path shooting off of Challenge Road to the right.
Once you finally get your Rockruff, you’ll need to grow it to level 25 at either dawn or dusk in-game. Trainers can make sure to achieve this by changing the clock on their switch and logging back into the game.
6 Sinistea To Polteageist
- Type: Ghost
- Evolves At: N/A
The black tea Pokemon isn’t itself very difficult to evolve. Most ghost-type Sinistea can be evolved by simply giving them the Cracked Pot and they will immediately transform into the wonderfully spooky Polteageist. However, for some very rare and very lucky trainers, their Sinistea won’t be affected by the Cracked Pot.
These lucky trainers have instead caught an Antique Sinistea, rather than the common Phony variety. Antique Sinistea possess a rare little mark on the underside of their teacup as a sign of authenticity. These rare Sinistea instead need a Chipped Teapot to evolve, which can only be bought at the Bargain-Seller’s shop in Stow-On-Side. This means it’s completely luck of the draw as to when a trainer will be able to get their hands on a Chipped Pot. Happy hunting!
5 Porygon And Porygon 2 To Porygon Z
- Type: Normal
- Evolves At: Holding Upgrade w/ Trade
The Porygons have always been somewhat difficult to evolve, requiring two individual-use evolution items and multiple trades. On the Isle of Armor, Trainers will need to find Clyde in the training dojo after defeating Master Mustard. He’ll reward you a Porygon that players can evolve into the coveted Porygon-Z.
After obtaining the Porygon, head into the Training Lowlands and search around outside the cave entrance. To the left through a small passage, players will find the upgrade. Next, trainers should head to the Workout Sea and bike towards the Wailord. On a small island near Wailord lies the Dubious Disk. Finally, trade Porygon while holding the Upgrade, and then trade the new Porygon 2 while holding the Dubious Disk to get a shiny new Porygon-Z.
4 Yamask To Runerigus
- Type: Ground/Ghost
- Evolves At: Must Take At Least 49 HP Damage
Galarian Yamask has another odd evolution method. Instead of evolving into Cofragrigus like a Unovan Yamask, Galarian Yamask transforms into the mysterious Runerigus. In order to evolve your Galarian Yamask into a Runerigus, your Yamask will need to take at least 49 damage (not from weather effects) and then cross under the stone archway in the Dusty Bowl region of the Wild Area.
Teaching your Yamask some status moves like haze and mean look, will help trainers slowly take small amounts of damage from weaker Pokemon before heading to the stone arch.
3 Slowpoke To Slowking
- Type: Water/Psychic
- Evolves At: King's Rock
In order to get a Slowking on the Isle of Armor, trainers will need to obtain a Kantonian Slowpoke, not the common Galarian variety found all over the island. Players who have started the Isle of Armor DLC know about the poor trainer who lost his 150 Digletts.
By finding 10 of the lost Digletts and returning them to their trainer, players will be gifted the classic Slowpoke. From there, all a trainer has to do is trade their new Kantonian Slowpoke while holding a King’s Rock.
2 Farfetch’d To Sirfetch’d
- Type: Fighting
- Evolves At: N/A
Fans have been clamoring for an evolution for Farfetch’d since the release of Gen 3, and finally, the Galor region provides. However, this Pokemon has proven to be one of the trickiest to evolve in the series’ long history.
In order to evolve Farfetch’d into the mighty Sirfetch’d, trainers will need to make sure their Farfetch’d manages 3 critical hits in a single battle. Fighting another trainer with multiple Pokemon, teaching your Farfetch’d focus energy and leaf blade, and giving your ducky a scope lens or razor claw will make for the best chance of hitting 3 critical hits.
1 Scyther To Scizor
- Type: Bug/Fighting
- Evolves At: N/A
Scyther and Scizor have always been mainstays of the Pokemon world’s upper tiers. Now that the two have been added to the game through the Isle of Armor DLC, trainers are itching to get that technician bullet punch battle bug. So what’s the problem? Scyther needs to be traded while holding a Metal Coat in order to evolve and there’s only one Metal Coat item available in the overworld.
If players have already used their overworld Metal Coat to evolve Onix into Steelix for example, then they will need to hope the Digging Duo in the Wild Area pick one up, or get lucky and hope a wild Bronzor, Bronzong, or Steelix might be carrying one.