Slowpoke is a Generation I Pokemon classic that has appeared in every game, including Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Dubbed the Dopey Pokemon, Slowpoke is a Water/Psychic-type or Psychic-type (Galarian form) known for being a rather lazy Pokemon. However, something is charming about the salamander Pokemon, and it has a unique evolution method that has carried over for many generations.
Slowpoke has two evolution forms, Slowbro and Slowking. However, they aren't in a linear evolution line like other Pokemon, and players can get one or the other depending on their evolution method. Choosing one or the other can sometimes come down to preference. Outside their appearance, they also have different stat distributions, so one might fit a battle strategy better than the other, or if players want to complete their Pokedex, they will need to have both forms. Here's where to find Slowpoke and how to evolve it into Slowbro and Slowking in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Where To Find Slowpoke
Slowpoke is a common species in Paldea, located in most regions with water. Beaches, lakes, and rivers are their main habitats, and they can be found early on in the game just south of Mesagoza and the Academy. Slowpokes do not attack players in the overworld, nor do they run away, so sneaking up and catching one can be easy work. Players can use a Net Ball or a Dive Ball to capture one since they work better against Water-type Pokemon, or there is the option of the move False Swipe, which will leave its target with at least 1 HP every time it hits.
Slowpokes territories include the following areas:
- South Province (Area Five)
- West Province (Area Two)
- East Province (Area One)
- East Province (Area Two)
- Casseroya Lake
How To Evolve Slowpoke Into Slowking
Getting a Slowking will require an internet connection, a Nintendo account, and a Pokemon trade partner. Additionally, players must get their hands on a King's Rock, a rare item usually used in battle. In this instance, a King's Rock serves a different purpose and can be found either randomly on the ground in Paldea or purchased from the Delibird Present store in Mesagoza for $10,000 cash or League Points (LP).
After getting a King's Rock, giving it to Slowpoke as a Held Item is the first step towards Slowking. Next, players will need to trade their Slowpoke while it is holding the King's Rock using the online Poke Portal. Press X to pull up the start menu and select Poke Portal. Then set up a linked trade online or locally, and it automatically evolves into Slowking once in the other person's game. They will then need to trade it back to register Slowking's Pokedex entry in both games.
How To Evolve Slowpoke Into Slowbro
Evolving Slowpoke into Slowbro is a lot less work than its royal form. Whenever Slowpoke hits level 37, it will evolve into Slowbro unless stopped with an Everstone or pressing B during its transformation. This process can be sped up with Rare Candies and Exp. Candies. Tera Raids are the most reliable way to get ahold of EXP items, but Academy professors will reward them for passing Midterms and Finals.
The Auto-battle feature is another fast and easy way to increase Pokemon levels, but they won't evolve this way. Instead, players must enter a battle or level up their Pokemon using EXP items to trigger the evolution. Slowbro is also found in the wild, though significantly less than Slowpoke, if players want to skip the evolution process altogether.
Pokemon Scarlet & Pokemon Violet are available on the Nintendo Switch.