Ralts is the small Psychic/Fairy starter-line favorite from Generation III, and its appeal comes from a branching evolution path that ends in two very different final forms. The route splits based on level, gender, and one specific item, so knowing the exact triggers matters before you commit a Ralts to either ending.
Ralts evolution chain explained
The line starts with Ralts and runs through Kirlia before splitting into two possible finishers. Ralts, Kirlia, and Gardevoir all share the Psychic/Fairy typing, while Gallade trades the Fairy type for Fighting. Before Generation VI introduced the Fairy type, the whole family was pure Psychic.
| Stage | Pokémon | Type | Evolution trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | Ralts | Psychic / Fairy | Starting point |
| First | Kirlia | Psychic / Fairy | Reach level 20 |
| Final (either gender) | Gardevoir | Psychic / Fairy | Reach level 30 |
| Final (male only) | Gallade | Psychic / Fighting | Use a Dawn Stone |
How to evolve Ralts into Kirlia
Ralts evolves through experience alone. Battle with it or feed it enough EXP to reach level 20, and it will evolve into Kirlia automatically at the end of that level-up. There is no item or gender requirement at this stage, so every Ralts follows the same path here.
Because Ralts is on the Slow growth rate, it takes more total experience than many early Pokémon to climb levels. You will know the evolution worked when the level-up animation triggers and the Pokédex registers Kirlia. Note that holding the B button during the animation cancels the evolution, so let it finish if you want Kirlia.
How to evolve Kirlia into Gardevoir
Gardevoir is the default ending for the line. Raise Kirlia to level 30 and it evolves into Gardevoir regardless of whether it is male or female. No stone is involved, so this is the simpler of the two paths.
Gardevoir leans heavily on Special Attack, reaching a base stat total of 518. It works as a special attacker that can punish Fighting, Poison, Dragon, and Dark Pokémon, while its Fairy typing leaves it weak to Poison, Ghost, and Steel. It is also completely immune to Dragon-type moves.
How to evolve Kirlia into Gallade with a Dawn Stone
Gallade is the alternative final form, and it has two hard requirements. The Kirlia must be male, and you must use a Dawn Stone on it. Level does not matter for this path, so you can trigger it as soon as you have a male Kirlia and the stone in hand.
Step 1: Confirm the Kirlia is male by checking its summary screen. Female Kirlia cannot become Gallade no matter what, so a female will only ever evolve into Gardevoir.
Step 2: Open your Bag and select the Dawn Stone. Choose to use it on the male Kirlia from the party menu.
Step 3: Let the evolution animation play out. When it finishes, the Pokémon becomes Gallade, switching its secondary type from Fairy to Fighting.
Gallade debuted in Generation IV, which is why male Ralts and Kirlia could only reach Gardevoir before that point. Its stat spread mirrors Gardevoir but reversed, putting the weight on Attack for a 518 base stat total. That makes it a physical attacker that favors Fighting and physical Psychic moves over special ones.
Gardevoir vs Gallade stats
The two final forms share a base stat total but distribute it in opposite directions. Gardevoir is the special attacker, and Gallade is the physical attacker, which decides the kind of moves each one wants.
| Stat | Gardevoir | Gallade |
|---|---|---|
| HP | 68 | 68 |
| Attack | 65 | 125 |
| Defense | 65 | 65 |
| Sp. Attack | 125 | 65 |
| Sp. Defense | 115 | 115 |
| Speed | 80 | 80 |
| Total | 518 | 518 |
For Gardevoir, special moves like Psychic, Psyshock, Moonblast, and Shadow Ball play to its strengths. Gallade prefers physical options such as Close Combat, Sacred Sword, Psycho Cut, and Knock Off, and it can stack Swords Dance to push its Attack even higher.
Where to find Ralts in the wild
Most games place Ralts on early routes so you can build a team around it from the start. The catch rate is high at 235, so a standard Poké Ball lands it fairly often at full HP.
| Game | Location |
|---|---|
| Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald | Route 102 |
| X & Y | Route 4 |
| Sword & Shield | Rolling Fields (Wild Area), foggy weather |
| Scarlet & Violet | Multiple provinces, including South Province (Cortondo) and West Province (Porto Marinada) |
Ralts gives 1 Special Attack EV when defeated and yields very little base experience, so plan to grind it through the early levels. Its abilities are Synchronize or Trace, with Telepathy as the hidden ability.
One practical tip for move planning. Ralts learns Psychic, its strongest Psychic move, around level 30 in many games. Patient trainers can keep Ralts unevolved until it picks up Psychic, then evolve it through Kirlia and into Gardevoir or Gallade, giving the final form a move it would otherwise learn much later.