Pokémon Legends: Z‑A evolution guide — manual triggers, stones, trades

Pokémon don’t auto‑evolve when they meet their conditions in Legends: Z‑A. Whether it’s a level, stone, or even a trade evolution, you confirm it yourself from the party menu.

• When a Pokémon meets its requirements, a small upward arrow appears on its party icon.
• Select the Pokémon and choose Evolve to trigger the evolution.

That manual confirmation applies broadly. If you’ve traded or used an item and don’t see an animation immediately, open your party and look for the evolve prompt.

Trade evolutions are back (and how they behave)

Link‑based trade evolutions return in Z‑A, including those that require holding a specific item during the trade. Some traded Pokémon may evolve the instant they arrive; if they don’t, you’ll still get the evolve prompt in your party menu once the condition is met. There’s no Linking Cord workaround here—plan on a trade for these.

Change time and weather for time‑gated evolutions

Several species evolve only during the day or night, and a few require rain. Time of day can be switched quickly by resting on benches around Lumiose City. For rain‑gated evolutions, evolve while it’s raining in the field.

Friendship evolutions (and how to raise it)

Species that evolve with high friendship won’t prompt you until you’ve built enough bond and met any extra conditions (like time of day or knowing a Fairy‑type move). Friendship rises by walking with the Pokémon, using items like feathers or vitamins, and—most efficiently in Z‑A—spending time together at cafés.

Where to get stones and special items

Evolution stones are scattered around Lumiose and are easy to farm. If you don’t want to hunt, the Stone Emporium in southern Lumiose sells the full lineup of standard Evolution Stones—and even carries certain Mega Stones. Trade‑held items like Metal Coat, King’s Rock, Sachet, and Whipped Dream are also obtainable in the city.

Evolution stones — complete list

Trade evolutions — full list

Other item‑based evolutions that don’t require a trade:

• Galarian Slowbro = Galarian Slowpoke + Galarica Cuff
• Galarian Slowking = Galarian Slowpoke + Galarica Wreath

Friendship and time‑of‑day evolutions

Weather and other unique conditions

Mega Evolution in Z‑A

Mega Evolution is activated in battle. When your Keystone is charged and your Pokémon is holding its corresponding Mega Stone, press R3 to Mega Evolve for the rest of the fight. You’ll find a variety of Mega Stones for sale in the city alongside standard Evolution Stones.

What to do if a Pokémon isn’t evolving

• Open your party and look for the evolve arrow; select the Pokémon and press Evolve.
• Confirm any extra conditions (time of day, rain, gender, knowing a specific move, or having a Dark‑type in your party).
• For trade evolutions, make sure the correct item was held during the trade when required. If no animation triggers, check the party menu for the evolve prompt.
• Use a bench to switch between day and night; try the evolution again after the change.

With manual confirmations, easy access to stones in Lumiose, and a short list of time, weather, and item checks, completing every evolution in Legends: Z‑A is more about knowing the trigger than grinding levels. Keep an eye on that party arrow, and evolve on your terms.