Pokémon’s Most Unusual Evolution Requirements

Among the many evolutionary lines in Pokémon there are a few that stand out due to the unique methods involved in their advancement. While several methods of evolution have come to the series over its existence, there are a few that stand out due to their strangeness. While many Pokémon evolve in distinctive ways, sometimes the way they do so is just as unique as their new form.

There are a few common methods of evolving. The first is when a Pokémon evolves upon reaching a specific level. The second method involves specific items, mostly evolutionary stones that will evolve Pokémon upon use. Other Pokémon will evolve once their friendship with the player reaches a high enough threshold. Finally, the last common method involves Pokémon that evolve through trade. Trade is likely the most controversial of these methods, but it is an established part of the series that has been around since the beginning.

The way that some Pokémon evolve is so different that many players would likely have to research them in order to figure it out. While some of them have similarities to common evolution methods, or even involve them, they each have a twist that makes them unusual. However, in order to get some of the series’ most interesting Pokémon, one needs to learn these methods.

Pokémon Inkay Evolves By Turning The System Upside Down

All of the common evolution methods in Pokémon involve the player doing something with the Pokémon in-game, as one would logically expect. However, there is one evolution that involves something that does not take place within the game at all. In order to evolve Pokémon’s Inkay into Malamar, the player will need to manipulate the system itself.

Once Inkay reaches at least level 30, upon leveling up, the player will need to turn the system upside down, and keep it there until after the battle is completed. Once Inkay’s evolution screen appears, the process is beginning, and the player can turn the system around again. As Malamar is one of the only Pokémon with its Dark/Psychic typing, and it has a decent move pool as well as an interesting design, it’s quite worth the effort.

Inkay’s evolution is the only one that requires manipulation of the console, and it’s not hard to imagine why that method hasn’t been repeated. It requires a console that can detect when it’s been turned upside-down, which was not possible until the 3DS came out, and the Switch followed suit. Pokémon GO had to address Inkay’s evolution method for players whose phones couldn’t register being turned upside down, and if Inkay were to appear in a game that was not on a handheld console, then it would need to be addressed again. However, its console-flipping method of evolution is easily one of Pokémon‘s most unique.

Farfetch’d Evolves In Pokémon By Landing Critical Hits

For a long time, Farfetch’d had no evolution. It was a rare Flying Pokémon that could only be received through an in-game trade in its first appearance. However, despite its rarity, its lackluster stats and move pool made it a mediocre choice compared to the game’s other bird Pokémon. It took generations for it to get any improvement at all in the form of a signature item and Attack boost. However, Galar was very kind to Farfetch’d, giving it not only a new Fighting-type Galarian form, but an evolution to said form as well.

In order to evolve into Pokémon’s Sirfetch’d, Galarian Farfetch’d needs to land three critical hits in the same battle. Aside from gaining experience to level up, no other evolution requires feats to be performed in battle. Not only that, but landing three critical hits in a single battle is very difficult due to the randomness involved. However, between Farfetch’d’s unique Stick item that raises the critical hit rate, as well as its Slash move that does the same, it’s definitely possible to land those three critical hits in order to evolve.

Sirfetch’d is a Pokémon who is definitely worth the investment. With its incredibly high Attack stat and a powerful signature move in Meteor Assault, it is a great choice for a party that needs a strong Fighting-type. Sirfetch’d’s evolution method, despite being odd, actually ties in to its lore, and it helps that Pokémon players can speed up Farfetch’d’s evolution with proper tactics. In the Pokédex, it is said that a Farfetch’d who endures difficult battles will evolve into a Sirfetch’d, and scoring multiple critical hits definitely fits a Pokémon with great battle experience.

Pokémon’s Karrablast & Shelmet Have To Be Traded For Each Other

As mentioned previously, trade evolutions have been a part of Pokémon since the first installments. Over the years, more types of trade evolution were involved, most famously trades that require a Pokémon to be holding a specific item while traded, such as Scyther evolving into Scizor by holding a Metal Coat. However, Karrablast and Shelmet put a twist on trade evolutions that has not been replicated by any other Pokémon. While some feel that Pokémon should get rid of trade evolutions, this case is creative enough to make one believe the mechanic may be justified.

Karrablast and Shelmet are a pair of Bug-type Pokémon that have a unique connection to each other. Both of them can only evolve if they are specifically traded for each other. Karrablast will steal Shelmet’s shell and become the knightly Escavalier, while the unshelled Shelmet will become the nimble and ninjalike Accelgor. The trade completely explains how the two Pokémon end up in their new forms, and it’s an interesting twist for a pair of Pokémon that didn’t seem to have any connection beforehand.

With all of the trade evolutions in Pokémon, Karrablast and Shelmet’s odd relationship has not been repeated. Even other Pokémon with rivalries such as Zangoose and Seviper have not had their lore intertwine in such a way. With how obscure and confusing Pokémon’s lore can be, it would be fun to see more interactions like this in the future. Even though every Karrablast and Shelmet will evolve in exactly the same way, the fact that their shared evolution manages to advance both of their stories makes it worthy of note.

Evolution has always been a major part of Pokémon, and it always will be. The way that these specific evolutionary methods stand out over the others shows how much the franchise is willing to innovate, even regarding tried and true mechanics. Every Pokémon needs something that makes them special, and for these species in particular, their evolutions make them unlike any other.

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