Combee is a Pokémon with a unique evolutionary method to transform it into Vespiquen in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. This generation did introduce the world to new evolutions of older Pokémon like Mamoswine and Porygon-Z, but it also featured dozens of new Pokémon. Fan-favorites like Rotom and Lucario debuted in the original Pokemon Diamond and Pearl back in 2006. Creatures like Mothim and Wormadam require players to find Burmy, a special Pokemon that can only be found in one way. Outside of trading with a friend, Burmy is a Pokémon that can only be found when placing honey on trees. After 6 hours have passed, the tree has the chance to spawn a random Pokémon, some of which can be incredibly rare to encounter. These encounters include Combee, a Pokémon that debuted in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Trainers looking to add its evolution, Vespiquen, to their collection will need to stock up on honey.
Fortunately, Pokémon BDSP offers two ways for players to get their hands on Combee. The first is through the honey tree method. There are 21 honey trees scattered around the Sinnoh region. Trainers should head over to Floaroma Meadows and speak with the man in town. The game allows them to purchase up to 10 honey at a time. Use this for more chances to find Combee. If players are running low on cash, they can use the VS Seeker to rematch trainers. These rematches will still provide trainers with the prize money if they win. On the other hand, players can find a Combee once they gain access to the Grand Underground. It has the chance to appear within Grassland Cave or Sunlit Cavern.
The thing that makes Vespiquen so difficult to evolve from Combee is its gender. Only female Combee are allowed to evolve into Vespiquen. Evolving Combee into Vespiquen usually wouldn't be a problem since most Pokémon have their gender split down 50%/50%. However, when it comes to Combee, the chance of running into a female is 12.5%, making it a tough Pokémon to encounter. Players can notice a bright red dot on its head to see if the Combee is female. Once the female Combee reaches level 21, it will automatically evolve into Vespiquen.
Finding a Female Combee in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
The best place to find a female Combee will be in the Grand Underground. Since Combee can appear in Grassland Cave or Sunlit Cavern, players have two different chances of encountering it in the overworld. Fortunately, the Combee will have the red dot on its character model in the overworld if it's a female, saving the player tons of time between encounters.
Upon entering either Grassland Cave or Sunlit Cavern, scan around the room for Combee and if it's not female, leave the room and come back. This will reroll the spawns inside this den, allowing the female Combee another chance to make an appearance. Players looking to complete their National Dex will need to collect Vespiquen and the other 492 Pokémon of this generation.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.