Pokémon Scarlet & Violet have been some of the best-selling games in the history of the franchise, with a diverse new region in Paldea that features Pokémon old and new. Along with interesting evolutions to old and new Pokémon alike, as well.
While Scarlet & Violet has many evolutions that are among the most interesting in the franchise, some of them aren't as easy to obtain as other evolutions. High-level requirements and unorthodox methods of evolution are both present in Scarlet & Violet, and fans will have to pay a high level of attention to make sure that their Pokémon reach their maximum potential as early as possible.
Bramblin to Brambleghast
Bramblin and Brambleghast are a pair of new Ghost/Grass Pokemon that make for some seriously terrifying tumbleweeds. Brambleghast has one of the most interesting thematic abilities in the series, synergizing with Wind-based moves.
The ghastly tumbleweed Bramblin can evolve into Brambleghast with the feature that allows the Pokémon in the front of the party to walk with the trainer. After walking 1000 steps together with Bramblin in the overworld, all the player needs to do to evolve the Pokémon is level up. 1000 steps can be a bit of a journey, so players should make sure their Bramblin is capable of dealing with or fast enough to run away from any wild Pokémon they might run into.
Pawmo to Pawmot
Pawmo is yet another Pokémon inspired by Pikachu; however, the electric mouse has some unique gimmicks that separate it from other Pikachu knockoffs, including a new signature move.
After evolving into Pawmo at level 18, the line once again resorts to the tactic of evolving through traversing the overworld. After 1000 steps, Pawmo can evolve into the Electric/Fighting Pawmot. The final evolution comes with a new move that only Pawmot and Rabsca learn: Revival Blessing. The move is incredibly powerful, and anyone using Pawmot should consider adding the move to its arsenal.
Rellor to Rabsca
The dung beetle is an animal that many wouldn't expect to be used as the basis for a Pokémon, but Rellor and Rabsca have proved that Gamefreak can come up with creative interpretations of nearly any animal.
While Rellor has the same evolution method as Bramblin and Pawmo, it's much more difficult for Rellor to keep up with the trainer. The Pokémon is also one of the weakest in the entire game, so the player will need to make sure they walk their steps without fear of the dung beetle Pokémon encountering another wild opponent. However, the result is the powerful Bug/Psychic type Rabsca.
Charcadet to Ceruledge/Armarogue
Charcadet takes two major tropes in the franchise and combines them into one: version exclusives and split evolutions. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet aren't the first games to play with this concept, but the Ghost/Fire Ceruledge and Ghost/Psychic Armarogue are prime examples.
Armarogue can be evolved from Charcadet in Pokémon Scarlet by using the Auspicious Armor, which can only be obtained by giving 10 Bronzor fragments to a character in Zapapico. Ceruledge is obtained the same way in Pokémon Violet, but the player must give 10 Sinistea fragments instead. Ceruledge in particular is one of Scarlet & Violet's strongest dual-type Pokémon, making it worth the effort to collect the fragments.
Finizen to Palafin
Players may be surprised when their adorable Finizen simply evolves into another Fizien with a heart on its chest. However, the true nature of Palafin is its hero form, which rivals even Koraidon and Miraidon as the generation's most overpowered Pokémon.
Finizen isn't necessarily that difficult to obtain since Finizen can be caught in almost any coastal area. However, it takes a high level and an interesting method to evolve it. Finizen needs to be level 38 or higher, and the player has to be playing in co-op mode. However, once they're playing with a friend, Finizen will evolve with a single level up.
Arctibax to Baxcalibur
Pseudo Legendaries are one of the staples of any generation. Beginning with Dragonite, one or two Pokémon have always included the same three-stage, 600 base stat total combo to create an iconic line that Baxcalibur now joins.
Arctibax has a fairly early evolution for a Pseudo Legendary, evolving from Frigibax at level 35. However, the final evolution, Baxcalibur, doesn't evolve until the very late level of 54. Thankfully, unlike some previous games, there's still a large amount of content to do after Pokémon hit the mid-50s. Therefore, players will be able to enjoy their time with their later evolutions like Baxcalibur.
Primeape to Annihilape
Primeape is a first generation Pokémon that evolves from Mankey at level 28. Many fans may have used a Primeape in their first teams ever, as many Charmander teams needed a Mankey to defeat Brock early on.
After nine generations, Primeape finally got an evolution worthy of its fun and charismatic design. The Ghost/Fighting Anihilape evolves from Primape after it uses its new signature move, Rage Fist, 20 times in battle before leveling up. Primeape doesn't learn Rage Fist until level 35, and 20 times can be quite a few, considering Primeape's mediocre stats.
Dunsparce to Three Segment Dudunsparce
When fans learned that Dunsparce was getting another evolution, almost nobody expected it to just be Dunsaprce with another segment. However, in a generation full of funny names and designs, Dudunsparce was created.
While it may be one of the strongest Monotype Pokémon in Scarlet & Violet, Dudunsparce isn't easy to obtain. First, Dunsparce has to have the move Hyper Drill, which it doesn't learn until level 32. Then, it has to level up while knowing the move. However, the tricky part is getting the specific form: only a very small number of Dunsparce will evolve into the three-segment form, and it's completely random.
Bisharp to Kingambit
Bisharp is an old Unovan favorite that evolves from Pawniard at the late level of 52. Even before it gained an evolution, Bisharp was known as a powerful Pokémon that was one of the best Steel-type physical attackers in the game.
Kingambit, the final evolution of Bisharp, is one of the strongest Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. However, it can be tricky to evolve. Kingambit evolves from a Bisharp that's defeated 3 other Bisharps who hold a new item called the Leader's Crest. Players can know a Bisharp will likely hold a Leader's Crest if they're surrounded by Pawniard.
Gimmighoul to Gholdengo
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet have had many unique takes on different creatures found in nature and mythology. However, almost nothing can compete with the uniqueness of the money-hoarding Gimmighoul and its evolution: Gholdengo.
The idea of a tiny ghost that hordes coins is adorable to start, but the concept of the ghost wearing a suit of armor made from its coins is one of the funniest evolution concepts in the franchise. Gholdengo evolves from Gimmighoul after amassing 999 Gimmighoul Coins. It's an arduous process and requires exploring ruins many times over, making it one of the most difficult evolutions to achieve in the franchise.