Most Pokémon in the franchise evolve by leveling up. Trainers and their Pokémon put in the hard work and, eventually, these beloved creatures reach the next step in their cycle, strengthening and becoming overall more impressive. Some Pokémon evolve with other methods, such as evolving via friendship or after being exposed to a particular item.
However, a select few Pokémon do things their own way. They require particular and, at times, elaborate steps before they can reach the next level, and Trainers must follow these steps to the letter. These methods immediately stand out for their originality, adding some spice to the classic evolutionary tactics of yore.
Milotic
Widely considered the most beautiful Pokémon, Milotic had a somewhat ambiguous evolution method when it debuted in Generation III. Feebas would only evolve into Milotic after its beauty Beauty Condition rose beyond 170. Trainer accomplished this by feeding their Feebas Pokéblocks or Poffins made with dry-tasting, blue-colored berries.
Because the process could take a while and there was no feasible way to track it, Generation V introduced the Prism scale as an alternative. Feebas now has dual evolution methods and can turn into Milotic when traded holding a scale. Traditional players can still go for the old-school route and enhance Feebas' Beauty instead.
Mantine
Cute but forgettable, Mantyke is a dual-type Water/Flying baby Pokémon that debuted in Generation IV. It evolves into the ittedly more impressive yet still somewhat underwhelming Mantine under specific circumstances.
Players must have a Remoraid in the party when leveling Mantyke up. Fortunately, Remoraid are extremely common in most post-Gen IV games, accessible to the player as soon as they get the Good Rod. Mantine's design includes a Remoraid attached to its lower fin, a cheeky nod to this unique evolution method.
Hitmonlee/Hitmonchan/Hitmontop
Tyrogue is one of the first baby Pokémon introduced. Starting at level 20, it has the chance to evolve into three different Pokémon depending on its stats.
If Tyrogue's Attack is higher than its Defense, it becomes Hitmonlee. If the opposite happens, it evolves into Hitmonchan. Finally, if both stats are the same, it turns into Hitmontop. Players set on evolving their Tyrogue into any of these three Pokémon must pay close attention to their Tyrogue's stats, because once it reaches level 20, its predetermined evolution will be final.
Melmetal
Meltan and Melmetal debuted in 2018, providing the first official link between the main series games and the absurdly popular Pokémon GO. Because Meltan is available only in Pokémon GO, Melmetal can only evolve in that game after players use 400 Meltan Candies.
For starters, 400 is a ridiculous amount of candies. Dragonite, one of the best-regarded Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon in the franchise, evolves after using only 100 candies on Dragonair. That alone makes Melmetal's evolutionary method unique. However, players must then transfer it into Let's Go Pikachu or Eevee to use it in a playthrough. Melmetal is one of the best Pokémon introduced in Gen VII, but some players might think it's not worth the effort to obtain it.
Shedinja
In the pantheon of gimmicky Pokémon, Shedinja reigns supreme. It arrived in Generation III as a "special" evolution of Nincada and quickly elevated the Bug-type as a whole.
What makes Shedinja so "special" is that Nincada doesn't evolve into it per se. Instead, Shedinja appears when Nincada turns into Ninjask as long as there's an available slot in the party and an empty PokéBall in the player's bag. Basically, players get two Pokémon for the price of one. Shedinja has only 1 HP, but its incredible ability, Wonder Guard, makes it immune to any attack that isn't Super Effective.
Alcremie
Alcremie's evolution method is both singular and whimsical. On the Nintendo Switch, players can spin their characters and strike a pose, literally. It might seem like a cute extra addition, but it actually serves a purpose when it comes to Alcremie.
Playing on Alcremie's concept of whipped cream, Milcery, a drop of milk, evolves when holding a Sweet while the player spins and strikes a pose, therefore "whipping" it into Alcremie. Furthermore, Alcremie's color scheme will depend on several factors, like the Sweet itself, duration, and trajectory of the spin, something that most Sword and Shield players never discover.
Sirfetch'd
For years, Farfetch'd remained one of Kanto's most unremarkable Pokémon. It wasn't noteworthy in any way, and most other Flying-types in the Gen I games outranked it. Generation VIII changed that by giving it an evolution in the form of Sirfetch'd.
However, the process of evolving Farfetch'd is tricky and even a tad ridiculous. Farfetch'd must land three critical hits in a single battle to turn into Sirfetch'd. Landing one critical hit is hard enough, let alone three. Players should teach Farfetch'd moves that increase the chance for a Crit, like Leaf Blade. Items like the Scope Lens increase the Critical Hit ratio by one stage, making things easier.
Runerigus
Yamask got a regional form in Galar, and with it, a new evolution. While regular Yamask evolves into Cofragigus starting at level 34, Galarian Yamask becomes Runerigus under particular circumstances.
Galarian Yamask must take at least 49 HP damage during a battle without fainting. Players must then go under the Stone Bridge in the Wild Area's Dusty Bowl to trigger the evolution. Furthermore, the damage must come from a foe, as self-inflicted harm or weather effects won't contribute to the process. The whole thing is unnecessarily convoluted and annoying, but no one can deny its uniqueness.
Malamar
Out of all Pokémon, Malamar is one of the few that is evil, literally. Design-wise, it is one of the scariest-looking Pokémon, resembling an upside-down squid. Its evolution method takes this last part to the next level.
Malamar evolves from Inkay starting at level 30 when leveled up while the player holds the gaming system upside down. This method applies to both the Nintendo DS and the handheld version of the Switch. Malamar gets points for originality and for finding multiple layers to its already impressive design. Lastly, the method isn't overly complicated, allowing players to appreciate its creativity.
Accelgor And Escavalier
Without a doubt, Accelgor and Escavalier are among the best Bug-type Pokémon ever. They have impressive stats, and Escavalier's dual Bug/Steel-type makes it one of Unova's best and brightest. These two Pokémon share a bond so intricate that none can evolve without the other.
Escavalier evolves from Karrablast when traded for a Shelmet, who in turn becomes Accelgor simultaneously. The concept is that Shelmet's helmet es to Karrablast, explaining Escavalier's armor-like design and Steel typing. Accelgor then becomes angry at losing its helmet, explaining its pouting facial expression and crossed arms. The idea is brilliant and simple in its execution and adds yet another noteworthy layer to the franchise's already intriguing lore.
