How to get trade evolutions without trading in Pokemon Legends Arceus

March 2023 · 4 minute read

Game Freak has introduced a new trading system in the Hisui region. Here is how to get trade evolutions in Pokemon Legends Arceus and a list of which ‘mon use the special method.

After eight generations of titles, Game Freak has finally radically overhauled the way trading works within the beloved RPG series. In Pokemon Legends Arceus, Trainers will no longer have to rely on other players to get certain characters.

This guide explains how trade evolutions now work, breaks down where you can unlock the new feature, and lists every single Pokemon that requires the special method to reach their final evolution.

Players can now get trade evolution Pokemon without trading.

What are trade evolutions in Pokemon Legends Arceus?

In the original series, certain Pokemon could only be obtained after trading to another player to trigger its evolution. As the franchise went on, this became even more complex as trainers would also need to equip certain ‘mon with a special item before sending it.

In Hisui, these requirements have been completely lifted and players are able to get the characters without trading. Here’s how to evolve trade evolutions in Pokemon Legends Arceus:

How to get trade evolutions without trading in Pokemon Legends Arceus

  • Go to Jubilife Village and head north of the map just past the Galaxy Building.
  • Walk up to the Trading Post and talk to the NPC. Select “I want items.”
  • The vendor sells all evolution items for trade-exclusive ‘mon, including the brand new Linking Cable. You need Merit Points to buy them.
  • After purchasing the item needed, go into your menu and use it on a trade evolution Pokemon. For example, giving the cable to Haunter will automatically evolve it into Gengar.
  • For trade evolutions that previously required a Held Item, you now only need to use the special item on it to trigger its evolution. For example, giving Dusclops a Reapers Cloth will evolve it instantly.
    • You can now get trade evolutions by using the new Linking Cable item.

    Where to get trade evolution items in Pokemon Legends Arceus

    There are several locations where you can obtain evolution items such as the Linking Cable, Metal Coat, and Razor Claw.

    Trading Post (Jubilife Village)

    Trade evolution items such as the Linking Cable can be purchased with Merit Points at the Trading Post in Jublife Village.

    Ginko Guild Cart

    Players can use money currency to buy Trade Evolution items at the Ginko Cart in Jubilife. Though their stock is random and changes every day.

    Space-Time Distortions

    In the story, Space-Time Distortion rifts will appear randomly on the map. The items can be found on the ground inside.

    All trade evolutions in Pokemon Legends Arceus

    How to get Merit Points to buy Trade Evolution items

    Players can get Merit Points using the Lost & Found feature.

    The bulk of the trade evolution items in the game may have to be purchased through the Trading Post in Jubilife Village as finding them for free in the wild is pretty rare. In order to buy them, you will need a special currency called Merit Points.

    To get them, you use the new Lost & Found feature in the menu. When exploring various regions of Hisui, look on your map for Satchels. They are marked with a bag icon and a glowing white circle around them. Picking these objects up will return them and automatically reward you with Merit Points.

    And that’s how you get Trade Evolutions without trading! If you still want to swap with another player locally or online, you can evolve Pokemon that way as well.

    For more help on the rest of your Hisui adventures, check out some of our other guides:

    Best starter Pokemon | All Hisuian forms | Hisuian Pokedex | How to catch Darkrai | How to catch Shaymin | All Noble Pokemon | How to beat Frenzied Noble Pokemon | All Gift Pokemon | Mystery Gift codes | Agile & Strong Styles | Alpha Pokemon | How to get Garchomp | How to catch Lucario | All Unown locations | How to catch Eevee | Where to find Pikachu | Hisuian Growlithe & Arcanine location | How to evolve Kleavor | Sylveon evolution guide | Hisuian Voltorb location | How to get Hisuian Sliggoo & Goodra | Where to find Hisuian Zorua & Zoroark | Hisuian Braviary location | How to evolve Overqwil | How to get Hisuian Sneasel & Sneasler | Shiny hunting guide | How to get all three starters without trading

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