PokemonSwordandPokemonShieldmay not have added any new Eevee evolutions, but at least they brought back all of Eevee’s past evolutions. It wouldn’t be the samePokemonexperience without Vaporeon, Flareon, Leafeon, and all of the other Eevee evolution types. But even Eevee’s evolutions didn’t fully escape Game Freak’s changes inPokemon SwordandShield. Both Leafeon and Glaceon reportedly have new ways of triggering their evolutions in the new Nintendo Switch games.
For Eevee enthusiasts, don’t worry too much about the change. If anything, it’s going to makeevolving Eeveeinto either Leafeon or Glaceon inPokemon SwordandShieldmuch simpler than in recentPokemongames. Those with past Eevee experience will recall that, in order to evolve Eevee into either Leafeon or Glaceon, players must have either the Moss Rock or Ice Rock, respectively. Since these are items with little use, they’re often very rare. So inPokemon SwordandShield, Game Freak removed them from the game.
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In order to evolve Eevee to either Leafeon or Glaceon, Pokemon trainers now must have either aLeaf Stone or an Ice Stone. These are already existing items that previously caused the evolution of several other Pokemon, just not Leafeon or Glaceon. The exact reason for Leafeon and Glaceon having more unique items for their evolution isn’t entirely clear, but it won’t matter going forward.
Pokemon SwordandShieldplayers will find Leaf Stones and Ice Stones surprisingly common in either game. Just being attentive while exploringPokemon SwordandShield’s routes should produce a few stones found on the ground. They can also be found in theWild Area, like so many other random items. The point is that they’re widely available starting early in the game, rather than be a challenge to find until endgame.
The changes to Leafeon and Glaceon’s evolution from Eevee are just the latest example of Game Freak’s overall strategy of adjusting aspects of thePokemonfranchise where it makes sense. For example, turning onEXP sharefor a trainer’s entire party made sense, since the vast majority ofPokemonplayers already used it. WithPokemongames being released every one or two years, there’s only so much that can be done, but Game Freak does optimize the experience as it’s able.
Pokemon SwordandPokemon Shieldare available now on Nintendo Switch.
MORE:10 Pokémon Who Require A Stone To Evolve (Other Than Eevee)
