How to Evolve a Fake Sinistea in Pokémon Violet

Evolving a Sinistea in Pokémon Violet, regardless of whether it’s an Authentic Form or a Phony Form (fake), relies on a specific item. To evolve a Phony Form Sinistea in Pokémon Violet, you need the Chipped Pot. Once you have this item, use it on your Phony Form Sinistea to evolve it into Polteageist.

Understanding Sinistea Forms and Evolution

Sinistea, the Ghost-type Pokémon, is known for having two distinct forms: the Authentic Form and the Phony Form. The key difference lies in a small stamp of authenticity located on the bottom of the teacup. The Authentic Form has a mark of authenticity, while the Phony Form does not. This seemingly minor detail dictates which evolution item you need.

Differentiating Authentic and Phony Forms

Identifying which form you have is crucial. Rotate your Sinistea in the Pokémon Box or during battle to view its underside. If you see a tiny stamp, it’s Authentic. If it’s smooth and unmarked, it’s Phony. Catching multiple Sinistea is recommended to increase your chances of finding both forms.

Acquiring the Evolution Items

The two evolution items needed for Sinistea are:

• Cracked Pot: Used to evolve Authentic Form Sinistea.
• Chipped Pot: Used to evolve Phony Form Sinistea.

You can find these pots by:

• Porto Marinada Auction: Check the auction house in Porto Marinada daily. The pots appear randomly. Save before the auction and reload if the desired pot isn’t available. This is the most reliable method.
• Casseroya Lake (Rare): Examine the area around the ruins, hidden in plain sight, to potentially discover an evolution item. This is more of a one-time thing than a farming method.

The Evolution Process

Once you have the Chipped Pot, simply open your bag, select the item, and choose your Phony Form Sinistea. The game will prompt you to evolve it. Confirm, and your Sinistea will transform into Polteageist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I know if my Sinistea is a Fake (Phony) Form?

Check the underside of your Sinistea. The Phony Form lacks a stamp of authenticity. You can rotate the Pokémon in your party or box to view it.

2. Where can I find the Chipped Pot in Pokémon Violet?

The most reliable place is the Porto Marinada Auction. Check the auction house daily. It can also rarely be found around ruins in Casseroya Lake.

3. Can I breed Authentic and Phony Form Sinistea?

Yes, you can breed both forms of Sinistea. The form of the baby Sinistea is random, so you can potentially get either form from breeding either parent.

4. Is Polteageist stronger than Sinistea?

Yes, Polteageist is significantly stronger than Sinistea. Evolution provides stat boosts and access to a wider range of moves.

5. Can I reverse the evolution of Polteageist back into Sinistea?

No, evolution in Pokémon is permanent. You cannot devolve Polteageist back into Sinistea.

6. Does the form of Sinistea affect Polteageist’s stats or moves?

No, the form (Authentic or Phony) only determines which evolution item is required. The resulting Polteageist will have the same stats and moves regardless of its pre-evolution form.

7. How often does the Chipped Pot appear in the Porto Marinada Auction?

The appearance of the Chipped Pot in the Porto Marinada Auction is random. You may need to check daily for several days before it becomes available. Save your game before the auction and reload if it’s not there.

8. Are there any visual differences between an Authentic Polteageist and a Phony Polteageist?

No, there are no visual differences between a Polteageist evolved from an Authentic Sinistea and one evolved from a Phony Sinistea.

9. Can I trade a Phony Form Sinistea to Pokémon Scarlet and evolve it there?

Yes, you can trade a Phony Form Sinistea to Pokémon Scarlet and evolve it there using the Chipped Pot. The evolution mechanics are the same in both games.

10. What are the best moves for Polteageist in Pokémon Violet?

Some of the best moves for Polteageist include:

• Shadow Ball (Ghost-type, Special)
• Stored Power (Psychic-type, Special)
• Giga Drain (Grass-type, Special)
• Shell Smash (Normal-type, Status – Raises Special Attack, Special Defense and Speed, lowers Defense and Special Defense)
• Will-O-Wisp (Burn Status)
• Protect (Normal-type, Status)

11. Does the Shiny form of Sinistea also have Authentic and Phony forms?

Yes, even the Shiny form of Sinistea has both Authentic and Phony forms, and the evolution process remains the same. Make sure to check the underside!

12. How do I increase my chances of finding a Shiny Sinistea?

To increase your chances of finding a Shiny Sinistea, you can use the Shiny Charm (obtained by completing the Paldea Pokedex) and consume a Ghost-type encounter power sandwich.

13. Is it possible to get both the Cracked Pot and the Chipped Pot in the same auction in Porto Marinada?

It is possible, but highly unlikely, to find both pots in the same auction. Save before the auction and reload if necessary to try and obtain both.

14. Does having a Pokémon with the Ability “Compound Eyes” in my party increase the chance of finding the evolution items?

No, the ability “Compound Eyes” does not affect the spawn rate of the Cracked Pot or Chipped Pot in Pokémon Violet. It only affects the chance of finding Pokémon holding items.

15. What if I accidentally use the Cracked Pot on a Phony Form Sinistea or vice versa?

The item will not work. The game prevents you from using the incorrect evolution item on the wrong form of Sinistea. It will say “It won’t have any effect.”