Evolving Basculin in Scarlet and Violet: A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you absolutely can evolve Basculin in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet! However, there’s a catch (or a few, actually). Evolving Basculin into Basculegion isn’t as straightforward as simply leveling it up. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining and evolving Basculin in the Paldea region.
Understanding Basculin’s Forms and Evolution
Basculin isn’t just one Pokémon; it has three distinct forms:
- Blue-Striped Basculin: This form is more common in earlier generations of Pokémon games.
- Red-Striped Basculin: Similar to the blue-striped version, but with red stripes.
- White-Striped Basculin: This is the key to evolving into Basculegion. Only White-Striped Basculin can evolve into Basculegion.
The red and blue-striped Basculin forms cannot evolve into Basculegion in Scarlet and Violet. These forms are a relic of the past, and they are purely for collecting and battling purposes.
The Evolution Method: Recoil Damage and Leveling
To evolve a White-Striped Basculin into Basculegion, you need to meet a specific condition:
- Recoil Damage: Basculin must take at least 294 points of recoil damage from its own moves without fainting. This damage is cumulative, meaning it can be spread across multiple battles.
- Fainting is a No-Go: If Basculin faints at any point before reaching the 294 recoil damage threshold, the counter resets to zero.
- Healing is Allowed: You can heal Basculin between battles to prevent fainting. Use potions, visit Pokémon Centers, or utilize its innate recovery moves.
- Leveling Up: Once Basculin has taken 294 or more recoil damage without fainting, simply level it up. This can be done through battling, using Rare Candies, or Exp. Candies.
Finding White-Striped Basculin in Kitakami
White-Striped Basculin is not found in Paldea. Instead, you will have to travel to Kitakami in The Teal Mask DLC. You can find it in the lake southwest of Timeless Woods. Because Basculin is pretty rare, so you may have to wander around and wait for a bit before it appears.
Recommended Moves for Recoil Damage
The most efficient way to rack up recoil damage is to use moves that inflict recoil. Basculin learns the following moves that cause recoil damage:
- Wave Crash: Basculin learns this move at level 34. This is an ideal move for racking up recoil damage due to its high base power.
- Double-Edge: Learned at level 43. Wave Crash and Double-Edge are powerful moves with high recoil, perfect for quickly reaching the damage threshold.
Tips for Evolving Basculin Efficiently
- Location, Location, Location: Fight weaker Pokémon. This will minimize the risk of Basculin fainting while still allowing you to deal recoil damage to yourself.
- Monitor the Damage: Keep track of the recoil damage. If Basculin is close to fainting, heal it immediately.
- Auto-Battle Isn’t Your Friend: Disable Let’s Go auto-battles when trying to evolve Basculin. You need to specifically use recoil moves to trigger the evolution.
- Patience is Key: It might take a little while, but with the right strategy, you’ll have your Basculegion in no time.
Evolving Basculin into Basculegion is a rewarding experience, adding a unique and powerful Pokémon to your team!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can any Basculin evolve into Basculegion in Scarlet and Violet?
No. Only the White-Striped form of Basculin can evolve into Basculegion. Red and Blue-Striped Basculin cannot evolve.
2. Where can I find White-Striped Basculin?
White-Striped Basculin can be found in the lake southwest of Timeless Woods in Kitakami within The Teal Mask DLC.
3. How much recoil damage does Basculin need to take to evolve?
Basculin must take a minimum of 294 points of recoil damage from its own moves without fainting.
4. Does the recoil damage need to be taken in a single battle?
No, the recoil damage is cumulative. You can spread it out across multiple battles as long as Basculin doesn’t faint.
5. Can I heal Basculin while accumulating recoil damage?
Yes, you can heal Basculin to prevent it from fainting. This won’t reset the recoil damage counter.
6. What happens if Basculin faints before reaching the recoil damage threshold?
If Basculin faints, the recoil damage counter resets to zero, and you must start over.
7. What moves cause recoil damage?
Wave Crash (learned at level 34) and Double-Edge (learned at level 43) are two moves Basculin can learn that cause recoil damage.
8. What level does Basculin need to be to evolve after taking the recoil damage?
There is no specific level requirement. Once Basculin has taken 294 or more recoil damage without fainting, simply level it up once, either through battling or using candies.
9. Can I use Rare Candies to level up Basculin after it takes the recoil damage?
Yes, you can use Rare Candies or Exp. Candies to level up Basculin after it meets the recoil damage requirement.
10. Is Hisuian Basculin in Scarlet and Violet?
There is no distinct “Hisuian Basculin” in Scarlet and Violet. Instead, there are the three forms of Basculin: Red-Striped, Blue-Striped, and White-Striped, the latter of which is Hisuian.
11. Can I breed Hisuian Zoroark in Scarlet and Violet?
You can breed Hisuian Zoroark in Scarlet and Violet, but you’ll need to be careful. You can set up a Picnic where trainers also make Sandwiches. By having a Paldean Zoroark with the opposite gender or a Ditto in the party, Hisuian Zoroark can breed, but will only hatch Paldean Zorua. In this case, trainers will need to have Hisuian Zoroark hold an item called the Everstone.
12. Are the red and blue-striped Basculin rare in Scarlet and Violet?
The Red-Striped and Blue-Striped Basculin are commonly found in the river located in West Province (Area One) in Paldea. They are not particularly rare in those locations.
13. Can I transfer Basculin from Pokémon Legends: Arceus to Scarlet and Violet?
You can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Legends: Arceus to Pokémon HOME, and then from Pokémon HOME to Scarlet and Violet, as long as the Pokémon is compatible with Scarlet and Violet. However, only the White-Striped Basculin can be transferred from Arceus and then evolved in Scarlet and Violet.
14. What if I accidentally faint the Basculin while trying to evolve it?
If Basculin faints, you’ll have to start accumulating recoil damage from scratch.
15. What is the best strategy for evolving Basculin quickly?
The best strategy is to take your Basculin to an area with very weak Pokémon. Use Wave Crash or Double-Edge repeatedly while healing when necessary. Keep a close eye on Basculin’s HP to prevent fainting. You’ll be able to get to 294 damage in no time.
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