Does Rockruff Only Evolve at Level 25? The Complete Lycanroc Evolution Guide

No, Rockruff does not only evolve at Level 25. While Level 25 is the minimum level at which Rockruff can evolve into Lycanroc, the evolution is heavily dependent on specific conditions, most notably the time of day within the game and, in certain versions, Rockruff’s Ability. The time of day determines which form of Lycanroc you get: Midday, Midnight, or Dusk. A Rockruff can easily exceed level 25 without evolving if these conditions are not met. Think of Level 25 as simply the starting point for the evolution journey, not the destination.

Let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of Rockruff’s evolution, exploring the requirements for each Lycanroc form and answering frequently asked questions to ensure you successfully guide your Rockruff to its desired evolved state.

Understanding Lycanroc’s Three Forms

Lycanroc’s evolution is unique, offering three distinct forms, each with its own set of criteria for obtaining it:

• Midday Lycanroc: This form represents the daylight hours.
• Midnight Lycanroc: This form embodies the darkness of night.
• Dusk Lycanroc: The rarest of the three, this form captures the fleeting moments of sunset.

The Importance of Time and Game Version

The evolution mechanics for Rockruff vary across different Pokemon games. It’s crucial to know which game you’re playing to understand the specific requirements. For instance, the presence of the Dusk Form Lycanroc is not universal across all titles.

• Pokemon Sun and Moon: Rockruff evolves into Midday Lycanroc during the day and Midnight Lycanroc during the night. Note that the game’s internal time matters, not your real-world clock.
• Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon: The evolution requirements are similar to Sun and Moon, with the addition of the Dusk Form, but only for Rockruff with the Own Tempo Ability.
• Pokemon Sword and Shield: The time-based evolutions for Midday and Midnight forms are still present. To obtain Dusk Form, you need a Rockruff with the Own Tempo Ability and to level it up between 7:00 PM and 7:59 PM game time (you might read 5 PM to 5:59 PM game time elsewhere, which is correct as well, but can depend on the region you are playing in).
• Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Rockruff evolves to the Midday or Midnight forms and the time in the game, as well as the real time in the case of the Dusk form determine which evolution you will get.

The Significance of Own Tempo

The Own Tempo Ability is crucial for obtaining Dusk Form Lycanroc in specific games (Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Sword, Shield, Scarlet and Violet). A Rockruff without this ability will never evolve into Dusk Form, regardless of the time of day. This underscores the importance of checking your Rockruff’s Ability before attempting to evolve it.

Location, Location, Location

In some games, particularly Sword and Shield, your physical location within the game world can impact time flow. Ensure you’re in areas like the Wild Area or Isle of Armor, where the time isn’t locked based on story progression, to accurately trigger the desired evolution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about evolving Rockruff into Lycanroc:

1. Why didn’t my Rockruff evolve at Level 25 in Pokemon Moon? In Pokemon Moon, Rockruff must level up during the night in the game (not necessarily in real life) to evolve into Midnight Lycanroc. If it’s daytime in the game, it won’t evolve, regardless of its level.

2. How do I evolve Rockruff into Midnight Form? To evolve Rockruff into Midnight Lycanroc, level it up at night in the game. The specific level must be at least level 25. In Pokemon Go, however, it is the standard 50 candies.

3. Can Rockruff evolve after level 25? Yes, Rockruff can evolve after level 25. Level 25 is just the minimum level requirement. If the other conditions (time of day, ability) are not met, it will not evolve until those requirements are fulfilled, even at higher levels.

4. Why won’t my Rockruff evolve at night? Several reasons can prevent Rockruff’s evolution at night. Ensure it’s actually night in the game, not just your real-world time. If you are playing Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon or Sword and Shield and are trying to get Dusk Lycanroc, be sure the Rockruff has the Own Tempo Ability and is leveling up between 5:00 PM and 5:59 PM (or 7 PM to 7:59 PM).

5. Is Midday or Midnight Lycanroc better? The “better” form depends on your strategy. Midnight Lycanroc has higher Defense and Stamina, making it more durable. Midday Lycanroc has higher Speed and Attack, making it a faster, offensive threat.

6. Why didn’t my Rockruff evolve at Level 25 in Ultra Sun? In Ultra Sun, if you’re aiming for Dusk Lycanroc, ensure your Rockruff has the Own Tempo Ability and is leveled up between 5:00 PM and 5:59 PM. Otherwise, it will evolve into Midday Lycanroc during the day or Midnight Lycanroc at night.

7. How do you get Dusk Lycanroc? To get Dusk Lycanroc, you need a Rockruff with the Own Tempo Ability and must level it up between 5:00 PM and 5:59 PM (or 7 PM to 7:59 PM) in the game. This is applicable in Pokemon Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Sword, and Shield.

8. How do I evolve Rockruff after level 25? If your Rockruff is already above level 25, simply level it up again while meeting the specific time and Ability requirements for the desired Lycanroc form.

9. Should I evolve my Rockruff at night or day? Evolve Rockruff at night for Midnight Lycanroc and during the day for Midday Lycanroc. For Dusk Lycanroc, you need to evolve it during the dusk hours (between 5:00 PM and 5:59 PM or 7 PM to 7:59 PM) and the Rockruff must have the Own Tempo ability.

10. What is the hidden ability in Rockruff? Rockruff’s hidden ability is Own Tempo, which is essential for evolving it into Dusk Lycanroc in games where that form is available.

11. Is Dusk Lycanroc worth it? Dusk Lycanroc is a strong Pokemon with high Attack and Speed stats, and the Tough Claws Ability which increases damage dealt by contact moves. Its worth depends on your team composition and battling style.

12. How long does it take for Lycanroc Dusk Form to evolve? The evolution process itself is instantaneous once you level up Rockruff with the Own Tempo Ability between 5:00 PM and 5:59 PM (or 7 PM to 7:59 PM). The time investment is more about finding a Rockruff with Own Tempo.

13. Can Rockruff evolve after level 25 in Scarlet and Violet? Yes, Rockruff can evolve after Level 25 in Scarlet and Violet as long as you meet the time and Ability requirements. It evolves into Midday Lycanroc during the day, Midnight Lycanroc at night, and Dusk Lycanroc, if you level up the Rockruff with Own Tempo at dusk.

14. How do I get all Lycanroc forms? To get all three Lycanroc forms, you’ll need to catch multiple Rockruff, including one with the Own Tempo Ability. Then, level them up during the day, night, and dusk hours respectively. In Pokemon GO, you can catch one rockruff and evolve it into the various versions using 50 candies each.

15. Which Lycanroc form is strongest? Dusk Form Lycanroc is widely considered the best of the three forms due to its balance of stats, access to the Tough Claws Ability, and diverse movepool.

Evolving Rockruff is more than just hitting level 25; it’s about timing, location (in some cases), and a keen understanding of your Pokemon’s abilities. Mastering these elements ensures you’ll successfully obtain your desired Lycanroc form, adding a powerful and visually striking member to your team.

This article touches on the broader themes of strategic decision-making and understanding complex systems that are prevalent not just in Pokemon, but across a wide range of games. To learn more about the educational potential of gaming and how games can be leveraged for learning and development, consider exploring the resources available at the Games Learning Society. You can visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.