How to Evolve Pancham in 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve got yourself a Pancham and you’re itching to get your hands on that powerful Pangoro? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Evolving Pancham isn’t just a simple candy affair; it requires a little bit of strategy and dedication. In 2023, the core method remains the same, but let’s break it down step-by-step to ensure you evolve your panda pal successfully. The primary method for evolving Pancham in 2023 still hinges on two key components: collecting 50 Pancham Candy and fulfilling the “Adventure together to evolve” requirement, specifically catching 32 Dark-type Pokémon while Pancham is set as your buddy. Let’s dive into the specifics.

Understanding Pancham’s Evolution Requirements

Pancham, the playful panda Pokémon, evolves into the imposing Pangoro, a Fighting/Dark-type powerhouse. The evolution process isn’t as straightforward as simply feeding it candy. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Gather 50 Pancham Candy: This is the standard evolution requirement. You can earn Pancham Candy by catching Pancham, transferring Pancham to Professor Willow, using Rare Candies, or having Pancham as your buddy and earning candy by walking.

2. Set Pancham as Your Buddy: This is crucial. Open your profile, go to the “Buddy” option, and select Pancham.

3. Catch 32 Dark-Type Pokémon: While Pancham is your buddy, you need to catch 32 Dark-type Pokémon. This is the “Adventure together to evolve” component. Keep track of your progress, as the game usually provides an indicator on Pancham’s evolution screen.

Tips for Catching Dark-Type Pokémon

• Know Your Dark Types: Familiarize yourself with Dark-type Pokémon available in your area. Common examples include Murkrow, Poochyena, Houndour, Sneasel, and Purrloin. Also, keep an eye out for special events that may feature increased spawns of Dark-type Pokémon.
• Utilize Lures and Incense: Using Lures at PokéStops and Incense will increase Pokémon spawns around you, potentially increasing your chances of encountering Dark-type Pokémon.
• Raids and Research Tasks: Sometimes, raids and research tasks reward encounters with Dark-type Pokémon. Keep an eye out for these opportunities.
• Nighttime is Your Friend: Dark-type Pokémon are often more common at night, so consider playing during evening hours to maximize your encounters.

Why is Pancham a Valuable Evolution?

Pangoro is a formidable Pokémon in its own right. Its dual Fighting/Dark-type makes it a strong contender in various battles, including PvP (Player vs. Player) matches and raids. Its access to powerful moves allows it to deal significant damage. Furthermore, obtaining a Pangoro can fill a valuable slot in your Pokédex.

What About Main Series Pokemon Games?

It’s important to distinguish between evolution methods in Pokémon GO and the main series Pokémon games (like Pokémon Sword, Shield, Scarlet, and Violet). In the core series games, Pancham evolves into Pangoro when it levels up to level 32 or higher while there’s a Dark-type Pokémon in your party. The mobile game Pokémon Go uses different rules.

FAQs About Evolving Pancham

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about evolving Pancham, to further clarify the evolution process:

1. Why can’t I evolve my Pancham even though I have 50 candies? You likely haven’t fulfilled the “Adventure together to evolve” requirement of catching 32 Dark-type Pokémon while Pancham is your buddy. Make sure Pancham is set as your buddy and that you’ve caught the required number of Dark-types.

2. Does it matter which Dark-type Pokémon I catch? No, any Dark-type Pokémon will count towards the 32 required catches.

3. Do I have to catch all 32 Dark-type Pokémon in one day? No, the progress is cumulative. You can catch them over several days.

4. How do I check my progress towards catching Dark-type Pokémon? Check Pancham’s evolution screen. The game should display your progress towards the 32 Dark-type Pokémon requirement.

5. What happens if I switch my buddy Pokémon before catching all 32 Dark-types? Your progress will likely be reset. It’s best to keep Pancham as your buddy until you’ve completed the requirement.

6. Is Pangoro a good Pokémon to use in battles? Yes, Pangoro’s Fighting/Dark-type combination, along with its powerful moves, makes it a strong choice for both PvP battles and raids.

7. Is Pancham a rare Pokémon to find? While spawn rates can vary, many players have reported that Pancham appears less frequently than some other Pokémon.

8. Can I use Rare Candies to evolve Pancham? You can use Rare Candies to obtain the 50 Pancham Candies required for evolution. However, you still need to fulfil the buddy and dark pokemon requirement to evolve.

9. Does weather affect the spawn rates of Pancham or Dark-type Pokémon? Weather can affect Pokémon spawns. Dark-type Pokémon are more likely to appear during Foggy weather.

10. What level does Pancham evolve in the core series games? In games like Pokémon Sword, Shield, Scarlet, and Violet, Pancham evolves into Pangoro starting at level 32 if you have a Dark-type Pokémon in your party.

11. Do I need to trade Pancham to evolve it? No, Pancham does not need to be traded to evolve in Pokémon GO or the core series games.

12. Can I evolve a Shadow Pancham? Yes, you can evolve a Shadow Pancham as long as you meet the candy and buddy requirements.

13. Is there a Shiny Pangoro? Yes, Shiny Pangoro exists, but you’ll need to evolve a Shiny Pancham to obtain one.

14. If Pancham is wearing a costume, does it affect evolution? Costumes do not affect the evolution process. You can still evolve a costume-wearing Pancham as long as you meet the usual requirements.

15. Where can I find more information about Pokémon Go strategies and research? Organizations like the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explore the educational and social impact of games, including understanding player behaviour and strategies within games like Pokemon Go.

Final Thoughts

Evolving Pancham into Pangoro in Pokémon GO requires a bit of effort, but the reward is well worth it. By following these steps and understanding the nuances of the evolution process, you’ll be well on your way to adding this powerful Pokémon to your team. Happy catching!