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The Thousand-Step Journey: Which Pokémon Evolve Through Walking?

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So, you’re hitting the trails in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, eager to evolve your companions through the power of your shared journey. You’ve heard whispers of 1000 steps and Pokémon evolving. But which pocket monsters require this unique evolutionary method?

The answer is: Pawmo, Rellor, and Bramblin. These three Pokémon from the Paldea region have a unique evolutionary requirement: they must walk 1000 steps outside of their Poké Ball alongside you before they can evolve upon leveling up. That’s right, no evolution stones, no special locations – just good old-fashioned footwork!

Let’s dive deeper into each of these walking wonders and explore the intricacies of their evolutionary paths.

The Walk of Evolution: Pawmo, Rellor, and Bramblin

Pawmo: From Mouse to Might

Pawmo, the Electric/Fighting-type Middle Mouse Pokémon, evolves into the powerful Pawmot after taking those crucial 1000 steps. It’s important to note that Pawmo won’t automatically evolve after hitting the step count. You need to level it up after completing the walk for the evolution to trigger. Using a Rare Candy or battling another Pokémon are common methods to level Pawmo up after fulfilling the walking requirement.

Rellor: A Ball of Mud on the Move

Rellor, the Ground-type Rolling Pokémon, is undoubtedly one of the more quirky Pokémon designs, pushing its mud ball. This little fella transforms into the elegant Rabsca upon reaching the 1000-step milestone. As with Pawmo, ensure you level up Rellor after it walks its 1000 steps while outside of its Poké Ball to witness its evolution into Rabsca. Remember to keep Rellor outside of its Poké Ball. Otherwise it will not evolve when you level it up.

Bramblin: A Tumbleweed with a Dark Side

Bramblin, the Grass/Ghost-type Tumbleweed Pokémon, evolves into the formidable Brambleghast. This is one Pokémon you’d want to level up after walking to get that evolution. Brambleghast is a larger, thornier version of Bramblin that will absorb its prey’s life energy before expelling it, and it is arguably the creepiest addition to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

Tricks and Tips for Expedited Evolution

Walking 1000 steps might sound daunting, but thankfully, the community has discovered some tricks to make this process less tedious:

The Rubber Band Method: This involves using a rubber band to keep the control sticks of your Switch controller pointed inwards. This causes your character to walk in a small circle, accumulating steps automatically. However, pay close attention to your character and Pokémon so they don’t go back into their Poké Ball while you walk.
Circular Running: Many players recommend finding a large, relatively empty area and running in circles using the R or ZR buttons. This method allows for more active engagement and ensures your Pokémon stays within the player’s visual range, preventing it from returning to its Poké Ball. The Mesagoza typing circle has been noted as an effective spot, with 5 laps equaling approximately 1000 steps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Evolution Through Walking

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about evolving Pokémon through the walking mechanic in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet:

How long does it actually take to walk 1000 steps?

It typically takes around 3-4 minutes to walk 1000 steps. Of course, this depends on your pace and method. The Mesagoza typing circle takes about 2 minutes for 5 laps.
Does riding Koraidon/Miraidon count toward the 1000 steps?

No, riding your Legendary Pokémon doesn’t count towards the 1000 steps required for Pawmo, Rellor, or Bramblin. These steps must be taken with the Pokémon following you on foot. However, riding Koraidon/Miraidon is extremely effective for hatching Eggs as well as getting other forms of transportation to towns and gyms.
My Pawmo/Rellor/Bramblin isn’t evolving, even after walking what I think is 1000 steps. What’s wrong?

Several factors could be at play. First, ensure your Pokémon is outside of its Poké Ball. Second, double-check that you’ve actually reached the 1000-step threshold – try walking for a bit longer just to be sure. Lastly, remember that evolution only happens upon leveling up after the step count is achieved. A common method is to simply level up your Pokémon after you’ve completed the step-goal to unlock the evolution.
Is there a way to track how many steps my Pokémon has taken?

Unfortunately, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet don’t provide an in-game pedometer. You’ll need to estimate based on time or distance.
Can I switch out my Pokémon mid-walk?

Switching out your Pokémon during the walking process will likely reset the step counter. It’s best to keep the Pokémon you want to evolve out for the entire 1000-step journey.
What level does Pawmo/Rellor/Bramblin need to be to evolve?

The level of your Pawmo/Rellor/Bramblin does not matter to evolve. They need 1000 steps and need to level up in any way to trigger the evolution.
If my Pawmo/Rellor/Bramblin faints during the walk, does it reset the step counter?

No, fainting shouldn’t reset the step counter, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Keep some Potions handy!
Do eggs hatch faster on Koraidon and Miraidon?

Yes, eggs hatch faster on Koraidon and Miraidon. A common way to hatch eggs faster is to get Herba Mystica from Arven’s quest, and Koraidon and Miraidon will be able to boost by pressing down on the left stick.
Can I get the walking steps and level up through auto-battle?

No, the evolution will not trigger if you auto-battle with your Pokémon. You will need to manually walk to get the required steps to evolve Pawmo, Rellor, and Bramblin.
Do any other Pokémon evolve through walking in other Pokémon games?

Yes, the first two evolutions both involve Eevee, a special Pokemon that can evolve into one of eight forms. Only two of those forms involve walking a set distance, those being Espeon and Umbreon. You need to make sure your friendship level is high to trigger the evolutions in the game, and this must occur in-game during daytime for Espeon and nighttime for Umbreon.
How do I increase the friendship level with Pawmo, Rellor, and Bramblin?

Friendship level can be increased by having them in your party, using them in battles, giving them items, and keeping them in your party while you explore. It takes a bit of time to increase the friendship levels but is key to evolving some of the other Pokémon.
How do I breed a Hisuian Zorua?

Breeding for Hisuian Zorua requires a Ditto or opposite-gendered Paldean Zorark. Once the trainer sets up a Picnic the two Pokémon can breed, however, to make it more efficient make a Sandwich with Egg Power.
Why isn’t my Pawmo/Rellor/Bramblin evolving?

There are several reasons why your Pokémon is not evolving. Make sure you have completed the 1000-step goal, and then level it up outside of its Poké Ball. If it still doesn’t work, try again.
Can Cyclizar evolve?

Cyclizar does not evolve from any other Pokémon and is not known to evolve into other Pokémon, but it is related to the Legendary Paradox Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon.
What other things can I learn about Pokémon?

You can learn about the way people learn through games and Pokémon at GamesLearningSociety.org. The Games Learning Society is dedicated to advancing research and promoting understanding of the connection between digital games and learning.

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey

Evolving Pawmo, Rellor, and Bramblin through walking adds a unique and engaging element to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. It encourages exploration, interaction with your Pokémon, and a deeper appreciation for the Paldea region. So, lace up your virtual shoes, grab your chosen companion, and embark on the thousand-step journey. The reward of seeing your Pawmo evolve into Pawmot, your Rellor become a Rabsca, or your Bramblin transform into a Brambleghast makes the effort all worthwhile. Happy walking, Trainers!