Why Didn’t My Own Tempo Rockruff Evolve? The Ultimate Guide to Dusk Form Lycanroc

So, you’ve got yourself a Rockruff with the Own Tempo ability, patiently waited until dusk, and leveled it up, but still no Dusk Form Lycanroc? Frustrating, isn’t it? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! The evolution requirements for Dusk Form Lycanroc can be surprisingly picky. The most common reasons for failure are:

• Incorrect Timing: Dusk is a very specific window. It’s not simply “evening” or “night.” You need to ensure you are leveling up your Rockruff precisely during the dusk hours in your game. These times vary between games.
• Location Restrictions: Some games restrict time progression in certain areas until the main storyline is completed. Ensure you are in a location where the in-game time accurately reflects the natural passage of time.
• Level Requirement Not Met: Rockruff needs to be at least level 25 to evolve. A lower-level Rockruff won’t evolve, regardless of the time or ability.
• Conflicting Abilities: Double-check that your Rockruff definitely has the Own Tempo ability. It’s easy to mix up abilities or mistakenly think a Rockruff has it when it doesn’t.
• Glitches or Bugs: While rare, game glitches can sometimes prevent evolutions. Make sure your game is updated to the latest version.

Let’s dive deeper into these potential roadblocks to make sure you can finally get that coveted Dusk Form Lycanroc!

Understanding the Own Tempo Ability

The Own Tempo ability is the keystone to getting Dusk Form Lycanroc. Without it, your Rockruff will evolve into either Midday or Midnight Form, depending on the in-game time of day. Unlike Keen Eye or Vital Spirit, Own Tempo is a special ability which is unique to a specific Rockruff lineage and often obtained through special events or breeding.

The Importance of Correct Timing

Timing is crucial, and the definition of “dusk” varies between Pokémon games:

• Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon: Dusk is defined as 5:00 PM to 5:59 PM in-game time.
• Pokémon Sword and Shield: The specific hours are 7:00 PM to 7:59 PM, and the evolution must occur in the Wild Area, Isle of Armor, or Crown Tundra before beating the main story.
• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Similar to Sword and Shield, you need to level up during the dusk hours, which often corresponds to when the sky starts turning orange and red.
• Pokémon GO: Dusk is indicated in the in-game weather and lighting; it’s visibly obvious when it’s dusk.

Always check a reliable source specific to your game to confirm the correct dusk timeframe. Even being off by a few minutes can prevent the evolution. Remember to sync your Nintendo Switch clock to the correct time.

Location, Location, Location!

In some Pokémon games, like Sword and Shield, the location where you level up Rockruff matters. Before completing the main story, time may be locked in specific towns and routes. The Wild Area, Isle of Armor, and Crown Tundra are safe bets, as their time flow is not story-locked. After completing the main story, the time restrictions lift in most areas.

Leveling Up and Beyond

Rockruff must reach level 25 to trigger its evolution. Simply being at level 25 during the correct time isn’t enough; it has to level up during that timeframe. Give it a Rare Candy or battle another Pokémon to gain the necessary experience point to level up.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with all the correct conditions, sometimes things still don’t work. Here’s a breakdown of common issues:

• Double-Check the Ability: Ensure you aren’t mistaken about your Rockruff’s ability. Go to its summary screen and carefully verify it says “Own Tempo.”
• Avoid Interfering Factors: Refrain from using any items or abilities that might interfere with evolution, even if they seem unrelated.
• Consider Game Updates: Check if your game has any pending updates. Developers often release patches to fix bugs that may interfere with game mechanics.
• Rule Out Glitches: While uncommon, glitches can prevent evolutions. Try restarting your game or even your console. If problems persist, consider contacting the game developers for assistance.
• Breeding Issues: When breeding for an Own Tempo Rockruff, remember that only breeding a female Own Tempo Rockruff or either gender with Ditto guarantees the offspring will have Own Tempo.

The Allure of Dusk Form Lycanroc

Dusk Form Lycanroc is more than just a different color scheme. It boasts a unique blend of characteristics from both Midday and Midnight Forms. Stat-wise, it is often considered the strongest of the three, boasting the ability Tough Claws, which boosts the power of physical moves. Dusk Form Lycanroc also has a unique appearance and a connection to certain trainers in the anime, making it a popular choice for many players.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I get Own Tempo Rockruff in the wild?

In most games, no. Own Tempo Rockruff were typically distributed through special events. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, for example, it was a limited-time event distribution. Check current event details in your specific game to confirm.

2. Is Own Tempo a Hidden Ability?

No, Own Tempo is considered a special ability, distinct from Hidden Abilities. This means you cannot use an Ability Patch to change a Rockruff’s ability to Own Tempo.

3. Can I breed Own Tempo Rockruff?

Yes, but only under specific conditions. Breeding a female Own Tempo Lycanroc (or Rockruff) with any male will guarantee all offspring Rockruff will have Own Tempo. Breeding either gender of Lycanroc or Rockruff with a Ditto will also guarantee offspring with Own Tempo.

4. What time is dusk in [Insert Game Name Here]?

This is game-specific! Always consult a reliable source for your specific game. Generally, it will be somewhere around 5 PM to 8 PM based on your system’s clock.

5. Does weather affect Rockruff evolution?

Generally, no, the weather does not directly affect Rockruff’s ability to evolve into Dusk Form. The primary requirement is leveling up during the specific dusk timeframe.

6. Can I use a Rare Candy to evolve Rockruff?

Yes! A Rare Candy will level up Rockruff by one level. This is a fast way to evolve it without battling, so long as you level it up to level 25 during dusk.

7. I accidentally evolved my Rockruff into Midday/Midnight Form. Can I change it?

No, once Rockruff evolves, it’s permanent. You will need to obtain another Own Tempo Rockruff to try again.

8. Is Dusk Form Lycanroc stronger than Midday or Midnight Form?

Many players consider Dusk Form Lycanroc to be the strongest due to its access to the Tough Claws ability and a well-rounded stat distribution.

9. Can Own Tempo Rockruff be shiny?

Yes! Shiny Own Tempo Rockruff are obtainable through breeding or encountering it in the wild in games like Pokémon GO.

10. Can you get Own Tempo Rockruff in Max Raid Battles?

Yes, some Max Raid Battles (especially during special events) can reward players with an Own Tempo Rockruff.

11. Does trading affect Rockruff evolution?

No, trading Rockruff will not affect its ability to evolve, as long as it meets the other requirements (Own Tempo ability, Level 25, correct time of day).

12. Can I evolve Rockruff into Dusk Form in Pokémon GO?

Yes, but only if the Rockruff knows the move Accelerock and is evolved during dusk.

13. What does Own Tempo do besides allowing Dusk Form evolution?

Own Tempo prevents the Pokémon from being confused.

14. Can I use an Ability Capsule to give Rockruff Own Tempo?

No, Own Tempo is a special ability and cannot be obtained through Ability Capsules or Ability Patches.

15. Where can I learn more about Pokémon game mechanics and design?

To delve deeper into the fascinating world of game design and learning within gaming contexts, explore the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. It’s a fantastic resource for understanding the educational power of games.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you diagnose why your Own Tempo Rockruff refused to evolve. With a little patience and attention to detail, you’ll be the proud owner of a Dusk Form Lycanroc in no time! Happy training!