In order to grow stronger, Pokemon need to evolve. The easiest and well-known method is by having them battle and level up. Other species evolve with high Friendship or if given an Evolution Stone. However, some Pokemon will only evolve when they’ve been traded to another person. If players intend on filling up their Pokedex inPokemon Brilliant DiamondandPokemon Shining Pearl, they’ll need to trade.
The safest way to trade Pokemon inBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearlis by trading with a Group or by using a Link Code. This way, players will know that they’ll get their evolved Pokemon back. Be aware that sometimes it isn’t enough to just trade Pokemon to evolve them. Some Pokemon may need to hold special Items if they want to reach the next stage of evolution.
Updated June 18, 2025 by Renri Seong:With every new generation, there’s a Pokemon that is incapable of evolving unless it’s traded to another player. Unfortunately, this creates a challenge for trainers who want to complete the Pokedex, but prefer to play solo. The second generation added a second aspect to in-game trading that remains a part ofPokemontoday. A Pokemon may need to be traded if it wants to evolve, but if it’s not holding the right item, then nothing will happen. DespiteBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearladding Pokemon fromPokemon Platinum, a handful of Pokemon won’t be able to evolve untilBDSP’s postgame because their evolutions items are impossible to get in the main story. The following guide has been updated to include a list of where players can find all trade evolution items inBrilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl.
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There are 151 Pokemon in the Sinnoh Dex, but several Pokemon can evolve by trading once players have unlocked the National Dex. To get the National Dex, players will need to beat the Elite Four and see every Pokemon on the Sinnoh Dex. The National Dex allows trainers to see and catch Pokemon that debuted in the Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn regions. In addition,it also expands beyond Manaphy, who’s no. 151 in the Sinnoh Dex.
Below is the list of Pokemon that can evolve through trading:
National
Deep Sea Scale
Since the fifth generation,Feebas evolved into Miloticif it was given a Prism Scale and then traded to another player. With the return ofPokemon ContestsinBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearl, Feebas can once again evolve via its original method. This means maxing out its Beauty Condition by feeding it Dry-flavored Poffins.
While there are some surefire ways to get an evolution item (such as the Metal Coat), certain Pokemon species will be carrying the items they need to evolve. For example, once Poliwhirl can be found in the wild, it has a5% chanceof holding a King’s Rock.
Finally, trading Pokemon will not be accessible for the player until after they’ve beatenBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearl’sfirst gym in Oreburgh City. Once this is done, they can take the stairs inPokemon Centersto access the Global or Local Rooms and start trading.
The Base Stats Of Every Pokemon with Trade Evolution Requirement
These are the base stats of every Pokemon (and its evolved form) with a Trade Evolution requirement in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl:
65
50
90
40
35
120
30
70
105
80
100
60
45
55
95
115
15
160
130
85
110
83
57
93
75
20
10
25
64
74
32
135
200
140
123
67
125
79
81
104
94
52
84
114
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Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: Evolution Items in the Postgame
An oversightBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearlseems to have is forgetting to put evolution items in the Grand Underground or somewhere around Sinnoh for players to grab before the postgame. This is an issue because Pokemon like Magmar (Shining Pearl) and Rhydon can be caught in the Grand Underground, but theirevolution items are in the Battle Zone. Thus, if players wanted to evolve their Gligar into Gliscor or their Rhydon into Rhyperiorbeforethe Elite Four, they’re out of luck.
Evolution is important because most evolved forms will have better stats than their pre-evolved form. In some cases, a second stage evolution may have higher Defense while the third stage evolution may have lower Defense. Before trading over a Pokemon, players should always check their Pokemon’s stats and see if the trade is worth the trouble. However, most Pokemon are much stronger once they’re fully evolved.
As stated, evolution trade items are items that need to be held by the trading Pokemon. The item will be consumed upon the Pokemon’s evolution, so if players want to evolve another of the same Pokemon, they’ll need to get the item too. Luckily, most evolution itemscan be bought at the Battle Towerwith Battle Points (BP).
Here are all the items required for trade-evolution inBrilliant Diamond&Shining Pearl:
Where to find it?
5% chance of being held by Poliwhirl or Poliwrath.
5% chance of being held by Magby(Shining Pearl)
5% chance of being held by Elekid (Brilliant Diamond)
No
Upgrade
Speak to Professor Oak in Eterna City after getting the National Dex
Icy Cave in Grand Underground (Celestic Town); 5% chance of being held by
Yes
Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandPokemon Shining Pearlare available on Nintendo Switch.
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