Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl has a few species that can only evolve when traded with another player, meaning you’ll need to buddy up to complete your Pokedex.
Like in other Pokemon games, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl includes some species that only evolve when traded to another trainer.
In addition to hunting down Legendaries and hard-to-find creatures like Spiritomb, trainers who want to catch ’em all will need to work together to complete the Pokedex.
From old classics like Alakazam to Sinnoh region stars like Dusknoir and Rhyperior, here are all of the Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl that need to be traded to evolve, as well as details on how to do that.
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All trade evolutions in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
Here are all of the Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl that can only evolve when traded, as well as any items they need to be holding:
| Pokemon | Evolved Pokemon | Special requirements |
| Clamperl | Huntail | Trade while holding a Deep Sea Tooth |
| Clamperl | Gorebyss | Trade while holding a Deep Sea Scale |
| Dusclops | Dusknoir | Trade while holding a Reaper Cloth |
| Electabuzz | Electivire | Trade while holding an Electrizer |
| Graveler | Golem | – |
| Haunter | Gengar | – |
| Kadabra | Alakazam | – |
| Machoke | Machamp | |
| Magmar | Magmortar | Trade while holding a Magmarizer |
| Onix | Steelix | Trade while holding a Metal Coat |
| Poliwhirl | Poliwrath | Trade while holding a King’s Rock |
| Porygon | Porygon2 | Trade while holding an Upgrade |
| Porygon2 | PorygonZ | Trade while holding a Dubious Disc |
| Rhydon | Rhyperior | Trade while holding a Protector |
| Scyther | Scizor | Trade while holding a Metal Coat |
| Seadra | Kingdra | Trade while holding a Dragon Scale |
| Slowpoke | Slowking | Trade while holding a King’s Rock |
As you can see from the list above, most of these Pokemon require a specific item to be able to evolve. If you trade one that isn’t holding the required item, it will simply stay in the same form.
It’s also worth pointing out that some of these Pokemon are version exclusives, while others are only available to encounter once you’ve unlocked the National Pokedex.
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How to trade in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl
If you want to trade with other Trainers in Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, you’ll need to visit the Union Room, which is upstairs at any Pokemon Center. Here, you’ll have the option to trade either locally or online.
To trade locally with Trainers who are on the same network connection as you, take the escalators upstairs and talk to the middle nurse. Once you’re inside, approach a player with a speech bubble and talk to them to initiate a trade.
If you want to trade globally with other players online, take the escalators downstairs and talk to the middle nurse. Unlike trading locally, you’ll need to make sure you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to trade globally.
Once you’ve received your first badge in Oreburgh City, visit the basement of a Pokemon Center and you’ll unlock the ability to trade locally or globally by pressing Y at any point in the game, which is a lot more convenient!
Now you know how to trade evolve in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, take a look at some of our other guides and walkthroughs:
How to get Jirachi | How to get Mew | Version exclusives | All Legendary Pokemon | Best starter to pick
