Evolution Methods
Like each start to a generation, Pokémon Sword & Shield introduces a variety of new Pokémon each with various new evolution methods for evolving many Pokémon. These evolutionary methods both enhance upon and even duplicate previous methods. With this generation, there are also some changes to some existing Pokémon Evolution Methods
Stone Evolutions
While no new stones have been introduced in this game, multiple Pokémon use various Evolution Stones to evolve, including some older Pokémon who have changed their evolution method to use the stone.
| Base No. | Pic | Base Name | Method | Final No. | Pic | Final Name |
| #082 |  |
Magneton | Use the Thunder Stone | #462 |  |
Magnezone |
| #133 |  |
Eevee | Use the Leaf Stone | #471 |  |
Leafeon |
| #133 | |
Eevee | Use the Ice Stone | #470 |  |
Glaceon |
| #554 |  |
Darumaka | Use the Ice Stone | #555 |  |
Darmanitan |
| #737 |  |
Charjabug | Use the Thunder Stone | #738 |  |
Vikavolt |
Item Based
In this generation, there are several Pokémon that evolve simply from using an item, much like an Evolution Stone. These items are quite rare in the game.
| Base No. | Pic | Base Name | Method | Final No. | Pic | Final Name |
| #079 |  |
Slowpoke | Use the Galarica Cuff | #080 |  |
Slowbro |
| #079 | |
Slowpoke | Use the Galarica Wreath | #199 |  |
Slowking |
| #840 |  |
Applin | Use the Tart Apple | #841 |  |
Flapple |
| #840 | |
Applin | Use the Sweet Apple | #842 |  |
Appletun |
| #854 |  |
Sinistea | Use the Cracked Pot | #855 |  |
Polteageist |
| #854 | |
Sinistea (Rare Form) |
Use the Chipped Pot | #855 | |
Polteageist (Rare Form) |
Hold Item And Spinning
There's another Pokémon with a unique evolution method. To evolve Milcery, you need to attach specific items and then do a spin by rotating the control stick
| Base No. | Pic | Base Name | Method | Final No. | Pic | Final Name |
| #868 |  |
Milcery | Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot clockwise quickly in the day: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet | #869 |  |
Alcremie |
| #868 | |
Milcery | Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot anti-clockwise quickly in the day: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet | #869 |  |
Alcremie |
| #868 | |
Milcery | Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot clockwise for over 5 seconds in the day: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet | #869 |  |
Alcremie |
| #868 | |
Milcery | Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot anti-clockwise for over 5 seconds in the day: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet | #869 |  |
Alcremie |
| #868 | |
Milcery | Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot clockwise quickly at night: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet | #869 |  |
Alcremie |
| #868 | |
Milcery | Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot anti-clockwise quickly at night: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet | #869 |  |
Alcremie |
| #868 | |
Milcery | Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot clockwise for over 5 seconds at night: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet | #869 |  |
Alcremie |
| #868 | |
Milcery | Attach one of the following items and spin on the spot anti-clockwise for over 5 seconds at night: Berry Sweet, Clover Sweet, Flower Sweet, Love Sweet, Ribbon Sweet, Star Sweet, Strawberry Sweet | #869 |  |
Alcremie |
Attack Based
Across the generations, there have been multiple Pokémon that evolve when they know a specific move. Pokémon Sword & Shield once again add to this with another Pokémon that evolves with a specific move.
| Base No. | Pic | Base Name | Method | Final No. | Pic | Final Name |
| #852 |  |
Clobbopus | Level up while knowing the move Taunt | #853 |  |
Grapploct |
Battle Based
A new feature in this game is the ability for a Pokémon to evolve based on the number of critical hits it has inflicted in one battle.
| Base No. | Pic | Base Name | Method | Final No. | Pic | Final Name |
| #083 |  |
Farfetch'd | Get 3 Critical Hits in 1 Battle | #865 |  |
Sirfetch'd |
Nature Based
A new feature in this game is the ability for a Pokémon to evolve into different forms of the same Pokémon once it hits Level 30 with a specific nature.
| Base No. | Pic | Base Name | Method | Final No. | Pic | Final Name |
| #848 |  |
Toxel | Level 30 + Adamant, Brave, Docile, Hardy, Hasty, Impish, Jolly, Lax, Naive, Naughty, Rash, Quirky, Sassy Nature | #849 |  |
Toxtricity |
| #848 | |
Toxel | Level 30 + Bashful, Bold, Calm, Careful, Gentle, Lonely, Mild, Modest, Quiet, Relaxed, Serious, Timid Nature | #849 |  |
Toxtricity |
Location & Damage Based
A new feature in this game is the ability for a Pokémon to evolve based on damage it has received in addition to location
| Base No. | Pic | Base Name | Method | Final No. | Pic | Final Name |
| #562 |  |
Yamask | Presently has more than 49 Hit Points in damage received in one battle, is not knocked out. Walk under stone arch in Dusty Bowl | #867 |  |
Runerigus |
Story Based
In the Isle of Armor, you get given the Legendary Pokémon Kubfu. Kubfu's evolution is dependant upon the Tower you complete with it
| Base No. | Pic | Base Name | Method | Final No. | Pic | Final Name |
| #891 |  |
Kubfu | Complete Tower of Darkness / Tower of Water. Form depends on which tower you beat | #892 |  |
Urshifu |