Trading has always played an important role in the Pokemon franchise, with certain Pokemon only able to evolve after being passed between two players. After years of complaints from players who prefer the single-player experience, however, Game Freak opted to change this for Pokemon Legends: Arceus, with the developer finally giving players a new method to evolve their trade evolution Pokemon that doesn't require two people.
Among the handful of evolutionary lines to have benefited from this change is the Geodude family of Pokemon. To be clear, Pokemon Legends: Arceus players can still evolve Graveler into Golem by trading it with a friend, but can now also trigger the evolution with the help of a special item. This guide will explain how everything works, as well as where players can find the new evolutionary item that they'll need to evolve Graveler.
Updated May 19, 2022, by Tom Bowen: The Geodude evolutionary line is one of the oldest in both the rock and ground type categories, having first been introduced in the gen 1 Pokemon games back in the mid-nineties. For this reason, most people see Geodude, Graveler, and Golem as the quintessential rock / ground-type Pokemon, despite various other powerful Pokemon having arrived since their debut more than a quarter of a century ago. With this in mind, it's no wonder that so many players want to figure out how to evolve Graveler into Golem in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, particularly as the method for doing so is a little different than it is in other Pokemon games. This guide has therefore been updated to provide a few additional details about that process, as well as some tips on where to catch Graveler and an idea of what kind of stat gains players can expect if and when they do decide to trigger the evolution.
How to Evolve Graveler into Golem in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
There are two ways to evolve Graveler into Golem in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. The first is the tried and tested trade method, which can be initiated by speaking with the woman at the Pokemon Exchange in Jubilife Village. The second will require the use of a special evolution item called the Linking Cord, which can also be found at the Pokemon Exchange desk (via the Item Exchange menu) as well as in a few other places.
After getting their hands on a Linking Cord, players should find it in their Satchel and then use the Linking Cord on Graveler. This will trigger the evolution, and, after 30 seconds or so, they'll find themselves with a shiny new Golem in their party. As the new evolution item can be quite hard to come by and can also be used to evolve Machoke, Kadabra, and Haunter, however, players may want to think twice before using one on Graveler.
Where to Find a Linking Cord in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
As mentioned above, players can get a Linking Cord at the Pokemon Exchange desk in Jubilife Village in exchange for 1,000 Merit Points. They can also get one for completing the Getting to Know Ghosts request found in Jubilife Village, for which they'll need to complete the Pokedex entry for Gastly. Alternatively, players can find Linking Cords in space-time distortions or by digging for treasure with Ursaluna, though due to the large pool of potential items available via these methods, it may take them quite a while to do so.
Where to Find Graveler in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
Thankfully for fans of the Geodude evolutionary line, Graveler is incredibly common in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, with players able to catch it in a number of different locations. In fact, Graveler can be found in all five of the game's explorable areas, making it one of the most common Pokemon in the Hisui region. The first chance that players will get to catch one is in the Obsidian Fieldlands, where it can be found in the Oreburro Tunnel as well as on the Sandgem flats. For those looking for some additional options, the full details on where to find Graveler in Pokemon Legends: Arceus are as follows:
- Obsidian Fieldlands: Oreburrow Tunnel & Sandgem Flats
- Crimson Mirelands: Gapejaw Bog, Scarlet Bog, Ursa's Ring & Bolderoll Slope
- Cobalt Coastlands: Windbreak Stand, Firespit Island, Islespy Shore & Spring Path
- Coronet Highlands: Heavenward Cliffs, Bolderoll Ravine, Clamberclaw Cliffs & Celestica Ruins
- Alabaster Icelands: Snowpoint Temple
However, before rushing out to evolve their Graveler, players should think twice. This is because there's actually a Level 60 Alpha Golem in the Bolderoll Ravine area of the Coronet Highlands, which is arguably a much better option. Not only is this Golem a much higher level than the majority of the Graveler that players will encounter while on their adventures, but catching it will also allow them to avoid having to use a Linking Cord. Catching Golem can therefore save players a lot of grinding, or allow them to use their existing Linking Cords to evolve other powerful Pokemon instead.
Graveler and Golem Stats in Pokemon Legends: Arceus
For those still on the fence as to whether or not they should even evolve their Graveler into a Golem, the following stats may help them to come to a decision. Upon evolving, the Pokemon's base stat total will increase by 95, with most of these gains coming to its HP, Attack, Defense, and Special Defense stats. Though Golem is noticeable stronger, both Pokemon excel in the Defense department while also being a little slow, meaning that a Relaxed nature is best for both Golem and Graveler in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
Graveler | Golem | |
|---|---|---|
HP | 55 | 80 |
Attack | 95 | 110 |
Defense | 115 | 130 |
Special Attack | 45 | 55 |
Special Defense | 45 | 65 |
Speed | 35 | 45 |
Total | 390 | 485 |
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available now for the Nintendo Switch.
