While initially unavailable to players in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, Buneary and its evolution, Lopunny, have returned to the Pokedex in the "Isle of Armor" DLC. These rabbit Pokemon were introduced in Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl with a tricky method to trigger evolution.
Buneary and Lopunny are both pure normal-types and are capable of learning a variety of moves of many different types. Their cute looks as well as their pink shiny forms make them perfect for trainers wanting both tough and cute Pokemon to fill their rosters in Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield.
Like many Pokemon with tricky evolution conditions, Buneary doesn't evolve on a specific level. Instead, there are hidden conditions that are needed beforehand in order to get this fluffy bunny to grow up.
Updated March 30th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: Although players have access to Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, as well as Pokemon Legends: Arceus, there are still some that are just now embarking on their adventure through the Galar Region in Pokemon Sword & Shield. Players have access to a lot of new and interesting Pokemon across Galar but there are still some mainstays that show up within the title. Buneary is a great example of a classic Pokemon that players may be looking to snag and evolve. But how exactly does Buneary evolve into Lopunny in Pokemon Sword and Shield? To better answer this question and give players a good idea of what Lopunny is capable of as an evolution, the following guide has been updated with even more information. Here's how to evolve Buneary in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
How To Evolve Buneary
Buneary's condition to evolve is through a hidden stat known as friendship. Many other Pokemon have friendship evolutions such as Golbat, Pichu, Riolu, and Snom. However, what makes Buneary unique is in how its base friendship upon being caught or received is 0.
Most Pokemon start off with the base friendship of 70 or higher. Since friendship evolutions require Pokemon to level up with a high amount of friendship, this can make evolving Buneary a bit more of a challenge compared to other Pokemon that evolve with friendship.
Luckily for players, there are plenty of ways to increase friendship with their Pokemon. The easiest way of course is through just keeping it in their party. Just walking around is enough to start raising friendship. Fainting and using herbal medicine on Pokemon will decrease friendship however.
There are a few items that can help increase friendship as well. Having a Pokemon hold a soothe bell or catching the Pokemon in a luxury ball will provide even more friendship yields throughout players' Pokemon journeys.
After Buneary has acquired enough friendship, they will evolve after a level up. If the Buneary reaches level 100 without evolving, it can never become a Lopunny, but the odds of a Buneary reaching level 100 without getting enough friendship to evolve is incredibly low even without friendship increasing items.
Once evolved, it is very highly recommended to teach Lopunny the move Return due to it becoming more powerful with higher friendship values.
A Look At Buneary's & Lopunny's Stats
Many players that come across Buneary will see it as nothing more than an adorable bunny-shaped Pokemon, disregarding its battle prowess. This is a fair assumption given the Pokemon's terrible stats and "useless" abilities. The Run Away ability will ensure that it can always successfully flee from battle, which is helpful in many situations, but also showcases that Buneary isn't exactly built for battling. Its Klutz ability keeps it from holding any items, further tarnishing its usefulness on a team. Here's a look at Buneary's statline:
- HP: 55
- Attack: 66
- Special Attack: 44
- Defense: 44
- Special Defense: 56
- Speed: 85
- Total: 350
Once Buneary hits the appropriate friendship threshold and transforms into Lopunny, it gains a lot more power and become pretty viable in battle if used correctly. Although it still maintains the Klutz ability, and is incapable of holding items, it drops Run Away in favor of Cute Charm. This ability causes any Pokemon that comes in contact with Lopunny to become instantly charmed, giving it the "love" status and causing it to sometimes cease attacking. Its hidden ability, Limber, protects it from ever being paralyzed.
Lopunny also gains a decent boost to its Speed. It doesn't have any resistances (except an outright immunity to Ghost) but it also only has one weakness in Fighting-type moves. Here's a look at Lopunny's stats:
- HP: 65
- Attack: 76
- Special Attack: 54
- Defense: 84
- Special Defense: 96
- Speed: 105
- Total: 480
The Best Build For Lopunny
Lopunny can be pretty useful on a team, especially in the early-to-mid game, if players can utilize it correctly. Those that want to build an all-out attacking Lopunny should try to find one with the Jolly nature to give it an extra boost of speed. A solid moveset for the Normal-type combines Fake Out, Return, High Jump Kick, and either Ice Punch or Quick Attack depending on the situation and playstyle. Unfortunately, thanks to Klutz, Lopunny isn't able to hold any items.
Pokemon Sword and Shield are available now exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.