Rockruff’s evolution, Lycanroc, is one of the best rock-types out there. While its battle prowess is common knowledge, you might not be aware of the fact that it has three different versions. The form the majority of you will know about is the Midday one, as that’s by far the most common. But what about the Midnight look? Its appearance resembles a werewolf. Then there’s the illusive Lycanroc dusk variation.
Before we explain how you can evolve Rockruff into the Lycanroc of your choice, you might want to know how to evolve Primeape, How to evolve Pawmo, how to evolve Finizen, how to evolve Riolu, how to evolve Charcadet, and how to evolve Sneasel, too. Or, if you want to know what other Rock Pokémon from the Pokédex can kick some ass, check out our article, though we also have a rock Pokémon weakness guide for those that need to bring the gen 7 Pokémon Lycanroc down.
Here’s what you need to know about Rockruff’s evolution.
Who is Rockruff?
Rockruff is part of the Alola lineup of Pokémon, though it also appears in the Paldea Pokédex and is part of the Isle of Armor one in Galar. Clocking in at number 744, Rockruff is one of the best Pokémon a trainer can start with, due to how friendly the pup is, though it does get a rougher disposition as it grows older. Despite how vicious it can become with age, Rockruff never turns on its master and always remembers the kindness you show them.
How do I evolve Rockruff?
To evolve Rockruff you need to reach level 25. While that’s simple in itself, the complications arise in that there are three different variations for Lycanroc, and the time of day plays a role in which one it is that you get. The three versions are:
- Midday
- Midnight
- Dusk
While Lycanroc’s midday form is common and by far the one you’re most likely to meet, many trainers are after the midnight and dusk variations. However, we must quickly say that regardless of which form you get, its battle prowess remains consistent across all three variants.
How do I get Lycanroc’s midday form?
To evolve Rockruff into Lycanroc’s midday variation, you just need to reach level 25 at any point between 06:00 and 17:00. This is the easiest and most likely version of Lycanroc you’ll receive when you evolve Rockruff, well, unless you like to run around the open world at night.
How do I get Lycanroc’s midnight form?
As the name indicates, you need to evolve Rockruff between 18:00 and 06:00 in order to get Lycanroc’s midnight form. This variation of the rock-type is perhaps the most cool-looking due to the fact that it heavily resembles a werewolf. Heck, this ‘mon alone gives Scarlet and Violet a good case to be on our list of the best werewolf games on Switch and mobile.
How do I get Lycanroc’s dusk form?
Lycanroc’s dusk variation is the most difficult to receive due to the small window you have in which to evolve Rockruff. To get the dusk form, you need to reach level 25 with Rockruff in between 17:00 and 18:00, and Rockruff needs to have the ‘own tempo’ ability. The sky is orange (as is the circle icon on your map), but this only lasts for a couple of minutes, so you need to act fast.
The best bit of advice we can give you is to have a rare candy at the ready to give Rockruff an instant level-up as soon as the time strikes. Or, at the very least, have some EXP candies on standby. Should Rockruff be about to evolve outside of the time frame you need, merely cancel the evolution and wait for the correct time.
Which Rockruff evolution is better?
Besides their appearances, there are some differences between Lycanroc’s three forms in terms of their stats. If you care the most about your attack stat (and why wouldn’t you, given offense can be the best defense?), we have to say the Dusk Lycanroc is the best – it just about beats the other two with standard attack, and it also has a 110 speed stat which is just two behind the 112 of the Middary variant.
However, if you want a defensive ‘mon, it’s the Midnight form that suits you best, as it has higher HP, defense, and special defense stats while being just behind the Dusk variant when it comes to attack. However, this does come at the cost of speed.
Well, there you have it, all you need to know about Rockruff’s evolution. If you want to know how to make the most of Lycanroc, our dark Pokémon weakness, psychic Pokémon weakness, normal Pokémon weakness, rock Pokémon weakness, dragon Pokémon weakness, and fire Pokémon weakness guides to see how the rock-type fares against them.
We can also help you out with our Ralts evolution, Misdreavus evolution, Rellor evolution, Shellder evolution, Cetoddle evolution, Scyther evolution, Murkrow evolution, Floette evolution, Dreepy evolution, Salandit evolution, and Bisharp evolution articles a try.