Rockruff's evolution, Lycanroc, is one of the best rock-types out there. However, that is just one reason why trainers seek it out; the other being that it has three variants, one of which is essentially a werewolf. While the midnight form is a fan-favorite among trainers, it's really the dusk form you want due to how rare it is.
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 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.
Does Rockruff have three evolutions?
No, Rockruff has just one evolution, but Lycanroc has three variations, each with a different appearance and unique stats.
How do I evolve Rockruff?
Rockruff evolves at level 25, but the time of day determines which version of Lycanroc you get:
- Midday
- Midnight
- Dusk
Without question, the midday form is the most common one you'll meet, while dusk is the rarest, and midnight is arguably the most sought-after, given its resemblance to a werewolf. One thing is certain: regardless of which Lycanroc you get, you have a very powerful rock-type on your team.
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. You can also find the midday form out in the wild throughout the day, eliminating the need to evolve Rockruff.
How do I get Lycanroc's midnight form?
You need to evolve Rockruff between 18:00 and 06:00 in order to get Lycanroc's midnight form. Let's be honest, appearance-wise, this is the best iteration of Lycanroc with the whole werewolf thing it's got going on. You don't even need to go to the effort of evolving Lycanroc at night if you want one, as you can find them out in the wild when the moon is in the sky.
How do I get Lycanroc's dusk form?
You need to reach level 25 with Rockruff between 17:00 and 18:00 and have the 'own tempo' ability to get Lycanroc's dusk form. The sky is orange (as is the circle icon on your map), but due to it only lasting a couple of minutes, we recommend you have a rare candy on hand so you can act fast. If you're too late, it's okay, just cancel the evolution.
Which Rockruff evolution is better?
While the most obvious difference between the three variants is their appearance, each form of Lycanroc has its own stats, too. The best when it comes to offense is dusk form, while wanting Lycanroc at its best defensively requires you to have the midnight form. The midday Lycanroc version, meanwhile, is the fastest, narrowly beating out the dusk form.
So, each Lycanroc has different strengths; the best one, therefore, is entirely subjective and comes down to which one suits your needs better. Personally, I'm a fan of the Midnight variant, though I'll be honest and say that's more due to its appearance. Regardless, it still kicks butt in a battle.
How do I evolve Rockruff in Pokémon Go?
You need to get 50 candies to evolve Rockruff in Pokémon Go, and just like with the main games, the time of day determines which version of Lycanroc you get. However, that only applies to the midday and midnight forms. To get the dusk variant, you need to take part in events such as Lustrous Odyssey. You may also be waiting a while for the chance to evolve Rockruff even once, as there are hundreds of creatures in the mobile game, so it might be some time before you catch enough of them to get 150 candies for all three Lycanroc variants.
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, dragon Pokémon weakness, and fire Pokémon weakness guides to see how the rock-type fares against them.