Scyther’s evolution, Scizor, takes an already fabulous design and ramps it up to 11, as well as being a powerhouse in battle. Better still, Scyther got a second evolution in Legends Arceus courtesy of Kleavor. Both of the second-stage creatures are fierce in battle, falling under different types, so you can even make room for all three members of this evolution line of one team, in PLA, at least. So, allow us to explain how to evolve Scyther into both of them.
An interesting thing to note about the gen 1 Pokémon is that while Scyther is a grass Pokémon in the first generation games (Red, Blue, Yellow, and even Green in Japan), it’s now a bug and flying Pokémon hybrid, which can make it an intimidating foe against dark Pokémon and fighting Pokémon. If you ever struggle in a fight against Scyther, we can help you with our bug Pokémon weakness and flying Pokémon weakness guides.
Here’s what you need to know about Scyther evolutions:
How many evolutions does Scyther have?
There are two Scyther evolutions. The first one, Scizor, debuted in the generation two games, Gold, Silver, and Crystal, while Kleaver didn’t arrive until many years later, in 2022, as part of the Legends: Arceus lineup. Scizor is a steel- and bug-type, while Kleavor is a rock- and bug-type, making them equally dangerous in different ways.
Where can I catch Scyther?
Scyther appears somewhat frequently in the locations it spawns in, but it usually requires at least a great ball to catch, sometimes even an ultra ball, in games like Scarlet and Violet. You can find Scyther in the following locations on Nintendo Switch:
- Let’s Go Pikachu – you can find Scyther in Route 14 and Route 15
- Let’s Go Eevee – Scyther is exclusive to Let’s Go Pikachu, so you need to trade to get it in Let’s Go Eevee
- Sword and Shield – Scyther isn’t part of the base game, but you can catch one if you have the Isle of Armor expansion pass and travel to the Training Lowlands, Max Lair, or Fields of Honor
- Brilliant Diamond – you can find Syther in Route 229 and the Grand Underground (Grassland Cave, Sunlit Cavern, Riverbank Carn, Still-Water Cavern, and Big Bluff Cavern)
- Shining Pearl – As Scyther is exclusive to Brilliant Diamond, you need to trade with another trainer
- Legends: Arceus – Obsidian Fieldlands (The Heartwood and Grandtree Arena), Coronet Highlands (Primeval Grotto), and Alabaster Icelands (space-time distortions)
- Scarlet and Violet – South Province (Area Four and Area Six), North Province (Area Two, Casseroya Lake, and Socarrat Trail), South Province (Area Four), and Terra Raid Battles
How do I evolve Scyther into Scizor?
You need to give Scyther a metal coat and trade it with the item to evolve it into Scizor. This is a similar method to that of Kadabra, Haunter, and Machoke to get Alakazam, Gengar, and Machamp. However, the process is slightly different in PLA, as you can’t trade in that game, so you just need to give Scyther the metal coat to evolve it.
Here’s where you can find the metal coat in the Switch games:
- Sword and Shield – you can find one in Stow-on-Side, Bridge Field, or try to catch a Steelix, Bronzor, or Magneton that’s holding one (though there’s only a 5% chance they will be)
- Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl – you can get a metal coat from Byron on Iron Island or try to catch a Magnemite, Skarmory, Bronzor, Steelix, Beldrum, or Bronzong that’s holding one (though there’s only a 5% chance they will be)
- Legends: Arceus – You can buy one at the Jubilife Village Trading Post, sometimes from Ginter (though it’s known as metallic spread if you buy it from him), and in space-time dimensions
- Scarlet and Violet – you can get a metal coat through Delibird Presents in Levincia and the Porto Marinada auction
Where can I catch Scizor?
In a couple of games, you can skip evolving Scyther and catch Scizor, just make sure you bring some ultra balls with you:
- Legends: Arceus – Scizor only appears in space-time distortions in the Alabaster Icelands
- Scarlet and Violet – Scizor may appear as a five-star or six-star Tera Raid Battle
How do I evolve Scyther into Kleavor?
Scyther needs a black augurite to evolve into Kleavor, giving it the same evolution method as Scizor in Legends: Arceus. You can find black augurite in the following places:
- Complete request 68 (A Nosepass to Guide the Way)
- Catch a wild Graveler that’s holding one (5% chance it has a black augurite)
- Purchase it from Ginter (known as the jet-black rock)
- Ursaluna can find them
- You can find them in space-time distortions
Where can I catch Kleavor?
If you want to skip the evolution steps and catch a Kleavor, your only hope is to check out massive mass outbreaks in the Obsidian Fieldlands. If you opt to do this, make sure you have plenty of ultra balls, as this powerful Pokémon is unlikely to yield to a great ball or lower.
How do I evolve Scyther in Pokémon Go?
In Pokémon Go, you can only evolve Scyther into Scizor, and to do that, you need 50 Scyther candies and a metal coat. You can get Kleavor periodically in Pokémon Go, but only when it appears in a three-star raid.
Scizor or Kleavor
Scizor and Kleavor are only in one game together, Legends: Arceus, and if you want one of the Scyther evolutions on your team, the best one really comes down to what you want. If you need a reliable steel-type, Scizor is great, while Kleavor is a good rock-type, and both are also bug-types.
Looking at their stats, Kleavor is slightly better on the attack front, with a stat of 135 compared to Scizor’s 130. However, Scizor’s defense is slightly higher, as is its special attack.
Now that you know how to evolve Scyther, you might want to check out our how to evolve Inkay, how to evolve Primeape, and how to evolve Charcadet guides to further fill out your Pokédex. We can also help you out with Ralts’ evolution, Rockruff’s evolution, and Salandit’s evolution, Misdreavus’ evolution.