Evolving Pancham in Pokemon Sword requires players to follow a very specific set of conditions rather than simply grinding levels through standard battles. While many Fighting-type creatures evolve naturally as they grow stronger, this playful panda Pokemon has a unique requirement tied to party composition. Understanding how to fulfill these criteria ensures a seamless transition into its powerful evolved form, Pangoro.
Reaching the Level Requirement for Pancham
The first step in evolving Pancham is increasing its level through gameplay. Pancham must reach at least Level 32 before it can trigger its evolutionary transformation. You can achieve this by keeping Pancham in your active party during battles or using Experience Candies obtained from Max Raid Battles.
It is important to remember that reaching Level 32 alone will not cause Pancham to evolve. If the additional conditions are not met at the moment of leveling up, the process simply will not happen. Many trainers who keep up with daily gaming news often check evolution guides to avoid confusion when dealing with special evolution methods.
Setting Up the Party Requirement
The core secret to Pancham's evolution lies in the types of Pokemon currently sitting in your active party. To trigger the transformation upon leveling up, you must have at least one Dark-type Pokemon accompanying Pancham in your team. This reflects the dual Fighting and Dark typing that Pangoro acquires once the evolution is complete.
Fortunately, Pokemon Sword features numerous early-game Dark-type options that are easy to catch. Creatures like Nickit, Thievul, Impidimp, or Zigzagoon in its Galarian form serve as perfect party candidates. As long as one Dark-type ally is present when Pancham reaches Level 32 or higher, the evolution cutscene will start immediately after battle.
Troubleshooting Common Evolution Issues
If your Pancham reaches or exceeds Level 32 without evolving, double-check your current party lineup. The most frequent oversight is forgetting that Galarian Zigzagoon is Dark/Normal, whereas standard forms or other species might not match the required Dark type. Ensure that the secondary Pokemon's status summary clearly displays the Dark-type icon.
Additionally, check whether Pancham is holding an Everstone, which intentionally prevents Pokemon from evolving regardless of level or party conditions. Removing the held item and leveling Pancham up once more with a Dark-type partner will immediately resolve the issue. Fulfilling these quick checks guarantees you will add the formidable Dark/Fighting-type Pangoro to your Galar Pokedex without unnecessary delays.
