how to evolve pancham pokemon go

Pancham, the mischievous panda Pokémon, has captured the hearts of many trainers in Pokémon GO since its introduction. With its playful demeanor and distinctive leaf, it’s a popular choice for collections and battles alike. However, its evolution into the formidable Pangoro is not a straightforward process of collecting candy. Evolving Pancham requires meeting a specific, species-unique condition, making it a fascinating challenge within the game. This guide will detail the precise steps, strategic considerations, and deeper insights into successfully evolving your Pancham.

Table of Contents

Understanding Pancham’s Evolution Requirement
Fulfilling the Dark-Type Mandate: Building Your Team
Strategic Acquisition of Pancham Candy
Executing the Evolution: A Step-by-Step Process
Post-Evolution: Utilizing Pangoro in Battle
Beyond the Evolution: A Deeper Look at the Mechanic

Understanding Pancham's Evolution Requirement

The core rule for evolving Pancham is distinct. Unlike most Pokémon, which evolve simply after accumulating a set amount of candy, Pancham has a dual requirement. A trainer must have collected 50 Pancham Candy, and crucially, the Pancham being evolved must have at least one Dark-type Pokémon as a buddy when the evolution is initiated. This condition is a direct reference to the main series games, where Pancham evolves into Pangoro starting at level 32, but only if the player has another Dark-type Pokémon in their party. Pokémon GO has creatively adapted this lore into its buddy system mechanic, adding a layer of engagement beyond simple candy farming.

Fulfilling the Dark-Type Mandate: Building Your Team

Before you can evolve Pancham, securing a suitable Dark-type buddy is essential. The game does not specify the Dark-type Pokémon's level, combat power, or origin; any Dark-type will suffice. Common and accessible choices include Poochyena, Murkrow, or Alolan Meowth, which are often found in the wild. For trainers seeking utility, setting a powerful Dark-type like Tyranitar, Hydreigon, or Weavile as your buddy can serve a dual purpose—fulfilling the evolution requirement while also earning candy for that species. The key is to ensure this Dark-type Pokémon is actively assigned as your buddy when you enter the evolution screen. It is not enough to have one in your storage; it must be your current companion.

Strategic Acquisition of Pancham Candy

Accumulating 50 Pancham Candy is the other half of the equation. Pancham is not a common wild spawn and is typically found in eggs or during specific events. The primary methods for earning its candy are catching Pancham, using Rare Candy, or setting Pancham as your buddy to walk for candy. Catching a Pancham yields 3 candy, or 4 with a Pinap Berry. Given its rarity, using Pinap Berries on every encounter is highly recommended. Walking with Pancham as your buddy requires 3 kilometers per candy, meaning a total of 150 kilometers walked to gather the necessary amount from zero. A balanced approach is often best: walk with Pancham as your buddy to steadily gain candy while using Pinap Berries on any wild encounters, supplementing with Rare Candy if needed.

Executing the Evolution: A Step-by-Step Process

Once both conditions are met, the evolution process is simple but requires attention to sequence. First, ensure your chosen Dark-type Pokémon is actively set as your buddy. Navigate to your Pokémon collection and select the Pancham you wish to evolve. On the Pancham's information screen, the evolve button should be visible and pulsating if you have at least 50 Pancham Candy. Do not remove your Dark-type buddy at this stage. Tap the evolve button and confirm the transformation. Your Pancham will then begin its evolution sequence, emerging as Pangoro. The evolution costs exactly 50 candy, and the requirement for a Dark-type buddy is a one-time check; you can change your buddy immediately after the evolution is complete without affecting Pangoro.

Post-Evolution: Utilizing Pangoro in Battle

Pangoro is a powerful Fighting/Dark-type Pokémon, giving it a unique offensive profile. This typing makes it resistant to Dark, Ghost, and Rock-type moves, but leaves it vulnerable to common Fighting, Flying, and Fairy-type attacks. Its best moveset typically consists of Snarl as a Fast Attack paired with Close Combat for Fighting-type coverage and either Night Slash or Payback for Dark-type damage. Pangoro excels as a niche attacker in raids and Gym battles, particularly against Normal, Dark, Ice, and Steel-type opponents where its dual STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) moves can deal massive damage. While it may not top the charts compared to pure Fighting-types like Machamp or pure Dark-types like Darkrai, its versatility and high attack stat make it a valuable and satisfying addition to any roster, especially for trainers who enjoy using less conventional Pokémon.

Beyond the Evolution: A Deeper Look at the Mechanic

The evolution mechanic for Pancham represents one of Pokémon GO's more engaging attempts to integrate main series game lore. It transforms evolution from a passive resource grind into an active puzzle that requires knowledge and preparation. This design encourages trainers to learn about Pokémon typings and the buddy system in a meaningful way. It also creates a memorable milestone, as the evolution feels earned through a specific achievement rather than just repetitive catching. From a collection standpoint, an unevolved Pancham with the requirement unfulfilled serves as a constant, interactive goal. This approach to evolution, seen also with Pokémon like Inkay and Sirfetch'd, enriches the game's depth and hints at a future where more complex biological or behavioral conditions from the core games could be implemented, making the journey of a Pokémon trainer in GO continually more immersive and intellectually rewarding.

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