In Pokémon GO, evolving certain Pokémon requires more than just collecting candies. The King’s Rock is one such special item, essential for evolving specific Pokémon into their advanced forms. This guide will walk you through the various methods to obtain a King’s Rock and how to use it effectively.
The King’s Rock is a unique evolution item introduced in Generation II of the Pokémon series. In Pokémon GO, it’s used to evolve two specific Pokémon:
- Slowpoke into Slowking (requires 50 Slowpoke candies and a King’s Rock)
- Poliwhirl into Politoed (requires 100 Poliwag candies and a King’s Rock)
Once used, the King’s Rock is consumed. This means if you want to evolve both Pokémon or more than one of each, you’ll need to collect multiple King’s Rocks.
How to Obtain a King’s Rock
Acquiring a King’s Rock can be a bit of a challenge, as it’s considered a rare item in the game. However, with persistence and strategy, there are several ways you can improve your chances of finding one.
1. Spinning PokéStops and Gyms
Each time you spin a PokéStop or Gym, there’s a small chance—roughly 1%—that you’ll receive a King’s Rock. The odds are not great, but volume matters. The more PokéStops and Gyms you spin, especially in different locations, the better your chances. Make it a habit to spin every time you’re out playing.
2. Seven-Day Spin Streak
If you spin at least one PokéStop or Gym every day for seven consecutive days, you’ll receive a special bonus on the seventh day. This bonus usually includes a guaranteed evolution item, and the King’s Rock is one of the possible outcomes. Although there are other evolution items in the pool, this method offers a higher chance of getting one than normal daily spins.
3. Opening Gifts from Friends
Another way to get a King’s Rock is through gifts. When your friends send you gifts, and you open them, there’s a slim chance you’ll find an evolution item inside. This isn’t guaranteed, but over time, with enough friends and consistent gift exchanges, you’ll improve your odds of receiving rare items like the King’s Rock.
4. Completing Field Research Tasks
Some Field Research tasks in Pokémon GO offer evolution items as rewards upon completion. These tasks vary from week to week and sometimes depend on seasonal events, so it’s worth checking your current research goals regularly. The rewards are not always listed upfront, so you may need to complete a few before you find one that gives you a King’s Rock.
5. Defeating Team GO Rocket Members
Battling Team GO Rocket Grunts and Leaders provides a chance to earn a variety of rewards. While evolution items aren’t a guaranteed drop, they do sometimes appear as a bonus reward after victories. If you’re already battling to purify Shadow Pokémon, this adds another benefit to your efforts.
Tips for Efficient Farming
Getting a King’s Rock might take time, but here are a few tips to help make the process smoother:
- Focus on High-Density Areas: Play in areas with lots of PokéStops and Gyms, such as parks or busy city streets, to maximize the number of spins you can get in a single session.
- Maintain Your Daily Streak: Try not to miss a single day of spinning. The seventh-day bonus is one of your best chances to get a King’s Rock.
- Send and Open Gifts Daily: Build a habit of exchanging gifts with friends. It adds to your item pool and increases your chances.
- Watch for Special Events: Keep an eye out for limited-time events that increase the drop rate of evolution items. These are excellent opportunities to gather items that are otherwise rare.
- Engage in Battles: Don’t skip battles against Team GO Rocket. Even if the King’s Rock drop is rare, every chance counts.
