If you’re playing Pokémon Legends: Z-A and want to add Slowking to your team, you’re in luck—this guide will walk you through the steps in simple terms. We’ll cover what you need, how to obtain the evolution item, and how to trigger the evolution correctly. By the end, you should have Slowking in your party and ready for action.
Slowking is an evolution of Slowpoke, which in Legends: Z-A can evolve in a couple of different ways. One path leads to Slowbro, while the other leads to Slowking. Getting Slowking opens up new moves, a different type combination, and a solid choice for your team if you like Psychic-type or mixed utility Pokémon. The key is knowing the correct item and method to evolve it.
How to get Slowking: step by step
1. Catch or have a Slowpoke
- First, get a Slowpoke. You’ll need one that is eligible for evolution.
- Make sure your Slowpoke is the correct form if your game includes regional variants.
2. Obtain the evolution item King’s Rock
- The item needed for Slowpoke to evolve into Slowking is the King’s Rock.
- Slowpoke must hold the King’s Rock at the time of the evolution.
- You may find the King’s Rock in the overworld, receive it as part of a mission, or buy it depending on your progress in the game.
3. Trade Slowpoke while it holds the King’s Rock
- Once Slowpoke is holding the King’s Rock, perform a trade using the in-game Link Trade function or local/wireless trading if available.
- After the trade goes through, Slowpoke will automatically evolve into Slowking.
If your version or ruleset restricts trading, check if there is an alternative evolution method provided in your specific edition (some versions add side-quest based methods or different evolution items).
4. Verify the evolution
- After the trade and automatic evolution, Slowking should appear either in your party or in your storage box.
- Confirm the form by checking its typing, stats, and appearance.
5. Prepare Slowking for battle
Once you have Slowking:
- Look at its nature, moves, and stat distribution.
- Slowking generally excels in Special Attack and Special Defense.
- Consider moves that take advantage of these strengths.
Important tips & things to avoid
- Ensure Slowpoke is holding the King’s Rock before the trade. Trading without the item will not trigger the Slowking evolution and could instead result in Slowbro.
- Some versions of the game lock trading behind story progression; if the trade option isn’t available, you may need to continue playing to unlock it.
- Do not discard the King’s Rock before the evolution is done. You need the item equipped during the trade.
- After evolving, check Slowking’s learnable moves. You may want to use move tutors or the move relearner to optimize its skill set.
- If your version includes Galarian Slowpoke, note that evolution requirements for that form can be different. Items like a Galarica Wreath or Galarica Cuff are sometimes required for alternate forms, depending on the regional version of the Pokémon present in your game.
Why use Slowking on your team?
Slowking brings several key advantages:
- Strong defensive capabilities: It can absorb damage effectively, especially on the special side.
- Solid move pool: Access to Psychic and Water moves (or in some variants, Poison/Psychic), making it adaptable in multiple battles.
- Unique battlefield presence: Slowking has a calm, regal feel and can play supportive, strategic, or balanced roles.
- Ideal for players who like tactical play: If you prefer controlling the pace of the match rather than brute force attacking, Slowking fits perfectly.
