Slowpoke has always been one of those lovable yet slightly confusing Pokémon when it comes to evolution. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the process is familiar to longtime fans but comes with a few small changes that fit the new gameplay style. Whether you’re aiming to fill out your Pokédex or looking for a strong Psychic- and Water-type partner, this guide will walk you through exactly how to evolve Slowpoke into Slowbro — plus a few tips on making the process easier.
Understanding Slowpoke’s Evolution Basics
Slowpoke evolves into Slowbro when it interacts with a Shellder, which bites onto its tail to trigger the transformation. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, this happens through the use of a specific item — the Linking Cord. Unlike traditional games where Slowpoke could evolve through trading, the Linking Cord makes it possible to evolve it solo, fitting perfectly with Z-A’s open-world style.
To summarize:
Base Pokémon: Slowpoke
Evolution: Slowbro
Item Needed: Linking Cord
Alternative Evolution: Slowking (requires King’s Rock instead)
If you’ve played Pokémon Legends: Arceus, you’ll notice this system feels familiar. The evolution method continues the trend of letting you manage evolutions independently, without depending on trades.
Where to Find Slowpoke in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Slowpoke tends to hang around coastal or lake areas, usually near calm waters. In the early parts of the game, you might find it resting lazily near the shores of Lumiose Outskirts or Azure Bay. It’s not aggressive, so it’s an easy catch even for beginners — just approach quietly, toss a Poké Ball, and you’re good to go.
If you’re having trouble locating one, try checking during the day. Slowpoke often appears more frequently in daylight, possibly due to its relaxed nature and slower reaction time compared to night Pokémon.
Getting the Linking Cord
The Linking Cord is the key to evolving Slowpoke into Slowbro. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, there are a few reliable ways to obtain one:
Purchase it from a trader in Lumiose City after you progress through the mid-story missions.
Complete side quests related to trade-based evolutions. Some NPCs reward a Linking Cord as thanks for your help.
Explore space-time distortions or special treasure areas — the Linking Cord can occasionally spawn as rare loot.
If you prefer not to grind for hours, you can also check out community-driven trading platforms where players exchange items for rare Pokémon. Some players even use trusted marketplaces like U4GM to simplify their progress. It’s not necessary, but it can be helpful if you’re short on time and just want to evolve your Slowpoke quickly before tackling tougher missions.
Evolving Slowpoke Step by Step
Once you have both Slowpoke and a Linking Cord, the process is straightforward:
Open your satchel and select the Linking Cord.
Choose Slowpoke from your Pokémon list.
Confirm the evolution.
After a short animation, Slowpoke transforms into Slowbro, gaining improved stats in Defense and Special Attack. You’ll immediately notice its battle performance improving — it can tank hits better and dish out solid damage with moves like Psychic, Surf, or Flamethrower.
Slowbro also gets access to powerful support moves like Amnesia and Calm Mind, which make it extremely flexible in both solo exploration and competitive battles.
Tips for Training and Using Slowbro
Slowbro is all about durability. It can take hits that would easily knock out other Pokémon, and with the right nature — like Bold or Modest — it becomes even more effective. If you’re planning to use it as a core part of your team, focus on:
HP and Defense EVs to make it an unbreakable wall.
Special Attack EVs for more offensive flexibility.
Moves like Slack Off for self-healing and Ice Beam for wider type coverage.
Because Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduces more dynamic combat situations, Slowbro’s defensive strength really shines when dealing with ambushes or Alpha Pokémon. I found it especially reliable during large multi-Pokémon encounters — it can absorb attacks while giving you time to reposition or heal other team members.
Getting Shiny Slowpoke and Slowbro
If you’re hunting for that perfect pink-golden Shiny Slowpoke, patience will be your best friend. The shiny rate in Pokémon Legends: Z-A is similar to Legends: Arceus, so your odds can be boosted with Mass Outbreaks, Shiny Charm, and frequent resets in the right area.
Some players prefer to buy shiny Pokémon from reputable in-game traders when the grind gets too long. While hunting them naturally is rewarding, it’s understandable if you just want that Shiny Slowbro for your collection without spending hours soft resetting. Just make sure you’re trading with trusted players or verified marketplaces to avoid scams.
Alternative Evolution: Slowking
It’s also worth mentioning that Slowpoke can evolve into Slowking instead of Slowbro. The process is similar, but you’ll need a King’s Rock instead of a Linking Cord. The choice between Slowbro and Slowking depends on your battle strategy:
Slowbro is tankier and better for physical defense.
Slowking is more balanced and has stronger special defense.
I personally prefer Slowbro for its dependable bulk in the earlier stages, but once you unlock stronger Psychic-type move tutors later in the game, Slowking becomes a fun alternative.
Evolving Slowpoke into Slowbro in Pokémon Legends: Z-A isn’t complicated, but it’s one of those satisfying evolutions that rewards preparation. Once evolved, Slowbro becomes a reliable ally capable of holding its ground against some of the toughest opponents in the game.
If you ever feel stuck collecting evolution items or team members, platforms where players pokemon za buy pokemon can also help you fill out your roster faster — especially when looking for rare or exclusive forms. Still, there’s something special about catching and evolving your own Slowpoke from the wild, watching it grow into a calm yet powerful companion.
