How to Evolve Greavard

To evolve Greavard into Houndstone, you must level it up to level 30 or higher exclusively during the in-game nighttime. Using a Rare Candy or EXP Candy at night works instantly. Daytime level-ups will not trigger the evolution, regardless of its current level.

Evolving Greavard requires combining a level threshold with a specific environmental condition. Missing either will leave you with an unevolved Pokémon.

• Target Evolution: Houndstone
• Level Requirement: 30+
• Time Requirement: In-game Night
• Item Requirement: None (though Rare Candy speeds up the process)

In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the time-of-day mechanics dictate Greavard's evolution cycle within the Lumiose City environment. You must wait for the sun to fully set before initiating the level-up.

1. Rest at a base camp or your designated quarters to advance the time to Nightfall.
2. Ensure Greavard is at least level 29.
3. Engage in a wild battle, capture a Pokémon, or feed Greavard an EXP Candy to push it to level 30.
4. Trigger the evolution directly from your party menu.

Unlike older titles, resting immediately forces the correct time state, making this the fastest version to evolve Greavard.

Scarlet and Violet operate on a fixed 72-minute real-world day/night cycle. You cannot manipulate this clock by resting at a Pokémon Center or changing your Switch system settings.

Nighttime lasts for approximately 33 minutes of this cycle. Check the icon at the top of your map screen; it must display a moon and stars. Dusk (orange sky) will not work.

1. Open your map and verify the Moon icon is active.
2. Place Greavard in your active party.
3. Use a Rare Candy or participate in a standard trainer/wild battle to reach level 30 or higher.
4. Watch the evolution screen trigger automatically after the battle ends.

The mobile mechanics strip away the level requirement but rely heavily on your real-world timezone. The game reads your phone's local clock to determine the evolution window.

You need exactly 50 Greavard Candy. Open the Pokémon's summary screen after local sunset. The evolution button, usually locked behind a daytime restriction, will become active.

Players frequently hit roadblocks when trying to evolve Greavard, usually due to specific Scarlet and Violet mechanics overriding standard level-ups.

• Using the Let's Go Feature: Pokémon do not evolve from experience gained via auto-battles. If Greavard hits level 30 while running alongside you, nothing happens. You must level it up once more in a traditional battle or via items.
• Twilight vs. Night: Evolving at dusk fails. The sky might look dark, but the game engine only recognizes night when the map icon fully switches to a moon.
• Holding an Everstone: Ensure Greavard isn't holding an Everstone, which hard-locks any evolution attempt regardless of time or level.

In the LC tier (3.2% usage), Greavard carves out a specific niche as a bulky physical pivot rather than a fast sweeper. Its viability hinges entirely on its Fluffy ability, which halves damage taken from contact moves.

To maximize this trait, equip an Eviolite. Its optimal moveset relies on Poltergeist and Shadow Sneak for STAB pressure and priority, backed by Play Rough or Stomping Tantrum to punish switch-ins. Utility options like Memento, Rain Dance, or Sunny Day offer weather control support.

Greavard pairs exceptionally well with Stunky, Impidimp, Chinchou, Mudbray, and Minccino to cover its weaknesses. However, it is fundamentally walled and countered by Vullaby, which ignores its Ghost-type offenses and threatens it heavily.