How to Evolve Tinkatink

Tinkatink follows a straightforward, two-stage evolution line based entirely on leveling up. It evolves into Tinkatuff at level 24. Tinkatuff then evolves into the final stage, Tinkaton, at level 38.

You do not need any evolutionary stones, specific times of day, or friendship thresholds. Players looking to accelerate this process in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet should farm 4-star and 5-star Tera Raids.

Completing these raids yields EXP Candies M and L, which can push a freshly caught level 15 Tinkatink to level 38 in seconds. Alternatively, utilizing the Let's Go auto-battle feature against Chansey in North Province (Area Three) provides massive passive experience.

Tinkaton operates primarily as a Utility Pivot and Hazard Setter in singles formats. We rate it a solid 7.5/10 for competitive play.

Its greatest asset is the Fairy/Steel typing. This combination grants nine resistances and two immunities (Dragon and Poison), leaving it vulnerable only to Ground and Fire-type attacks. This defensive profile allows Tinkaton to switch into prominent threats like Gholdengo locked into Make It Rain or Choice Specs Dragapult.

However, Tinkaton is not a traditional physical sweeper. With a base Attack stat of 75, its damage output relies entirely on its signature move. Players attempting to use it as a primary win condition will find its coverage moves, like Play Rough, severely lacking in power.

Gigaton Hammer is a 160 Base Power physical Steel-type attack with 100% accuracy. The balancing mechanic prevents the user from selecting it twice in a row.

Because of the base 75 Attack stat, Tinkaton functions as a hit-and-run Wallbreaker. The optimal sequence involves using Gigaton Hammer, following up with a utility move like Knock Off or Thunder Wave, and then using Gigaton Hammer again.

Equipping Tinkaton with a Choice Band or Leftovers dictates its playstyle. A Choice Band turns Gigaton Hammer into a guaranteed OHKO on frail targets, but forces you to switch out immediately after use. Leftovers synergizes better with a utility moveset, allowing Tinkaton to stay on the field and set Stealth Rock.

Among its three abilities—Mold Breaker, Own Tempo, and Pickpocket—Mold Breaker is the strictly superior choice for competitive battling. Mold Breaker allows Tinkaton to ignore defensive abilities.

This means Gigaton Hammer will OHKO a Mimikyu through its Disguise and bypass Unaware users like Dondozo and Skeledirge. It also guarantees Stealth Rock can be set against Magic Bounce users like Hatterene.

• Who it is for: Balance and bulky offense teams needing a reliable Stealth Rock setter that provides speed control via Thunder Wave and item removal via Knock Off.
• Who it is not for: Hyper-offense players looking for a Swords Dance sweeper. Tinkaton's base 94 Speed falls short of the crucial 100 benchmark, and a +2 Play Rough fails to KO standard physical walls.

To maximize Tinkaton's utility role, a Jolly nature is mandatory. A Jolly nature with 252 Speed EVs allows Tinkaton to outspeed base 90 Pokémon, notably Lucario and Great Tusk, ensuring it can land a crucial Knock Off or Thunder Wave before taking a hit.

For the remaining EVs, investing 252 points into Attack is standard to ensure Gigaton Hammer secures necessary KOs against frail sweepers like Iron Valiant. Alternatively, a bulky spread of 252 HP / 240 Sp. Def / 16 Speed with a Careful nature transforms Tinkaton into a dedicated special sponge.

The bulky variant sacrifices immediate damage to reliably check special attackers like Flutter Mane and Glimmora, utilizing Encore to lock them into unfavorable moves.