Unlocking Onix’s True Potential in Pokémon Sword: How to Evolve without Trading

In the vast world of Pokémon Sword, the quest to become the ultimate Pokémon trainer never ceases. As trainers embark on their journey, one particular Pokémon often proves to be a formidable contender: OnKnown for its impressive size and rock-hard defense, Onix is a fan-favorite and a staple in many trainers’ teams. However, evolving this formidable creature can be a challenge, particularly for those who wish to do so without the need for trading. In this article, we will delve into the secrets of unlocking Onix’s true potential and discovering the path to its evolution, all within the world of Pokémon Sword.

Onix’s evolution is a topic of intrigue and speculation among trainers across various Pokémon versions, and Sword is no exception. Traditionally, Onix evolves into Steelix when traded while holding a Metal Coat. Unfortunately, for those who lack the opportunity to trade with others, unlocking this evolution may seem impossible. Nevertheless, with a few cunning strategies and an understanding of the game’s mechanics, trainers can unearth Onix’s hidden path to evolution within the confines of Pokémon Sword alone. So, let us dive into the methods and steps necessary to experience the awe-inspiring transformation of Onix into its more imposing and powerful form: Steelix.

Understanding Onix’s Potential

Onix’s Stats and Abilities

Onix is a rock and ground type Pokémon with impressive defensive capabilities. It boasts a high base Defense stat of 160, making it one of the sturdiest Pokémon in the game. Additionally, Onix has a solid base HP stat of 35 and a respectable base Attack of 45.

Its abilities further enhance its defensive prowess. Onix has two potential abilities: Rock Head and Sturdy. Rock Head prevents Onix from taking recoil damage from moves like Double-Edge, allowing it to dish out damage without suffering in return. Sturdy, on the other hand, ensures that Onix will never be knocked out in one hit when at full health, offering an extra layer of protection.

Evolving into Steelix

To fully unlock Onix’s true potential, trainers aim to evolve it into its steel and ground type evolution, SteelEvolution normally happens when Onix is traded while holding a Metal Coat item. However, for trainers who don’t have access to trading, evolving Onix can be a bit more challenging.

Alternative Evolution Method

Fortunately, there is a way to evolve Onix without trading. In the Galar region, trainers can encounter wild Steelix in Max Raid Battles. By capturing a wild Steelix, you can add it to your party and unlock its entry in the Pokédex. This alternative evolution method is a great option for trainers who want to evolve Onix on their own without relying on trades.

Benefits of Evolving into Steelix

Evolving Onix into Steelix significantly boosts its overall stats, making it an even more formidable Pokémon. Steelix gains a significant increase in Defense, with its base stat soaring to 200. Its Attack stat also improves, taking it to a base of 85. This evolution provides trainers with a powerful Pokémon capable of both soaking up damage and dealing significant blows to opponents.

Overall, understanding the potential of Onix is crucial for trainers who want to maximize its capabilities. Whether opting for the traditional trade method or resorting to the alternative evolution method, evolving Onix into Steelix grants access to a strong defensive Pokémon with the added advantage of a steel typing.

IChallenges of Evolving Onix without Trading

3.1 Lack of Available Trade Partners

One of the major challenges in evolving Onix without trading is the lack of available trade partners. Onix evolves into Steelix when traded while holding a Metal Coat item. However, finding someone to trade with can be difficult, especially for players who don’t have friends or access to online trading services. This can make evolving Onix seem almost impossible.

3.2 Limited Time and Effort

Another challenge is the time and effort required to evolve Onix without trading. In the traditional method, trading and receiving the traded Pokémon back is a quick process. However, without trading, players must find alternative methods to level up Onix and meet the evolution requirements. This can be time-consuming and require significant effort, especially for players with limited playtime.

3.3 Special Evolution Requirements

Evolving Onix into Steelix also requires a specific evolution item, the Metal Coat. Acquiring this item can be a challenge as it is not readily available in the game. Players need to search for it in specific locations or rely on luck, adding an additional layer of difficulty to the evolution process.

3.4 Battling Strong Opponents

To evolve Onix, players need to level it up to a specific level or increase its friendship level. This often requires battling strong opponents, such as Gym Leaders or other trainers. Without the advantage of trading for higher-leveled Pokémon or receiving experience boosts from traded battles, players may face an uphill battle in training Onix to the necessary level.

3.5 Balancing Resources and Priorities

In addition to the specific challenges mentioned, evolving Onix without trading requires players to balance their resources and prioritize their Pokémon lineup. Investing rare candies or exp. candies into Onix means sacrificing those resources that could have been used to level up other Pokémon on the team. Players must carefully consider the worth of evolving Onix compared to other Pokémon in their party.

Overall, evolving Onix without trading poses several challenges for players in Pokémon Sword. From the lack of available trade partners to the time and effort required, it requires a dedicated and strategic approach. In the following sections, we will explore various strategies and tips that can help trainers overcome these challenges and unlock Onix’s true potential without the need for trading.

IStrategy 1: Utilizing Rare Candy

Overview

One of the most straightforward ways to evolve Onix without trading is by using Rare Candy. Rare Candy is an item that allows Pokemon to instantly level up. By acquiring and using Rare Candy, trainers can bypass the usual leveling requirements for evolution.

Implementation

To utilize Rare Candy for Onix’s evolution, trainers must first obtain the item. Rare Candy can be found in various locations throughout the Galar region, such as hidden items on the ground or rewards for completing certain tasks. Additionally, trainers can purchase Rare Candy from the Battle Tower using BP (Battle Points) earned by participating in battles.

Once the trainer has obtained Rare Candy, they can navigate to their bag and use the item on their OnUpon using the Rare Candy, Onix will instantly level up, triggering its evolution into SteelIt is important to note that trainers should use Rare Candy strategically, saving them for Onix’s evolution rather than wasting them on lower-level Pokemon.

Benefits and Considerations

Using Rare Candy to evolve Onix offers several benefits. Firstly, it eliminates the need for trading, allowing trainers to evolve and strengthen their Onix independently. Additionally, using Rare Candy is a quick and convenient method, saving trainers the time and effort required to level up Onix through traditional battles and experience gaining.

However, trainers should also consider the potential drawbacks of solely relying on Rare Candy for evolution. By skipping the traditional leveling process, trainers might miss out on valuable battling experiences and the opportunity to learn new moves. It is important to balance the use of Rare Candy with traditional leveling methods to ensure well-rounded growth for Onix.

In conclusion, utilizing Rare Candy is a reliable way to evolve Onix without trading in Pokemon Sword. Trainers can obtain this item through various means and use it to instantly level up Onix, triggering its evolution into SteelHowever, trainers should also be cautious of the potential drawbacks and should strive for a balanced approach between using Rare Candy and traditional leveling methods.

Tackling Specific Challenges in Evolution

1. Trade Evolution Items

One of the main challenges of evolving Onix without trading is the requirement of trade evolution items. Some Pokémon, including Onix, require these special items to evolve. In the case of Onix, it needs to hold a Metal Coat during a trade to evolve into SteelHowever, there are alternative ways to obtain trade evolution items without trading with other players.

One method is to participate in Max Raid Battles. These battles, found in the Wild Area, have a chance of rewarding players with rare items, including trade evolution items. By defeating the Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon in the Max Raid Battle, there is a possibility of obtaining a Metal Coat, which can be used to evolve Onix.

Another option is to visit the Digging Duo in the Wild Area. The Digging Duo, located in the Bridge Field area, has a chance of finding rare items when players pay them Watts. By paying 500 Watts, players can have a chance to uncover a trade evolution item such as a Metal Coat.

2. Alolan Forms

Another challenge in evolving Onix without trading is the availability of Alolan forms. In Pokémon Sword, some Pokémon have Alolan forms, which are variations of the original species. These Alolan forms have different evolution methods compared to their regular forms.

To evolve an Alolan Pokémon, such as Alolan Meowth or Alolan Vulpix, into their respective Alolan forms of Persian and Ninetales, players need to trade them while they are holding a specific item. However, since trading is not an option in this case, evolving Onix into its Alolan form, Steelix, might seem impossible.

Fortunately, there is a workaround. In Pokémon Sword, players can encounter Max Raid Battles that feature Alolan forms of certain Pokémon. By clearing these Max Raid Battles, players have a chance of capturing an Alolan Pokémon, such as Alolan Graveler, which can then be evolved into Alolan Golem without trading.

With these strategies, trainers can overcome the challenges of evolving Onix without trading. By obtaining trade evolution items through Max Raid Battles or the Digging Duo, and finding Alolan forms in Max Raid Battles, trainers can unlock Onix’s true potential and evolve it into the powerful SteelRemember to experiment with different approaches and find the one that suits your playstyle and available resources the best. Good luck on your journey to evolve Onix!

Strategy 3: Training Onix to Level 40

Unlocking Onix’s Potential through Leveling Up

Evolving Onix in Pokémon Sword can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to finding a trade partner. However, there are alternative methods that trainers can employ to help their Onix reach its full potential. One of these methods is training Onix to level 40, which triggers its evolution into Steelix.

Why Level 40 is the Key

At level 40, Onix gains the necessary experience and strength to undergo a stunning transformation into SteelThis evolution not only enhances Onix’s physical appearance but also boosts its stats significantly, making it a formidable force in battle. With its Steel typing, Steelix gains resistances to a variety of types, including Normal, Flying, Rock, Dragon, Fairy, Psychic, Bug, Grass, Ice, and Steel itself, making it a versatile and durable addition to any team.

Training Strategies to Expedite Evolution

To expedite the evolution process, trainers should focus on leveling up Onix efficiently. Here are a few strategies to consider:

1. Take Advantage of Pokémon Nests: Onix is more likely to spawn in specific locations, such as Route 6 and Hammerlocke Hills. Spend time in areas known for spawning Onix to encounter and battle them, gaining valuable experience points.

2. Equip Experience-Boosting Items: Items like the Exp. Share or Lucky Egg can significantly boost the experience gained in battle. By equipping these items to Onix or the lead Pokémon in the party, trainers can accelerate its leveling up process.

3. Engage in Battles Strategically: Seek out Pokémon with higher levels or greater experience yields to maximize the experience gained from each battle. Additionally, utilizing Onix’s advantages against certain types of Pokémon can lead to quicker victories and increased experience points.

The Benefits of Training Onix to Level 40

By training Onix to level 40, trainers not only overcome the challenge of evolving it without trading but also unlock its full potential as SteelThe evolution grants Steelix enhanced stats, a new typing, and broader resistances. With its improved abilities, Steelix becomes a formidable Pokémon capable of withstanding a wide range of attacks while delivering powerful blows.

In conclusion, training Onix to level 40 is a reliable and rewarding strategy to evolve it into Steelix in Pokémon Sword. By utilizing the right training methods and focusing on efficiency, trainers can unleash the true potential of Onix and add a powerful Steel-type Pokémon to their team without the need for trading.

Strategy 4: Using an Everstone

What is an Everstone?

An Everstone is a valuable item in the Pokémon Sword game that can be used to prevent a Pokémon from evolving. It is a small, gray, and smooth stone that can be held by a Pokémon.

How can an Everstone help with Onix’s evolution?

Onix evolves into Steelix when traded while holding a Metal Coat, but sometimes players may not have access to another player for trading or may simply prefer to evolve Onix without the help of others. In such cases, using an Everstone can be a viable alternative.

Steps to evolve Onix using an Everstone

1. Obtain an Everstone: Everstones can be found in various locations within the game, such as hidden on the ground, gifted by NPCs, or obtained as a reward for completing certain tasks or challenges.

2. Give the Everstone to Onix: From your inventory, select the Everstone and choose the option to give it to OnOnce Onix is holding the Everstone, it will prevent its evolution when it levels up through experience or through other means.

3. Train Onix to the desired level: Since Onix evolves into Steelix at level 40, you can train your Onix to level 40 while it is holding the Everstone. Despite gaining the required experience, Onix will remain an Onix due to the Everstone’s influence.

4. Removing the Everstone: If you decide to evolve Onix into Steelix after all, simply take the Everstone away from it before leveling up. As soon as Onix reaches level 40 without the Everstone, it will evolve into Steelix.

Tips and considerations

– It is important to remember that once Onix evolves into Steelix, it cannot be reverted back to Onix without the use of another item or trading.
– Be patient and diligent while training Onix with the Everstone. Leveling up may take longer compared to trading, but it allows you to evolve Onix on your terms.
– Keep an eye out for additional Everstones in your Pokémon Sword journey. Having multiple Everstones can be useful for preventing the evolution of other Pokémon in your team, if desired.
– Remember to save your progress occasionally to avoid losing any hard-earned progress with your Onix.

Strategy 5: Utilizing Exp. Candies

Introduction

In Pokémon Sword, evolving certain Pokémon can be a challenge, especially when it involves trading. One such Pokémon is Onix, a Rock and Ground type Pokémon that requires trading with a Metal Coat to evolve into SteelHowever, there are alternative methods to evolve Onix without relying on trading. This article explores the fifth strategy to unlock Onix’s true potential: utilizing Exp. Candies.

Understanding Exp. Candies

Exp. Candies are items obtained throughout the game that can be used to give experience points (EXP) to Pokémon. These items come in various sizes, from XS Exp. Candies to XL Exp. Candies, each providing different amounts of experience. Exp. Candies are a useful resource for quickly leveling up Pokémon, allowing trainers to bypass the traditional method of battling and gaining experience through battles.

Using Exp. Candies to Evolve Onix

To evolve Onix without trading, trainers can utilize Exp. Candies to level up their Onix and reach the required level for evolution. Onix evolves into Steelix when it reaches level 40. By using Exp. Candies, trainers can accelerate Onix’s leveling process, avoiding the need for trading with a Metal Coat altogether.

To employ this strategy, trainers should gather a substantial amount of Exp. Candies in their journey. These candies can be found in various locations, such as Max Raid Battles, Pokémon Dens, or through rewards for completing specific quests or tasks. By accumulating a significant number of Exp. Candies, trainers can then allocate them to Onix to expedite its leveling process.

It is essential to distribute Exp. Candies wisely to optimize effectiveness. Pay attention to the amount of experience each candy provides and use them strategically to efficiently level up OnBy focusing on using larger-sized candies or combining multiple smaller ones, trainers can ensure the fastest growth for their Onix.

Conclusion

While evolving Pokémon without trading may present challenges, utilizing Exp. Candies provides trainers with an alternative method to unlock Onix’s true potential in Pokémon Sword. By taking advantage of the various sizes of Exp. Candies and efficiently allocating them to Onix, trainers can bypass the need for trading and evolve Onix into the powerful SteelRemember to gather Exp. Candies throughout your journey, and strategize their usage to achieve the desired outcome quickly. With this fifth strategy, trainers can conquer the challenges of evolving Onix and further enhance their Pokémon roster.

Tackling Specific Challenges in Evolution

1. Solving the Metal Coat Dilemma

One of the main challenges in evolving Onix without trading is obtaining a Metal Coat. In previous Pokémon games, Onix would evolve into Steelix when traded while holding this special item. However, in Pokémon Sword, players must find alternative ways to obtain a Metal Coat.

One method is by participating in Max Raid Battles. These battles offer a chance to obtain valuable items, including the elusive Metal Coat. Look out for Max Raid Battles in areas like Stow-on-Side or Circhester, as they have a higher chance of rewarding trainers with this item.

If luck isn’t on your side with Max Raid Battles, another option is to check the inventory of certain NPCs throughout the Galar region. Some in-game characters may have a Metal Coat that they are willing to trade for a specific Pokémon. Keep an eye out for these characters and be ready to trade a compatible Pokémon for the Metal Coat.

2. Overcoming the Trade Evolution Wall

Since Onix evolves into Steelix through trading, finding a solution to this evolution requirement is crucial. Although the aforementioned strategies can help strengthen Onix, trading is necessary for the final evolution.

In the absence of a trading partner, a workaround can be found in online trading communities or forums where players can arrange trades with other trainers looking to evolve their Pokémon as well. Take advantage of communication platforms such as Pokémon trading subreddits, online forums, or social media groups to connect with like-minded trainers who are also seeking trading evolution partners.

Another option is to use Pokémon Home, a cloud-based system that allows for trading between different generations and games. Pokémon Home enables players to trade with friends or strangers worldwide, giving you the opportunity to find a willing trade partner to help evolve your Onix into Steelix.

3. Where to Find a Compatible Friend Trade Pokémon

For players who are fortunate enough to have found a trading partner, the challenge lies in finding a compatible Pokémon to trade and trigger Onix’s evolution. Steelix evolves from Onix when traded while holding a Metal Coat and accompanied by a compatible Pokémon.

Obtaining a compatible Pokémon for trade can be accomplished in several ways. One option is to catch a Pokémon that is exclusive to Pokémon Shield, which will be compatible for Onix’s evolution while trading in Pokémon Sword. Alternatively, look for other exclusive Pokémon or rare species that are not readily available as wild encounters.

Players can also trade with a friend who owns Pokémon Shield or use trading communities to find someone willing to exchange a compatible trade evolution Pokémon for a temporary trade.

By overcoming these specific challenges and utilizing the strategies outlined in this article, trainers can unlock Onix’s true potential without the need for conventional trading methods. Evolving Onix into its mighty Steelix form will not only strengthen your team but also give you a sense of accomplishment in your Pokémon Sword journey.

Conclusion and Final Tips

Conclusion

In conclusion, evolving Onix in Pokémon Sword without trading can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By exploring different strategies and utilizing various items, trainers can unlock Onix’s true potential and evolve it into its formidable evolved form, SteelWhile it may require patience and dedication, the satisfaction of seeing your Onix transform into a powerful Steelix is well worth the effort.

Final Tips

Here are some final tips to keep in mind as you embark on your journey to evolve Onix without trading:

1. Plan ahead: Take the time to consider which strategy suits your playstyle and resources the best. Whether it’s utilizing Rare Candy, increasing friendship level, training Onix to level 40, using an Everstone, or employing Exp. Candies, knowing your options will help you make informed decisions.

2. Build a strong bond: Increasing your Onix’s friendship level is not only essential for evolution but also enhances its performance in battles. Spend time with your Onix by camping, battling, and using it frequently in your team to build a strong bond.

3. Be patient: Evolving Onix without trading may take longer compared to trading with a friend or through online assistance. Stay patient, maintain your focus, and keep grinding in battles and training to level up your Onix.

4. Take advantage of in-game events: Keep an eye out for in-game events that may provide opportunities to obtain rare items or enhance friendship level faster. These events can greatly assist you in evolving Onix without trading.

5. Use type advantages: While training Onix, make sure to take advantage of its Rock and Ground type moves against Pokémon weak to these types. This will not only help you level up but also make battles more efficient.

Remember, evolving Onix without trading is an accomplishment that demonstrates your perseverance and dedication as a trainer. Embrace the challenge, implement the strategies outlined in this guide, and witness Onix’s transformation into a formidable Steelix that will become a valuable asset in your Pokémon Sword journey. Good luck, trainers!

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