Rockruff can evolve into three different forms of Lycanroc in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, with each one requiring a different set of circumstances. Fortunately, we’re here to help.

If you’ve caught a Rockruff and are wondering how to make it evolve into Lycanroc, you’re not alone. It can seem not very easy, and you may end up with a form you don’t want.

Fortunately, making Rockruff evolve into the form you want isn’t as hard as it may seem. So long as you know which form you want, you’ll be evolving Rockruff in no time.

But before you jump in, you might want to check out how to rest wild Pokemon spawns in Scarlet and Violet to make catching a Rockruff that much easier.

How to Evolve Rockruff into Lycanroc in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

To evolve Rockruff into any of the three Lycanroc forms, you need to get Rockruff to level 25 at a different time of day, depending on which form you prefer.

For Lycanroc Midday Form, it’s daytime in-game; for Lycanroc Midnight Form, it’s nighttime in-game; and for Lycanroc Dusk Form, it’s 7 PM in real-time.

If your Rockruff evolves prematurely, you can press B to cancel the evolution. It will attempt to evolve at every level after that, so keep that in mind when attempting to achieve a certain form.

Here are the three different forms and what times of day they need to be leveled up at:

Lycanroc Midday Form

the Lycanroc Midday Form in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
  • To evolve Rockruff into Lycanroc Midday Form, it needs to reach level 25 during the day.
  • If you want to check what time of day it is, follow these steps:
    • Press Y to open up your map.
    • Look at the top of the map screen to see a symbol for day/night.

Lycanroc Midnight Form

the Lycanroc Midnight Form in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
  • To evolve Rockruff into Lycanroc Midnight Form, it needs to reach level 25 during the night.
  • If you want to check what time of day it is, follow these steps:
    • Press Y to open up your map.
    • Look at the top of the map screen to see a symbol for day/night.

How to Evolve Rockruff into Lycanroc Dusk Form

the Lycanroc Dusk Form from Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
  • To evolve Rockruff into Lycanroc Dusk Form, it must reach level 25 between 7 PM and 7:59 PM in real-time.
  • It must also have the ability Own Tempo.
    • To check your Rockruff’s ability, follow these steps:
      • Press X to open the menu.
      • Move the left joystick to the left and select your Rockruff with A.
      • Press right on the D-Pad to go to the Moves and Stats screen.
      • Check on the bottom right for their Ability.
the Moves and Stats screen in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
  • If you can’t wait until 7 PM to evolve your Rockruff, you can alter your Nintendo Switch’s internal clock to make Pokemon Scarlet and Violet believe it is 7 PM.
    • To change your Switch’s internal clock, follow these steps:
      • Go to the Settings menu from your Home Screen (the cogwheel icon on the bottom).
      • Scroll down until you find System.
      • Move the left joystick to the right and then go down until you find Date and Time.
      • Press A to select it.
      • Turn Synchronize Clock via Internet off (press A).
      • Finally, select Date and Time and change it to 7 PM.
the Date and Time settings menu on the Nintendo Switch

If you find a Rockruff above level 25 with Own Tempo, don’t worry. Rockruff can evolve beyond level 25, so long as it meets the correct conditions.

Of course, Rockruff isn’t the only Pokemon to have a unique method to evolve it. You should also know how to evolve Pawmo into Pawmot in Scarlet & Violet if you’re interested in that Pokemon.

Where to Find Rockruff in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

Rockruff can be found north of Cortondo in the West Province (Area One). However, you may also locate it South West above Alfornada and South of Mesagoza.

If you’re struggling to find one, you should try locating it in Rock Tera Raids or through Surprise Trades. Just make sure to check out how to trade in Scarlet and Violet first.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet map showing locations where Rockruff can be caught

Where to Find Lycanroc in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet

You can find Lycanroc Midday and Midnight Forms in the South Province (Area Six) around Alfornado, in Dalizapa Passage North of the Great Crater, and East of Glaseado Mountain in North Province (Area One).

Unfortunately, Lycanroc Dusk Form cannot be caught and can only be obtained through evolving Rockruff from 7 PM to 7:59 PM in real-time.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet map showing locations where Lycanroc can be caught