If you’ve been scratching your head wondering how to evolve Galarian Yamask in Pokémon GO, you’re definitely not alone. Unlike most Pokémon evolutions that simply require candy, this one comes with a twist. To evolve Galarian Yamask into Runerigus, you’ll need to complete specific in-game tasks that involve both candy collection and winning raids.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step — from understanding Galarian Yamask’s origin to completing the raid challenges efficiently. Whether you’re a new trainer or a returning player preparing for the next event, this article will make the evolution process simple, quick, and rewarding.
1. What Is Galarian Yamask?
Before we dive into the evolution method, let’s first understand what makes Galarian Yamask unique.
In the Pokémon universe, Yamask has two forms — the Unovan Yamask and the Galarian Yamask. While the standard Unovan Yamask evolves into Cofagrigus using candy alone, the Galarian version follows a completely different evolution line, transforming into Runerigus instead.
Originating from the Galar region, this Ghost-type Pokémon carries a piece of an ancient clay tablet that’s said to contain a mysterious spirit. In the mainline Pokémon games, Galarian Yamask evolves into Runerigus after it takes 49 or more damage in battle and walks under a special rock formation. In Pokémon GO, however, Niantic has redesigned this mechanic into a raid-based challenge.
2. Requirements to Evolve Galarian Yamask
To evolve your Galarian Yamask in Pokémon GO, you must complete two essential conditions:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| 50 Yamask Candy | Required for evolution. |
| Win 10 Raids with Galarian Yamask as Your Buddy | Must be active as your Buddy Pokémon during each raid victory. |
Let’s break down these requirements one by one.
A. Collect 50 Yamask Candy
The first step is straightforward: gather 50 Yamask Candy. You can earn these in multiple ways:
- Catch Yamask or Galarian Yamask in the wild or during events.
- Transfer duplicates to Professor Willow to earn extra candy.
- Use Pinap Berries while catching to double your candy yield.
- Walk with Yamask as your Buddy — you’ll receive candy every few kilometers.
- Complete research tasks or event missions that offer Yamask Candy rewards.
If you’re short on candy, consider using Rare Candy, which can be converted into Yamask Candy directly.
B. Win 10 Raids with Yamask as Your Buddy
This is the more challenging part of the evolution process. You’ll need to win 10 raids while your Galarian Yamask is set as your Buddy Pokémon.
Here’s what you should know:
- Yamask must be actively set as your Buddy before you begin a raid.
- It does not need to battle during the raid — simply being your Buddy is enough.
- You must win the raids for them to count. Losing doesn’t progress the requirement.
- Raid level doesn’t matter — 1-star, 3-star, 5-star, or Mega raids all count equally.
- You must complete 10 separate raids; repeating one raid doesn’t count multiple times.
Once you’ve completed all 10 raids and have your 50 candies, the “Evolve” button will appear in your Yamask’s detail screen, allowing you to evolve it into Runerigus.
3. Step-by-Step Evolution Process
Here’s a simplified walkthrough to evolve your Galarian Yamask without missing any steps:
- Catch or obtain a Galarian Yamask during events or trades.
- Set it as your Buddy Pokémon in your Pokémon GO profile.
- Farm Yamask Candy until you have at least 50.
- Participate in 10 raids while Yamask is your Buddy.
- After completing all raids successfully, open Yamask’s detail page.
- If both conditions are met, the Evolve button will become active.
- Tap Evolve and enjoy your new Runerigus!
If the evolution button doesn’t appear, double-check your raid count. Some trainers have reported that missing even one raid while Yamask wasn’t their active Buddy caused the evolution to remain locked.
4. Tips to Speed Up the Process
Evolving Galarian Yamask can be a bit of a grind, but with these tips, you can make it faster and more efficient:
1. Use Remote Raid Passes
You don’t need to physically visit gyms for all 10 raids. Remote Raid Passes let you join from anywhere, saving time and effort.
2. Target Easy Raids
Focus on 1-star or 3-star raids that you can solo. You don’t need to win Legendary or Mega raids for this evolution to count.
3. Coordinate with Friends
Join raid groups on social media or Pokémon GO Discord servers. Teaming up increases your win rate and reduces time between raids.
4. Participate During Events
Watch for Halloween or Ghost-type events — Yamask spawns often increase, and Niantic sometimes reduces raid difficulty or increases rewards.
5. Use Candy Boosters
Activate Pinap Berries, Silver Pinaps, or take advantage of double candy events to farm faster.
6. Keep Yamask as Your Buddy
Avoid switching buddies during the process. Even if you want to earn hearts with other Pokémon, keep Yamask as your Buddy until all 10 raids are complete.
7. Track Your Progress
Use the Buddy Interaction Tracker or the “Adventure with Buddy” progress bar in your profile to confirm that your raid wins are counting correctly.
5. Common Mistakes Trainers Make
Many players fail to evolve their Galarian Yamask simply because they miss one small detail. Here are some common errors to avoid:
- Switching Buddies between raids: Doing this can reset progress or prevent raids from counting.
- Not setting Yamask before entering the raid: It must be your Buddy before the battle starts.
- Losing raids: Only victories count toward the 10-raid goal.
- Using the wrong Yamask: Ensure you’re using Galarian Yamask, not the Unovan version.
- Forgetting to collect enough candy: Without the 50 candies, the evolve button won’t appear even after 10 raids.
Double-check these before assuming your game has a glitch.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Does Galarian Yamask need to battle in raids?
No. It just needs to be set as your Buddy Pokémon when the raid ends successfully.
Q2. Do the raids need to be consecutive?
No. You can complete them at your own pace — just make sure Yamask remains your Buddy each time.
Q3. Can I heal or switch Pokémon during the raids?
Yes, healing or switching in battle doesn’t affect the evolution condition.
Q4. Can I use Mega Raids or 5-Star Raids?
Absolutely. Any type of raid counts, whether it’s a simple Tier 1 or a high-level raid boss.
Q5. What if the evolve button doesn’t appear?
This usually means one of the conditions is incomplete. Recheck your raid count or candy total, then restart your app to refresh the status.
7. Why This Evolution Is Unique
Niantic designed the Galarian Yamask evolution to be more interactive and rewarding. Unlike regular evolutions that depend only on candy or items, this method encourages trainers to engage in raids and explore the Buddy system more deeply.
By tying the evolution to raid victories, players are motivated to participate in the social aspect of Pokémon GO — teaming up with friends, using passes, and joining community events.
It also adds a layer of satisfaction; evolving Runerigus feels like an achievement rather than a routine upgrade.
8. About Runerigus – The Final Form
After evolving, your Galarian Yamask becomes Runerigus, a powerful Ghost/Ground-type Pokémon with a distinct design and lore.
Key details:
- Type: Ghost / Ground
- Max CP: Around 2,300 (depending on IVs and level)
- Best Moveset: Shadow Claw (Fast) + Shadow Ball (Charge)
- Best Use: Great League PvP battles and Ghost-type raid counters
While not the strongest Ghost-type Pokémon overall, Runerigus stands out for its defensive strength and its unique evolution path. Many trainers collect it simply because it’s one of the most distinctive regional evolutions in the game.
9. Event Opportunities for Faster Evolution
Galarian Yamask often appears during Halloween events, Raid Days, or special research tasks. During these events, Niantic typically boosts Yamask spawn rates, includes it in Field Research, or provides evolution-based bonuses.
Keep an eye on:
- October–November events (for Ghost-type themes).
- Special Raid Weekends that might feature Yamask or related Pokémon.
- Spotlight Hours with double candy or buddy bonuses.
Timing your evolution efforts during these events can make the grind much smoother.
10. Summary: The Fastest Way to Evolve Galarian Yamask
Here’s a quick recap of the fastest evolution method:
- Catch a Galarian Yamask (from events, research, or trades).
- Set it as your Buddy Pokémon.
- Collect 50 Yamask Candy through catching or transferring.
- Complete 10 successful raids while Yamask is your Buddy.
- Check its detail screen — the Evolve button should appear.
- Tap Evolve and get your Runerigus!
By planning your raids smartly and staying consistent, you can complete the entire evolution in just a couple of days.
Final Thoughts
Evolving Galarian Yamask into Runerigus in Pokémon GO may take more effort than a standard evolution, but that’s what makes it exciting. It combines exploration, teamwork, and strategy — the three pillars that make Pokémon GO unique.
So, set your Yamask as your Buddy, stock up on candies, and start those raids. With a little patience and planning, you’ll soon have a powerful and rare Runerigus in your Pokédex — a badge of your dedication as a true Pokémon Trainer.