Pokémon trainers worldwide adore Rockruff, the cute yet fierce Puppy Pokémon introduced in Generation VII. But what truly excites fans is its unique evolution — Lycanroc, a powerful Rock-type Pokémon that takes on one of three distinct forms depending on the time of day and certain in-game conditions.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to evolve Rockruff, where to find it, and how to unlock each of its three forms — Midday, Midnight, and the rare Dusk Form. Whether you’re playing Pokémon Sun and Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, or newer titles like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, this article covers all the essential details.
🪨 About Rockruff
Rockruff is a Rock-type Pokémon known for its friendly personality and loyalty. It’s often described as a playful puppy that loves to be around its trainer. While it starts as an adorable companion, Rockruff’s evolution journey is one of the most unique in the Pokémon franchise.
This Pokémon evolves into Lycanroc — a wolf-like creature with different forms influenced by the time of day or Rockruff’s special ability. Its evolution doesn’t just change its appearance; it also alters its abilities, battle style, and personality.
Here’s a quick overview of Rockruff:
- Pokémon Type: Rock
- Category: Puppy Pokémon
- Generation Introduced: VII (Alola Region)
- Base Friendship: 70 (Loyal by nature)
- Evolves into: Lycanroc (Midday, Midnight, or Dusk Form)
- Evolution Level: 25
Rockruff is famous for being an easy-to-train Pokémon, making it ideal for beginners. However, mastering its evolution requires attention to detail — especially the in-game time system and abilities.
🌍 Where to Find Rockruff
Rockruff originally hails from the Alola Region, where it was first discovered in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon. It can commonly be found in rocky terrains and mountain paths, perfectly matching its Rock-type nature.
🎮 In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
- Primary Locations:
- Ten Carat Hill
- Route 1 (Rare encounter)
- Encounter Type: Wild encounter during the day
🎮 In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
- Region: Paldea
- Common Areas: Southern and Western Provinces
- Preferred Habitat: Rocky and mountainous terrains
You might also need additional DLC packs to locate Rockruff in certain titles like Sword and Shield. When found, Rockruff often appears in the wild with a cheerful bark, making it one of the easiest Pokémon to spot.
⚙️ How to Evolve Rockruff
Now, let’s dive into the main question — how do you evolve Rockruff into Lycanroc?
Evolving Rockruff requires reaching Level 25 and triggering the evolution during a specific time of day. But there’s a twist — depending on when and how you evolve it, the result will differ dramatically.
Below are the three evolution paths:
🌞 1. Midday Form Lycanroc
- Evolution Trigger: Level up Rockruff at Level 25 during the daytime
- Time Window: Approximately 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM (in-game time)
- Exclusive To: Pokémon Sun, Ultra Sun, and similar versions
Midday Lycanroc is known for its speed and elegance. It takes on a sleek, fox-like appearance and excels in fast, precise attacks. This form is ideal for trainers who prefer quick offensive strategies in battle.
Abilities:
- Keen Eye (Prevents accuracy loss)
- Sand Rush (Doubles Speed in a sandstorm)
Characteristics:
- High Speed and Attack stats
- Agile and tactical in battle
- Represents loyalty and discipline
🌙 2. Midnight Form Lycanroc
- Evolution Trigger: Level up Rockruff at Level 25 during nighttime
- Time Window: Approximately 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM (in-game time)
- Exclusive To: Pokémon Moon, Ultra Moon, and similar versions
This form embodies the opposite personality — a fierce, rebellious fighter with glowing red eyes and a werewolf-like appearance. Midnight Lycanroc relies on raw power and a relentless fighting style.
Abilities:
- Keen Eye
- Vital Spirit (Prevents sleep)
Characteristics:
- High Attack and Defense
- Unpredictable and aggressive in nature
- Perfect for players who enjoy close combat and risk-taking moves
🌇 3. Dusk Form Lycanroc (Rare Form)
- Evolution Trigger: Rockruff with Own Tempo ability, leveled up between 5:00 PM and 6:59 PM (twilight)
- Special Condition: Only possible with Rockruff having Own Tempo
- Availability: Pokémon Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Sword and Shield (event), Scarlet and Violet (through transfer)
Dusk Form Lycanroc is a hybrid of both Midday and Midnight forms. It possesses the composure of Midday Lycanroc and the aggression of Midnight Lycanroc, making it one of the most balanced and rare evolutions.
Abilities:
- Tough Claws (Boosts power of contact moves)
Characteristics:
- Balanced Attack and Speed stats
- Unique orange-and-cream color scheme
- Calm yet powerful temperament
To obtain this form, make sure your Rockruff has the special Own Tempo ability. This version was originally distributed through special events, so if you missed it, you might need to trade or transfer from another game.
🔍 How to Get a Rockruff with “Own Tempo”
Rockruff with the Own Tempo ability is not found in the wild under normal conditions. It was initially distributed through limited-time event Pokémon gifts.
If you’re playing a newer title, here’s how you can obtain it:
- Check Pokémon HOME Transfers: You might have an event Rockruff stored from previous games.
- Trade with Another Player: Some players may offer Own Tempo Rockruff in online trades.
- Raid Battles or DLC: Occasionally appears in raid events in newer Pokémon titles.
Once you have this Rockruff, level it up during twilight hours to get the Dusk Form Lycanroc.
⚔️ Lycanroc Forms: Stat Comparison
| Form | Attack | Defense | Speed | Special Ability | Best Trait |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midday | 115 | 65 | 112 | Sand Rush | Speed |
| Midnight | 115 | 75 | 82 | Vital Spirit | Strength |
| Dusk | 117 | 65 | 110 | Tough Claws | Balance |
Each form suits different battle strategies. If you prefer speed and agility, go for the Midday Form. If you want raw power and endurance, Midnight Form is the best choice. But if you’re looking for a well-rounded fighter, Dusk Form Lycanroc is your ultimate pick.
🧭 Tips for Evolving Rockruff
- Save your game before Level 25. This allows you to control when to trigger the evolution.
- Track in-game time accurately. Some games sync time with your real-world clock, while others don’t.
- Use EXP Candies or Rare Candies carefully. Make sure you’re in the right time window before leveling up.
- Keep multiple Rockruffs. Train several at once to get all three Lycanroc forms without restarting.
🌟 Why Lycanroc Is a Fan Favorite
Lycanroc stands out as one of the most beloved Pokémon in modern generations. Its design, inspired by wolves and Japanese folklore, symbolizes loyalty, duality, and evolution through experience.
In Pokémon Journeys, Ash Ketchum even trains a Dusk Form Lycanroc, which plays a major role in his battles. This boosted the Pokémon’s popularity and made it a must-have for fans of the series.
🎮 Games Where Rockruff Appears
- Pokémon Sun & Moon
- Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon
- Pokémon Sword & Shield (DLC / Event)
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
- Pokémon GO (Special evolution mechanic)
In Pokémon GO, evolving Rockruff also depends on real-world time — evolving during the day gives Midday Form, and evolving at night gives Midnight Form.
💬 Conclusion
Evolving Rockruff is one of the most rewarding experiences for any Pokémon trainer. With three unique forms — Midday, Midnight, and Dusk — you can tailor your Lycanroc evolution to match your battle style and personality.
Whether you prefer the disciplined agility of Midday, the untamed fury of Midnight, or the rare strength of Dusk, each Lycanroc form tells its own story of growth, strength, and loyalty.
So grab your Poké Balls, head to your favorite rocky area, and start your journey to evolve Rockruff — your loyal companion and future Lycanroc awaits!
🛑 Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Pokémon, Pokémon names, and game titles are trademarks of Nintendo, Game Freak, and The Pokémon Company. All gameplay tips and references are based on publicly available information from official releases.
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