If you’ve been exploring the immersive world of Pokémon Legends: Z-A and want to add a powerful Psychic-type to your team, Slowking is a perfect choice. This calm and regal Pokémon is not just a symbol of intelligence but also a versatile battler capable of handling various challenges in the game.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to evolve Slowpoke into Slowking — from catching Slowpoke, finding the elusive King’s Rock, performing the evolution, and optimizing your Slowking for battles. Whether you’re a new trainer or a Pokémon veteran, this walkthrough ensures you evolve your Slowking the right way.
🔍 About Slowking in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Slowking is a dual-type Water/Psychic Pokémon known for its calm demeanor, intelligence, and mystical crown-like shell. It’s the evolved form of Slowpoke, offering a different evolutionary path from Slowbro.
While Slowbro is more physically defensive, Slowking specializes in special defense and support roles, making it a brilliant choice for players who prefer strategic gameplay. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Slowking can play both offensive and defensive roles thanks to its diverse movepool.
🧬 Quick Stats Overview:
- Type: Water / Psychic
- Category: Royal Pokémon
- Evolution Line: Slowpoke → (Trade + King’s Rock) → Slowking
- Specialties: Special Attack, Special Defense, Tactical Play
- Weaknesses: Electric, Grass, Bug, Ghost, Dark
🎯 Why Catch Slowking?
Before learning how to get Slowking, let’s understand why it’s worth your time.
- High Special Defense: Slowking can tank special attacks from opponents easily.
- Balanced Offense: With decent Special Attack, it can counter many enemies effectively.
- Versatile Move Pool: Access to moves like Surf, Psychic, Slack Off, and Ice Beam make it great for varied strategies.
- Utility Role: Excellent for doubles or team support builds.
- Cool Aesthetic: Its regal design and lore make it one of the most iconic evolutions in the Pokémon world.
🐚 Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Slowking in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Now, let’s walk through each step you need to follow to evolve your Slowpoke into a powerful Slowking.
🥇 Step 1: Catch a Slowpoke
Your first mission is to catch a Slowpoke in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
You can find Slowpoke wandering near coastal areas, riverbanks, and calm lakes, often resting lazily near the water. They’re not aggressive, so it’s an easy catch with a little patience.
Tips:
- Use Stealth Spray to approach without scaring it.
- Throw a Poké Ball from behind for a higher catch rate.
- Some regions may have both standard Slowpoke and Galarian Slowpoke, so pay attention to the color and environment.
Once captured, make sure your Slowpoke has decent stats or nature (preferably Calm or Modest).
👑 Step 2: Obtain the Evolution Item — King’s Rock
The King’s Rock is the key evolution item that transforms Slowpoke into Slowking.
In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, it can be obtained in a few ways depending on your progress and exploration level.
🔸 Where to Find King’s Rock:
- Treasure Chests: Found in random chests in coastal ruins or cliffside caves.
- Mission Rewards: Certain side quests grant King’s Rock as a completion reward.
- Poké Mart / Trader NPC: Later in the story, you can buy King’s Rock for a hefty sum of Poké Dollars.
- Wild Drops: Occasionally dropped by wild Poliwhirl or Poliwrath (rare chance).
Keep at least one in your inventory — it’s not only used for Slowpoke but also evolves Poliwhirl into Politoed.
🔁 Step 3: Trade Slowpoke While Holding King’s Rock
Once you have both items — Slowpoke and King’s Rock — the next step is evolution via trade.
🔹 Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the in-game Link Trade or Local Trade option.
- Select your Slowpoke from your party.
- Make it hold the King’s Rock (via the “Give Item to Pokémon” option).
- Complete the trade with another player.
Once the trade is confirmed, your Slowpoke will automatically evolve into Slowking.
✅ Important: The evolution will only trigger if Slowpoke is holding the King’s Rock during the trade. If you forget to equip it, the trade won’t work.
⚙️ Step 4: Verify the Evolution
After the trade and evolution, check your storage or party.
You should now have a brand-new Slowking with its signature regal appearance.
To confirm:
- Open Pokémon Summary
- Check its typing (Water/Psychic)
- Observe its new design — the Shellder crown on its head is unmistakable.
If you don’t see the new evolution, ensure you used the correct method or version of Slowpoke (regional forms may vary).
⚔️ Step 5: Prepare Slowking for Battle
Now that you have Slowking, it’s time to make it battle-ready.
Here’s how to optimize its performance for maximum impact.
🧩 Best Natures:
- Calm: (+Sp. Def / -Attack) for defensive builds
- Modest: (+Sp. Atk / -Attack) for offensive builds
🌊 Recommended Moveset:
- Surf – Reliable STAB Water-type move
- Psychic / Psyshock – Powerful Psychic-type move
- Ice Beam – Covers Grass and Dragon weaknesses
- Slack Off – Healing ability for survivability
- Calm Mind (optional) – Boosts Special Attack & Special Defense
💪 Ability Options:
- Oblivious: Prevents attraction and taunting.
- Regenerator (Hidden Ability): Restores HP when switching out – best for tactical battles.
🧭 Alternative Evolution Methods (If Trade Is Not Available)
Some players may not have access to online or local trading. Don’t worry — Pokémon Legends: Z-A might include an alternate evolution method, depending on your region or update.
Alternate Method Possibilities:
- Side Quest Evolution: Completing a specific mission that grants a “King’s Ceremony” evolution for Slowpoke.
- Special Shrine Evolution: Offering a King’s Rock at a Shrine or Evolution Altar.
- Item Fusion Mechanic: Combining Slowpoke and King’s Rock at a Research Lab or Evolution Machine.
Check your region’s in-game Pokédex or mission log for any available alternative.
🧠 Pro Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
While evolving Slowpoke seems easy, many players make small mistakes that delay their progress. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Forgetting to Equip King’s Rock: Always double-check before trading.
- Trading Wrong Form: Regional variants like Galarian Slowpoke may need special items (like Galarica Wreath).
- Trading Too Early: Some players trade before unlocking trading features in-game — complete early missions first.
- Discarding King’s Rock: Never sell or discard it unless you have multiple.
- Not Saving Before Trade: Always save your game to prevent any glitches or disconnect issues.
🌟 Why Choose Slowking Over Slowbro?
Both Slowking and Slowbro come from the same origin, but their roles differ significantly.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which suits your playstyle.
| Feature | Slowking | Slowbro |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Special Defense, Support | Physical Defense, Offense |
| Typing | Water/Psychic | Water/Psychic |
| Specialty | Tactical and Support Moves | Raw Endurance |
| Ideal For | Strategy Players | Aggressive Players |
If you enjoy a strategic, supportive, and calm playstyle, Slowking is the perfect companion for you.
🕰️ Lore: The Myth of Slowking
According to Pokémon lore, when a Shellder bites Slowpoke’s head, the venom seeps into its brain, greatly increasing its intelligence. Unlike Slowbro (where Shellder bites the tail), Slowking becomes wise and contemplative, often portrayed as a philosopher among Pokémon.
In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Slowking plays a more mystical role, with ties to ancient psychic energy and the ruins scattered across Lumiose City. Trainers believe Slowking holds the secret to certain forgotten moves, making it even more special to capture and evolve.
🧩 Recommended Battle Strategy for Slowking
Once you’ve evolved your Slowking, you’ll want to use it effectively in your lineup. Here’s a sample battle strategy:
Balanced Build:
- Moves: Surf / Psychic / Slack Off / Ice Beam
- Held Item: Leftovers or Sitrus Berry
- Nature: Calm
- EV Spread: 252 HP / 252 Sp. Def / 4 Sp. Atk
- Tactics: Use Calm Mind early to boost defenses, then hit back with powerful STAB moves. Slack Off sustains long battles.
This makes Slowking a formidable wall and team stabilizer, capable of turning battles around through endurance and patience.
🏆 Final Thoughts
Evolving Slowpoke into Slowking in Pokémon Legends: Z-A isn’t just about completing your Pokédex — it’s about unlocking one of the most intelligent and versatile Pokémon in the game. With its regal aura, balanced stats, and powerful movepool, Slowking adds strategic depth to your team and offers a refreshing gameplay experience.
So, go out there, catch your Slowpoke, find that precious King’s Rock, and evolve one of the wisest Pokémon in the world. Your team — and your journey — will never be the same again.
🔑 Quick Summary:
- Catch Slowpoke near lakes or rivers.
- Find King’s Rock via quests, traders, or chests.
- Trade Slowpoke while holding the King’s Rock.
- Confirm Evolution to get Slowking.
- Train & Battle with tactical strategies.