Pancham may look adorable, but turning this playful panda into the fierce Pangoro in Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes more than just leveling up. Discover the hidden condition that fuels its evolution and how to master it in this step-by-step guide.
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How to evolve Pancham into Pangoro in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
To evolve Pancham into Pangoro in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, you’ll need to level up Pancham to at least level 32 while having a Dark-type Pokémon in your party. This unique condition reflects Pancham’s rebellious nature, as the presence of a Dark-type Pokémon inspires its transformation into the fierce Pangoro. Make sure the Dark-type remains in your team when Pancham levels up, otherwise the evolution won’t trigger.
To evolve your Pancham, it needs to be level 32. However, that alone won’t make it possible to evolve Pancham into Pangoro. You’ll need to add a dark-type Pokémon to your party. With Pancham at level 32 and a dark-type in your party, it will now be eligible to evolve into Pangoro.
Which dark-type Pokémon you choose doesn’t matter. You could have a Houndour (which is quickly found in Wild Zone 6), an Umbreon (which is a special evolution for Eevee), or any other dark-type and Pancham will evolve all the same.
Best Dark-type buddies to evolve Pancham faster
The best way to evolve Pancham faster is to choose Dark-type Pokémon that are very common and easy to encounter, which allows you to quickly fulfill the party requirement while leveling up Pancham.
Top Dark-type Buddies for Pancham Evolution
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Alolan Rattata: Frequently found in the wild; ideal for evolution tasks because of its high spawn rate.
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Purrloin: Another easily encounterable Dark-type, making it convenient for party composition.
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Murkrow: Commonly found, and has a good balance of strength and accessibility.
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Houndour/Houndoom: Often seen in Team Rocket battles and events, which helps meet the Dark-type buddy requirement more quickly.
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Sneasel: Frequently available in various in-game events, especially during special research days.
Tips for Faster Pancham Evolution
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Participate in research or event days focused on Dark-type Pokémon, such as Inkay Research Day, which dramatically increases Dark-type spawns and makes the process much faster.
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Catch Dark-type Pokémon from Team Rocket encounters; pay attention to grunts who use the catchphrase “Where there is light, there is also shadow” for guaranteed Dark-type spawns.
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Maintain Pancham in your party and swap in common Dark-types ahead of event days or high spawn periods to speed up the evolution process.
These strategies allow you to consistently meet the party requirement and expedite Pancham’s evolution into Pangoro.
-Which wild locations spawn the most Dark-types near me
Areas near movie theaters, cinemas, and shadowy urban locations consistently spawn the most Dark-type Pokémon in typical Pokémon games, and similar logic applies to Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s wild zones. Wild locations with boosted Dark-type rates include:
Best Wild Zones for Dark-types
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Movie Theaters and Cinemas: Real-world data suggests Dark-types like Umbreon, Murkrow, Sneasel, Houndour, and Tyranitar prefer these types of areas.
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Shadowy Urban Spaces: Dark alleys and streets at night have higher Dark-type spawn rates, so exploring the city after sunset can be effective.
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Safari Zone (Northwest & Sandstorm Areas): For regional players, these zones are particularly rich with Dark-types such as Scraggy, Sandile, and Cacnea; they’re frequently listed in game guides as prime Dark habitats.
Additional Tips
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Parks and nature reserves have some overlap but are generally better for Bug-types, so stick to the above zones for reliable Dark encounters.
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Regular events or specific research days may also temporarily boost Dark-type rates; check local event schedules within your game for temporary hotspots.
These locations should help you gather Dark-type Pokémon quickly for Pancham evolution or shiny hunting goals.
