Ready to command one of Pokémon Go’s most imposing new arrivals? Evolving Bisharp into Kingambit isn’t just about stockpiling candy-it’s a true test of your raiding prowess. To unlock this steel-sharp powerhouse, you’ll need to set Bisharp as your buddy and conquer 15 Dark- or Steel-type raid bosses, proving your mettle before you can add Kingambit to your collection. Are you up for the challenge, or will Kingambit remain just out of reach?
Originally introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Kingambit had a unique evolution method in the mainline game. You typically need to defeat three other Bisharp that are holding the Leader’s Crest item with your own Bisharp and then level it – though Pokémon Go’s evolution requirement isn’t anything as complicated as that.
Below we explain how to evolve Bisharp into Kingambit and how to find Pawniard in Pokémon Go.
How to evolve Bisharp into Kingambit in Pokémon Go
To evolve Bisharp into Kingambit in Pokémon Go, you must first set Bisharp as your buddy Pokémon. Then, participate in raid battles and defeat 15 Dark-type or Steel-type Pokémon while Bisharp remains your buddy-note that Bisharp does not need to be used in the battles, it just needs to be your active buddy during these raids. Once you have met this requirement, you can evolve Bisharp into Kingambit using 100 Pawniard Candy through the usual evolution menu. This method was introduced with the Crown Clash event in May 2025 and is the only way to obtain Kingambit in Pokémon Go.
To evolve Bisharp into Kingambit, you’ll need to beat 15 dark- or steel-type Pokémon in raids with your Bisharp set as your buddy. You won’t actually need to use the Bisharp in the battles, just make sure its set as your buddy when you do the battle. Once you do this, you can choose to evolve it from its usual menu screen by using 100 Pawniard Candy.
How to get Pawniard and Bisharp in Pokémon Go
To obtain Pawniard in Pokémon Go, players have several options, especially during special events like the Crown Clash. Pawniard can be found as a rare wild spawn, particularly in foggy or snowy weather, and its appearance rate increases during certain events. Outside of events, Pawniard is most commonly acquired by hatching 12 km eggs, which are earned by defeating Team GO Rocket Leaders, or from 7 km eggs obtained through completing Routes. Additionally, Pawniard is frequently featured as a one-star raid boss and as a reward from specific Field Research tasks or Collection Challenges during events. Once you have Pawniard, evolving it into Bisharp requires 50 Pawniard Candy, with no special requirements beyond the candy cost. Bisharp itself is not available in eggs or as a wild spawn, so evolving Pawniard is the only way to obtain it in Pokémon Go.
Outside of events, you can hatch Pawniard from 10 km eggs or from 7 km eggs that you get from completing Routes.
If you got any 12 km eggs (the ones you get for beating Team Go Rocket Leaders), before the “Crown Clash: Taken Over” event, you may have a chance to hatch Pawniard from there. Pawniard was removed from the 12 km egg pool as part of that event’s permanent changes, but any eggs obtained prior will still have a chance to have it.
As part of the “Crown Clash” event (currently ongoing as of this writing), you can also get a Pawniard through the following methods:
- Finding one in the wild, though the Niantic blog for the event lists it as a rare spawn
- Raiding them in one-star raids
- Getting them from Field Research Tasks (“Power up Pokémon 5 times” and “Win a raid” can possibly give you Pawniard – but it can give you two other Pokémon as well.)
- Completing “The Crowned” Collection Challenge
- Complete step four of the “Crown Clash: Taken Over” Special Research
- Buy and complete the $4.99 “Crown Clash: Taken Over” Premium Research (two encounters)
To evolve Pawniard into Bisharp, you’ll need to use 50 Pawniard Candy (with no other special requirements).
Can Pawniard, Bisharp, and Kingambit be shiny in Pokémon Go?
Yes, Pawniard, Bisharp, and Kingambit can all be shiny in Pokémon Go. Shiny Pawniard is available with boosted odds-approximately 1 in 64-making it easier to obtain than many other wild shiny Pokémon. If you evolve a shiny Pawniard into Bisharp, and then fulfill the evolution requirements to obtain Kingambit, the shiny form will carry through each stage, allowing you to get a shiny Bisharp and, ultimately, a shiny Kingambit. This means that dedicated trainers have a real opportunity to add all three shiny forms to their collection, especially during special events like Crown Clash, which increase Pawniard spawns and shiny chances.
Want to discover the easiest way to unlock Kingambit’s power in Pokémon Go
If you want to unlock Kingambit’s power in Pokémon Go with minimal hassle, here’s the simplest path:
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Evolve a Pawniard into Bisharp using 50 Pawniard Candy.
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Set Bisharp as your buddy.
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Defeat 15 Dark- or Steel-type Pokémon in raids-any raid level counts, and Bisharp doesn’t need to battle, just be your active buddy.
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Once you’ve met the raid requirement, use 100 Pawniard Candy to evolve Bisharp into Kingambit.
To speed things up, focus on one-star raids featuring Dark or Steel types, as these are easiest to complete solo. Use Pinap Berries to double your Pawniard Candy gains and consider using Rare Candy if you’re short. Keep an eye on raid lineups and target events where Dark or Steel types are more common for faster progress.
What’s the quickest way to meet the raid requirements for Kingambit
The quickest way to meet Kingambit’s raid requirements in Pokémon Go is to focus on soloing one-star raids featuring Dark- or Steel-type Pokémon. These raids are the easiest to complete quickly and don’t require a team, letting you rack up the 15 required wins efficiently. Make sure Bisharp is set as your buddy during each raid; it doesn’t need to participate in battle, just be your active buddy. Watch for events or raid rotations that feature more Dark or Steel types to maximize your progress in the shortest time.
