Evolving Finizen into Palafin: A Comprehensive Guide

Finizen, the Dolphin Pokémon, is a charming Water-type Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. While it’s undeniably cute, its true potential lies in its evolution, Palafin, which boasts a unique ability and impressive stats. However, evolving Finizen isn’t as straightforward as simply leveling it up. It requires a specific condition: leveling up *while in a Union Circle*. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough on how to evolve Finizen into Palafin, along with tips and tricks to make the process as smooth as possible.

## Understanding the Evolution Mechanic: Union Circles and Leveling Up

The key to evolving Finizen is the Union Circle. This feature allows you to connect with up to three other players locally or online, exploring the Paldea region together. While in a Union Circle, you can battle wild Pokémon, complete Tera Raid Battles, and, most importantly, level up your Pokémon.

Finizen evolves into Palafin at level 38, *but only when it levels up while you’re actively in a Union Circle with another player*. Simply reaching level 38 outside of a Union Circle will *not* trigger the evolution. This is a crucial detail often overlooked, leading to frustration for trainers. Understanding this mechanic is the first step to successfully obtaining Palafin.

## Step-by-Step Guide to Evolving Finizen

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:

**1. Preparing Your Finizen:**

* **Catch a Finizen:** The first step is, naturally, to acquire a Finizen. These Water-type Pokémon can be found swimming in the oceans and seas surrounding the Paldea region. Prime locations include:
* **East Province (Area Two):** The coastal areas around Levincia are a reliable spot.
* **North Province (Area One):** The beaches and waters north of Montenevera hold Finizen.
* **West Province (Area One, Area Two):** Explore the coastal areas west of Porto Marinada.
* **Level Up Before Union Circle:** While Finizen needs to level *inside* a Union Circle to evolve at level 38, it’s helpful to level it up as much as possible beforehand *outside* of the Union Circle. This minimizes the number of battles you need to do within the Union Circle, making the process faster. Aim to get your Finizen to at least level 35 or higher before joining a Union Circle. You can level up Finizen by battling wild Pokémon, completing trainer battles, or using EXP Candy.
* **Held Item (Optional):** Consider giving your Finizen a held item that boosts its experience gain, such as a Lucky Egg. This will accelerate the leveling process inside the Union Circle.

**2. Joining a Union Circle:**

* **Communication is Key:** The easiest way to form a Union Circle is to coordinate with friends or online communities dedicated to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This ensures you have reliable partners who understand the evolution process.
* **Starting a Union Circle (If You’re Hosting):**
* Open the Poké Portal in the game menu.
* Select “Union Circle.”
* Choose “Create Circle.” You’ll be given a code.
* Share the code with the players you want to join your Union Circle.
* **Joining a Union Circle (If You’re Joining):**
* Open the Poké Portal in the game menu.
* Select “Union Circle.”
* Choose “Join Circle.”
* Enter the code provided by the host.
* **Confirm Connection:** Once everyone has joined, you should see each other’s avatars in the game world. Make sure everyone is present and ready before proceeding.

**3. Leveling Up Inside the Union Circle:**

* **Battling Wild Pokémon:** The primary way to level up Finizen inside the Union Circle is by battling wild Pokémon. Coordinate with your group to find areas with Pokémon that provide decent experience. Areas with higher-level Pokémon, even if your team can defeat them easily, generally provide more experience.
* **Tera Raid Battles (Optional, but Recommended):** Tera Raid Battles are an excellent source of experience and valuable rewards. Work together with your Union Circle members to defeat Tera Pokémon. The higher the star rating of the raid, the more experience and rewards you’ll receive.
* **Keep an Eye on Level:** Monitor Finizen’s level closely. As you approach level 38, prepare for the evolution. You can check a Pokémon’s level by viewing its summary in your party.
* **Level Up to 38 (or Higher) Inside the Union Circle:** This is the critical step. Ensure Finizen gains a level *while you are actively in the Union Circle*. If Finizen is already level 37, one battle that grants it enough experience to reach level 38 or higher will trigger the evolution.
* **Evolution Sequence:** Once Finizen reaches level 38 (or higher) inside the Union Circle, the evolution sequence will begin automatically. Watch as Finizen transforms into the heroic Palafin!

**4. Confirming the Evolution:**

* **Check Palafin’s Stats and Ability:** After the evolution, take a moment to examine Palafin’s stats and ability. Palafin’s signature ability, *Zero to Hero*, is incredibly powerful, allowing it to transform into its Hero Form in battle.
* **Save Your Game:** To ensure you don’t lose your newly evolved Palafin, save your game immediately.

## Tips and Tricks for Efficient Finizen Evolution

* **EXP Candy:** EXP Candy is a valuable resource for quickly leveling up Pokémon. If you have EXP Candy to spare, you can use it to boost Finizen’s level significantly, reducing the number of battles you need to do within the Union Circle. Large and XL EXP Candy provide the most experience.
* **Lucky Egg:** The Lucky Egg, as mentioned before, increases the amount of experience a Pokémon gains in battle. Equip it to Finizen before joining the Union Circle for faster leveling.
* **O-Powers (Eating boosts):** Certain meals and sandwiches can provide experience boosts to certain type pokemon. Using those boosts can help with experience yield and leveling up.
* **Area Selection:** Choose your battling location strategically. Areas with higher-level wild Pokémon, even if they’re slightly challenging, will yield more experience per battle.
* **Coordinate with Your Group:** Communication is key to efficient leveling. Coordinate your battle strategies and target high-experience Pokémon as a team.
* **Tera Raid Battle Strategy:** If you’re participating in Tera Raid Battles, plan your team composition and battle strategy in advance to ensure success. Bring Pokémon with type advantages against the Tera Pokémon.
* **Don’t Leave the Union Circle Prematurely:** Ensure Finizen levels up *within* the Union Circle before disbanding. Leaving too early will negate all your efforts.
* **Leveling multiple Finizen:** You can evolve multiple Finizen in a Union Circle at the same time. Just ensure that each Finizen levels up to 38 or higher while inside the Union Circle.
* **Check Your Internet Connection:** A stable internet connection is crucial for a smooth Union Circle experience, especially for online play. Lag or disconnects can interrupt battles and potentially disrupt the evolution process.

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

* **Finizen Not Evolving at Level 38:** This is the most common problem. Double-check that Finizen leveled up *while you were actively in a Union Circle*. Simply reaching level 38 outside of a Union Circle will not trigger the evolution.
* **Union Circle Connection Issues:** If you’re experiencing connection problems, try the following:
* Restart your Nintendo Switch.
* Check your internet connection.
* Ensure that all players in the Union Circle have a stable internet connection.
* Try restarting the Union Circle.
* **Game Freezing or Crashing:** Game freezes or crashes can sometimes occur. Save your game frequently to avoid losing progress. If a crash occurs during the evolution sequence, you may need to repeat the leveling process within the Union Circle.

## Palafin: A Worthy Evolution

Palafin is not just a visual upgrade; it’s a significant power boost. Its signature ability, Zero to Hero, allows it to transform into its Hero Form in battle, dramatically increasing its stats. Palafin’s Hero Form is a formidable Water-type attacker, capable of dealing massive damage. This makes it a valuable asset to any team, especially in challenging battles and Tera Raid Battles.

## Palafin’s Stats and Abilities

* **Type:** Water
* **Ability (Base Form):** Zero to Hero – This Ability allows Palafin to change into its Hero Form when switching out of battle.
* **Ability (Hero Form):** Same as Base Form (Zero to Hero, but already in Hero Form)
* **Stats (Base Form):**
* HP: 70
* Attack: 70
* Defense: 72
* Special Attack: 53
* Special Defense: 62
* Speed: 100
* **Stats (Hero Form):**
* HP: 70
* Attack: 160
* Defense: 97
* Special Attack: 106
* Special Defense: 87
* Speed: 100

As you can see, the Attack stat receives a massive boost in Hero Form, making Palafin a powerhouse. The Special Attack and defensive stats also see significant increases.

## Moveset Recommendations for Palafin

Here are some recommended moves for Palafin, taking advantage of its Water typing and high Attack stat:

* **Wave Crash:** A powerful Water-type physical move that deals significant damage but also causes recoil damage to the user. A signature move learned at Level 56.
* **Jet Punch:** A priority Water-type move, allowing Palafin to strike first in battle. Very useful for picking off weakened opponents or dealing with faster threats. Level learned at 48.
* **Ice Punch:** Provides coverage against Grass-type Pokémon, which are a weakness for Water types. TM069.
* **Bulk Up:** Boosts Palafin’s Attack and Defense, making it even more formidable. TM004.
* **Close Combat:** A powerful Fighting-type move that can deal super effective damage to various types. TM167, useful for coverage.
* **Acrobatics:** A Flying-type move for type coverage. TM062.

The ideal moveset will depend on your team composition and the specific challenges you’re facing, but these moves provide a solid foundation for Palafin’s offensive capabilities.

## Conclusion

Evolving Finizen into Palafin requires a specific process involving Union Circles and leveling up. While it may seem a bit complex at first, following this guide will ensure a successful evolution. Palafin’s powerful ability and impressive stats make it a valuable addition to any Pokémon Scarlet and Violet team. So gather your friends, form a Union Circle, and embark on the journey to unlock the heroic potential of Palafin! Remember to be patient, communicate effectively with your group, and enjoy the process of evolving this unique Pokémon. Good luck, trainers!