Does Oddish Evolve Into Different Forms When Traded?

I get asked this a lot when folks are starting a fresh run of 'Pokémon Sword' or 'Pokémon Shield' — so here’s the short-but-clear scoop and a few friendly tips from my playthroughs. Oddish itself always evolves in the same way across both games: it becomes Gloom at level 21, and then Gloom has two possible routes. Use a Leaf Stone on Gloom to get 'Vileplume', or use a Sun Stone to get 'Bellossom'. There aren’t any Galarian or version-exclusive evolutions for Oddish in these titles, so the choice of final form is entirely yours rather than tied to which cartridge you picked up. Where it gets fun is the decision-making. I’ve delayed evolving Oddish a few times because I wanted a Gloom to learn a specific move before applying a stone — you can totally do that. In battle roles, Vileplume tends to lean toward that classic bulky, status-inducing grass type vibe, while Bellossom has a different feel and movepool leaning more into special attacking and support. If you’re into aesthetics or a team theme, that often decides it for me: I once made a whole floral-themed squad and picked Bellossom for the soft palette. Remember also that evolution stones and the ability to trade or breed give you flexibility — if one stone’s scarce early on, you can always come back later or trade for the form you want. Practical tip: an Everstone will stop evolution if you want to keep Gloom for a bit, and checking move tutors/TMs in the area helps you avoid losing a needed move on evolution. Personally, I usually evolve to Vileplume if I need a tank for raids and pick Bellossom if I’m doing a more niche or pretty-looking team — both have their charm, so go with what makes your team feel complete.

If you've ever raised an Oddish and wondered what comes next, here’s the straightforward lifecycle and a few things I’ve learned the hard way while farming Leaf Stones in-game. Oddish evolves into Gloom when it reaches level 21 — that’s unconditional, just hit the level and poof, it becomes Gloom. From there, Gloom has two branching evolutions: use a Leaf Stone on Gloom to get Vileplume, or use a Sun Stone to evolve Gloom into Bellossom. The Leaf Stone route is the classic one people think of when picturing that giant, Rafflesia-like flower from the pokédex pages. I usually hang onto a Gloom for a little while before using a Leaf Stone because Gloom learns some neat moves at higher levels (things like stronger draining moves or status moves), and some of those moves don’t carry over if you stone-evolve too early — so patience can pay off. Also, evolution by stone is instant and doesn’t require any extra level, so you can evolve Gloom the moment you get a Leaf Stone if you want Vileplume right away. Leaf Stones turn up in different places depending on the game: sometimes in caves, sometimes sold in shops, and sometimes as hidden items in routes. In older games like 'Pokémon Red' or later ones like 'Pokémon Sword', the mechanics are the same, even if the locations differ. If you like playing with team composition, Vileplume brings solid special defense and some nasty status options with moves like Sleep Powder and Sludge Bomb, while Bellossom tends to lean more into sunny weather synergies and special attack. Personally, I split my playthroughs: one save where Gloom becomes Vileplume for the classic look and poison coverage, and another where I try Bellossom for a sun-team run. Either way, the key facts are simple: Oddish → Gloom at level 21; Gloom + Leaf Stone → Vileplume (or Gloom + Sun Stone → Bellossom). Try waiting for the move you want, and then stone it — it keeps things fun and efficient for battle and breeding alike.

Kubfu is such an adorable little fighter, and yeah, it absolutely can evolve into two distinct forms! The evolution path totally depends on which tower you choose in the Isle of Armor DLC for 'Pokémon Sword and Shield.' If you take on the Tower of Darkness, Kubfu evolves into Single Strike Style Urshifu—a Dark/Fighting type that hits like a truck with those brutal single blows. But if you pick the Tower of Waters, it becomes Rapid Strike Style Urshifu, a Water/Fighting type that’s all about swift, multi-hit attacks. What’s cool is how this choice reflects the training philosophy behind each tower. The Tower of Darkness feels more about raw power, while the Tower of Waters emphasizes fluidity and speed. I love how the game lets you shape Kubfu’s future like this—it’s not just about stats but also about the vibe you want your Pokémon to embody. My Urshifu ended up being Rapid Strike because I’m a sucker for Water-types, and that flowing combat style just speaks to me.

I still get a little giddy talking about oddish and that classic branching evolution — it’s one of those simple but charming systems in the series. In the mainline games, Oddish evolves into Gloom when it reaches level 21. That’s pretty consistent from 'Pokémon Red/Blue' through the latest generations. Gloom is the middle stage and won’t change types on its own; it just sits there until you decide which path to take. From Gloom you can evolve into two different Pokémon using evolution items: use a 'Leaf Stone' to get Vileplume (Grass/Poison), or a 'Sun Stone' to get Bellossom (pure Grass) — Bellossom was added in 'Pokémon Gold/Silver'. You can’t directly stone Oddish into either final form in the standard main-series method; the level-up to Gloom comes first, then the stone on Gloom. A couple of practical tips: if you want Gloom to learn a late-level move, hold off on using the stone (or give Gloom an Everstone) until it learns the move. Also, think about team roles — Vileplume often keeps access to more Poison moves and bulky grass support, while Bellossom tends to fit sunny teams and has a different movepool and stat spread. I usually pick based on what my team needs rather than pure nostalgia.

Man, those tiny details in old cartridges stick with me — especially odd little peas like Oddish. In 'Pokémon Red and Blue', Oddish evolves into Gloom when it reaches level 21. That’s the only level-based evolution in that line: Oddish → Gloom at 21. After that, Gloom doesn’t evolve by leveling up in these games; to get Vileplume you need to use a Leaf Stone. There’s no Bellossom in 'Pokémon Red and Blue' at all — that one shows up later in the series, so don’t expect any sunny evolution options in the original cartridges. I used to plan team comps around that level marker back in the day, playing with my handheld on the bus and trying to time evolutions before a gym fight. Oddish’s bulk and access to status moves made it a sneaky support pick; getting it to 21 felt like a little milestone. If you’re grinding one up now, it’s nice: you don’t have to wait forever, and you can decide whether you want Gloom’s odd moveset or blast it into Vileplume with a Leaf Stone for a stronger Grass/Poison final form. A couple of practical tips from my own runs: if you want to keep Gloom and not use a Leaf Stone immediately, grind past 21 so you can test its moves and stats in battle before committing to a stone. If you want Vileplume right away, hold onto a Leaf Stone and use it right after Gloom pops up — it’s simple and satisfying seeing that sprite change. And if you’re revisiting the classics, it’s fun to compare how these mechanics shifted in later titles — evolution methods, item availability, and even which Pokémon appear in certain routes all changed over time. Happy training, and may your Oddish blossom on your terms!

I get a little nerdy about this one — Oddish is one of those Pokémon I love carrying into surprise wins, but what really matters is what it turns into. For competitive play you almost always want to evolve into Vileplume for the classic Spore support set, or Bellossom if you need a bulkier, sun-friendly pivot. The core moves I fuss over are Spore (or Sleep Powder if Spore isn’t available for your generation), a STAB drain move like Giga Drain/Energy Ball, a poison or coverage option like Sludge Bomb/Sludge Wave or Hidden Power Fire, and some sort of recovery/support: Synthesis, Strength Sap (in newer gens), Leech Seed, or Protect depending on the role. On Vileplume I lean heavily into Spore + Strength Sap/Giga Drain + Sludge Bomb + Protect/Synthesis for stall-busting and longevity. EVs and nature change everything: I usually run bulky Special Defense/HP investment with a Calm or Bold nature on support Vileplume, and Leftovers or Black Sludge as the item. If you’re going for a Chlorophyll sun sweeper (rare but fun), Timid/Modest with Chlorophyll and a Choice Specs or Assault Vest can surprise people — then swaps to Sunny Day support (or a teammate like Torkoal) become important. For Bellossom, Quiver Dance sets can exist in some gens, so if your gen allows it, Quiver Dance + Giga Drain + Moonblast (or Sludge Bomb) + Synthesis makes a dangerous tanky special attacker. Just a heads-up: move availability changes across generations, and some key moves like Spore or Quiver Dance might need breeding or tutors. If you’re about to evolve Oddish, check whether the move learns after evolution or if you need to teach it beforehand or breed it in. I usually teach/learn the core moves before evolving when possible, then finish EV training — it keeps my Vileplume/Bellossom ready for ranked matches or fun draft cups.

If you want the short, practical bit up front: use a Sun Stone on Gloom and it becomes Bellossom. I’ve spent more than one play session dithering over whether to click that Stone or save it for Vileplume’s Leaf Stone counterpart, so I know the little twinge of indecision you get when a cute Oddish turns into a choice between two different final forms. Oddish evolves into Gloom by leveling (usually around level 21), and then Gloom has two possible evolutions depending on which evolution item you use: a Leaf Stone turns Gloom into Vileplume, while a Sun Stone turns Gloom into Bellossom. The trade-offs are neat: Vileplume is Grass/Poison and tends to have different bulk and move availability, while Bellossom becomes pure Grass and often gets more supportive moves and better special defense in later gens. That little change in typing and movepool can completely change how you use the Pokémon in battles or on your team. If you’re collecting or doing a themed run, remember that Sun Stones show up in different places across games — sometimes in hidden spots, sometimes in shops, or as drops — so I usually check a wiki or my in-game map if I’m short on items. Also, if nostalgia’s tugging at you, Bellossom was introduced in 'Pokémon Gold'/'Pokémon Silver' as the sunlight-loving alternative to Vileplume, which is kind of charming. Personally, I flip between the two based on aesthetics and what my team needs: Bellossom’s calm, sunny vibe suits certain playstyles, while Vileplume’s raw power and typing fit others. Try both if you can, but if you’ve already got a Sun Stone handy and you like the peaceful, botanical vibe, go for Bellossom — it never fails to make my in-game gardens feel more complete.

I still get a little giddy whenever I think about evolving Pokémon, and Oddish in 'Pokemon Sword and Shield' is one of those straightforward but satisfying cases. Oddish evolves into Gloom when it reaches level 21 — that’s the automatic, level-based evolution. Once it’s Gloom, it won’t evolve any further by leveling; instead you choose its final form with an evolution stone. If you want Vileplume, use a Leaf Stone on Gloom. If you prefer Bellossom, use a Sun Stone. The stones can be used at any time after Gloom exists, and if you ever regret evolving, you can always trade for another Oddish or breed one later. Also remember you can cancel evolution by pressing B if you change your mind mid-flash — saved me once when I wanted a specific move set. Small tip from my playthrough: if you’re trying to learn certain moves from leveling, hold off evolving until you get them, then stone-evolve.

When I'm in full-on candy-hunting mode, my brain goes into siege-planning: where to catch the most Oddish, how to stack candies, and then a rapid-fire evolution session in the Pokémon screen. First off, evolution itself happens right in your Pokémon menu — you don't have to bring Oddish to any special location — but getting the candies fast is the real location-based game. Oddish evolves to Gloom for 25 Oddish Candy, and Gloom can turn into Vileplume for 100 Candy or into Bellossom for 100 Candy plus a Sun Stone. That Sun Stone is the key item if you want Bellossom, so keep an eye on Research rewards, PokéStop gifts, and in-game shops during events. If you want to collect candies fast, hunt where Oddish spawns: parks and grassy neighborhoods are gold mines. I have a favorite city park that basically becomes an Oddish factory during cloudy weather (grass-type weather in 'Pokémon GO' boosts spawns), and evening walks there usually pay off. Events like Spotlight Hour or Community Day can turn a place that usually has one or two into a full-blown swarm — that’s prime time to use Pinap Berries and stockpile candies. Lures and Incense can also help if you’re stuck near a busy square; drop one and sit with a thermos and some headphones while catching everything that pops up. Tactical tips that helped me evolve a bunch in one sitting: always use Pinap Berries when you can (they multiply candy from a catch), catch every Oddish you see (transfer duplicates for +1 candy), use your buddy to earn candy while walking, and save Rare Candies for emergency boosts. If you’re short on a Sun Stone for Bellossom, prioritize spinning PokéStops on your commute and completing small field research tasks — they often give evolution items during themed events. Finally, when you’ve got enough candy, evolve in batches while a Lucky Egg is active if you need EXP too — it doesn’t speed the evolution itself but multiplies the XP return if you’re leveling up. I love doing a mass-evolve session on a rainy afternoon with music and snacks; it feels oddly satisfying to watch a whole pile of Oddish turn into Gloom and beyond.

Wild Pokémon runs always get me excited, so here’s the quick candy breakdown you’re probably after: Oddish evolves into Gloom for 25 Oddish candies. After that, Gloom can become Vileplume or Bellossom. The Gloom→Vileplume route costs 100 candies, and Gloom→Bellossom also costs 100 candies plus a Sun Stone (the evolution item you pick up from spinning PokéStops or raids). So if you’re just trying to get a stage-2 ‘mon in a hurry, plan on 25 candies; if you want the final forms you’ll need that 100-candy stash (and a Sun Stone if you want Bellossom). I’ve spent more evenings than I’d like to admit hunting for Oddish because I love both the aesthetic of Vileplume and the rarity of Bellossom shiny runs. A couple of practical tips that helped me: use Pinap Berries while catching (double candy for catches), set Oddish as your Buddy to earn candy while walking, and transfer duplicates you don’t need. Also watch for events that boost spawn rates or drop evolution items — those Sun Stones can show up surprisingly fast during themed events. If you’re saving candy for a competitive or shiny evolution, wait until you can evaluate IVs first unless you’re going purely for dex completion. One last tiny thing from personal experience: if you’re grinding candies, try to diversify how you get them (catches, buddy, raids) so you don’t burn out on one playstyle. I like switching between a quick catching session with Pinaps and long walks with Oddish as my buddy — keeps the game fun and my candy bank healthy.