This article is part of a directory: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Complete Guide & Walkthrough

Cross-generation evolutions aren't new to Pokemon, as they've existed as far back as the second generation. As more mainline games were released, more Pokemon started having a second or third stage evolution in the new generation. One example is Duskull and Dusclops, who are both Gen 3 Pokemon, but received a third evolution, Dusknoir, in Pokemon Diamond/Pearl. Now that The Teal Mask is out for Pokemon Scarlet & Pokemon Violet, trainers can now add these Ghost-type to their party.

Evolving Duskull into Dusclops is easy, but getting Dusclops to Dusknoir is where some Pokemon Scarlet/Pokemon Violet trainers are going to have problems. Fortunately, there are ways around its trade-exclusive evolution method thanks to a certain Pokemon spinoff game.

RELATED: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: How to Evolve Munchlax

How to Get Duskull

pokemon scarlet violet tera raid battle duskull

The great news is that Duskull can be found just about anywhere in the middle areas of Kitakami (ex: Timeless Woods). The bad news is that Duskull, being a Ghost-type, will only spawn at night. Those that are still in the progress of The Teal Mask DLC story will want to look for Duskull during the Festival of Masks. It will stay nighttime until players go to the objective markers to advance the story. This is the perfect time to catch night-exclusive Pokemon.

Another way, and possibly easier way, to find Duskull is through 2-star Tera Raids. Just like in Paldea, there are Tera Dens all over Kitakami. Unfortunately, there's no way to tell what the Pokemon is until interacting with the den itself, so this may take some time. However, Duskulls locked in Tera Raids can be accessed regardless of the time of day.

  • A Tera Raid Duskull's Tera-typing will depend on the color of the crystal. Players should bring a Pokemon that is super-effective against its Tera-typing to make the battle go much quicker. 2-star Tera Raid Pokemon are level 25, so bring a Pokemon that's around that level or higher.
  • If trainers prefer to wait until night, the Duskull's level will be from 10-13 or around level 60. The level of the wild Pokemon in Kitakami will scale depending on the player's progress in Scarlet/Violet's main story. Going to Kitakami in the postgame will boost them to level 58-60.

It's easier to just throw a Quick Ball to catch Duskull, but since the Duskulls prefer the night, players can use Dusk Balls. Its Ghost-typing will make Normal-type moves go right through it, so if trainers intend on whittling away its HP, they'll want to avoid using moves like Quick Attack.

How to Evolve Dusclops into Dusknoir (How to Get Reaper Cloth)

pokemon scarlet violet reaper cloth

Duskull will evolve into Dusclops when it reaches level 37. To get Dusclops into Dusknoir, players will need to trade it while it's holding a Reaper Cloth. The Reaper Cloth can be found in Kitakami's Timeless Woods, or players can get it as a Kitakami Dex Reward for catching 170 Kitakami Pokemon. It's also a reward for the Oger Oustin' Minigame at the Festival of Masks, but it's arguably the toughest and unreliable way to get the Reaper Cloth.

To collect Dex Rewards, do the following:

  1. Open the Pokedex App with (-) button.
  2. Select the Kitakami Pokedex.
  3. Tap the X-button to Collect Rewards.

Once trainers have the Reaper Cloth, they'll want to Give it to Dusclops to Hold. Then, join the Union Circle or the PokePortal and set up a Link Code in Link Trade to trade Dusclops over to a friend. Other trading options are available, but since trainers most likely want to get back the fully-evolved Dusknoir, it's better to avoid Surprise Trades.

To access the online features in Scarlet/Violet, players will need a Nintendo Online Membership.

RELATED: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: How to Catch Ogerpon (& Use the Masks)

How to Evolve Dusclops without Trading

pokemon scarlet violet dusknoir

For those that do not have an Online Membership, there's a way to evolve Dusclops into Dusknoir without trading. This requires a copy of Pokemon Legends: Arceus and the Pokemon HOME app. In short, players are going to need to get the Dusclops from Scarlet/Violet into their Legends: Arceus file, and evolve it in Hisui with a Reaper Cloth. Since trading isn't a feature in Legends: Arceus, evolution items that need to be held when trading functions the same as evolutionary stones.

Here's what to do:

  1. Place Dusclops in a PC box in Pokemon Scarlet/Violet and Save the game.
  2. Exit out of Scarlet/Violet and open Pokemon HOME.
  3. Transfer the Dusclops from SV to the Basic Box in HOME.
  4. Press (+) to Save and Exit.
  5. Now, open up Legends: Arceus in the Pokemon HOME app.
  6. Move the Dusclops from HOME to one of the Pastures in L:A. Save and exit.
  7. Open the Legends: Arceus game and place the Dusclops in the party.
  8. Get the Reaper Cloth from the Outpost Trader by the Galaxy Hall. One Reaper Cloth is 1400 * Merit Points.
  9. Use the Reaper Cloth on Dusclops to get Dusknoir, and place Dusknoir back into the Pasture.
  10. Open up Pokemon HOME again, and move the Dusknoir from Legends: Arceus back to Scarlet/Violet.

* Merit Points are earned by collecting Sachels around Hisui.

It's a lengthier process than simply trading Dusclops with a Reaper Cloth, but it's the free and trade-less way for those that don't want to have to pay for an online membership.

Pokemon Scarlet & Pokemon Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.