How to evolve Finizen into Palafin

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has an adorable dolphin Pokémon, Finizen, who can only evolve into its second stage, Palafin, in multiplayer modes.

Finizen is just a little water-type dolphin guy, who evolves into a ... similar dolphin guy with multiple forms. To evolve it, you need to be in a multiplayer session. Our Pokémon Scarlet and Violet guide explains how to evolve Finizen.

Where to find Finizen

Finizen can pretty much be caught anywhere in Paldea’s oceans.

Image: Game Freak, The Pokémon Company/Nintendo via Polygon

How to evolve Finizen into Palafin

Finizen will evolve into Palafin starting at level 38 when leveled in a multiplayer session. The multiplayer session can be local or online.

We did not have to be nearby on the map to each other and no battle had to take place, based on our testing. (We leveled up Finizen using some EXP Candy and it surprisingly evolved immediately at level 38.)

Image: Game Freak/The Pokémon Company, Nintendo via Polygon

When your Finizen evolves in Palafin, it won’t look like the big goofy buff fish that you might be expecting. Naturally, Palafin looks just like a dolphin with a heart on its tummy. This is referred to as its Zero Form. However, it will gain a stat buff and turn into the ripped superhero when it’s swapped to in battle, giving it its Hero Form.