Axew evolves into Fraxure at level 38, and Fraxure then evolves into Haxorus at level 48. This straightforward three-stage evolution line requires no special items, stones, or trading mechanics””just standard leveling through battle experience or rare candies. All three Pokemon in this family remain pure Dragon-types throughout the entire evolution chain, making them consistent and predictable to train for competitive purposes or collection goals. For Pokemon card collectors, understanding this evolution chain matters because cards featuring Axew, Fraxure, and Haxorus often appear together in sets or as connected evolution lines.
Knowing that Axew sits at Pokedex number 610, Fraxure at 611, and Haxorus at 612 helps when organizing collections or hunting for complete evolution sets. This article covers the specific evolution requirements across different games, the physical changes each evolution brings, how the process works in Pokemon GO, and what collectors should know about cards featuring this Dragon-type family. The Axew line debuted in Generation 5 with Pokemon Black and White, establishing itself as one of the more accessible Dragon-type evolution families. Unlike pseudo-legendaries that require grinding to level 55 or beyond, Haxorus becomes available at the relatively reasonable level 48, making it a practical choice for in-game playthroughs.
Table of Contents
- How Does Axew Evolve Into Fraxure and Haxorus?
- Physical Characteristics Across the Evolution Line
- Axew Evolution in Pokemon GO
- Collecting Axew Evolution Line Cards
- Common Challenges When Evolving Axew
- Shiny Axew and Its Evolutions
- The Axew Line in Competitive Play and Future Games
- Conclusion
How Does Axew Evolve Into Fraxure and Haxorus?
The evolution process for Axew follows the classic level-up mechanic that has defined Pokemon since the original games. When Axew reaches level 38, it automatically evolves into Fraxure during the level-up sequence. Fraxure then continues growing until level 48, when it transforms into the powerful Haxorus. No evolution stones, held items, friendship requirements, time-of-day conditions, or trade evolutions complicate this process. This simplicity contrasts sharply with other Dragon-types introduced in the same generation.
Deino, for example, does not evolve into Zweilous until level 50, and the final form Hydreigon requires level 64″”making Haxorus significantly faster to obtain. For players building teams during a playthrough, this accessibility gives the Axew line a practical advantage despite Hydreigon’s slightly higher base stat total. However, the straightforward evolution requirements come with a tradeoff. Axew tends to be rarer in most games where it appears, often found in late-game areas or with low encounter rates. In Pokemon Sword and Shield, Axew appears in the Wild Area but remains uncommon. The ease of evolution means little if obtaining the base form proves difficult in the first place.
Physical Characteristics Across the Evolution Line
Axew begins as a small, bipedal, grayish-green Pokemon standing about two feet tall. Its most distinctive features are the pale, straight tusks protruding from the sides of its mouth. These tusks serve both as weapons and as the defining visual element that carries through the entire evolution family. Notably, Axew’s tusks can regenerate if broken””they regrow when damaged or knocked out, which the Pokedex describes as becoming harder and sharper each time they reform. Fraxure represents a significant physical transformation. The tusks grow larger and curve backward, resembling axe blades that give the Pokemon a more aggressive appearance.
The body becomes bulkier, the limbs more defined, and red accents appear around the eyes and claws. This middle evolution bridges the cute, small Axew with the imposing final form. Haxorus completes the transformation into a fearsome Dragon-type. Standing over five feet tall, Haxorus features massive blade-like tusks that can slice through steel beams according to Pokedex entries. The body adopts a more armored appearance with black coloring on the torso and legs, while maintaining the yellowish-green on the head and arms. For card collectors, this dramatic visual progression across the three stages often makes complete evolution sets visually striking display pieces.
Axew Evolution in Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO uses a candy-based evolution system rather than levels, changing how trainers approach the Axew evolution line. Evolving Axew into Fraxure requires 25 Axew Candy, while the second evolution from Fraxure to Haxorus demands 100 Axew Candy. The total investment for a complete evolution reaches 125 Candy””a substantial amount given Axew’s rarity in the mobile game. Axew historically ranked among the rarest Pokemon in Pokemon GO, making candy accumulation genuinely difficult for casual players.
While Community Day events and special research tasks have occasionally featured Axew, outside these limited windows, finding enough specimens to gather 125 Candy requires significant dedication. Walking Axew as a buddy Pokemon helps, but Dragon-types require 5 kilometers per candy, slowing the process considerably. One limitation worth noting: Pokemon GO does not allow players to skip evolution stages. Even if a trainer catches a high-IV Axew and wants Haxorus immediately, they must still evolve through Fraxure first, spending candy on both transitions. This differs from the main series games where a level 48 Axew would still need to pass through Fraxure before becoming Haxorus, but the candy cost makes each step feel more consequential in GO.
Collecting Axew Evolution Line Cards
The Axew evolution family has appeared across numerous Pokemon Trading Card Game sets since its Generation 5 introduction. Cards featuring all three Pokemon appear in Black and White era sets, XY expansions, Sun and Moon collections, and Sword and Shield releases. For collectors building master sets or Dragon-type themed collections, tracking down these cards involves navigating multiple eras of card design and rarity structures. Haxorus cards typically command higher prices than Axew or Fraxure cards, following the general pattern where final evolutions receive more powerful attacks and better artwork.
However, certain Axew cards hold surprising value””particularly those from early Black and White sets in mint condition, or promotional versions from special distributions. The Secret Rare Haxorus from Dragons Exalted remains a sought-after card among vintage collectors. When comparing investment potential, Haxorus cards face competition from more popular Dragon-types like Dragonite, Salamence, and Garchomp. While the Axew line has its dedicated fans, it lacks the cross-generational nostalgia that drives premium prices for Kanto and Johto Pokemon. Collectors should set realistic expectations about appreciation potential while still appreciating these cards for their gameplay history and artistic merit.
Common Challenges When Evolving Axew
New players sometimes express frustration at the level requirements for the Axew evolution line, particularly in games where level scaling limits experience gains. In Pokemon Sword and Shield, over-leveled Pokemon become disobedient until players earn more gym badges, creating situations where a traded Axew cannot be efficiently trained until late in the story. Understanding these mechanics prevents wasted time and frustration. Another challenge involves moveset planning. Axew and Fraxure learn certain moves at specific levels that Haxorus cannot access through normal level-up.
Dragon Dance, one of the most important competitive moves for Haxorus, requires either TM access or breeding in most games. Players rushing to evolve may miss level-up moves they wanted to keep, forcing them to use Move Reminders or breed new specimens. A warning for completionists: some Pokedex entries require seeing or catching Pokemon at each evolution stage. Simply trading for a Haxorus does not register Axew and Fraxure as seen in all games. Players aiming for complete Pokedex entries should ensure they either catch or evolve through each stage rather than skipping ahead through trades.
Shiny Axew and Its Evolutions
The shiny variants of the Axew evolution line feature distinct color changes that collectors actively pursue. Shiny Axew displays a slightly greener body with darker tusks, while Shiny Fraxure and Shiny Haxorus adopt noticeably different coloration””Haxorus becomes primarily black with red accents rather than its standard yellow-green and black pattern.
This dramatic color shift makes Shiny Haxorus one of the more visually distinctive shiny Pokemon. In Pokemon GO, Shiny Axew became available during specific events, and the rarity of base Axew combined with the 1-in-500 approximate shiny rate makes Shiny Haxorus extremely rare. Trainers who obtained Shiny Axew during Community Day events had significantly better odds, creating a collector divide between those present for the event and those who missed it.
The Axew Line in Competitive Play and Future Games
Haxorus has maintained relevance in competitive Pokemon battling across multiple generations, though it occupies a specific niche rather than dominating metagames. Its pure Dragon typing provides fewer resistances than dual-typed Dragons, but also fewer weaknesses to exploit. The high Attack stat and access to Dragon Dance make Haxorus a potent sweeper when given setup opportunities, though Fairy-type Pokemon introduced in Generation 6 created new counterplay options.
Looking forward, the Axew evolution line will likely continue appearing in future Pokemon games given its popularity and straightforward design. For card collectors, this means continued opportunities for new Axew, Fraxure, and Haxorus cards with updated artwork and mechanics. The consistency of this evolution family””no regional forms, no alternate evolutions, no Mega or Gigantamax forms as of current releases””makes it a stable collection target without the complexity of tracking multiple variants.
Conclusion
The Axew evolution chain represents one of the more accessible Dragon-type families in Pokemon, evolving through simple level requirements at 38 and 48 without needing items or special conditions. From the small, tusked Axew through the blade-armed Fraxure to the imposing Haxorus, this three-stage line maintains pure Dragon typing throughout while offering visual progression that translates well to collectible cards.
For collectors, understanding these evolution mechanics helps contextualize card sets and complete evolution displays. Whether hunting for vintage Black and White era cards, modern Sword and Shield releases, or building a Dragon-type themed collection, the Axew family offers options across price points and rarities. The combination of competitive viability, distinctive design, and continued presence in new Pokemon releases ensures this evolution line will remain relevant for both players and collectors.
