Understanding what is the evolution of sneasel is essential for anyone interested in Pokemon card collecting and pricing. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know, from basic concepts to advanced strategies. By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge to make informed decisions and take effective action.
Table of Contents
- How Does Standard Sneasel Evolve Into Weavile?
- What Makes Hisuian Sneasel Different From the Original?
- Evolving Sneasel in Pokémon GO: A Different Approach
- Where to Find the Razor Claw Across Different Games
- Common Mistakes When Evolving Sneasel
- Sneasel and Weavile in the Trading Card Game
- The Future of Sneasel’s Evolutionary Lines
- Conclusion
How Does Standard Sneasel Evolve Into Weavile?
The standard Sneasel found in Johto and most other regions follows a specific evolution path that requires both an item and a time condition. Players must equip Sneasel with a Razor Claw, then level it up during nighttime hours in their game. The combination of these two requirements means evolution cannot happen through trading, friendship, or any other method—only this precise ritual works. The nighttime requirement trips up many players. In most mainline Pokémon games, nighttime typically spans from 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM, though this can vary slightly between titles.
If you level up your Sneasel at 7:59 PM while holding the Razor Claw, nothing happens. Wait two minutes and try again, and you will have a Weavile. This mechanic reflects Sneasel’s lore as a nocturnal hunter that thrives in darkness. Weavile represents a significant stat upgrade from its pre-evolution. The evolved form gains considerable Speed and Attack, making it a viable choice for competitive battles. For collectors focused on completing their Pokédex, Weavile also opens doors to various card variants and merchandise featuring the sleek, red-crowned Pokémon.
What Makes Hisuian Sneasel Different From the Original?
Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduced Hisuian Sneasel, a regional variant with dramatically different characteristics. Where standard Sneasel carries Dark/Ice typing, the Hisuian form is Fighting/Poison—a complete type overhaul that changes its strengths, weaknesses, and competitive viability. This variant evolved separately in the ancient Hisui region, adapting to different environmental pressures. The evolution method mirrors standard Sneasel but with one crucial reversal: Hisuian Sneasel evolves during daytime instead of nighttime. Players still need the Razor Claw, but the clock works in reverse.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus also introduced a quality-of-life improvement—you can use the Razor Claw directly on your Hisuian Sneasel from the inventory rather than grinding through level-ups. This streamlined approach fits the game’s overall design philosophy. Hisuian Sneasel evolves into Sneasler, not Weavile. Sneasler stands as a completely separate Pokémon with its own stats, moveset, and competitive niche. For card collectors, this means an entirely separate evolutionary line to track, with Hisuian variants appearing in newer card sets reflecting the Legends: Arceus era.
Evolving Sneasel in Pokémon GO: A Different Approach
Pokémon GO handles Sneasel’s evolution differently from the mainline games, replacing the Razor Claw and time-of-day mechanics with its own resource system. To evolve standard Sneasel into Weavile, players need 100 Sneasel Candy plus a Sinnoh Stone. The Sinnoh Stone is a special evolution item that can be obtained through Research Breakthroughs, PvP battles, and Team Leader training. Hisuian Sneasel’s evolution into Sneasler requires a different approach entirely. Players need the same 100 Sneasel Candy but must also walk 7 kilometers with Sneasel set as their buddy Pokémon.
No Sinnoh Stone is required for this path. This walking requirement cannot be bypassed, though Poffins can help accumulate distance faster through the buddy system’s excitement bonus. The key limitation here involves Sinnoh Stone scarcity. These items drop randomly and cannot be purchased, meaning players might accumulate hundreds of Sneasel Candy while waiting for the evolution item. Planning ahead by saving Sinnoh Stones specifically for desired evolutions helps avoid frustration when you finally catch that perfect IV Sneasel.
Where to Find the Razor Claw Across Different Games
Obtaining the Razor Claw varies significantly depending on which Pokémon game you are playing. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the most straightforward method involves purchasing it from Simona’s trading post in Jubilife Village for 1,400 Merit Points. Merit Points are earned by returning lost satchels found throughout the Hisui region, making the Razor Claw accessible relatively early if you prioritize this activity. Other mainline games scatter Razor Claws across various locations. Victory Road commonly contains one as a hidden item.
Battle Tower rewards sometimes include it. Some titles allow purchase at certain shops after meeting specific conditions. The inconsistency across games means checking a game-specific guide is often necessary when hunting for this item. The tradeoff between grinding for Merit Points versus exploring for hidden items depends on your playstyle. Merit Point farming through lost satchels provides a guaranteed path but requires online connectivity and repeated trips across the map. Hidden item hunting might yield faster results if you know exact locations but offers no fallback if you miss the item or already collected it in a previous playthrough.
Common Mistakes When Evolving Sneasel
The most frequent error players make involves ignoring the time-of-day requirement. Equipping the Razor Claw and grinding levels during daytime hours results in a confused player wondering why their Sneasel will not evolve. Always check your in-game clock before attempting evolution—this simple step prevents wasted time and resources. Another pitfall involves confusing regional variants. If you are playing a game featuring both standard and Hisuian Sneasel, ensure you know which variant you are training.
Attempting to evolve Hisuian Sneasel at night or standard Sneasel during the day produces no results. The game will not warn you that you have the wrong time selected. In Pokémon GO, players sometimes forget they need both resources simultaneously. Having 100 candy but no Sinnoh Stone—or vice versa—means the evolution button remains grayed out. Unlike mainline games where you can attempt evolution anytime, GO requires all conditions met before the option even appears. Check your item bag before investing buddy walking time or candy into a Sneasel you cannot actually evolve yet.
Sneasel and Weavile in the Trading Card Game
Sneasel cards have appeared across numerous TCG sets since Generation II, with Weavile cards following after Diamond and Pearl introduced the evolution. Card values vary dramatically based on set, condition, and whether the card features special artwork or holographic treatments. First edition Sneasel cards from Neo Genesis hold particular collector interest given the Pokémon’s popularity and the set’s age.
Hisuian variants brought new card designs to recent sets, giving collectors fresh chase targets. Sneasler cards remain relatively newer to the market, meaning their long-term value trajectory is less established than classic Weavile cards. Collectors building complete evolutionary sets now face the question of whether to pursue both regional lines or focus on one.
The Future of Sneasel’s Evolutionary Lines
Regional variants have become an established pattern in modern Pokémon games, and Hisuian Sneasel demonstrates how dramatically Game Freak is willing to reimagine classic Pokémon. Future games may introduce additional Sneasel variants with their own evolution methods and final forms.
For collectors and players, this means the Sneasel family could continue expanding beyond its current two evolutionary paths. The card market tends to respond positively to new variants, creating opportunities for collectors who stay ahead of announcements. Keeping current with both evolutionary lines positions you well whether you are building a competitive deck, completing a Pokédex, or investing in cards with growth potential.
Conclusion
Sneasel’s evolution into Weavile requires a Razor Claw and nighttime leveling, while Hisuian Sneasel takes the opposite approach—daytime evolution into Sneasler. Pokémon GO replaces these mechanics with candy and either a Sinnoh Stone or buddy walking distance. Understanding which version you have and which game you are playing determines your exact path forward.
For collectors, both evolutionary lines offer distinct cards and merchandise worth tracking. The introduction of Hisuian forms expanded Sneasel’s relevance in modern sets while classic Weavile cards retain their established collector base. Whether you are evolving for competitive play, Pokédex completion, or simply appreciating the Sharp Claw Pokémon’s design, knowing these mechanics ensures you can add Weavile or Sneasler to your collection without unnecessary frustration.
