Gligar is one of those Pokémon that looks like it was designed during a brainstorming session that started with “What if a scorpion could hang-glide?” Somehow, it works. This Ground/Flying-type Pokémon has been a fan favorite since Generation II, but its evolution into Gliscor is not as simple as “battle three times, eat a sandwich, and believe in yourself.” To evolve Gligar, you need the right item, the right time of day, and a tiny bit of patience.

This guide explains exactly how to evolve Gligar into Gliscor in five easy steps. Whether you are playing Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Legends: Arceus, or an older mainline game where Gligar appears, the core idea is the same: Razor Fang, nighttime, evolution magic. There are a few version-specific details, though, and those details are where many trainers trip over their own Running Shoes.

Below, you will learn where to get Gligar, how to find or use a Razor Fang, when nighttime matters, how to trigger the evolution, and what to do if Gligar stubbornly refuses to evolve. Think of this as your friendly field manual for turning a purple gliding goblin into a terrifying vampire scorpion bat. Pokémon science is beautiful.

Quick Answer: How Do You Evolve Gligar?

To evolve Gligar into Gliscor in most mainline Pokémon games, give Gligar a Razor Fang to hold, then level it up at night. Once those conditions are met, Gligar will evolve into Gliscor. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the process is slightly different: use a Razor Fang on Gligar during the night instead of making it hold the item and level up.

There is no special friendship requirement, no trade requirement, no minimum level requirement, and no need to whisper “please evolve” into the Switch microphone. If Gligar is holding the correct item and gains a level at night, the evolution should activate.

How to Evolve Gligar: 5 Steps

Step 1: Catch or Obtain a Gligar

Before you can evolve Gligar, you obviously need one. Groundbreaking, I know. Gligar is a Ground/Flying-type Pokémon, which gives it a fun defensive profile: it is immune to Electric-type and Ground-type moves, but it really does not enjoy Ice-type attacks. A cold breeze can make Gligar rethink its entire career.

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask DLC, Gligar appears in Kitakami and is tied to Pokémon Scarlet. That means Scarlet players can find it in the wild, while Violet players typically need to trade, transfer through Pokémon HOME, or join specific Tera Raid opportunities when available. In Kitakami, Gligar is commonly associated with rocky or desert-like areas, making places such as Paradise Barrens a practical hunting ground.

In Brilliant Diamond, Gligar is available in certain areas, while in Shining Pearl it is generally not naturally obtainable without trading. In older games, availability depends heavily on the version. The important takeaway is simple: if your game does not naturally include Gligar, do not panic. Trading has saved many Pokédex dreams, emotional support teams, and late-night completionist spirals.

Step 2: Get a Razor Fang

The Razor Fang is the key item for evolving Gligar. Do not confuse it with the Razor Claw. The Razor Claw is for Pokémon like Sneasel in many games. The Razor Fang is for Gligar. Mixing them up is one of the classic Pokémon item mistakes, right next to using your Master Ball on something you immediately regret.

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask, you can obtain a Razor Fang in Kitakami. One known method is earning it as a Kitakami Pokédex reward after registering enough Pokémon. Another method is finding one in the overworld, including around the Wistful Fields area in a cave-like spot. Some guides also note that the Ogre Oustin’ minigame can reward evolution items, though rewards may vary. The cleanest route for many players is to progress through the Kitakami Pokédex and claim the reward from the Pokédex menu.

In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Razor Fang access is more restricted and often appears late-game or post-game, such as around Battle Park or through Battle Tower-related rewards. This is why many BDSP players remember Gligar evolution as slightly annoying. The game basically says, “You may have the cool scorpion bat, but only after paperwork.”

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Razor Fang can be obtained from sources such as the Item Exchange, Space-Time Distortions, or drops connected to wild Gligar encounters. Because Legends: Arceus handles many evolutions through direct item use, the Razor Fang behaves more like an evolution stone in that game.

Step 3: Give Gligar the Razor Fang to Hold

In most mainline games, open your Bag, find the Razor Fang, select it, and give it to Gligar as a held item. This step matters. Simply owning a Razor Fang is not enough. Gligar does not evolve by sensing the item in your inventory from across the room. Pokémon may be magical, but they still require menu management.

After Gligar is holding the Razor Fang, you are halfway there. Do not remove the item before leveling up. If you accidentally give Gligar a different held item, the evolution will not trigger. If Gligar is holding Leftovers, an Amulet Coin, or something silly because you forgot to check, you will just have a regular Gligar enjoying a snack or pretending to be rich.

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, skip the held-item part. Instead, wait until nighttime and use the Razor Fang directly on Gligar. If the evolution option appears, you are good to go. If it does not, check the time of day and make sure you selected the correct item.

Step 4: Wait Until Nighttime

Nighttime is not optional. Gligar evolves into Gliscor at night while holding the Razor Fang in most games. In many Pokémon titles, nighttime is determined by either the system clock or the game’s internal day-night cycle. In Scarlet and Violet, the day-night cycle moves independently from your real-world clock, so you may simply need to wait until the sky darkens in-game.

If you are playing a game where the time is tied to the console clock, make sure it is actually nighttime in the game. Some titles define night around evening-to-early-morning hours. If you level up Gligar at noon while it is holding a Razor Fang, nothing special happens. Gligar will simply gain a level and silently judge your scheduling skills.

A good practical habit is to save before attempting the evolution, especially if the Razor Fang is rare in your version. This gives you a safety net in case you accidentally level Gligar during the wrong time window or discover that it was holding the wrong item.

Step 5: Level Up Gligar

Once Gligar is holding the Razor Fang and it is nighttime, level it up. You can do this through battle, Rare Candy, Exp. Candy, or any normal method your game allows. As soon as Gligar gains a level under the right conditions, it should evolve into Gliscor.

There is no minimum level required. A level 20 Gligar and a level 80 Gligar follow the same rule: Razor Fang, nighttime, level up. This makes the process flexible. You can evolve Gligar early if you want Gliscor on your adventure team, or wait if you are planning moves, natures, abilities, or competitive training.

After evolution, congratulations: you now have Gliscor, a Pokémon that looks like it should be guarding a haunted castle but is somehow also an excellent competitive wall in many formats. Gliscor keeps the Ground/Flying typing and becomes bulkier, sharper, and dramatically more intimidating. It is the rare glow-up that says, “I joined a gym and possibly a vampire society.”

Why Is Gliscor Worth Evolving?

Gliscor is not just cool because it looks like a flying nightmare with pincers. It is also useful. Its Ground/Flying typing gives it valuable immunities to Electric and Ground moves. That means it can switch into certain attacks that would flatten other team members. Its defensive stats are strong, and in many Pokémon games, Gliscor has access to excellent utility moves.

One of the biggest reasons players love Gliscor is its potential ability Poison Heal in games where it is available. With Poison Heal, Gliscor can recover HP each turn while poisoned, usually through a Toxic Orb. This has made Gliscor a famously irritating defensive Pokémon in competitive singles. Irritating in the best way, of course. The kind of way that makes your opponent stare at the screen and wonder whether friendship was ever real.

Even outside competitive battling, Gliscor is a strong adventure partner. It can handle many physical threats, threaten Steel-, Rock-, Electric-, and Fire-type Pokémon with Ground-type moves, and provide useful coverage. It is especially satisfying to use because it feels like a reward for solving a little evolution puzzle.

Common Mistakes That Stop Gligar from Evolving

Using Razor Claw Instead of Razor Fang

This is the big one. Razor Fang evolves Gligar. Razor Claw does not. The names are similar enough to cause chaos, but the items are not interchangeable. If your Gligar is not evolving, check the held item first.

Leveling Up During the Day

Nighttime matters. If Gligar gains a level during daylight, the evolution will not happen. Wait until the game is clearly in its nighttime phase, then try again.

Forgetting to Give Gligar the Item

Having a Razor Fang in your Bag is not the same as giving it to Gligar. In most games, Gligar must be holding it. Open the Pokémon summary or held-item menu to confirm before leveling.

Playing Pokémon Legends: Arceus Like a Traditional Game

Legends: Arceus changes the formula. In that game, you use the Razor Fang on Gligar at night. You do not need to level it up while holding the item. If you are switching between games, this difference can feel like your muscle memory walked into a glass door.

Trying to Catch Gligar in the Wrong Version

In Scarlet and Violet’s Teal Mask DLC, Gligar is associated with Scarlet availability. Violet players may need to trade or transfer to obtain one. If you are searching Kitakami in Violet and wondering why Gligar is acting invisible, the answer is version exclusivity, not bad luck.

Best Time to Evolve Gligar

For casual play, evolve Gligar as soon as you have the Razor Fang and access to nighttime. Gliscor is generally stronger and more durable, so there is little reason to delay unless you are targeting a specific move learned earlier by Gligar in a particular game.

For competitive or optimized play, check the move list in your specific game before evolving. Move availability changes across generations, and some moves are learned at different levels. Modern games often make move relearning easier, but older titles can be less forgiving. When in doubt, review Gligar and Gliscor’s learnsets before using the Razor Fang.

You may also want to consider nature and ability before evolving. A defensive Gliscor often appreciates natures that support physical bulk or speed, depending on the role. If Poison Heal is available in your game and format, it is often one of Gliscor’s most famous tools. For a story playthrough, though, do not overthink it. A decently leveled Gliscor with strong Ground-type coverage can do plenty of work.

How to Evolve Gligar in Different Pokémon Games

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask

Catch or obtain Gligar, give it a Razor Fang, wait until nighttime in the game, and level it up. Scarlet players can find Gligar in Kitakami, while Violet players generally need a trade, transfer, or raid opportunity. Razor Fang can be obtained through Kitakami progression and found in certain locations.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Give Gligar a Razor Fang and level it up at night. The main challenge is getting the Razor Fang, which is more limited than in some newer titles. Trading can help if you want Gliscor earlier.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Use a Razor Fang on Gligar at night. You do not need to level it up while holding the item. This is one of the smoother evolution methods once you have the item.

Older Mainline Games

The standard method is usually the same: Gligar must hold a Razor Fang and level up at night. Item locations and Gligar availability vary by version, so the hardest part is often finding the Razor Fang rather than triggering the evolution itself.

Troubleshooting: Why Won’t My Gligar Evolve?

If your Gligar refuses to evolve, run through this checklist. Is it holding a Razor Fang, not a Razor Claw? Is it nighttime in the actual game? Did Gligar gain a level after holding the item, rather than before? Are you playing Legends: Arceus, where you need to use the Razor Fang directly? Is Gligar prevented from evolving because you canceled the evolution animation? Did you press B out of habit like a chaos gremlin?

Most failed Gligar evolutions come down to one of three issues: wrong item, wrong time, or wrong method for the specific game. Fix those, and Gliscor should arrive with all the dramatic flair of a cape-wearing scorpion.

Extra Experience: My Practical Tips for Evolving Gligar Smoothly

The best way to evolve Gligar without frustration is to prepare everything before nighttime arrives. I like to treat it like a tiny checklist. First, put Gligar in the party. Second, confirm that the held item says Razor Fang. Third, keep a Rare Candy or Exp. Candy ready if the game has them. Fourth, wait for the nighttime phase. Finally, use the candy or win a quick battle. This method avoids the awkward situation where you are scrambling through menus while the game’s clock is already moving on without you.

In Scarlet and Violet, the in-game day-night cycle can make players impatient because you cannot always force the exact moment you want. My advice is to use that waiting time productively. Hunt nearby Pokémon, collect items, organize your boxes, check Gligar’s moves, or make sure you have the right Tera Type if you care about team building. The moment night falls, you can level Gligar immediately. It feels much better than standing in a field staring at the sky like your trainer is waiting for a bus.

If you are playing Violet and need Gligar, trading is usually the least painful solution. Ask for a Gligar rather than a Gliscor if you want the satisfaction of evolving it yourself. That tiny evolution animation is part of the fun. It is the Pokémon equivalent of pulling bread out of the oven: you could buy the finished loaf, but where is the drama?

For Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, plan around Razor Fang availability. If you want Gliscor during the main story, you may need help from another player. Otherwise, accept that Gliscor may become more of a post-game partner. That is not necessarily bad. Post-game teams are where many players start experimenting with stronger builds, hidden abilities, breeding, and battle facilities. Gliscor fits that environment perfectly.

For Legends: Arceus, remember that the item-use system is your friend. You do not need to grind an extra level if you already have the Razor Fang and it is nighttime. Rest until night if needed, open your satchel, select the Razor Fang, and use it on Gligar. It is refreshingly direct, like the game briefly decided to stop being mysterious and just let you evolve the bat-scorpion already.

My biggest recommendation is to save before using the Razor Fang if the game allows it. Evolution items can be limited depending on the title, and saving gives you room to recover from accidental mistakes. Maybe you clicked the wrong Pokémon. Maybe it was not actually nighttime. Maybe your thumb betrayed you. It happens. Pokémon menus have witnessed more human error than most tax offices.

Finally, enjoy Gliscor after you evolve it. Do not just box it immediately after filling the Pokédex. Try it in battle. Teach it a strong Ground-type move. Let it switch into Electric attacks. Watch it glide around like a creature that absolutely knows it has an excellent type combination. Gliscor is one of those evolutions that feels genuinely rewarding because it combines a specific method with a noticeable upgrade. You did not just press A through another level-up; you solved the little ritual, waited for night, used the right fang, and earned a monster with style.

Conclusion

Evolving Gligar into Gliscor is simple once you understand the formula: get Gligar, obtain a Razor Fang, wait until nighttime, and level it up while it is holding the item. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, use the Razor Fang directly on Gligar at night instead. The most common mistakes are using Razor Claw instead of Razor Fang, trying the evolution during the day, or forgetting that some games handle item evolutions differently.

Gliscor is worth the effort. It is durable, stylish, useful in battle, and just weird enough to be unforgettable. Whether you are completing the Pokédex, building a competitive team, or simply collecting Pokémon that look like they escaped from a haunted canyon, Gliscor deserves a spot on your radar. So grab that Razor Fang, wait for the moon, and let Gligar become the winged menace it was always meant to be.