Catching a Pokémon is usually the easy part, but figuring out how to evolve Mantyke into Mantine is where things get weird. You've probably spent hours leveling it up, thinking maybe it just needs to hit level 25 or 30 like everything else. It won't. You can grind that little kite-fish to level 100 and it’ll still be a Mantyke. Why? Because Pokémon likes to be cryptic.
To get a Mantine, you don't need a special stone or a trade link. You need a Remoraid.
It sounds fake. It sounds like one of those playground rumors from 1998, but it's 100% the truth. You must have a Remoraid sitting in your party at the exact moment Mantyke levels up. If that Remoraid isn't in one of your six active slots, nothing happens. No evolution. No Mantine. Just a very tired Mantyke.
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The Specific Mechanics of the Remoraid Requirement
Most people assume there’s a level cap involved here. There isn't. You could theoretically evolve a level 2 Mantyke if you managed to get one that low. The game check is binary: Is Remoraid present? Yes? Level up? Trigger evolution.
This mechanic first showed up in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (Generation IV) and has remained the standard ever since. It’s a nod to the actual design of Mantine. If you look closely at Mantine’s official sprite and artwork from earlier generations, there is literally a Remoraid clinging to its underbelly. They have a symbiotic relationship. In the Pokémon world, Mantine provides protection and leftovers, while Remoraid acts as a sort of hitchhiking scavenger.
Actually doing this in games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus or Scarlet and Violet is straightforward once you know the secret, but the encounter tables can be annoying. In Arceus, for instance, you’ll find Mantyke swimming around the Tranquility Cove area of the Cobalt Coastlands. Conveniently, Remoraid lives in the exact same waters. You catch both, put them in your party, and then use an Exp. Candy or win one battle. Boom. Mantine.
Where People Usually Mess Up
The biggest mistake is the "Box" issue. Modern Pokémon games have a portable PC box system, but having a Remoraid in your PC does absolutely nothing for a Mantyke in your party. They have to be "together."
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Another point of confusion stems from the Everstone. If your Mantyke is holding an Everstone (maybe you forgot it was there from a breeding session), it won't evolve. I’ve seen players get genuinely frustrated because they had the Remoraid, they got the level up, and the screen just faded to black. Check your held items. It matters.
Also, let's talk about the "Mantine Surf" in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. You see Mantine everywhere in those games, but catching a Mantyke and evolving it still requires that specific Remoraid trigger. It feels counter-intuitive because you see the Mantine already evolved in the wild, but the biology rules of the Pokédex are strict.
Does the Remoraid Evolve Too?
Nope. This is a one-sided evolution. Your Remoraid stays exactly as it is. It doesn't disappear from your party, it doesn't merge with the Mantyke, and it doesn't transform into Octillery. It just sits there, acting as the catalyst. Once the evolution is finished, you can shove that Remoraid back into the PC or release it. Its job is done.
Strategy for Modern Games: Scarlet, Violet, and Beyond
In the Paldea region, or if you're playing the Indigo Disk DLC, you’ll find Mantyke in the coastal biomes. The leveling process here is so fast due to shared Exp. that you might accidentally over-level your Mantyke before you even find a Remoraid. Don't worry about that. A level 60 Mantyke will still evolve the moment it hits level 61 if a Remoraid is present.
If you're looking for Remoraid in Scarlet and Violet, check the Terrarium's Coastal Biome. They tend to hang out near the surface.
- Step 1: Catch Mantyke (Found in oceans/coastal areas).
- Step 2: Catch Remoraid (Often in the same vicinity).
- Step 3: Ensure both are in your current party of six.
- Step 4: Level up Mantyke once (Battle, Rare Candy, or L/M/S Exp. Candy).
The Competitive Viability: Is It Worth It?
Honestly? Mantine is a niche pick, but a solid one. It’s a Water/Flying type with a massive Special Defense stat. If you're playing through the main story, Mantine is a tank. It can soak up hits from special attackers like they're nothing. With the ability "Water Absorb," it becomes an even bigger nuisance because Water-type moves actually heal it.
However, it has a glaring weakness: Electricity. Because of its dual typing, it takes 4x damage from Electric moves. One "Thunderbolt" and your majestic manta ray is cooked. If you're planning to use it in a playthrough, keep it far away from any Electric-type gym leaders or trainers.
In the competitive scene, specifically Smogon’s lower tiers (like NU or RU in previous gens), Mantine has functioned as a reliable "Defogger" to clear entry hazards like Stealth Rock. It has access to "Roost" for recovery, making it surprisingly hard to kill if you don't have a physical attacker or an electric move ready to go.
Why This Evolution Method Exists
Game Freak loves "method evolutions." It adds flavor to the world. It’s the same reason Inkay only evolves if you hold your Nintendo Switch upside down, or why Galarian Yamask requires you to take 49+ damage and walk under a specific stone arch in the Wild Area.
These methods are designed to make the world feel alive, rather than just a series of math equations. The Mantyke/Remoraid connection is one of the oldest examples of this "environmental" evolution logic. It forces the player to acknowledge the ecology of the Pokémon world.
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Actionable Next Steps for Trainers
If you are staring at a Mantyke right now and wondering why it won't change, stop what you are doing and head to the nearest body of water.
- Check your party composition. If you don't see a Remoraid, go catch one. They are common in almost every game where Mantyke is available.
- Verify the level up. If your Mantyke is already level 100, you can still evolve it in newer games (Gen 8 and 9) by using a Rare Candy on it, even though it won't actually gain a level.
- Check for the Everstone. It's a small detail that ruins everything.
- Prepare for the move set. Once it evolves into Mantine, head to the Move Reminder. Mantine can learn "Air Slash" and "Hydro Pump," which are essential for making it useful in mid-to-late game battles.
Mantine is a beautiful Pokémon that offers a unique defensive profile. Getting it just requires a little bit of patience and a very specific fish friend. Go grab that Remoraid and finish the job.