So, you’ve finally caught a Misdreavus. It’s a great Ghost-type. Honestly, it’s one of the most iconic designs from the Johto era, even if it was weirdly hard to find back in the original Gold and Silver. But now you’re staring at your party screen, watching the levels climb, and wondering: When does Misdreavus evolve? If you’re waiting for a specific level—like 30, 37, or even 50—you’re going to be waiting forever. Literally.
Misdreavus does not evolve by leveling up.
It’s a common mistake. Most Pokémon follow a predictable "get XP, hit level, get bigger" pattern. Misdreavus is different. It belongs to a specific group of Pokémon that require a catalyst. If you want that elegant, witch-like Mismagius, you need a Dusk Stone.
When Does Misdreavus Evolve? The Short Answer
You can evolve Misdreavus at any level as long as you have a Dusk Stone.
Whether your Misdreavus is level 5 or level 95, the moment you use that purple stone on it, the evolution sequence starts. There is no "minimum level" requirement. However, just because you can evolve it immediately doesn't always mean you should.
I’ve seen plenty of trainers rush into evolving their Pokémon only to realize they missed out on a key move. In many games, like Brilliant Diamond or Scarlet and Violet, Misdreavus learns moves like Shadow Ball (level 41) or Power Gem (level 50) naturally. Once it becomes Mismagius, its level-up move pool changes drastically. Often, it stops learning new moves by level altogether, or the moves it does learn are much more niche.
If you’re playing through the main story, a good rule of thumb is to wait until your Misdreavus is around level 35 to 40. This ensures it has a solid foundation of Ghost and Psychic attacks before you lock it into its final form.
Where to Find the Dusk Stone
Since the stone is the only way to trigger the evolution, knowing where to snag one is vital. Every game handles this a bit differently.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
In the Paldea region, you’ve got a few options. One of the easiest (though it requires some patience) is the Porto Marinada auction house. Items there rotate daily, and a Dusk Stone will eventually pop up. If you don't want to gamble with auctions, head to Montenevera. There is a guaranteed Dusk Stone sitting in a Poké Ball behind the gym building.
Also, keep an eye on your Pokédex rewards. Once you register 130 species, Mr. Jacq will give you a Dusk Stone as a milestone reward.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Hisui is a bit more "old school." You can buy a Dusk Stone from the Trading Post in Jubilife Village for 1,200 Merit Points. You get these by finding lost satchels in the wild. If you're feeling lucky, you can also find them inside Space-Time Distortions, though the RNG there can be brutal.
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
If you're roaming the Sinnoh remakes, check the Galactic Warehouse in Veilstone City. There’s one hidden there. Another is tucked away in the late-game area of Victory Road. If you have a Pokémon with the Pickup ability (like Pachirisu), there is a small chance they’ll just find one for you while you’re walking around, provided they are at a high enough level.
Why Mismagius is Worth the Wait
You might be thinking, "Is it even worth the hassle of finding a rare stone?"
Yes.
Misdreavus is okay, but Mismagius is a significant upgrade. It’s faster, hits harder, and has fantastic Special Defense. Plus, it has the Levitate ability. This makes it completely immune to Ground-type moves like Earthquake, which is massive in both casual play and competitive battles.
Mismagius also has a very diverse move pool. Beyond just Ghost-type moves, it can learn:
- Mystical Fire (Fire-type coverage is rare for ghosts!)
- Dazzling Gleam (Great for hitting Dark-types)
- Psychic * Thunderbolt
Basically, it becomes a glass cannon that can hit almost any opponent for super-effective damage.
A Quick History Lesson: The Gen 2 Trap
Here is a weird bit of trivia that trips up people playing the retro games: You cannot evolve Misdreavus in Pokémon Gold, Silver, or Crystal.
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Even though Misdreavus debuted in Generation 2, its evolution, Mismagius, didn't exist until Generation 4 (Diamond and Pearl). If you’re playing the Virtual Console versions on a 3DS or an original GameBoy Color, your Misdreavus is stuck as a Misdreavus forever. The Dusk Stone wasn't even an item back then.
It’s a bit like the Scyther/Scizor situation, but without the trade requirement. You had to wait years for the developers to give this ghost a "glow-up."
Actionable Steps for Your Team
Ready to upgrade? Here is exactly what you should do right now:
- Check your current level: If you’re under level 30, keep training. You want moves like Confuse Ray and Hex at the very least.
- Locate your stone: If you’re in Paldea (Scarlet/Violet), fly to Montenevera and check behind the gym. It's the fastest "free" stone in the game.
- Check your move set: Look at your Misdreavus. Does it know Shadow Ball? if not, and you have the TM for it, you're good to go. If you don't have the TM, wait until level 41.
- Use the item: Open your bag, select the Dusk Stone, and "Use" it on Misdreavus. Don't make it "hold" the stone—that won't do anything.
Once the white light fades, you’ll have a Mismagius ready to haunt your enemies. Just keep it away from physical attackers; its physical defense is paper-thin, and a single Crunch or Sucker Punch will likely knock it out. Stick to special attacking and utilize its high speed to strike first.