Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl: How To Evolve Piplup

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Piplup is a Water-type Pokemon first introduced in Generation IV in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. It evolves into Prinplup, which then evolves into Empoleon. Piplup is also one of three starter Pokemon you may choose at the beginning of either game alongside their respective remakes. By the end of this guide, you will learn how to evolve Piplup in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

How to Evolve Piplup in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl

Piplup is a Water-type Pokemon that evolves into Prinplup starting at level 16. Piplup is also one of three starter Pokemon that you may choose at the beginning of Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. However, if you chose Turtwig or Chimchar as your starting Pokemon instead, you will not find Piplup again immediately. If you do not have Piplup already, you may find the Pokemon in the Grand Underground. Upon completing the National Dex, you may encounter Piplup in Fountainspring Cave, Riverbank Cave, and Still-Water Cavern.

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Once Piplup has evolved into Prinplup, you will encounter one more evolution. Prinplup will evolve into Empoleon, starting at level 36. You need to perform no additional items or tasks to evolve Piplup into Prinplup or Prinplup into Empoleon. You also do not need to trade Piplup or Prinplup with other players to evolve it. However, you will need to engage in enough battles with wild Pokemon to level up to 16 with Piplup and 36 with Prinplup.

Piplup and Prinplup can also hold a Lucky Egg to level up faster. Lucky Eggs add increased EXP after battles, which will help you save time if your Piplup or Prinplup are low levels or if you want to evolve them faster. If you do not have a Lucky Egg, you can find wild Chansey’s, which have a chance of holding either a Lucky Egg or an Oval Stone. You may also search for a Lucky Egg at Acuity Lakefront in the Grand Underground.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl are available on Nintendo Switch. For more information regarding the game and future updates, check out the official website.