How to Evolve Farfetch’d in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Farfetch’d now has a regional evolution, Sirfetch’d – but its unique evolution method can be difficult to carry out. Here’s how to obtain a Sirfetch’d in Pokémon Sword and Shield!

Catching Galarian Farfetch’d

Galarian Farfetch’d is exclusive to Pokémon Sword, so Shield players will have to trade for one. In Sword, you can find a Farfetch’d on Route 5 or in the Giant’s Mirror zone within the Wild Area during overcast weather. Farfetch’d doesn’t need to be a particular level to evolve, so either source should work equally well. Ideally you’ll want to find a Farfetch’d carrying the Leek item (there's about a 50% chance of each Farfetch's having one) – this will come in handy later.

Battling with Farfetch’d

To evolve into Sirfetch’d, Farfetch’d will have to carry out three critical hits in a single battle. These don’t all need to be performed in a row, but as critical hits are luck-based it’ll probably take a few battles to get this to work. As soon as the battle ends, you’ll be notified that your Farfetch’d is evolving, and you’ll have your Sirfetch’d!

Increasing your Critical Hit Rate

There are several ways to increase your chance of scoring critical hits, which should make it much easier to evolve Farfetch’d. The Leek item held by some wild Farfetch’d increases their critical hit rate, so make sure your Farfetch’d is carrying one of these into battle.

Teaching your Farfetch’d Focus Energy will further raise its chances of a critical hit. Farfetch’d doesn’t learn this move by leveling up, but can be taught using TR13, which can be obtained from a record store owner in Motostoke (see the photo above). Keep in mind that TRs can only be used once!

It helps to give your Farfetch’d some moves with a high critical hit rate – Galarian Farfetch’d learns Leaf Blade naturally at Level 55, but it’s quicker and easier to teach it this move using TR50. This TR can be bought from a Watt Trader at East Lake Axewell.

Lastly, it’s best to take part in a battle that’ll run on as long as possible, so that you get several chances to strike a critical hit – try battling Trainers with a lot of Pokémon, or Pokémon with particularly high Defense.