Bad Influences and Biker Pandas: Why Your Pancham Won't Evolve in Lumiose City
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Jeff explains the quirky, 'bad influence' requirement for evolving Pancham into Pangoro in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, proving that even in a futuristic Lumiose City, old-school evolution logic still rules.
Right, so I’ve been poking around the neon-soaked streets of Lumiose City lately, and bloody hell, the place is a maze of digital spells and architectural wonders. It’s like Game Freak decided to take our nostalgia, run it through a high-end particle accelerator, and see what comes out the other side. But amidst all the talk of urban redevelopment and Mega Evolutions that could probably level a skyscraper, I’ve found myself pondering a much smaller, fluffier mystery: why on earth is my Pancham refusing to grow up?
You know that feeling when you cast a spell—or in this case, grind out a few levels—and it works a bit too well, yet nothing happens? That’s the Pancham experience in *Pokémon Legends: Z-A*. You’ve got this adorable little Kung Fu Panda wannabe chewing on a sprig of bamboo, looking like he’s ready to take on the world, but he stays stuck in his toddler phase forever if you don’t know the secret handshake.
I’ve been tinkering with the mechanics all morning, and it’s wilder than it first appeared. It turns out, evolving Pancham isn’t just about hitting the gym (or the Wild Zones); it’s about the company he keeps. It’s a bit like trying to teach a wizard apprentice how to cast a fireball—they need to see someone else do it first, preferably someone with a bit of a mean streak.
### The Recipe for a Pangoro
To turn your pint-sized brawler into the dual Fighting- and Dark-type powerhouse that is Pangoro, you need more than just XP. First off, you’ve got to hit **Level 32**. That’s the baseline. But if you hit 32 and think, “Right, job done, mate,” you’re going to be sorely disappointed. Your Pancham will just keep staring at you with those big, defiant eyes, staying exactly as small as he was before.
The trick—the digital tea leaf reading, if you will—is that you **must have a Dark-type Pokémon in your party** when Pancham levels up. It’s a brilliantly weird bit of legacy coding that I’ve always been gently skeptical of, but I reckon there’s a certain charm to it. It’s as if Pancham needs a 'bad influence' to finally commit to the bit and become a delinquent biker boss.
Now, which Dark-type you choose doesn't actually matter. You could have a sleek Umbreon (that fancy Eevee evolution we’re all obsessed with) or a rough-and-tumble Houndour. Speaking of which, if you’re looking for a quick partner-in-crime for your panda, I’ve spotted Houndour roaming around **Wild Zone 6** quite frequently. Just chuck one in the back of your party like a silent mentor, and the moment your Pancham ticks over to 32, the magic happens.
### Where Do These Little Rascals Hide?
If you haven't actually snagged a Pancham yet, you’ll want to head over to **Wild Zone 3**. Fair warning: they’re a bit rarer than your garden-variety Litleo or the ever-present Pikachu. I had to venture into the zone a few times before one finally decided to show its face. It’s almost like they know they’re the stars of their own little kung fu flick and they want to make an entrance.
From a player perspective, this kind of 'hidden' requirement is exactly what makes Pokémon feel like a living world rather than just a spreadsheet with better graphics. It forces you to think about the 'vibe' of your team. Why does a Fighting-type need a Dark-type to evolve? It suggests a bit of environmental storytelling that corporate PR speak usually glosses over. It’s not just a 'feature'; it’s a character arc.
### A Wizard’s Skepticism
Now, I have to put on my skeptical hat for a moment. Part of me wonders if keeping these specific evolution requirements is just a way to make us keep our phones open to guides while we play. It’s a bit of a 'if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it' mentality from Nintendo, but sometimes I wish they’d lean into the innovation they’re showing elsewhere in *Z-A*. Why not a quest? Why not a specific interaction in a Lumiose café?
But then again, there’s something oddly comforting about the fact that even in a reimagined, futuristic Kalos, some things remain sacred. In a world where we’re constantly promised 'revolutionary' shifts in gaming, there’s a grounding reality in needing a grumpy dark dog to help a panda grow up. It’s chaotic, it’s a bit nonsensical, and it’s quintessentially Pokémon.
### The Bigger Picture
*Pokémon Legends: Z-A* is shaping up to be a fascinating experiment in how we interact with these digital creatures. Between the Mega Stone hunting and the intricate map of Lumiose City, it feels like we're being treated like actual researchers again, rather than just kids on a linear path.
Whether you’re out there shiny hunting or just trying to fill that Pokédex so you can claim you’ve mastered the city, keep an eye on your party composition. It’s the little things—the quiet connections between types—that often hold the most power. Just like a well-cast spell, the results are only as good as the ingredients you put in.
So, grab yourself a Houndour, level up that panda, and let’s see what else this city is hiding under its neon lights. Just don’t be surprised if your new Pangoro starts acting like he owns the place. He’s had a Dark-type influence, after all. What did you expect?
Tags: Pokemon Legends ZA, Pokemon Evolution, Gaming Guides, Nintendo Switch, Lumiose City
Original article: Polygon