Pokémon Sword and Shield introduces 81 new Pokémon for players to battle, catch, and train as they make their way through the Galar Region. And just like in previous games, the 8th generation of the popular RPG presents players evolving Pokémon in new and inventive ways beyond simply leveling up.
One such Pokémon is Applin, a small worm-like creature that lives inside of apples, cleverly using the fruit as a form of shelter, food source, and protection from potential predators.
While it’s appearance may lead you to believe it’s just another underpowered Grass-type, Applin’s dual-typing makes it extremely rare as one of only two naturally occurring Grass/Dragon Pokémon – Alolan Exeggutor being the other.
In this guide, we’ll be sharing detailed instructions for catching Applin as well as how to go about evolving it into either Flapple or Appletun.
If you would like more general tips and tricks for getting started in Sword and Shield, check out our Beginner’s Guide for everything you need to know about the Galar Region.
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How To Catch Applin
Location
Like a majority of Pokémon in Sword and Shield, Applin can be found lurking in patches of grass as a random encounter.
However, you won’t see it roaming around in the overworld and have a much better chance of encountering it during certain weather conditions, including the following:
Location | Weather Condition |
Route 5 | Any (Only Rare/Surprise Encounters) |
Wild Area: Stony Wilderness | Thunderstorm |
Wild Area: Giant’s Mirror | Thunderstorm |
Wild Area: Dusty Bowl | Sunny |
Note: Applin can also be encountered in a Max Raid Battle as a common spawn at Den #38 in the Axew’s Eye region of the Wild Area.
Catching
Once you’ve managed to find Applin in the grass, you have a few different options at your disposal. Throwing a Quick Ball on the first turn is your best chance of catching Applin without risk of fainting it.
Additional options include using a Level Ball if your Pokémon out-levels Applin by a significant amount or a Repeat Ball if you’ve caught one before.
How To Evolve Applin
Evolving Applin requires you to have either a Sweet Apple (Pokémon Shield) or Tart Apple (Pokémon Sword). Using the item on Applin will evolve it into Flapple (Pokémon Sword) or Appletun (Pokémon Shield), depending on your version of the game.
Note: Trading apples from one version of the game to another will not allow you to get both evolutions since Appletun is exclusive to Shield, and Flapple is exclusive to Sword. To obtain both Pokémon, we recommend trading with another player whose version differs from your own.
Flapple (Pokémon Sword)
Item | Tart Apple |
Type | Grass/Dragon |
Ability | Ripen or Gluttony (Hidden Ability: Hustle) |
Stats |
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Appletun (Pokémon Shield)
Item | Sweet Apple |
Type | Grass/Dragon |
Ability | Ripen or Gluttony (Hidden Ability: Thick Fat) |
Stats |
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