Pokemon Legends: Arceus is mostly filled with returning Pokemon, including Kirlia, who can be evolved into either Gallade or Gardevoir - both of which can be exceptionally powerful Pokemon if paired with the right trainer. There are many different methods of evolution in the Pokemon series, some of which have carried over to Pokemon Legends: Arceus in one form or another.
Some Pokemon even have more than one evolution tree possible, with different requirements for evolution. Kirlia is one such Pokemon that has various evolutions and can be evolved into either Gallade or Gardevoir. While both evolutions stem from the same Pokemon, each has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the Pokemon you are facing in battle. Whatever evolution you decide to go with, this guide will teach you how to get both.
Updated by Nathan Round on 30th January 2023: We have updated this guide with new images and useful links that may prove useful for all Pokemon Legends: Arceus players.
How To Evolve Kirlia Into Gardevoir
First, you will have to start by finding a Ralts or even a Kirlia in the wild that can be male or female. In Pokemon Legends: Arceus, you are going to find Ralts in one of the two regions in the game: the Crimson Mirelands or Alabaster Icelands. More specifically, you will find them spawning a lot in Gapejaw Bog or Shrouded Ruins in Crimson Mirelands and Heart's Crag or Snowpoint Temple in Alabaster Icelands. You can search for both of these on the map, and you shouldn't have too much trouble finding one.
If you happen to find a less common Kirlia in the wild, you don't have to worry about evolving a Ralts. Otherwise, you will need to raise Ralts to level 20, and it will evolve into Kirlia. At that point, all you have to do is keep raising your Kirlia's level. Once it hits level 30, you will be able to evolve it into Gardevoir. This is exactly how it is in the mainline Pokemon games as well, so most people should be familiar with this.
How To Evolve Kirlia Into Gallade
Between the two final evolutions for Ralts and Kirlia, Gallade has always been the more difficult of the two to pull off. That is because rather than just having to raise the level of your Kirlia to a certain level, Gallade had a few other requirements for evolution. This still remains the case in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, as Gallade is not as simple as leveling up a male Kirlia.
As always, you need a male Kirlia to be able to evolve into a Gallade. This means you will need to either catch a male Ralts and evolve it at level 20 or catch a wild male Kirlia in the areas mentioned above.
Getting a male Kirlia to a certain level is just not going to do it, though, as you will instead be using an evolution item in tandem with a male Kirlia to get your Gallade. For this evolution, you will need to obtain a Dawn Stone, just like you would in the mainline games. There are a few ways to find a Dawn Stone, with one being the likely best option.
The first is to use Ursaluna to search for one, though there is no guarantee that you'll come across one that way. The more surefire way is to go to the Trading Post in Jubilife City and exchange 1,200 Merit Points for the Dawn Stone. Once you have one, just use it on your male Kirlia, and it will evolve into Gallade.