Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: How to Evolve Charcadet into Armarouge or Ceruledge

Not every Pokemon evolution is as straightforward as simply leveling up a ‘mon until it triggers; some require some extra legwork. The new Gen 9 Pokemon Armarouge and Ceruledge are perfect examples of this and use an exclusive method to evolve. Here’s how to evolve Charcadet into Armarouge and Ceruledge in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

How to Evolve Charcadet into Armarouge or Ceruledge in Pokemon S&V

Before we get into it, note that Armarouge is exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet and Ceruledge is exclusive to Pokemon Violet. If you want both, you’ll have to trade with somebody who owns the version you don’t.

If you’ve yet to catch a Charcadet, they are a rare spawn that can pop up in almost every area in the Paldea region. We’ve had the most success finding them in West Province (Area One), though YMMV.

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Find 10 Bronzor/Sinistea Fragments
Travel to Zapapico
Talk to the Old Man
Evolve Charcadet into Armarouge or Ceruledge

Find 10 Bronzor/Sinistea Fragments

Once you’ve got a Charcadet, you need to gather 10 Bronzor Fragments (Scarlet) or 10 Sinistea Fragments (Violet). These can be obtained by either catching or knocking out Bronzor or Sinistea. The ruins next to the Grand Olive Orchard in South Province (Area Two) house a few Bronzor that respawn quickly, making it easy to use Let’s Go mode to auto-defeat 10 of them and grab their drops. Sinistea can be found in East Province (Area Three), east of Zapapico.

Travel to Zapapico

With 10 Bronzor/Sinistea Fragments in hand, make your way to Zapapico in East Province (Area Three). It’s a small village south of the Team Star Poison Crew Base. To reach it easily, head out of the north exit of Levincia in East Province (Area Two) and travel west past the Lurking Steel Titan.

Screenshot of Zapapico on the map in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. — The village is south of Tagtree Thicket.
_{(Credit: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company)}

Talk to The Old Man

Upon entering the village, go north until you spot a small fountain on your right to find an old man in a pink plaid shirt. Speak to him and he’ll ask you to trade your 10 Bronzor/Sinistea Fragments for an item. Do so and you’ll receive a set of Auspicious/Malicious Armor.

Make sure you have 10 Bronzor or Sinistea Fragments on hand!
_{(Credit: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company)}

Evolve Charcadet into Armarouge or Ceruledge

Now that you’ve got the evolution item, make sure Charcadet is in your Party. Open your Bag and scroll over to the Other Items tab where you’ll find the Auspicious/Malicious Armor. Use it on the Pokemon and depending on whether you’re playing Scarlet or Violet, it will evolve into either Armarouge or Ceruledge.