Master Gligar’s evolution into Gliscor in BDSP with proven location strategies, item acquisition, and version-exclusive trade tactics.
Where to Find Gligar in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, completing your Sinnoh Pokédex requires tracking down elusive species with unique evolution paths. One such challenge is the Ground/Flying-type, Gligar. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step approach to locating and capturing this Gen IV Pokémon efficiently.
Gligar resides exclusively within Sinnoh’s subterranean network, the Grand Underground. Unlocking this area is your first critical task on the path to adding this bat-like Pokémon to your team.
The Grand Underground becomes accessible immediately after you help the man in Eterna City and obtain the Explorer Kit. This occurs relatively early, allowing you to hunt for Gligar well before challenging the second Gym Leader. Contrary to some obscure evolution methods in BDSP, finding Gligar is straightforward once you know which hideaways to target.
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Navigating the Grand Underground’s hideaway map is key to locating Gligar’s preferred caverns. Your primary targets are specific hideaway types. After using the Explorer Kit in any major city (Jubilife City is a central hub), focus your search on the following locations.
Gligar is a Flying/Ground-type, and its spawn locations reflect this dual typing. It avoids water-themed hideaways.
For trainers who have progressed further, Gligar’s spawn pool expands post-National Dex. Additional hideaways include: Sunlit Cavern, Bogsunk Cavern, and Big Bluff Cavern. In Big Bluff Cavern, it spawns at significantly higher levels (58-63), which can be advantageous for evolution preparation. However, for most players, focusing on Rocky and Swampy Caves offers the most reliable early-game encounter. Pro Tip: Using Repel with a level 21-22 Pokémon at the front of your party can increase the chance of encountering higher-level Gligar in early hideaways, filtering out lower-level common spawns like Geodude.
How to Evolve Gligar into Gliscor in Pokémon BDSP
Evolving Gligar into its powerful final form, Gliscor, involves a multi-step process that combines a held item with a specific time-based condition. Understanding each requirement in detail prevents frustration and ensures a successful evolution.
The evolution method is deceptively simple on paper: level up a Gligar holding a Razor Fang at night. However, the intricacies of item management and timing are where trainers often stumble. This section breaks down the exact sequence of actions needed.
Once you have captured Gligar, you can prepare it for evolution immediately, though the crucial item is locked behind story progression. The evolution itself can be triggered at any level, making it possible to evolve a freshly caught, low-level Gligar if you have the prerequisites. The core requirement is the Razor Fang, a held item that induces evolution under specific conditions.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Ensure Gligar is still holding the Razor Fang when it levels up. If it levels up via an in-battle move like Thief, Knock Off, or if the item is removed manually beforehand, the evolution will fail. Double-check the held item status in the Pokémon summary screen before initiating the level-up.
As highlighted, the Razor Fang is not obtainable until the post-game, creating a natural progression gate. You must complete the main story by defeating the Elite Four and Champion Cynthia. This unlocks the ability to travel to new areas, including the location of the Razor Fang.
Where to Find the Razor Fang in Pokémon BDSP
The Razor Fang is the linchpin of Gligar’s evolution and is deliberately placed in a late-game zone to control progression. Its location is static and guaranteed, requiring no random drops or complex puzzles.
After becoming the Champion, your next objective is to unlock the Fight Area. Speak to the sailor at the dock in Snowpoint City. He will ferry you to this new zone, which serves as a hub for post-game challenges like the Battle Tower.
Once in the Fight Area, your path to the Razor Fang is direct. Head north from the entrance through the small tunnel. This leads you into the Battle Park. Do not enter the Battle Tower building; your target is on the overworld map.
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The Razor Fang sits in a Pokéball on the ground in the Battle Park, southwest of the main pathway. Immediately after entering the Battle Park from the tunnel, turn left (southwest). You will see a Pokéball item on the ground nestled against the rocky terrain and fence. Walk over and interact with it to receive the Razor Fang. There is only one per save file, so use it wisely. Optimization Tip: If you plan to use Gliscor competitively, consider the nature and IVs of your Gligar before using the Razor Fang. You can breed for a preferred nature (like Impish for defense) using a compatible parent in the Day Care before committing your single Razor Fang.
How to Get Gligar and Gliscor in Pokémon Shining Pearl
Due to version-exclusive Pokémon distributions, Gligar and its evolution Gliscor are not natively available in Pokémon Shining Pearl. This necessitates the use of the game’s trading systems, a core feature of the Pokémon experience.
The exclusivity means Shining Pearl players must engage with the trading mechanics to complete their National Pokédex or to utilize Gliscor in battle. Trading is a straightforward process facilitated in every Pokémon Center.
In every Pokémon Center, head to the second floor. Here, you will find the Global Room. You can connect with players locally or online via Nintendo Switch Online. To receive a Gligar, you’ll need to coordinate with a player who owns Pokémon Brilliant Diamond. You can offer a Shining Pearl exclusive in return, such as a Misdreavus, Shieldon, or Glameow, to make a fair trade. Strategy: For a Gliscor, you can trade for a Gligar and then evolve it yourself using your own Razor Fang (which is available in both versions), or you can request a fully evolved Gliscor directly, though the latter is often a more valuable trade.
And that is everything you need to know on finding Gligar and how to evolve it into Gliscor. Now that you have the Gen IV ‘mon on your team, check out our other BDSP guides and walkthroughs: All Rare Candy locations | Where to find Cresselia | How to get the National Pokedex | Best starter to pick | Beating all Gym Leaders | How to get all Sinnoh starters | Best ways to make money | How to unlock Mystery Gifts | How to get Eevee | How to get Leafeon | How to get Glaceon | How to get Umbreon & Espeon | Where to catch Spiritomb | How to get Riolu & Lucario | Where to find Gible & Garchomp | How to unlock the Bike | All trade evolutions
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » How to evolve Gligar into Gliscor in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Master Gligar's evolution into Gliscor in BDSP with proven location strategies, item acquisition, and version-exclusive trade tactics.