- Catching Rockruff
- Understanding the Day-Night Cycle
- Lycanroc Forms and Evolutions
- Day Form
- Night Form
- Dusk Form
How to Catch Rockruff and Evolve Lycanroc in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (*) – Day, Night & Dusk Forms Explained
Catching Rockruff
Rockruff is the pre-evolution of Lycanroc and can be found in multiple locations in the Paldea region in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (*).
You can encounter it in South Province (Areas 2, 4, and 5), West Province (Area 1), East Province (Area 1), or in 1-Star Tera Raids (for example, in the Crystal Cavern).
In the DLC The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, Rockruff can also be found in Timeless Woods, Crystal Lake, Oni Mountain, Paradise Barrens, Path of the Dance, Kitakami Wilds, and Wisteria Fields.
Most captured Rockruff have the abilities Keen Eye, Vital Spirit, or sometimes the hidden ability Sturdy.
However, if you want to evolve it into the rare Dusk Form Lycanroc, you will need a Rockruff with the ability Own Tempo (formerly known as Tempo in older generations). Finding one can be challenging — it may take several hours of searching.
💡 Tip: Increase your chances of finding a Rockruff with Own Tempo by participating in Tera Raids, as this ability appears more frequently there.
Understanding the Day-Night Cycle
In Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (*), evolution depends heavily on the in-game time of day.
A full in-game day lasts 72 minutes in real time.
In-game time breakdown:
- Morning: 6:00 – 11:59 (18 minutes real time)
- Day: 12:00 – 17:59 (18 minutes real time)
- Evening (Sunset): 18:00 – 18:59 (only 3 minutes real time!)
- Night: 19:00 – 5:59 (33 minutes real time)
⚠ Note: Regions like Kitakami and Blueberry Academy have shifted time zones (+6h / -6h compared to Paldea).
Lycanroc Forms and Evolutions
Day Form
- Requirement: Level up Rockruff to 25 during the daytime.
- Abilities: Sand Rush or Sturdy (hidden).
- Traits: Fast, offensive attacker – ideal for Sandstorm teams.
Night Form
- Requirement: Level up Rockruff to 25 during nighttime.
- Abilities: Vital Spirit or No Guard (hidden).
- Traits: Stronger physical attacker, perfect for aggressive strategies.
Dusk Form
- Requirement: Level up a Rockruff with Own Tempo to 25 during sunset.
- ⚠ Time window: Only 3 minutes — missing it means waiting another 69 minutes.
- Ability after evolution: Tough Claws (boosts direct contact move damage by 30%).
- Traits: Exclusive, rare form with unique design and balanced stats.
💡 Tip: Train Rockruff to level 24 or 25 and use a Rare Candy at the exact sunset moment to ensure evolution into the Dusk Form.
What Are Hidden Abilities?
Hidden abilities are special traits that Pokémon normally don’t have.
They have existed since Generation V and can give a significant advantage in battle — for example, No Guard or Sturdy on Lycanroc.
(*) Affiliate Link
