Sneasel was a popular Pokemon when it first appeared in the Johto region and it made its return in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Players are once again able to add the dark-ice Pokemon to their team and evolve it into the fearsome Weavile.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet players are spoiled for choice when it comes to ice Pokemon. Two of the most noteworthy new Paldean Pokemon are dragon-ice type Baxcalibur and Grusha’s signature Pokemon, Cetitan. On top of that, classics like Cloyster and Abomasnow have also returned and can hit opponents hard.
Even with fierce competition, Weavile is still the go-to ice type for many longtime Pokemon fans. Because of that, it’s worth going over how to find a Sneasel and what needs to be done in order to evolve it.
Where to Find Sneasel in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet players can find Sneasel on Glaseado Mountain and much of the surrounding areas. Its habitat runs from the Great Crater of Paldea to the North Paldean Sea, with the Pokemon covering much of that territory.
As in Pokemon Sword & Shield and as with its regional variant in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Sneasel tends to be quite hostile towards the player. Sneasel will go after the player if they spot them, making this Pokemon a bit difficult to avoid.
How to Evolve Sneasel
Sneasel evolves into Weavile by holding a Razor Claw and leveling up at night. Players will first need to get a Razor Claw in order to evolve Sneasel. The item can be purchased at any Delibird Presents location, with the store being accessible from the start of the game in Mesagoza.
The Razor Claw is not a standard evolutionary item. It is not a consumable like a Fire Stone for evolving Eevee or a Chipped Pot for evolving Sinistea. The item needs to be equipped to the Pokemon while it levels up, and the item will not disappear after the Pokemon evolves. The player is able to find Weavile in the wild, as a rare spawn in certain spots on the Glaseado Mountain.
Worth noting is that Hisuian Sneasel has a slightly different method for evolution. Instead of leveling up the Pokemon while holding a Razor Claw at night, players will instead have to do this during the day. Hisuian Sneasel and its evolution, Sneasler, are not currently in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, but will likely be added at a later time.
Is Weavile a Strong Pokemon?
Weavile is a decent Pokemon in trainer battles and for the story, but is bad in Tera Raid battles. Players have to be wary when using it due to its poor typing and below-average defenses.
It has five weaknesses that can result in a one-hit knockout from offensively powerful Pokemon and a double weakness to fighting moves that almost anything can capitalize on. This leaves it as a liability in five and six-star Tera Raid battles, even if it is fully optimized.
The saving grace for Weavile is the fact it has high speed and attack stats. By giving it the right moves and a Choice Scarf or a Focus Sash, the Pokemon is a viable offensive threat in trainer battles and can be a powerful sweeper in the story.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.