One Pokémon Scarlet and Violet player’s method for easily walking around Pokémon to get the required number of steps for evolution has been drawing attention online.

Please note that this article contains spoilers regarding new Pokémon and the conditions for evolving them.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet contains new Pokémon that require they walk a certain number of steps via the Let’s Go feature before they can evolve. After they’ve been walked a specific number of steps, they then need to be leveled up via either battles or items while still out of their Poké Ball.

Twitter user @soItawashi has reported an easy method for completing these requirements. As of this writing, the tweet from @soItawashi has around 100,000 likes and roughly 25,000 retweets. A quote tweet by @evansmoakvgc has also blown past 50,000 likes and 5,000 retweets.

How to get your mons to walk the 1000 steps required for evolution. It really works! https://t.co/PrLwjaNSPf
— evan (@evansmoakvgc) November 25, 2022

@soItawashi shows off a method where players can make their Pokémon walk without having to move by creating distance from their Pokémon. They explain that the step requirement is based on steps made by the Pokémon itself and is not related to steps by the player. By jumping on the roof of a Pokémon Center, trainers can make their Pokémon continuously walk without having to move themselves.

The Pokémon you’re walking with that gets left behind will run around in a circle on the ground below while trying to get back to your side. If you leave the Pokémon in this state for a while, it will get the required steps it needs so all that’s left is leveling it up for it to evolve.

We were able to confirm this behavior when trying it for ourselves. However, depending on your position, there are also cases where the Pokémon will stop. If you find just the right spot, the Pokémon will continuously run in a circle for the most part. We were able to make a Pokémon walk for around 7 or 8 minutes, while making minor tweaks to positioning, and evolve it after leveling it up with no issues.

When the Pokémon being walked is moved from the front of the party, the steps are reset. For that reason, the Pokémon has to reach the required steps while fixed at the front of the party. Pokémon will also automatically return to their Poké Balls if they get too far away from their trainers. In order to not have to keep bringing out your Pokémon, you must wait for it to catch up to you while running around.

@soItawashi’s discovery makes things more convenient by removing the work of walking around. However, some players who saw the video felt sorry for the poor Pokémon running in circles. Maybe they have sympathy for the Pokémon stuck in this running cycle, while looking like it’s in a panic searching for its missing trainer.

The walking conditions for evolution are a simple step counter as far as the game is concerned, but it’s likely meant to represent a trainer and their Pokémon building a bond by spending time together that leads to it evolving. While the method is convenient, it seems like some trainers would be reluctant to put their beloved Pokémon through it.

On the other hand, if you’re looking to quickly fill up the Pokédex, it’s an effective technique. A number of players have been seen talking about how it’s a pain to reach the step requirements, and some have praised @soItawashi’s method as revolutionary. Now you don’t have to resort to wrapping a rubber band around your analog sticks to walk. If you find walking your Pokémon to evolve them to be a pain, give it a try.