Scarlet and Violet introduced walk-based evolutions: Pawmo evolves into Pawmot after walking 1000 steps in Let's Go mode. Gimmighoul evolves by collecting 999 Gimmighoul Coins across Paldea. The Linking Cord replaces traditional trade evolutions. Finizen requires Union Circle co-op to evolve into Palafin.
Put the Pokemon in your lead slot, press R to send it into Let's Go mode, and walk. Pawmo, Bramblin, and Rellor each need 1000 steps while walking outside their ball. After hitting the step count, level them up once and the evolution triggers. Easiest method: find a straight path and walk back and forth. The counter doesn't reset if you recall them briefly.
999 coins, and they're consumed on evolution. Chest Form Gimmighoul at watchtowers drop 30-777 coins per encounter, while Roaming Form ones on the ground usually drop 1-5. Chest forms are your best farming target. Level up Gimmighoul once after collecting all 999 and it evolves. You'll need another 999 if you want a second Gholdengo.
No. Finizen must be level 38+ and you have to level it up while connected to another player through Union Circle. Solo players can't get Palafin without joining someone else's session, even briefly. One quick co-op session is all it takes, though.
Primeape learns Rage Fist at level 35. Use that move 20 times in battles (the count carries across separate fights), then level Primeape up. It becomes Annihilape, a Ghost/Fighting type. The 20 uses don't have to be in one battle, so just spam it whenever Primeape is out.
Three totally new triggers: walking 1000 steps in Let's Go mode, collecting 999 Gimmighoul Coins, and leveling up in Union Circle co-op. SV also reintroduced the Linking Cord from Legends Arceus so you can skip trade evolutions for Pokemon like Gengar and Machamp. Some battle-triggered evolutions returned from Sword and Shield too.
Gimmighoul needing 999 coins is the grindiest. Finizen requiring a co-op session frustrated solo players at launch. Bramblin and Rellor share the 1000-step requirement with Pawmo but are easier to miss since they're not in your starter chain. And Kingambit needs three other Bisharp with Leader's Crest defeated before it'll evolve, which is its own kind of puzzle.