The Two-Stage Evolutionary Path of Swinub
Evolving Swinub into Mamoswine is one of the most famous examples of move-based evolution in the Pokémon series. Many players raise their Piloswine to level 50, 60, or even 70 and wonder why it refuses to evolve. Unlike conventional evolutionary lines that trigger solely by reaching a level threshold, Mamoswine requires fulfilling a specific move requirement.
Stage 1: Swinub to Piloswine (Level 33)
The first evolution is entirely straightforward. Catch a wild Swinub and raise it until it reaches Level 33. Upon leveling up through wild battles, trainer battles, or by consuming Rare Candies / Exp. Candies, Swinub will immediately evolve into Piloswine (#0221).
If you catch a wild Piloswine directly (common in snowy mountainous regions), this step is already complete, and you can proceed directly to Stage 2.
Stage 2: Piloswine to Mamoswine (Ancient Power Prerequisite)
To evolve Piloswine into Mamoswine, you must satisfy two simultaneous conditions:
- Piloswine must currently know the move Ancient Power in its active 4-move battle repertoire.
- Piloswine must gain at least one level-up while Ancient Power is equipped.
Ancient Power is a Rock-type special move (60 Base Power, 100% accuracy). Piloswine does not learn Ancient Power at a high level milestone like level 45 or 55; rather, it is programmed as a base move that must be remembered through the move relearner.
How to Teach Ancient Power by Game Version
1. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (Generation IX)
In Generation IX, move relearning has been completely modernized and requires zero NPCs or items:
- Open your main menu by pressing X.
- Select Piloswine from your party and click Check summary.
- Tab over to the Moves and Stats screen (second tab).
- Press A to choose Change moves, then select Remember moves.
- Scroll through the list, select Ancient Power, and choose a move slot to overwrite.
- Back out to the game world and feed Piloswine 1 Exp. Candy or engage in one battle. Piloswine will evolve into Mamoswine immediately!
2. Pokémon Sword & Shield (Generation VIII)
In the Galar region, move relearning is completely free:
- Fly to any Pokémon Center in Galar.
- Speak to the barista NPC standing on the left side behind the counter.
- Select Remember a move and pick Piloswine.
- Choose Ancient Power at zero cost.
- Level up Piloswine once via battle or Rare Candy to trigger the evolution animation.
3. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (BDSP)
In the Sinnoh remakes, you must visit the Pastoria City Move Reminder:
- Obtain a Heart Scale by digging in the Grand Underground or catching Luvdisc.
- Fly to Pastoria City and enter the small house next to the water pool.
- Talk to the Move Relearner and pay 1 Heart Scale to teach Ancient Power to Piloswine.
- Gain 1 level-up to evolve into Mamoswine. (Note: After paying 10 Heart Scales total, the Move Relearner offers all subsequent moves for free).
4. Pokémon Legends: Arceus
In the Hisui region, evolution works differently:
- Piloswine learns Ancient Power naturally at Level 34.
- Open your satchel, select Piloswine, click Change moves, and equip Ancient Power.
- Once equipped, the Poké Ball icon next to Piloswine will glow yellow. Select Piloswine and choose Evolve directly from the menu. No level-up or battle required!
5. Generation IV, V, VI, and VII (Classic Cartridges)
On legacy DS and 3DS games (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, HGSS, Black/White, X/Y, Sun/Moon), visit the regional Move Reminder NPC (Pastoria City, Blackthorn City, Mistralton City, Dendemille Town, or Mount Lanakila). You must pay 1 Heart Scale per move taught. Once taught, level Piloswine up once to evolve.
Can a Level 100 Piloswine Still Evolve?
Yes! Starting in Pokémon Sword and Shield (Gen 8) and continuing into Scarlet and Violet (Gen 9), you can feed a Rare Candy to any Level 100 Pokémon that meets evolution criteria. The Rare Candy will not increase the level beyond 100, but it will successfully trigger the evolution into Mamoswine.