Finding a Cherubi is already a nightmare in some games. Honestly, if you've spent three hours slathering honey on trees in Sinnoh just to see a Wurmple for the fiftieth time, you know the pain. But once you actually catch that tiny, cherry-like Pokémon, the next hurdle is figuring out how to evolve Cherubi into something actually useful for your team.
It’s a simple process on paper. You reach a certain level, and boom—you have a Cherrim. But there’s a massive catch that catches new players off guard every single time: the weather.
The Level Grind for Cherrim
Cherubi is a pure Grass-type. It’s cute. It’s pink. It’s also remarkably weak until it hits its evolution point. To trigger the change, you need to get your Cherubi to Level 25. There are no special stones required here. You don’t need to trade it with a held item, and you definitely don’t need to stand on your head while the console is upside down. Just straight-up experience points.
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, this is straightforward because you can just lob the Pokémon at trees or ores to farm XP. In the traditional mainline games like Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl, you're likely looking at Rare Candies or the Exp. Share to get the job done quickly.
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Once that Level 25 hit registers, the evolution sequence starts. You’ll get Cherrim. But this is where people get confused. They look at their screen and see a weird, purple, folded-up bud that looks like it’s mourning a loss. They wonder if they did something wrong.
You didn't.
Why Your Cherrim Looks Like a Sad Umbrella
The most common question after someone figures out how to evolve Cherubi is: "Why does my Cherrim look different from the one I saw on TV?"
Cherrim has two forms: Overcast Form and Sunshine Form.
When you evolve it, if you aren't currently in a battle with harsh sunlight, it will default to the Overcast Form. It stays tucked away in its petals, looking grumpy. It’s a defense mechanism. In the lore, Cherrim is shy and waits for the sun to come out before it shows its true face.
The Sunshine Form—the one everyone actually wants because it’s vibrant and pink—only appears during battle if the weather is set to Harsh Sunlight. This is triggered by the move Sunny Day or the ability Drought (hello, Torkoal and Groudon).
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It is purely a cosmetic change in most games, though its signature ability, Flower Gift, actually provides a massive 50% boost to Attack and Special Defense for Cherrim and its allies when the sun is out. This makes it a surprisingly viable niche pick in Double Battles, especially if you’re running a sun-based team.
Where to Actually Find Cherubi (Because You Can't Evolve What You Don't Have)
If you're playing Pokémon Legends: Arceus, head to the Obsidian Fieldlands. Specifically, look at the shaking fruit trees in the Heartwood. It’s a rare spawn. Like, really rare. You might have better luck in the Crimson Mirelands or the Coronet Highlands, but even then, it’s a roll of the dice.
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Cherubi hangs out in Berry Trees. You shake the tree, you pray you don't get a Skwovet, and eventually, the cherry drops.
For the classic Sinnoh experience (DPPt and BDSP), Honey Trees are your only hope. It has a roughly 5% to 20% spawn rate depending on whether you’ve hit a "rare" tree or a "normal" one. It’s tedious. You slather the bark, you wait 6 real-world hours, and you hope for the best.
Competitive Nuance and Move Sets
Don't expect Cherrim to sweep the Elite Four on its own. It’s a support Pokémon.
When you're looking at how to evolve Cherubi, you should also be looking at what moves it carries over. Helping Hand and Solar Beam are staples. Since Cherrim thrives in the sun, pairing it with a Fire-type or a bulky physical attacker that benefits from the Flower Gift Special Defense boost is the "pro" move.
One thing to watch out for: if the weather changes to Rain or Sandstorm mid-battle, Cherrim immediately folds back up into its Overcast Form. It loses the stat buffs from Flower Gift instantly. It becomes vulnerable.
Moving Forward With Your Cherrim
Now that you’ve got the levels down and understand the weather mechanics, the best way to utilize your new evolution is to build a team around it. Don't just stick it in your party and expect it to shine in a cave. It won't.
- Priority 1: Get to Level 25.
- Priority 2: Teach it Sunny Day immediately if you aren't using a Drought teammate.
- Priority 3: Use it in Double Battles to maximize the Flower Gift ability.
Focus on training its Speed and HP. Since it’s a frail Grass-type, it needs to get that sun up before it gets knocked out by a stray Flamethrower or Brave Bird. If you can keep it on the field, the 50% Special Defense boost to your entire team is one of the most underrated buffs in the game.
Go find a Rare Candy or head to the nearest high-level tall grass and start grinding. Level 25 comes faster than you think.