So, you’re grinding through the tall grass, your Machoke just hit level 40, then 50, and you’re starting to wonder if your game is broken. I get it. We’ve all been there, staring at those four-armed dreams and wondering why the "Evolution" screen hasn't popped up yet. You want that Machamp. You need that Attack stat.
But here’s the cold, hard truth: Machoke does not evolve at a specific level.
If you’re looking for a number, you’re going to be looking forever. Whether you’re playing the classic Red and Blue on an old Game Boy or the latest 2026 updates in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the mechanic has stayed stubbornly the same for decades—with a few modern exceptions that finally make life easier for solo players.
The Trade Secret (Literally)
Since 1996, the primary way to evolve Machoke into Machamp is through trading. Basically, you have to send your Machoke to another player. The moment it arrives on their screen, the evolution triggers.
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It’s a "social" mechanic. Nintendo wanted us to talk to people, use Link Cables, and eventually, the Global Trade System (GTS). Honestly, it's kind of a pain if you don't have a reliable friend to trade back with. There is nothing worse than sending off your prized Machoke and having some random person on the internet keep your newly evolved Machamp.
Does level matter at all?
Nope. You could trade a level 28 Machoke (the earliest it can exist after evolving from Machop) or a level 100 Machoke. The result is exactly the same. However, if you're playing the newer titles, things have finally changed for the better.
How to Evolve Machoke Without Trading
If you’re like me and prefer playing solo, or you just don't want to deal with the lag of online trading, there are now legitimate ways to get a Machamp without a partner.
1. The Linking Cord (Pokémon Legends: Arceus & Z-A)
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus and the newer Legends: Z-A, Game Freak introduced the Linking Cord. It’s a consumable item that looks exactly like the old physical cables we used to plug into our Game Boys.
- Where to get it: You can buy them with Merit Points (MP) at the Trading Post in Jubilife Village or find them inside space-time distortions.
- How to use it: Just select the Linking Cord in your bag and "use" it on Machoke. No trade required.
2. Pokémon GO
In the mobile world, things are a bit different. You don't need a level, but you do need 100 Machop Candies.
However, there’s a "pro tip" here. If you do trade a Machoke in Pokémon GO, the candy cost to evolve it drops to zero. It’s the game's way of nodding to the old-school mechanics while still letting solo players grind it out if they have to.
3. Wild Spawns in the Wild Area
In games like Sword & Shield or Scarlet & Violet, you can actually find Machamp walking around in the overworld. In Sword and Shield, a fixed-spawn Machamp hangs out in the Giant's Mirror area during certain weather. In the 2025/2026 updates for Legends: Z-A, players have discovered Alpha Machamps in Wild Zone 20 after beating the main story.
Basically, why bother evolving it when you can just chuck an Ultra Ball at a fully grown one?
Why Machoke Is Still Worth Keeping
Sometimes, you might not even want to evolve it right away.
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Think about the Eviolite. This held item boosts the Defense and Special Defense of any Pokémon that isn't fully evolved by 50%. A Machoke holding an Eviolite is surprisingly tanky. In some competitive "NFE" (Not Fully Evolved) tiers, Machoke is actually a beast because it can take a hit while still dishing out massive "No Guard" Dynamic Punches.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't be the person who spends five hours leveling a Machoke to 100 hoping for a miracle.
- Checking the Everstone: Make sure your Machoke isn't holding an Everstone. If you trade it while it's holding one, it won't evolve. This is a classic "prank" people play in trades.
- The "B" Button: If you're trading with a friend and they accidentally (or on purpose) hit the B button during the evolution animation, it will cancel.
- Local vs. Online: In older DS games like Diamond, Pearl, or HeartGold, remember that the official Nintendo Wi-Fi connection is long gone. You’ll need to use local wireless with two consoles or look into fan-run servers like Wiimmfi if you're feeling techy.
The Actionable Bottom Line
If you want that Machamp right now, here is what you do:
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- If you're on Switch (Mainline): Find a trusted Discord community or a friend. Set a Link Code, trade your Machoke, and make sure they trade it back.
- If you're on Legends (Arceus/Z-A): Grasp some Merit Points by finding lost satchels. Buy a Linking Cord at the exchange shop.
- If you're on Emulator/Retro: Check if your specific ROM has a "physical" evolution patch. Many modern patches change Machoke to evolve at level 36 or 40 to account for the lack of trading capabilities.
The "level" you're looking for doesn't exist, but the Pokémon certainly does. Go get your champ.