How to Get Unova Stone in Pokémon GO? Top Guide 2025

If you're a dedicated Pokémon GO trainer, you've likely faced this frustrating roadblock: you have a powerful Lampent or a cute Minccino, you've saved up all the necessary Candy, but the "Evolve" button is greyed out. The culprit? A missing Unova Stone.

This rare, black-and-white evolutionary item is essential for completing your Pokédex, but it can be frustratingly difficult to find. Unlike items you can get from spinning a PokéStop, the Unova Stone is locked behind specific, chance-based activities.

This guide will break down every method for how to get a Unova Stone in Pokémon GO. We'll prioritize the most effective strategies to save you time and help you finally evolve your favorite Unova region Pokémon.

Part 1. The Best Method to Get a Unova Stone: Team GO Rocket Leaders

Let's get straight to the point. If you want to actively farm for a Unova Stone, your number one priority should be defeating the Team GO Rocket Leaders: Arlo, Cliff, and Sierra. While not a guaranteed drop, this method offers the most consistent and repeatable chance to earn one.

Why is this the best method? You can challenge multiple leaders in a single day (if you're willing to put in the work), significantly increasing your opportunities compared to other weekly or random methods.

Here is your step-by-step strategy to hunt down these leaders and maximize your chances.

Step 1: Defeat 6 Team GO Rocket Grunts

Your first task is to find and defeat six regular Team GO Rocket Grunts. These are the trainers who appear at invaded, discolored PokéStops or in black hot-air balloons that float across your map. Each time you defeat a Grunt, you will receive a "Mysterious Component."

Step 2: Assemble the Rocket Radar

Once you have collected six Mysterious Components, they will automatically combine to form a Rocket Radar. This item is your key to finding the leaders. The Rocket Radar will be added to your bag, and you can equip it from there or by tapping the icon that appears on the top right of your map screen.

Step 3: Hunt Down Arlo, Cliff, or Sierra

With the Rocket Radar equipped, your map will now reveal the hidden locations of Team GO Rocket Leaders. They will appear at specific PokéStops, which will be marked with a red "R" icon. You can also encounter a leader in a balloon that comes to you.

Tap on the invaded PokéStop or the balloon to initiate a battle with either Arlo, Cliff, or Sierra. Be prepared! Their Pokémon are significantly stronger than those of the Grunts, so you'll want to bring powerful counters.

Step 4: Claim Your Rewards

Upon defeating a leader, you'll receive a reward bundle. This is your moment of truth. The bundle can contain Stardust, Revives, Potions, and a 12km "Strange" Egg. Most importantly, you have a chance to receive either a Unova Stone or a Sinnoh Stone.

Community research suggests the drop rate for an evolutionary stone from a Team GO Rocket Leader is roughly 10-15%. This is the best repeatable rate in the game, so rinse and repeat this process as often as you can.

Part 2. Other Reliable Ways to Obtain a Unova Stone

While hunting Rocket Leaders is your primary strategy, there are other methods that can reward you with a Unova Stone. Think of these as passive or bonus opportunities.

Way 1. The Weekly Research Breakthrough Box

One of the oldest methods for getting a Unova Stone is the Research Breakthrough. By completing one Field Research task each day for seven days, you'll earn seven stamps and unlock a Research Breakthrough box.

The rewards inside this box include Stardust, XP, Pokémon encounters, and a pool of potential items. The Unova Stone is one of these potential item rewards. The main drawback is that you can only get one Research Breakthrough per week, and the stone is not a guaranteed drop. However, it requires minimal extra effort if you're already completing daily tasks.

Way 2. GO Battle League Rewards

For trainers who enjoy PvP, the GO Battle League (GBL) offers another avenue. As you win battles and progress through the reward tracks, you'll encounter a "Mystery Item" reward.

The Unova Stone is part of the loot pool for this Mystery Item. However, the pool is quite large, containing everything from Silver Pinap Berries to TMs and other evolution items. Because of this, the chance of getting a Unova Stone specifically is considered lower than from Rocket Leaders. Still, it's a great bonus if you're already competing in GBL.

Way 3. Event-Specific Special and Timed Research

Keep a close eye on the in-game news! Occasionally, Niantic will release Special Research or Timed Research questlines tied to specific events. These multi-step quests often feature valuable rewards, and sometimes a Unova Stone is a guaranteed reward for completing a certain step.

This is by far the easiest way to get one, but it's not farmable and depends entirely on Niantic's event schedule. Always check the rewards for new research to see if a Unova Stone is on the list.

Part 3. Which Pokémon Evolve with a Unova Stone? (Full List & Costs)

So, you've finally secured a Unova Stone. Who can you use it on? This special item is required for seven specific Pokémon, all originally from the Unova region.

Here is the complete list of Pokémon that need a Unova Stone to evolve, along with their Candy requirements:

	Pokémon	Evolved Pokémon	Cost
1	Pansage	Simisage	100 Pansage Candy + 1 Unova Stone
2	Pansear	Simisear	100 Pansear Candy + 1 Unova Stone
3	Panpour	Simipour	100 Panpour Candy + 1 Unova Stone
4	Lampent	Chandelure	100 Litwick Candy + 1 Unova Stone
5	Minccino	Cinccino	50 Minccino Candy + 1 Unova Stone
6	Munna	Musharna	50 Munna Candy + 1 Unova Stone
7	Eelektrik	Eelektross	100 Tynamo Candy + 1 Unova Stone

Tip: Chandelure, in particular, is a very powerful Ghost and Fire-type attacker for raids, making it a top priority for many trainers.

Part 4. How to Get Unova Stone in Pokémon Go without Walking

Want to get Unova Stone at home but don't want to spend too much time in finding team GO Rocket or Field Research tasks? Try using a third-party tool to change GPS location on your iOS/Android device. TunesKit Location Changer is a well-established GPS location changing tool that supports both iOS and Android systems, and can be installed on Windows and Mac.

TunesKit Location Changer provides 5 location changing modes, including change location directly, two-spot movement, multi-spot movement, teleport movement, and joystick. While playing Pokémon GO, users can set personalized routines and adjust their movement speed.

Part 5. FAQs About Unova Stone in Pokémon GO

To ensure you're spending your time wisely, let's clear up some common misconceptions about how to get a Unova Stone.

Part 6. Conclusion

Earn a Unova Stone primarily by defeating Team GO Rocket Leaders. You can also get one from your weekly Research Breakthrough or as a GO Battle League reward. Keep an eye on special research events, as they may offer a guaranteed stone. Consistent participation is the best strategy. To save your time in farming Unova Stone, using a third-party tool like TunesKit Location Changer can be a wise solution.