Pokémon Sword and Shield: How to evolve Toxel and the differences between Toxtricity forms

Pokemon Sword and Shield
Pokemon Sword and Shield (Image credit: iMore)

Catching them all can be a little tricky with certain Pokémon, especially when there are multiple variants or tricks to catching a Pokémon to begin with. One such trickster Pokémon is this purple, Poison/Electric creature called Toxel. It evolves into one of two Toxtricity forms, so you'll at least want to evolve two of them to complete your Pokédex. Here's how to catch Toxel and how to get both the Amped Form and the Low Key Form of Toxtricity.

Where to get Toxel

Pokemon Sword and Shield (Image credit: iMore)

Pokemon Sword and Shield (Image credit: iMore)

Source: iMore

There are two ways to get Toxel. I'll start with the easiest first: Right after you've defeated the Turffield Grass-type gym, if you head to Route 5, you'll eventually see the Pokémon Nursery. Enter and talk to the woman on the right to obtain Toxel.

If you want to catch more than one Toxel, so you can have both forms in your Pokédex, then you'll need to catch him in the old fashioned way. He can be found in a few different areas around the Galar region's Wild Area. I've included a map above showing this Pokémon's habitats.

Toxtricity forms and their differences

Pokemon Sword and Shield Toxtricity

Pokemon Sword and Shield Toxtricity (Image credit: iMore)

Toxel starts evolving once he reaches level 30. Like, its pre-evolution, both forms of Toxtricity are Poison and Electric-type Pokémon. Something I love about them is that they play air guitar when they're thrown into a battle. They're truly the rock stars of Pokémon Sword and Shield.

The form this Pokémon evolves into depends on your Toxel's nature. Aside from coloring, the main difference between the two is that they learn different final attacks at level 52 and they have the potential to know different Hidden Abilities.

  • The Amped Form learns Shift Gear, a Steel-type attack that raises Toxtricity's attack and speed.
  • The Low Key Form learns Magnetic Flux, an Electric-type attack that raises the defense and special defense of one of the Pokémon in your party. However, for this to work, that Pokémon must have the Plus or Minus Ability.
  • The Hidden Ability for Amped Form is Plus, whereas the Hidden Ability for Low Key Form is Minus.

Another thing to note, is that Toxtricity can Gigantamax. In order to get a Gigantamaxing Pokémon, you'll need to find him in a Pokémon Raid Den in the Wild Area.

Toxtricity Pokemon Sword and Shield (Image credit: @ProsafiaGaming on YouTube)

Gigantamax Toxtricity kinda looks like what a Sableye would evolve into if it actually evolved. This huge Toxtricity pulls out an electric guitar and has various colored "protrusions" on his chest. At present, it looks like the The Amped Form and the Low Key Form both look like this when Gigantamaxing.

Natures needed for either Toxtricity form

Natures that evolve into the Amped Form of Toxtricity:

  • Adamant
  • Brave
  • Docile
  • Hardy
  • Hasty
  • Impish
  • Jolly
  • Lax
  • Naive
  • Naughty
  • Quirky
  • Rash
  • Sassy

Natures that evolve into the Low Key Form of Toxtricity:

  • Bashful
  • Bold
  • Calm
  • Careful
  • Gentle
  • Lonely
  • Mild
  • Modest
  • Quiet
  • Relaxed
  • Serious
  • Timid

How to check your Toxel's nature

  1. While your game is on, Press X to enter the main menu.
  2. When the next page pops up, Select Pokémon.Source: iMore

How to tell if your Pokémon have Pokérus in Sword and Shield on Switch by showing: Pressing Y Pokemon Sword and Shield (Image credit: iMore)

Select Pokemon icon in Pokemon Sword and Shield menu (Image credit: iMore)
  1. If Toxel is in your party, hover over him and press A. If it's not in your party, press R to go to your Boxes and then click on it.
  2. Select Check Summary.Source: iMore

Pokemon Sword and Shield Toxel (Image credit: iMore)

Pokemon Sword and Shield Toxelemon Sword and Shield Toxel (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Use the joystick or right Joy-Con buttons to scroll over to the pencil and paper icon. Your Toxel's nature and description will display.

Pokemon Sword and Shield Toxel (Image credit: iMore)

I both love and hate it when there's a trick to getting every Pokémon in the Pokédex. The completionist in me is excited to catch them all, but the lazy gamer just wants everything to be easily catchable. Luckily, Toxel isn't that hard of a Pokémon to obtain or evolve. On top of that, I think he and his final evolutions look pretty cool.

Party like a rock star

Now that you know how to get both rock star Pokémon, you can add both to your party. If evolving both of them is too much of a hassle, at least you now know which natures evolve into which form, and you can focus on getting the final evolution you like best. Good luck with your Pokémon adventure!

Rebecca Spear
Gaming Editor

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.