How to Evolve Sneasel? Learn about its Learn set, Strengths & Weaknesses

With constant updates and new content, Pokémon games keep fans hooked. Players love to discover, collect, and evolve Pokémons. If you want to catch a Sneasel and add it to your Pokédex, you’re on the right page.

In this blog post, we’ll tell you how to evolve Sneasel, its abilities, its learnset, how to get it, and its strengths and weaknesses. We’ll specifically look at how to evolve Sneasel in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Yes, this cunning and sneaky Pokémon makes a comeback in the Arceus game in a new Hisuian version! Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned player, here’s our layman’s guide to understanding Sneasel!

What Is a Sneasel, and Where Does It Originate From?

At first glance, a Sneasel looks like a cross between a cat and a weasel. What makes it different is its claws and feathers. Surprisingly, a Sneasel finds its inspiration and is modeled after the Japanese mythical creature, Kamaitachi.

Kamaitachi or かまいたち translates to a sickle weasel. According to folklore, these creatures are fast and know how to ride in the cold regions of Japan. Thanks to their speed, they are invisible to the naked eye. They are said to have mastered traveling in the wind and attacking their victims in a pack of three.

In Japan, grandparents try to scare and warn kids against Kamaitachi. They say the creature has fur like a hedgehog and claws as sharp as a razor. They usually travel in a pack of three and attack people in a split second. Apparently, there is a mechanism to the attack as well.

The first Kama attacks the victims’ legs, and the second causes cut all over the body. Finally, the third Kama applies a magical balm to heal the victim’s wounds. Apparently, victims do not realize that they have been attacked. They feel as though they’ve simply tripped and got hurt.

There are two theories on the origin of Kamaitachi. One theory says that Kamaitachi is just a joke. It is a play on the Japanese words Kama Tachi which means sword fighting.

Another theory says that Japan has a history of folklore about invisible wind beasts attacking humans. Hence, the concept of Kamaitachi originates from this folklore.

Physiology of a Sneasel

Sneasel is a small bipedal Pokémon. This means that it walks on two legs. This Pokémon is usually bluish-black in color.

Sneasel’s next noticeable feature is its feathers. It has a red-colored feather as its left ear. In comparison, its right ear is shorter and pointed. Moreover, it has three red feathers as its tail. It has red-colored eyes. Also, the female Sneasel is said to have shorter ears than the male.

Moving on, this Pokémon also has two prominent golden spots. One spot is on its forehead, and the other one is on its chest. Its main weapon is its claws. The Pokémon has long limbs and four retractable claws.

For living, Sneasels have a preference for cold mountainous areas. Cold weather helps them regulate their body temperature. However, they are a common sighting in forests as well. Forests allow them to hide, watch, and attack their prey easily.

Sneasels are omnivorous Pokémons. They feed on berries and meat. Younger and inexperienced Sneasels usually gather berries. Skilled and older Sneasels will go out and hunt for their prey.

They have the option of hunting small animals. But, Sneasels will attack and kill other Pokémons. They prefer going after other Pokémons for their food.

Sneasel competing with other Pokémon image — **Source: Tenor**

Some of their prey includes Stantler, Snover lines, Spoink, etc. They are often in conflict with the Pokémon – Ursaring. This is because Ursaring hunts for the same prey as Sneasel.

Sneasel Type and Abilities

Sneasel is a dual Dark and Ice-type Pokémon. This combination allows a Sneasel to endure, adapt, and control low temperatures. Moreover, being a dark-type Pokémon means a Sneasel has a mean and sneaky look. They are considered untameable and feral-like.

This type is the most effective against elemental types like Dragon, Ghost, Psychic, Flying, and Grass Pokémon. Contrarily, Sneasel is ineffective against Fairy, Fire, Steel, Bug, Rock, and Fighting-type Pokémon.

Since Sneasel isn’t fully developed, players tend to overlook it. However, its speed and attack statistics make it a worthy Pokémon. Sneasel’s main weapon is its claws. Hence, a Sneasel will sharpen its claws for battles and attacks.

Speaking of its abilities, it has:

Inner Focus – Due to its ability to be intensely focused, Sneasel is protected from flinching. Hence, other Pokémons can’t make a Sneasel flinch and stop it from executing its move.

A Keen Eye – Since a Sneasel has a keen eye, attacks from other Pokémons cannot cause it to lose its accuracy stat value.

Pickpocketing Abilities – This is a hidden ability that a Sneasel possesses. If another Pokémon hits a Sneasel, the direct contact allows a Sneasel to steal an item from the attacker.

Where Can You Get the Razor Claw in Legends Arceus?

In 2022, the Pokémon franchise added a new game to its series called Pokémon Legends: Arceus. This video game is said to be quite a departure from Pokémon’s tried and tested formula.

There is added real-time action and expansion in the game setting. It makes an effort to put the player at the center of the action.

A razor claw is a sharp claw that has the shape of a hook. It is an evolutionary and handheld item in the Pokémon world. It was introduced during the Fourth Generation of the Pokémon franchise.

When a Pokémon has a razor claw, it raises its chance of landing a critical hit. This means an increase in damage caused to the opponent during an attack.

A razor claw is required for a Sneasel to evolve. There are two ways to get the razor claw in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. One is to go to Jubilife Village and visit the Outpost Trader. You’ll need 1,400 Merit Points (MP) to purchase the weapon. If you’re short on merit points, there is a way to earn them.

The lost and found system in the game allows you to earn MP. Find and return lost satchels during your expedition. For every returned satchel, you will get 100 MP. So, you’ll have to visit multiple regions and find satchels in order to earn 1,400 MP.

The second way to get a razor claw would be through a Sneasel. Some wild Sneasels carry a razor claw with them. You’ll have to catch a Sneasel and check for the same. You can find Hisuian Sneasels in Coronet Highlands and Alabaster Iceland.

Image of Alabaster Icelands Map to evolve sneasel — *Alabaster Icelands Map*

However, there is just a 10% chance of getting a razor claw through a Sneasel. Your best bet is to purchase it from the trading post.

Sometimes, players find razor claws during a space-time distortion in the Legends: Arceus game. When you begin exploring life outside Jubilife Village, you’ll randomly encounter space-time distortions.

You’ll see a dome appear for a few minutes and then disappear. When the dome is visible, you must walk through and enter the Space-time distortion.

Space-time distortions appear only when your Galaxy Expedition Team gets a Third Star Rank.

So, when does Sneasel evolve? Once you purchase or get a razor claw, you can use it on a Sneasel. Remember that most of the Sneasels you encounter in the game are Hisuian Sneasel. If you use a razor claw on Hisuian Sneasel during the daytime, it will evolve into a sneasler.

However, if you’re wondering how to evolve johto Sneasel, the process is quite different. You’ll find Johtonian Sneasels only during Space-Time Distortions. As we mentioned, this event occurs randomly. When you see a visible dome, all you have to do is enter it.

Within the distortion, you’ll find different Pokémons. You’ll have to search a few areas to find Johtonian Sneasel. Once you encounter one, you must catch it and use the razor claw on it at night. This evolves the Sneasel into a Weavile.

If you have a razor claw, it will be there in your bag. Simply open the bag and use it on the Sneasel for the evolution. So, a razor claw on Hisuian Sneasel will evolve it into a Sneaselers. Similarly, using it on Johtonian Sneasel will evolve it into a Weavile.

Which One Is Better, Sneasler or Weavile?

Image of comparison between sneasler and weavile

In the Hisui region, it is better to have a Sneasler. Since a Sneasler is a Poison or Fighting-type Pokémon, it is strong against six elemental types.

These include Grass, Bug, Dark, Poison, and Fighting. Contrarily, it is weak against three elemental types. These are Ground, Psychic, and Flying-types.

On the other hand, a Weavile is weak against six elemental types of Pokémon. These are Rock, Fire, Fairy, Steel, Bug, and Fighting- types. Contrarily, it is strong against three elemental types. However, these types are quite rare. They are Ice, Dark, and Ghost-types.

As we mentioned, it is best to have a sneasler in Hisui. This is because it is strong against several elemental Pokémon types. Moreover, Weavile is a more specialized type. Hence, it is best to build and use it for competitions.

Where to Catch Hisuian Sneasel in Legend: Arceus?

You can find and catch a Hisuian Sneasel in two different regions of Hisui. One is the Coronet Highlands, and the other is the Alabaster Icelands.

In the Coronet Highlands, keep an eye on Celestica Trail and Primeval Grotto areas. Similarly, in Alabaster, watch out for Avalugg’s Legacy and Glacier Terrace.

When you approach the Sneasel, it will attack you on sight. Hence, you must be covert and sneaky while trying to capture it. The best way is to capture it without being detected.

You’ll have to crouch on the grass and use a Stealth Spray on the Sneasel. However, if you are detected by the Sneasel, you’ll have to engage in a battle. If you are looking to evolve the Sneasel, make sure you have the Razor Claw ready with you.

Read More: How to Spot a Double Sided Mirror?

Sneasel and Its Base Stats

Sneasel base stats image — *Source: Tenor*

Every individual Pokémon has a unique set of statistical attributes. In the Pokémon world, we call these attributes Base Stats. A glance at the Base Stats will tell you how strong and capable a Pokémon is during battles.

There are six main attributes on the basis of which we judge a Pokémon. These are Hit Points, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed. We’ll explain the meaning of each of these in a bit. But first, we’ll look at the Sneasel’s stats.

This is what the Base Stats for a Sneasel looks like:

Base Stat	Value	Min	Max
Hit Points (HP)	55	220	314
Attack	95	175	317
Defense	55	103	229
Special Attack	35	67	185
Special Defense	75	139	273
Speed	115	211	361
Total	430	Min	Max

As we mentioned, Base Stats will give you an idea about the strength and weaknesses of a Pokémon. Remember, Base Stats are determined by the species of a Pokémon.

This means that they are the inherent qualities of a Pokémon. So, they are usually fixed. However, they can slightly alter during battles.

For a Sneasel, the standout attributes are Attack, Special Defense, and Speed. What does that mean?

Here’s a rundown of the meaning behind every Base Stat:

1. Hit Points or HP:

Hit Points measure the capacity of the Pokémon to endure damage during battles.

For a Sneasel, HP stands at 55. This means that you’ll have to use a Sneasel strategically. Its capacity to handle damage before fainting is on the average side.

2. Attack:

Attack means the amount of damage your Pokémon can cause its opponent with its physical moves.

As we can see, this value is pretty high for a sneasel. With an attack value of 95, Sneasel can strike its opponent and cause significant damage.

3. Defense:

Defense measures the strength of a Pokémon to defend itself against physical moves.

For a Sneasel, the defense value is 55. This is similar to its HP value. This means a Sneasel has an average capacity to defend itself against physical attackers.

4. Special Attack:

Special Attack or Sp. Atk will tell you how much damage a Pokémon can cause an opponent with its special moves.

For a Sneasel, the special attack value stands at 35. With such a low value, a Sneasel can’t cause significant damage to an opponent using special moves.

5. Special Defense:

Special Defense is the other side of Special Attack. It will show how much damage your Pokémon can resist if an opponent uses a special move.

For a Sneasel, this value is slightly above average at 75. So, it will be able to handle some amount of damage caused due to an opponent’s special moves.

6. Speed:

Speed measures how fast a Pokémon can move during battles. For a Sneasel, this is its standout feature. It has a speed value of 115, making it an excellent fast attacker. This gives Sneasel an upper hand against its opponents during battles.

In conclusion, a Sneasel is a fast attacker with great speed, attack, and special defense value. You should use it in battle scenarios where you need a powerful physical attacker with high speed.

Sneasel Learn Set

Now that we know all about the Sneasel evolve, let’s have a look at its Learn set. If you are new to the Pokémon world, we’ll give you a quick Learn set definition.

Basically, it is the set of moves that a Pokémon can use during battles. Every Pokémon has its own set of unique moves. It’s this Learn set that determines the usefulness of a Pokémon in battles.

Also, the Learn set includes six components. These are the different ways through which a Pokémon can acquire or learn new moves.

They are Level-up moves, Egg moves, Technical Machines (TM), Hidden Machines (HM), Move Tutors, and Special Events.

We won’t discuss these components in much detail. But here’s a brief overview for your understanding:

Level-up Moves – These are moves that a Pokémon learns through leveling up. When a Pokémon wins battles, its experience points or EXP increases. So, it evolves into a new form and acquires new moves.

Egg Moves – These are moves that a Pokémon can acquire only after breeding with another Pokémon. This means that a hatched Pokémon can inherit new moves from the parent Pokémon.

Technical Machines (TM) – These items can teach a Pokémon different moves. You’ll find them in different locations in the game. Every TM item can be used only once. Each TM will teach your Pokémon a different move.

Hidden Machines (HM) – Similar to TM, Hidden Machines or HM help a Pokémon learn new moves. However, what makes HM moves different is that they can be used outside the battlefield. For instance, HM could include moves like Surf, Fly, Cut, etc.

Move Tutor – In some Pokémon games, you’ll find a Non-Player Character (NPC) in certain locations. If you pay these NPCs in Pokémon game currency, they can teach your Pokémon a new move. Note that you won’t find the moves taught by an NPC through Technical Machines, leveling up, or breeding.

Special Events – These are special timed occasions where players can get rare Pokémons and items or acquire exclusive moves for their Pokémon.

We’ll look at the moves a Sneasel can acquire by leveling up in Pokémon Generation 8. The Pokémon games in this generation include

Pokémon Sword
Pokémon Shield
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
Pokémon Shining Pearl
Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Sneasel Learn Set By Levelling Up:

For Pokémon Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, and Shinning Pearl:

Lv.	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
1	Scratch	Normal	Physical	40	100%	35
1	Leer	Normal	Status	–	100%	30
6	Taunt	Dark	Status	–	100%	20
12	Quick Attack	Normal	Physical	40	100%	30
18	Metal Claw	Steel	Physical	50	95%	35
24	Icy Wind	Ice	Special	55	95%	15
30	Fury Swipes	Normal	Physical	18	80%	15
36	Hone Claws	Dark	Physical	–	100%	10
42	Beat Up	Dark	Physical		– %	10
48	Agility	Psychic	Status	–	– %	30
54	Screech	Normal	Status	–	85%	40
60	Slash	Normal	Physical	70	100%	20

For Pokémon Legends Arceus:

Lv.	Mastery	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
1	10	Quick Attack	Normal	Physical	40	100%	20
6	15	Ice Shard	Ice	Physical	40	100%	30
11	20	Swift	Normal	Special	60	–%	20
18	28	Slash	Normal	Physical	70	100%	15
25	35	Poison Jab	Poison	Physical	80	100%	10
34	45	Swords Dance	Normal	Status	–	–%	20
43	54	Blizzard	Ice	Special	100	75 %	5

How to Get Sneasel?

There are a few ways to get Sneasel using a few popular and fan-made ROMs. ROMS are Pokémon game versions created by fans.

In these versions, you’ll see that the gameplay and the story are usually modified. Some popular Pokémon ROMs are Pokémon Red, Pokémon Silver, Pokémon Crystal, Pokémon Emerald, etc.

Here are a few methods to get a Sneasel:

In some Pokémon games (like SoulSilver, Gold, Silver, Platinum, Diamond, Crystal, HeartGold, Black, White, Black 2, White 2, X, and Y), you can get a Sneasel through breeding or in the wild.

In a few fan-made ROMs, you can get a Sneasel through trading with other players, receive it as a gift from in-game characters, or simply catch it in the wild.

In other ROMs, you might find a Sneasel in different locations. In these ROMs, it is possible that the Sneasel has a different movepool or base stats.

Here are two videos on how to get a Sneasel, Sneasler, and a Weavile in Pokemon: Legends Arceus–

Sneasel Type Strength and Weakness

Let’s discuss the strength and weaknesses of Sneasel. Here are four pros and cons of using Sneasel during battle situations.

A) Strengths

sneasel strengths image — *Source: Tenor*

1. Speed:

The greatest strength of a Sneasel is its speed. With a Base Stat value of 115, it is a fast-moving Pokémons. This gives it a significant edge during battles. It can outspeed slower opponents by striking first.

A Sneasel can strike an opponent even before it makes its first move. Moreover, it can use moves like Ice Shard, Pursuit, and Fake Out to take out threats, cause damage, and disrupt the opponent’s strategy.

2. Dual Typing:

Another strength of a Sneasel is its dual nature which makes it a versatile Pokémon. As we mentioned, a Sneasel is Dark and Ice Pokémon. This means it inherits strengths from both these types.

Due to this, a Sneasel can resist Ice and Psychi-type moves used by opponents. Moreover, it gets the best of both worlds and can strike opponents using a wide variety of moves.

3. Inner Focus:

As we mentioned before, Sneasel has an ‘Inner Focus’ ability. This means that a Sneasel won’t flinch if it is attacked by any moves that usually cause flinching in Pokémon. This is a great strength because Sneasel gets the chance to attack and defeat its opponents without any interruption.

4. Movepool:

Sneasel has a diverse set of moves. This means that you can use it in different battle situations. Since it is a dual-type Pokémon, it inherits moves from both Ice and Dark elemental types. Some of its noteworthy moves include Ice Punch, Night Slash, Fake Out, Faint Attack, and Iron Tail.

B) Weakness

sneasel weaknesses image — *Source: Tumblr*

1. Low Defense:

Sneasel has a defense stat value of 55. This means its ability to defend itself against an opponent’s physical attack is low. Hence, it can be taken down easily during battles.

2. Fighting -Type:

Since a Sneasel is a part dark type, it is inherently weak against fighting-type Pokémon.

Fighting types rely on physical attacks. These moves are highly effective against Sneasel. If a sneasel is hit by a physical move, it will cause double the damage.

3. Speed Value:

Speed is the greatest strength of a Sneasel. However, compared to other Pokémons, its speed stat value is not among the highest. Some of the highest-speed stat Pokémons are Deoxys, Ninjask, Electrode, and Arcaine.

4. Limited Movepool:

We mentioned earlier that a Sneasel has a diverse set of moves. However, when compared to other Pokémons, its movepool is quite limited. So, you won’t be able to use it in different battle situations. Sneasels also have a limited number of special moves.

Conclusion

So, how to evolve Sneasel? To level up, you’ll need a Razor Claw in your inventory. There are two ways to get a Razor Claw in Pokémon Legends Arceus.

Either visit an Outpost Trader in Jubilife Village or enter a Space-Time Distortion. Remember that you’ll need 1,400 Merit Points to buy a Razor Claw from the Outpost Trader. You can get these by returning lost satchels in the Hisui Region.

In the Pokémon world, Sneasel is often overlooked. It faces heavy competition from other Dark and Ice-type Pokémons. Other reasons for its unpopularity are – its limited availability, usefulness, and lack of moves.

However, it does shine through in certain battle situations. These are battles where you need Pokémons with high speed and abilities like Keen Eye and Inner Focus.

In such cases, a Sneasel will be an excellent addition to your Galaxy Expedition Team! Hopefully, you’ve now got a few ideas on how to use and evolve a Sneasel in Legend: Arceus!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sneasel

How do you get a Razor Claw for a Sneasel?

There are multiple ways to obtain Razor Claw for a Sneasel. In Legends: Arceus, you can get a Razor Claw by buying it from Outpost Trader in Jubilife Village. Alternatively, you can get Razor Claws by catching Wild Sneasels.

How to evolve Sneasel SoulSilver?

In Pokémon SoulSilver, a Sneasel evolves when it is given a Razor Claw. It will evolve into a Weavile if you give it a Razor Claw at night. You can get a Razor Claw by catching some wild sneasels holding one, trading it with other players, or buying them from shops in the game.

How to evolve Sneasel platinum?

The process to evolve Sneasel in Pokémon Platinum is pretty much the same. You’ll have to give it a Razor Claw in order for the Sneasel to evolve into a Weavile. Also, the Razor Claw should be given to the Sneasel during nighttime.

How to evolve Sneasel Sword?

In Pokémon Sword, a Sneasel will evolve into a Weavile. This evolution will happen only with the help of a Razor Claw. You need to give the Razor Claw to the Sneasel during nighttime.

Where to find Sneasel and How to evolve it in Pokémon Legends Arceus?

Hisuian Sneasel is usually found in two different locations in Legends Arceus. These are Coronet Highlands and Alabaster Icelands. To evolve this Sneasel into a Sneasler, you’ll have to use a Razor Claw on it during the daytime.

On the other hand, Johto Sneasel is found in Space-Time Distortions in Obsidian Highlands. To evolve this Sneasel into a Weavile, you’ll have to use Razor Claw on it during the nighttime.

How to evolve Sneasel Legends Arceus?

If you want to evolve a Hisuian Sneasel into Sneasler, you’ll need a Razor Claw. Moreover, the Razor Claw needs to be used during the daytime. If you are trying to evolve a Johto Sneasel into a Weavile, you’ll have to use a Razor Claw during the nighttime.