Thunder Stones have been a part of the Pokemon world since the first generation of games. At that time, it could only evolve two Pokemon. Eight generations later, a Thunder Stone can evolve as many as five Pokemon. Five is very little in comparison to the over 800 Pokemon that now exist in the Pokedex since Sword and Shield came out. True to the stone's name though, it is only usable on Pokemon that can evolve into Electric-types.
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The difficulty in Sword and Shield is not in obtaining a Thunder Stone itself, but in knowing what Pokemon it can evolve and where to catch those Pokemon. Thunder Stones can easily be obtained through the Digging Duo or from just finding it in the wild. While some Pokemon that use the Thunder Stone can be caught in Sword and Shield, there are also some that are not in the game or its expansions.
5 Eevee To Jolteon
One of the original users of the Thunder Stone, Eevee can evolve into Jolteon with the stone. Jolteon is one of the three Eeevee evolutions from generation one, each of which uses a stone to evolve. For example, Fire Stone will evolve it into a Flareon and a Water Stone will evolve it into a Vaporeon.
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Eevee can be found in Route 4 of Sword and Shield. Luckily, it can appear in day or not and is not weather dependent. It can be found overworld or randomly in the grass. However, it does have a low spawn rate so players will need to be patient. It can be worth catching as many as eight Eevees while there so that each one can evolve into a different type. Players should consider that if they are trying to complete their Pokedex. As for when to use a stone of the Eevee, some players like to wait a bit while others use the stone ASAP.
4 Pikachu To Raichu
Pikachu is the second generation one Pokemon to make use of the Thunder Stone. It, along with Eevee, is often the first Pokemon players remember when thinking of what uses a Thunder Stone. After all, the Pokemon anime made a big deal out of Ash's choice to not evolve his Pikachu with a Thunder Stone. Also, Pikachu can pack a punch in the games despite its small size.
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In Sword and Shield, wild Pikachu can spawn at two locations. The first location is actually shared with Eevee, Route 4. Pikachu's spawn rate there is a little more common than Eevee. It is easier to catch there too because it is not weather or time-of-day dependent. Another way to get a Pikachu is in the Stony Wilderness, but only during rain or thunderstorm weather. If the player wants a male or female, keep an eye on its tail shape. Female Pikachu have a heart shaped tail while males have a lightning shaped one. However, when they evolve into a Raichu, there is no gender difference in its design.
3 Magneton To Magnezone
While Magneton existed since the first games, Magnezone was not introduced until generation four. Like Magneton, it is an Electric and Steel-type Pokemon.
Magneton cannot be caught in the wild in Sword and Shield but its starting evolution, Magnemite, can. Magnemite will evolve into Magneton once it reaches level 30 anyway. Then the player can use a Thunderstone to turn the Magneton into a Magnezone. Magnemite between levels 10 and 15 can be caught at Challenge Beach in any weather. However, for the highest spawn rate it is best to seek them out during sunny weather.
2 Eelektrik To Eelektross
Part of a three stage evolution, starting with Tynamo, this pure Electric-type Pokemon was introduced in the Black and White generation. They can easily be mistaken for Water-types, due to their eel-like design.
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Eelektrik and its evolution line are not obtainable in Sword and Shield. Even trainers with it in their Pokemon Home boxes will have to wait for future games to use one of these past the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon titles. This evolution line is pretty far from known classics though, so few players miss it. On the bright side, that is one less Thunderstone needed to complete the Pokedex.
1 Charjabug To Vikavolt
This Electric and Bug-type Pokemon is another three stage evolution. Starting from a Grubbin, it evolves to a Charjabug at level 20 and to a Vikavolt with a Thunder Stone. These Pokemon were introduced in the more recent generation: Sun and Moon.
Unlike Eelektrik, Charjabug can be caught in Sword and Shield. It can be caught in Axew's Eye during rain, the Dusty Bowl during thunderstorms, and Hammerlocke Hills during thunderstorms. For the highest spawn rate, players should go to Axew's Eye. It can be much easier to just evolve Charjabug from a Grubbin, as Grubbin can be caught in any kind of weather as soon in the game as Route 1.