Espeon Evolution Guide: Friendship & Time in Brilliant Diamond (BDSP)
Step 1: Catch an Eevee
First things first, you'll need an Eevee! In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Eevee is obtained after acquiring the National Pokedex. After doing so, go to Bebe in Hearthome City. Talk to her, and she'll give you one Eevee.
![]()
Step 2: Increase Friendship
Espeon evolves through Friendship, so raising Eevee's Friendship level is crucial. Here are several ways to do this:
- Walking with Eevee: Simply having Eevee in your party and taking steps will gradually increase its Friendship. The more steps, the better!
- Using Items: Berries that lower Effort Values (EVs) like Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato Berries raise Friendship. These can be found growing throughout the Sinnoh region.
- Giving Eevee Vitamins: Items like Protein, Iron, Calcium, Zinc, Carbos, and HP Up significantly increase Friendship.
- Winning Battles: Leveling up Eevee through battles will also increase its Friendship, though less than the methods above.
- Avoid Letting Eevee Faint: Fainting decreases Friendship, so be careful!
- Giving Eevee a Soothe Bell: The Soothe Bell, found in the Pokemon Mansion on Route 212, drastically increases the friendship gained when performing friendship raising actions. Equip this to Eevee.
- Massages in Veilstone City: The massage therapist in Veilstone City can give your Pokemon a massage once a day. This provides a decent boost to friendship.
Step 3: Avoid Leveling Up During the Night
This is CRUCIAL! If you level up Eevee during the night, it will evolve into Umbreon, not Espeon. Espeon requires leveling up during the day.
![]()
Step 4: Check Friendship Level
Before leveling up, ensure Eevee's Friendship is high enough. Go to the Friendship Checker in Eterna City. She is located inside the Pokemon Center, near the counter. Show her Eevee. If she says something like:
- "It looks really happy! It must love you a lot."
- "I get the feeling that it really trusts you."
Then Eevee's Friendship is high enough to evolve.
Step 5: Level Up During the Day
"Daytime" in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl is between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM in-game time. Make sure your Nintendo Switch's clock is set correctly. Now, simply level up Eevee. This can be done through battling, using a Rare Candy (obtained from various locations or purchased in the Battle Park post-game), or using an Exp. Candy. As long as it's daytime and Friendship is high enough, Eevee will evolve into Espeon!
![]()
Step 6: Enjoy Your Espeon!
That's it! You now have a beautiful and powerful Espeon ready to take on the Sinnoh League.
![]()
What's your favorite Eeveelution and why?
