Eevee is one of the most versatile Pokémon in the series’ history. Whereas other Pokémon generally have a set evolution pattern (i.e. Charmander to Charmeleon to Charizard), the player can choose what Eevee becomes. Upon its introduction in Pokémon Red and Blue, Eevee could evolve into a Jolteon (electric-type), Flareon (fire-type) and Vaporeon (water-type). As the game series has proceeded, players’ choices have only expanded, now including Espeon (psychic-type), Umbreon (dark-type), Leafeon (grass-type) Glaceon (ice-type) and most recently in X and Y, Sylveon (fairy-type).
So, based on this pattern, it’s reasonable to expect that Pokémon Sword And Shield will have some kind of new evolution for Eevee. Given that it already has a lot of Pokémon types covered though, what could remain? Well, we don’t have a ghost, dragon, steel, poison, ground, flying, fighting, bug or rock-type Eevee yet. Interestingly, we’ve heard persistent rumors that Sword and Shield will introduce new armored Pokémon evolutions, which may indicate that we’ll get a steel or rock-type Eevee.
Whatever the case, Eevee has steadily become one of the more popular Pokémon, occasionally even rivaling Pikachu for the title of most popular in the series. As a mark of its popularity, it was chosen to have its own single-player adventure in Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee! In another marker of its newfound fame, Eevee also made a surprise appearance on the arm of Ariana Grande, with the pop singer so enamored with Let’s Go Eevee that she decided to get it immortalized in ink.
Nintendo and GameFreak have been their usual secretive selves about precisely what’s in store for us in Pokémon Sword And Shield, but with Detective Pikachu coming out in May, expect them to use that film as a springboard to promote the upcoming game. While we haven’t seen Eevee in the trailers, we have seen a Flareon, so here’s hoping.