How To Use Ice Stones In Pokémon Scarlet And Violet

Newcomers to the "Pokémon" franchise might be surprised to hear that the Ice Stone in "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet" is a relatively new addition to the series. Despite fitting in with the Fire, Water, Thunder, and Leaf Stones introduced in Generation 1 and representing a type that was incorporated in Generation 2, this handy little evolutionary stone only made its first appearance in Generation 7's "Pokémon Sun and Moon" (via Bulbapedia).

In Generation 8, it finally replaced Glaceon's locational evolution condition, making the popular Pokémon much easier to acquire, and — to the great relief of Eeveelution enjoyers worldwide — it makes a return in "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet" for the third generation in a row.

This time around, it handles the evolution for Glaceon as well as taking over the mechanic for Crabrawler and Crabominable (which had also been location-based for the Pokémon's introduction in "Sun and Moon"). In addition, it handles the transformation of the adorable new Pokémon, Cetoddle, into the powerful and durable Cetitan, making it a necessity for both Ice-type lovers and those looking to finish their Pokédex with minimal trading required. Here's everything you need to know about Ice Stones in "Pokémon Scarlet and Violet."

According to Serebii.net, there are three confirmed and guaranteed Ice Stone acquisitions in "Scarlet and Violet," all three of them in and around Glaseado Mountain. The first two are via the glowing overworld Pokéball treasures, one located in Dalizapa Passage on the "cliff overlooking path up north of Pokémon Center." The other is atop the cliffs bearing Glaseado's Grasp, one of the Ten Sights of Paldea — you can find these rocky protrusions at the western edge of the mountains, just to the southwest of the Glaseado Mountain Pokémon Center and southeast of Casseroya Watchtower No. 3. 

The third confirmed Ice Stone is a reward for your first successful completion of the Blizzard Course of the Snow Slope Run. You can access this minigame after completing the Glaseado Gym for the first time though you'll have to beat the Powder Snow Course before you can start attempting the Blizzard Course. 

Ice stones can also be acquired through two other random number generator (RNG) based methods. There's a small chance that they'll be available for Auction at Porto Marinado after completing the Cascarrafa Gym. Failing that, the daily-renewed shining items on the ground around Glaseado Mountain have a chance to yield an Ice Stone as well as Icy Rocks and Never-melt-ice. 

Once you have them in hand, use them on Eevee, Crabrawler, or Cetoddle like you would any consumable item — you can find them in the Other Items tab of your inventory beneath the nature-changing mints.

There are a few things to keep in mind when deciding when or if to use Ice Stones on your Pokémon, one being that Cetoddle and Cetitan have identical learnsets, providing no benefit to keeping a Cetoddle unevolved for a little longer. Additionally, the only move that Eevee can pass on that Glaceon can't learn organically is Trailblazer, a Grass-type physical move that is, frankly, useless with its abysmal attack stat. There's also the fact that both Glaceon and Cetitan can be found in the wild, making them less of a priority to use limited Ice Stones on when it comes to Pokédex completion (as opposed to Crabominable, which is only obtainable through trade or evolution).

The difference between Crabrawler and Crabominable's movesets is where it gets interesting. These two Pokémon have roughly the same learnset save for the fact that Crabrawler learns Crabhammer at level 37, while Crabominable learns Ice Hammer. At 100 attack power and 90 accuracy, they both serve as powerful signature moves to complement the evolutionary line's typing and high attack stat — and while they're learned at the same level, they're not actually mutually exclusive.

Any Pokémon can remember any level-appropriate move from its natural learnset regardless of if they ever knew that move or not, allowing Crabominable to know both signature moves by learning Crabhammer at level 37 as a Crabrawler, then simply remembering Ice Hammer from its moves menu after evolving.

Whichever Pokémon you decide to level up, simply select the Ice Stone from your inventory and click on the pocket monster of your choice to advance their evolution.