Trade evolutions need a partner: the item alone will not do it on a solo run.
With the evolution-method randomizer on, a species reads another species’ evolution row: check your own save before committing an item.
Where to find it
Item locations are not randomized: only holders move.
No pickup anywhere in the ROM. Not a ball, not a hidden square, not a shop: the only way to get one is off a wild holder. Wild species are randomized, so find where the holder below actually spawns in your seed rather than trusting a vanilla route list.
A wild mon rolls 45% nothing / 45% common / 10% rare. Lead with Compound Eyes and that becomes 20/60/20. Thief and Covet take the item without a catch.
