Finding the Dusk Stone in Pokemon X: All Locations and Farming Tips

The Dusk Stone is one of the most sought-after evolutionary items in the Kalos region. Its primary appeal in Pokemon X stems from its ability to evolve Doublade into the formidable Aegislash, a mainstay in both casual playthroughs and competitive battling. However, unlike common elemental stones like the Fire or Water Stone, the Dusk Stone is significantly harder to track down. It is tucked away in late-game areas or hidden behind specific mini-game mechanics.

Navigating the world of Pokemon X to find this "peculiar stone that holds shadows as dark as can be" requires a mix of exploration, patience, and skill in Super Training. Whether you are looking to complete your Pokedex or optimize a King’s Shield Aegislash, this breakdown covers every reliable method to obtain a Dusk Stone.

The Primary Source: Terminus Cave Walkthrough

For most players, the first opportunity to find a Dusk Stone occurs in Terminus Cave. This is a multi-layered dungeon located off Route 18. You can access this area after defeating the seventh Gym Leader in Anistar City, though it is often explored just before or after the eighth gym.

Preparing for the Cave

To successfully navigate Terminus Cave and retrieve the stone, ensure you have a Pokemon in your party that knows the Move HM06 Rock Smash. While the stone itself isn't blocked by a massive puzzle, a specific rock blocks the path to its location on the lower floors.

Step-by-Step Route to the Stone

1. Entry: Enter Terminus Cave from Route 18. Upon entering, head to the right and descend the stairs to Basement 1F (B1F).
2. B1F Navigation: From the B1F entrance, move downwards and then left. You will need to jump over a series of ledges. Continue heading left until you see a bridge. Cross the bridge and follow the path past a Hiker trainer.
3. Descending to B2F: Look for another set of stairs leading down. This will take you to Basement 2F (B2F), which is a sprawling, maze-like area where the Legendary Pokemon Zygarde eventually resides.
4. The Rock Smash Puzzle: Once on B2F, head north. You will eventually encounter a narrow path on the left side of the floor. There is a small, breakable rock here. Use Rock Smash to clear the path.
5. Reaching the Item: After breaking the rock, continue heading west through the corridor. You will reach a fork; head south toward a lower elevation area. You will see a Poke Ball item on the ground. Pick it up to receive your first Dusk Stone.

This is a one-time pickup. If you accidentally use this stone or need a second one for a Chandelure or Mismagius, you will need to look toward other methods.

The Post-Game Gift: Laverre City

If you have already cleared the Elite Four and entered the Hall of Fame, there is a much simpler way to grab an extra Dusk Stone without fighting through a cave. This method involves a retired member of Team Flare who is looking to turn over a new leaf.

Finding the Grunt

Travel to Laverre City, the home of the Fairy-type Gym. Head to the northwestern part of the city, near the entrance to the gym and the clothing boutique. You will find a Team Flare Grunt standing outside. Unlike the hostile encounters earlier in the game, this NPC will speak about his retirement from the villainous team. As a gesture of goodwill, he hands over a Dusk Stone he "acquired" during his time with Team Flare. This is a quick and easy way to get a second stone for your collection without any RNG involved.

Repeatable Farming: Super Secret Training

For players who need multiple Dusk Stones or want one early in the game (before reaching Terminus Cave), the Super Training feature on the 3DS bottom screen is the most reliable tool. However, it is not available immediately; it requires a "Fully Trained" Pokemon.

Unlocking the Secret Level

To access the specific regimen that drops Dusk Stones, you must first have at least one Pokemon in your party that has maxed out its Effort Values (EVs). A Pokemon is considered fully trained when its EV bar in the Super Training menu is completely filled (510 points). Once this is achieved, the "Super Secret Training" levels will unlock.

The Regimen: "Watch Out! That’s One Tricky Second Half!"

There are several tiers of Secret Training. The Dusk Stone is a potential reward for completing the level titled "Watch Out! That’s One Tricky Second Half!" This challenge features a large Aegislash-shaped balloon bot.

• The Mechanics: In this mini-game, you must shoot balls at goals while dodging incoming attacks. The Aegislash balloon is notoriously difficult because it switches stances. In its shield form, it takes significantly less damage, and in its sword form, it attacks more aggressively.
• Winning the Stone: Simply beating the balloon is not enough. To earn a Dusk Stone, you generally need to beat the challenge within a specific time limit (earning a Gold Medal). Even then, the reward is randomized. You might receive Stardust, a Hard Stone, or a Soda Pop instead.
• Efficiency Tip: Use a Pokemon with a high base Speed stat for this mini-game. Faster Pokemon in Super Training shoot balls more rapidly, making it easier to rack up points during the Aegislash balloon's vulnerable sword phase. It may take 5 to 10 successful attempts before the Dusk Stone drops, so persistence is key.

The High-Skill Method: Inverse Battles on Route 18

Another repeatable way to get a Dusk Stone is by participating in Inverse Battles. On Route 18, there is a house known as the Inverse House, where a trainer named Psychic Inver challenges you to a battle where type effectiveness is completely flipped.

How Inverse Battles Work

In these battles, super-effective moves become "not very effective," and vice versa. For example:

• Fire-type moves are super effective against Water-type Pokemon.
• Normal-type moves hit Ghost-types for super-effective damage.
• Immunities (like Ground vs. Electric) are removed, often resulting in super-effective hits.

Scoring for Rewards

Psychic Inver rewards you based on how many super-effective hits you land versus how many you take. The scoring system is roughly:

• +1 point for landing a super-effective hit.
• -1 point for having a super-effective hit landed on you.

To have a chance at receiving an evolution stone like the Dusk Stone, you aim for a score between 7 and 9 points. If you score too high (10+), you might receive rare berries instead. Because you can only battle Inver once per day, this method is less efficient than Super Training but serves as a good daily routine for stone collectors.

Strategic Evolution: When to Use Your Dusk Stone

Obtaining the stone is only half the battle. Knowing when to use it is crucial for building a powerful team. Unlike some Pokemon that learn moves at the same rate regardless of evolution, most Pokemon that use the Dusk Stone stop learning moves via leveling up once they evolve.

1. Doublade to Aegislash

This is the most common use for a Dusk Stone in Pokemon X.

• The Strategy: Doublade learns Iron Defense at level 45 and Sacred Sword at level 51. Aegislash, by contrast, learns almost no moves by leveling up (except for King's Shield via the Move Reminder). It is highly recommended to wait until Doublade learns Sacred Sword before using the Dusk Stone. Once it becomes Aegislash, take it to the Move Reminder in Dendemille Town and trade a Heart Scale to teach it King's Shield, which is essential for its Stance Change ability.

2. Lampent to Chandelure

Lampent is a Ghost/Fire type that evolves from Litwick at level 41.

• The Strategy: Lampent learns Shadow Ball at level 53 and Overheat at level 69. Chandelure has a massive Special Attack stat, but once it evolves, it stops learning these natural attacks. If you have access to TMs like TM30 (Shadow Ball), you can evolve it earlier. If not, wait until at least level 53 so you don't have to rely on weaker moves.

3. Murkrow to Honchkrow

Murkrow is one of the few Pokemon that can be quite effective with an Eviolite, but Honchkrow’s Attack stat is too high to ignore.

• The Strategy: Murkrow learns Sucker Punch at level 34 and Quash at level 45. Honchkrow learns Night Slash upon evolution. Most trainers evolve Murkrow immediately after it learns Sucker Punch, as this is its most important priority move.

4. Misdreavus to Mismagius

Similar to the others, Mismagius benefits from a high Special Attack and Speed but lacks a level-up movepool.

• The Strategy: Misdreavus learns Power Gem at level 37 and Shadow Ball at level 41. It is best to wait until level 41 to ensure Mismagius has its primary STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) move ready to go.

Summary of Dusk Stone Locations in Pokemon X

To recap, here are your options for finding a Dusk Stone in the order of ease:

For the average player progressing through the story, the Terminus Cave stone is the most logical choice. It aligns perfectly with the timing of when your Doublade or Lampent will be reaching the appropriate levels for evolution. If you are a completionist or a competitive breeder, mastering the Super Secret Training is your best bet for a steady supply of stones.

While the Dusk Stone remains one of the more elusive items in Pokemon X, the variety of methods ensures that you are never truly stuck. Whether you prefer the traditional exploration of Kalos's dark caves or the modern challenge of the Super Training mini-games, your path to a powerful Aegislash or Chandelure is well-defined. Remember to check your bag for the stone in the "Items" pocket, as it can easily be overlooked among the plethora of other treasures found in the Kalos region.