Linking Cord

The Linking Cord (Japanese: つながりのヒモ Connection String) is a type of Evolution item introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It allows Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, and Haunter to evolve into Alakazam, Machamp, Golem, and Gengar, respectively.

Linking Cord つながりのヒモ Connection String

Pokémon Legends: Arceus artwork

Introduced in Generation VIII Pocket Generation VIII Items

In the core series games

Price

Games Cost Sell price LA $8,000 $500

Effect

The Linking Cord triggers the evolution of certain Pokémon (all of which can alternatively evolve when traded) upon use. This consumes the Linking Cord.

• Causes Kadabra to evolve into Alakazam
• Causes Machoke to evolve into Machamp
• Causes Graveler to evolve into Golem
• Causes Haunter to evolve into Gengar

Description

Games Description LA A string exuding a mysterious energy that makes you feel a strange sense of connection. It’s loved by certain Pokémon.

Acquisition

Games Finite methods Repeatable methods LA Jubilife Village (from Vessa for collecting 50 wisps; reward for completing Request 64: "Getting to Know Ghosts") Trading post (1,000 MP) Ginkgo Guild cart (randomly sold by Ginter, as "Mysterious Cord") Space-time distortions

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Sleep

Linking Cord in Pokémon Sleep

The Linking Cord is available in Pokémon Sleep.

Price

Games Cost Sell price Sleep 1,400 N/A

Effect

The Linking Cord is required to evolve certain Pokémon in Pokémon Sleep. It is consumed upon use.

• Graveler requires 80 Geodude Candy and a Linking Cord to evolve into Golem.
• Slowpoke requires 80 Slowpoke Candy, a Linking Cord, and a King's Rock to evolve into Slowking.
• Haunter requires 80 Gastly Candy and a Linking Cord to evolve into Gengar.
• Onix requires 80 Onix Candy, a Linking Cord, and a Metal Coat to evolve into Steelix.

As of version 1.0.13, if the Linking Cord is used from the Bag, it will reward the player with 5 candies of a random Pokémon that evolves using the Linking Cord.

Description

Games Description Sleep A string exuding a mysterious energy that makes you feel a strange sense of connection. If you use it from your Bag's items pocket, you'll receive 5 candies of a randomly selected Pokémon capable of evolving with the Linking Cord.

Acquisition

Games Finite methods Repeatable methods Sleep Achievement reward Reward for achieving Closeness Level 3 with a friend in the Research Community Sleep Point Exchange (Regular)

Trivia

• While the Linking Cord is used to evolve Pokémon that evolve when traded, it cannot be used to evolve Pokémon that evolve when traded while holding an item; instead, in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, those Pokémon evolve simply by using that item on them.
• This item might be a reference to the Game Link Cable, which is used to trade Pokémon (and consequently activate trade evolutions) in the first three generations of core series games (outside of trading using the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter).
  • The sprite of the Linking Cord in Pokémon Legends: Arceus takes influence from a form of Japanese knot tying called Mizuhiki. The knot in particular is an Awaji knot, which is used to represent togetherness — a possible nod to the Link Cable's original use.
• There is an evolution item in the first three games of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series called Link Cable, which works similarly to the Linking Cord but predates its introduction.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 聯繫繩 Lyùhnhaih Sìhng Mandarin 聯繫繩 / 联系绳 Liánxì Shéng French Fil de Liaison German Verbindungsschnur Italian Filo dell’unione Korean 연결의끈 Yeongyeol-ui Kkeun Spanish Cordón Unión

This item article is part of Project ItemDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all items.