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[[File:Slowbro losing Shellder.png|thumb|200px|Slowbro losing Shellder]]
'''Devolution''' (Japanese: '''{{tt|退化|たいか}}''' ''degeneration'') is the process by which an [[Evolution|evolved]] {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} reverts to its previous form. This process is much less common than evolution due to being impossible within the [[core series]] {{pkmn|games}}. In most media in which it exists, devolution is often instigated through artificial means, such as sprays or genetic engineering.

==In the core series games==
[[File:Slowking losing Shellder.png|left|thumb|200px|Slowking losing Shellder]]
While devolution is not possible within the [[core series]] games as a mechanic, the notion is referred to by {{p|Slowbro}}'s numerous [[Pokédex]] entries. Said entries claim that if the {{p|Shellder}} falls off, the Slowbro turns back into a Slowpoke. It is said that if {{p|Slowking}} loses its Shellder, it forgets everything it has learned.<ref>[http://www.pokemon.jp/special/yadon_paradise/illustrated/ 絵で見るヤドンずかん｜  ヤドンパラダイス｜ポケモンだいすきクラブ]</ref>

A similar situation applies to {{p|Exeggutor}}, as it is stated in its Pokédex entries that if one of its heads were to fall off, that head would become an {{p|Exeggcute}}.

{{p|Silvally}}, a Pokémon who had previously gone by the name ''[[Beast killer project|Type: Full]]'' were given control helmets to prevent its {{a|RKS System}} from functioning. This had caused the Pokémon to be renamed to {{p|Type: Null}}, essentially devolving it into an inferior species. Type: Null, both in lore and gameplay, can evolve back into Silvally.

In {{p|Melmetal}}'s Pokédex entry for [[Pokémon Sword and Shield|Pokémon Sword]], it is stated that, at the end of a Melmetal's lifespan, its leftover shards will return to being {{p|Meltan}}.
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==In the spin-off games==
===Pokémon Mystery Dungeon===
The only Pokémon games in which devolution is possible are games from the [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series]] games of the [[Nintendo 3DS]].

In [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity]], the Devolve Orb is a [[Wonder Orb]] that devolves all enemies in the room.
{{spoilers}}
In [[Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon]], the player and their partner evolve and later devolve three times during the game's main story, thanks to the [[Harmony Scarf|Harmony Scarves]] they wear.
{{endspoilers}}

===Pokémon Trading Card Game===
Pokémon cards can devolve in {{cat|Pokémon Trading Card Game video games}}, which contain cards that can cause devolution.

===Pokémon UNITE===
Before a [[Unite Battle]], all participating Pokémon are reduced to [[level]] 1 through the power of [[Aeos energy]].<ref name="UNITEPress">[https://press.pokemon.com/en/releases/NEW-INFORMATION-REVEALED-FOR-Pokemon-UNITE NEW INFORMATION REVEALED FOR Pokémon UNITE], Press release</ref> This seemingly also induces devolution in the affected species, however the process is not seen within the bounds of the video game. Pokémon with {{pkmn2|baby}} forms, such as {{p|Pikachu}} and {{p|Mr. Mime}}, are never seen in such stages and presumably do not devolve that far, while {{p|Azumarill}} only devolves to {{p|Marill}}.

The [[Pokémon UNITE Opening Cinematic|opening cinematic]] for [[Pokémon UNITE]] shows {{UNITE|Talonflame}}, {{UNITE|Slowbro}}, {{UNITE|Greninja}}, {{UNITE|Cinderace}}, and {{UNITE|Garchomp}} enveloped by a blue aura and devolving into their base forms of {{p|Fletchling}}, {{p|Slowpoke}}, {{p|Froakie}}, {{p|Scorbunny}}, and {{p|Gible}}, respectively. Notably, {{UNITE|Pikachu}}, {{UNITE|Mr. Mime}}, {{UNITE|Absol}}, {{UNITE|Lucario}} and {{UNITE|Snorlax}} are seen enveloped in the same blue aura but are unaffected.

In the Practice Area mode, if the player uses the Reset Level function in the Practice Options menu to return a Pokémon to Level 1, that Pokémon will devolve back into their base form. Just like [[evolution]], Pokémon are {{UNITE|status condition|invincible}} while devolving. The same visual effects from evolution indicate devolution.

==In the anime==
[[File:Devolution anime.png|thumb|250px|{{TP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}} devolving in the {{pkmn|anime}}]]
===Pokémon animated series===
In the [[Pokémon anime]], the subject of devolution has rarely been brought up. {{an|Brock}} explicitly states in ''[[EP014|Electric Shock Showdown]]'' that evolution cannot be reversed, effectively confirming the nonexistence of devolution within the anime. This was reconfirmed in ''[[XY052|A Stealthy Challenge!]]'', where {{an|Bonnie}} asked {{AP|Frogadier}} to devolve into {{p|Froakie}} so she could see it evolve again, but {{an|Clemont}} explained that it doesn't work that way.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]''====
In ''[[XY098|Dream a Little Dream from Me!]]'', [[Ash's Pikachu]] had a nightmare featuring Frogadier having devolved into Froakie. [[Clemont's Bunnelby]], which appeared as a {{p|Diggersby}} in the same nightmare, also devolved back into its first stage later in the dream.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]''====
The first known instance of a real devolution in the anime occurred when {{an|Faba}} fitted {{TP|Gladion|Silvally}} with a restraining mask, thereby turning it into a {{p|Type: Null}}.

====''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]''====
In ''[[JN089|The Gates of Warp!]]'', Pokémon in an {{pkmn|multiverse|alternate world}} version of [[Sinnoh]] devolved due to {{OBP|Dialga|recurring}} and {{OBP|Palkia|recurring}}'s battle, with most of them eventually reverting all the way into {{pkmn|Egg}}s. In ''[[JN090|Showdown at the Gates of Warp!]]'', this battle was revealed to have been orchestrated by [[Alternate World Team Rocket]] to make Pokémon easier to steal and train to serve them. Once they had been defeated, Ash, {{an|Dawn}}, [[Goh]], [[Chloe]], and their alternate world counterparts prayed for {{p|Arceus}} to stop the fight, which it did. Afterwards, Dialga and Palkia restored the reverted Pokémon to normal, fulfilling everyone's wish.

==In the manga==
[[File:Devolution Adventures.png|thumb|220px|Eevee devolving from {{p|Jolteon}} in [[Pokémon Adventures]]]]
===Pokémon Adventures===
===={{MangaArc|Red, Green & Blue}}====
Before [[Vee]], {{adv|Red}}'s {{p|Eevee}}, evolved into {{p|Espeon}}, he had been the subject of an experiment by [[Team Rocket]], which allowed him to evolve into any of his three [[Eeveelution|evolutions]] that were known at the time. He was also able to devolve back into an Eevee and evolve into a different Eeveelution. Although this does mean that devolution is possible in [[Pokémon Adventures]], the artificial means through which this was achieved and the lack of any other instances of devolution suggest that it may not be possible through natural means.

===Pokémon Pocket Monsters===
Unlike any other media, Pokémon are capable of devolving just as easily as they evolve in [[Pokémon Pocket Monsters]]. This became especially evident when [[Red's Clefairy]] and {{TP|Red|Pikachu|Pikachu (Pocket Monsters)}} evolve into {{p|Clefable}} and {{p|Raichu}} respectively, then revert to their original forms, as well as when {{PPM|Green}}'s {{p|Charmander}} evolved into {{TP|Green|Charizard}} and then turned back into Charmander.

===Pokémon Horizon===
{{OBP|Akira|Horizon}}'s {{p|Rockruff}} has the unique ability to evolve into {{p|Lycanroc}} and then devolve into Rockruff again, thanks to the strange red stone on its neck. It also has the ability to change in between its {{DL|List of Pokémon with form differences|Lycanroc|Midday and Midnight Forms}} while being evolved.
{{-}}

==In the TCG==
[[File:DevolutionSprayDragonsExalted113.jpg|thumb|200px|{{TCG ID|Base Set|Devolution Spray|72}}, one of the few methods of inducing devolution in the TCG]]
In the TCG, devolution is possible, albeit only through effects rather than as a rule of the game. Examples include {{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Mew|8}}'s Devolution Beam {{TCG|attack}}, {{TCG ID|Rising Rivals|Flareon|19}}'s Undevelop {{TCG|Pokémon Power|Poké-Power}}, and the {{TCG ID|Base Set|Devolution Spray|72}} {{TCG|Item card}}.

Devolution is performed by removing one or more of the [[Appendix:Glossary (TCG)#Evolution card|Evolution cards]] on top of the {{TCG|Pokémon}} and moving them to another zone. Typically, the cards return to their owner's [[hand]]. This leaves one of the lower stages of that Pokémon visible, and that prior card is now in play. Devolution is only possible for Pokémon that have already [[Evolution#In the TCG|evolved]], meaning they are an [[Evolution#In the TCG|evolved Pokémon]]. This is not to be confused with an [[Evolution#In the TCG|Evolution Pokémon]], which is just a Pokémon card that has a Stage which is not {{TCG|Basic Pokémon|Basic}}, {{TCG|Restored Pokémon|Restored}}, {{TCG|Baby Pokémon|Baby}}, {{TCG|Pokémon LEGEND|LEGEND}}, or {{TCG|Pokémon V-UNION|V-UNION}}. For example, if {{TCG ID|BREAKpoint|Frogadier|39}} from {{TCG|BREAKpoint}} uses its ''Water Duplicates'' {{TCG|attack}} to put other {{TCG|Frogadier}} onto the [[Bench]], the other Frogadier cannot be devolved because they are unevolved Pokémon and therefore do not have previous Evolutions. It should also be noted that a Pokémon cannot be devolved past whichever card was put into play without evolution. That card will remain in play no matter what effect is trying to devolve the Pokémon, even if that card happens to be an Evolution card.<ref>[https://compendium.pokegym.net/ruling/1945/ Compendium ruling]</ref> To continue the example, if any of the unevolved Frogadier evolve into {{TCG|Greninja}}, then they are evolved Pokémon and can be devolved. However, an effect that attempts to remove multiple evolution cards like {{TCG ID|Shining Legends|Shining Jirachi|42}}'s ''Stellar Reign'' attack would only remove the Greninja; Frogadier would stay in play.

Devolving a {{TCG|Pokémon LV.X}} has a strange effect, as a Pokémon LV.X is not an Evolution card. This means one can only devolve a {{TCG|Pokémon LV.X}} that is an evolved Pokémon. If so, then the Evolution card below the LV.X card is removed. In most cases, this means that the Pokémon LV.X is now a Level-Up of a card it does not Level-Up from. This causes the LV.X card to be removed from play, leaving the prior evolution in place. The rulebook is unclear about where the LV.X card goes after that.<ref>[https://www.judgeball.com/files/archives/tcg-rulebooks/en/PL2.pdf Platinum: Rising RIvals Rulebook], via Judge Ball</ref>

A Pokémon that devolved cannot [[Evolution#In the TCG|evolve]] on the same turn, unless some other effect allows it to evolve in spite of this.

One of the primary purposes of devolution is reducing the maximum [[HP]] of a Pokémon, as HP usually increases as a Pokémon evolves. If, after devolving, a Pokémon has more [[damage counter]]s on it than its current maximum HP, it is [[Appendix:Glossary (TCG)#Knock Out|Knocked Out]]. Another use case is reusing effects that activate when a Pokémon evolves, although reusing effects in this manner is usually restricted to happening over two turns due to the evolution rules unless there is a second Pokémon in play that can evolve into the Pokémon card that was removed from the first Pokémon.

The following is a list of cards that can induce devolution.

{{cardlist/header|Related cards|Psychic|char=yes}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Base Set|Devolution Spray|72}}|type=Item|expanded=Yes|enset=Base Set|enrarity=Rare|ennum=72/102|jpsetlink=Base Set|jpset=Expansion Pack|jprarity=Rare|enset2=Dragons Exalted|enrarity2=Uncommon|ennum2=113/124|jpset2=Dragon Blast|jprarity2=Uncommon|jpnum2=048/050|jpset3=BW-P Promotional cards|jpnum3=196/BW-P|enset4=Fates Collide|enrarity4=Uncommon|ennum4=95/124|jpset4=Awakening Psychic King|jprarity4=U|jpnum4=067/078|enset5=Evolutions|enrarity5=Uncommon|ennum5=76/108|jpset5=Expansion Pack 20th Anniversary|jprarity5=U|jpnum5=075/087}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Wizards Promo|Mew|8}}|type=Psychic|enset=Wizards Black Star Promos|ennum=8|enset2=Wizards Black Star Promos|ennum2=9|jpsetlink2=Fossil|jpset2=Mystery of the Fossils|jprarity2=Rare Holo}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Neo Discovery|Hyper Devolution Spray|73}}|type=Trainer|enset=Neo Discovery|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=73/75|jpsetlink=Crossing the Ruins...|jpset=Crossing the Ruins...|jprarity=Uncommon|jpset2=Pokémon Web|jprarity2=Uncommon|jpnum2=031/048}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Skyridge|Mystery Plate γ|135}}|type=Trainer|enset=Skyridge|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=135/144|jpsetlink=Split Earth|jpset=Split Earth|jprarity=Uncommon|jpnum=085/088}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Skyridge|Retro Energy|144}}|type=Energy|energy=Colorless|enset=Skyridge|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=144/144|jpsetlink=Mysterious Mountains|jpset=Mysterious Mountains|jprarity=Uncommon|jpnum=088/088}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|PLAY Promo|Mew ex|7}}|type=Psychic|jpset=PLAY Promotional cards|jpnum=007/PLAY}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|EX Sandstorm|Omastar|19}}|type=Water|enset=EX Sandstorm|enrarity=Rare|ennum=19/100|enset2=EX Power Keepers|enrarity2=Rare|ennum2=20/108|jpsetlink=EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua|jpset=Magma VS Aqua: Two Ambitions|jprarity=Rare Holo|jpnum=024/080|jpset2=World Champions Pack|jprarity2=Rare|jpnum2=017/108}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|EX Hidden Legends|Ancient Technical Machine Rock|85}}|type=Trainer|enset=EX Hidden Legends|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=85/101|jpsetlink=EX Hidden Legends|jpset=Undone Seal|jprarity=Uncommon|jpnum=076/083}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|EX Holon Phantoms|Mew ex|100}}|type=Psychic|enset=EX Holon Phantoms|enrarity=Rare Holo ex|ennum=100/110|jpsetlink=Gift Box Mew • Lucario|jpset=Mew Quarter Deck|jpnum=003/015}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Rising Rivals|Flareon|19}}|type=Fire|enset=Rising Rivals|enrarity=Rare|ennum=19/111|jpsetlink=Rising Rivals|jpset=Bonds to the End of Time|jprarity=Rare|jpnum=011/090}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Rising Rivals|Jolteon|26}}|type=Lightning|enset=Rising Rivals|enrarity=Rare|ennum=26/111|jpsetlink=Rising Rivals|jpset=Bonds to the End of Time|jprarity=Rare|jpnum=028/090}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Rising Rivals|Vaporeon|34}}|type=Water|enset=Rising Rivals|enrarity=Rare|ennum=34/111|jpsetlink=Rising Rivals|jpset=Bonds to the End of Time|jprarity=Rare|jpnum=014/090}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Unleashed|Jirachi|1}}|type=Psychic|enset=Unleashed|enrarity=Rare Holo|ennum=1/95|jpsetlink=Leafeon vs Metagross Expert Deck|jpset=Metagross Deck|jpnum=006/014|enset2=Call of Legends|enrarity2=Rare Holo|ennum2=11/95}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Dragons Exalted|Golurk|59}}|type=Psychic|expanded=Yes|enset=Dragons Exalted|enrarity=Rare Holo|ennum=59/124|jpset=Dragon Blade|jprarity=R|jpnum=023/050|enset2=Boundaries Crossed|enrarity2=Rare Secret|ennum2=150/149|jpset2=Freeze Bolt|jprarity2=UR|jpnum2=064/059}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Ancient Origins|Claydol|33}}|type=Psychic|expanded=Yes|enset=Ancient Origins|enrarity=Rare|ennum=33/98|jpset=Bandit Ring|jprarity=U|jpnum=033/081}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Ancient Origins|Porygon-Z|67}}|type=Colorless|expanded=Yes|enset=Ancient Origins|enrarity=Rare Holo|ennum=67/98|jpset=Bandit Ring|jprarity=R|jpnum=067/081}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname=[[Espeon-EX (BREAKpoint 52)|Espeon]]{{EX}}|type=Psychic|expanded=Yes|enset=BREAKpoint|enrarity=Rare Holo ex|ennum=52/122|jpset=Rage of the Broken Heavens|jprarity=RR|jpnum=035/080|enset2=BREAKpoint|enrarity2=Rare Ultra|ennum2=117/122|jpset2=Rage of the Broken Heavens|jprarity2=SR|jpnum2=084/080|jpset3=The Best of XY|jpnum3=045/171}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Burning Shadows|Porygon-Z|105}}|type=Colorless|expanded=Yes|enset=Burning Shadows|enrarity=Rare Holo|ennum=105/147|jpset=Darkness that Consumes Light|jprarity=R|jpnum=044/051|enset2=Miscellaneous Promotional cards|ennum2=105a/147|jpset2=SM-P Promotional cards|jpnum2=070/SM-P}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Shining Legends|Shining Jirachi|42}}|type=Psychic|expanded=Yes|enset=Shining Legends|enrarity=Shining Holo|ennum=42/73|jpset=Shining Legends|jprarity=Shining Holo|jpnum=043/072}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname=[[Celebi ♢ (Lost Thunder 19)|Celebi]] {{Prism Star}}|type=Grass|expanded=Yes|enset=Lost Thunder|enrarity=Rare Holo|ennum=19/214|jpset=Super-Burst Impact|jprarity=PR|jpnum=015/095}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Lost Thunder|Dialga|127}}|type=Metal|expanded=Yes|enset=Lost Thunder|enrarity=Rare Holo|ennum=127/214|jpset=Thunderclap Spark|jprarity=R|jpnum=038/060}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Unbroken Bonds|Devolution Spray Z|166}}|type=Item|expanded=Yes|enset=Unbroken Bonds|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=166/214|jpset=Full Metal Wall|jprarity=U|jpnum=044/054}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Unified Minds|Celebi|4}}|type=Grass|expanded=Yes|enset=Unified Minds|enrarity=Rare Holo|ennum=4/236|jpset=Miracle Twin|jprarity=R|jpnum=003/094}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Pokémon Card 151|Aerodactyl|142}}|type=Colorless|standard=Yes|enset=151|enrarity=Rare|ennum=142/165|jpset=Pokémon Card 151|jprarity=R|jpnum=142/165}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Paradox Rift|Technical Machine: Devolution|177}}|type=Pokémon Tool|standard=Yes|enset=Paradox Rift|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=177/182|jpset=Ancient Roar|jprarity=U|jpnum=63/66}}
{{cardlist/footer|Psychic}}

==References==
<references/>

==Related articles==
* [[Evolution]]
* [[Beast killer project]]

[[Category:Pokémon world]]
[[Category:Terminology]]

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