Methods of Evolution

There are numerous methods of Evolution which define how and when Pokémon evolve. Most Pokémon will evolve by leveling up while others evolve through specific means, such as being traded, achieving a certain amount of friendship or leveling at certain times, among others.

In the core series games

In the core series games, Pokémon normally only evolve after one of three events:

• Gaining a level
• Being exposed to an item (such as an Evolution stone)
• Being traded

Prior to Generation VIII, the above were the only triggers to evolve Pokémon. However, Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced four new triggers, each only used by a very select few Pokémon species:

• Spinning and striking a pose with the Pokémon in the party
• The Pokémon performing a specific action in battle
• Traveling through a specific location with the Pokémon in the party
• Observing a specific object in a specific location with the Pokémon in the party

When the appropriate trigger occurs, if the Pokémon meets the requirements to evolve, it will do so. However, if a Pokémon meets the trigger in battle, it will only evolve after the battle ends.

The Everstone prevents a Pokémon's Evolution:

• In Generation II, a Pokémon holding an Everstone (including Kadabra) cannot evolve by any method.
• In Generation III, trade Evolutions are affected by the held item loss glitch: if Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, or Haunter is traded while holding any item (including an Everstone), that Pokémon will evolve and its held item will be permanently lost.
• From Generation IV onwards, the Everstone does not prevent a Pokémon evolving via Evolution stone. It also fails to prevent Kadabra from evolving.
• If either Karrablast or Shelmet holds an Everstone when traded for the other, neither can evolve.

Leveling up

Leveling up is the most common trigger for Evolution. Evolution by level up can be triggered by gaining experience in battle or by using a Rare Candy; leveling up in Pokémon Day Care or Isle Evelup will not trigger Evolution, although Pokémon leveled up in these ways can still evolve if leveled up by battle or a Rare Candy afterwards. All Pokémon that evolve by leveling up have at least one requirement that must be met when leveled up in order to evolve, the most common being that the Pokémon must be at least a specific level after leveling up. Other requirements include knowing a specific move, being in a specific location, or holding a specific item. A Pokémon that meets its level-up Evolution requirements will always attempt to evolve when it is leveled up in battle or by using a Rare Candy, regardless of whether it had previously been prevented from evolving.

If a Pokémon levels up in battle, it will not evolve until the battle is over. A Pokémon can only evolve once after a battle or consuming a Rare Candy, even if it gained multiple levels. Even if a Pokémon is fainted at the end of the battle, if it leveled up when it met its Evolution requirements during the battle, it will still evolve, but will not be revived from fainting. However, prior to Generation VI, the player's Pokémon would not evolve if player lost the battle, even if its Evolution requirements were met.

Starting in Generation VIII, if a Rare Candy is used on a level 100 Pokémon that evolves by leveling up and currently meets its Evolution requirements, it will evolve (without gaining a level).

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Evolution can be performed at any time as long as the conditions are met, instead of requiring a level up.

At or above a certain level

Main article: Level-based Evolution

Most Pokémon evolve when they reach or surpass a certain level. Once such a Pokémon has reached the required level, unless there are other requirements for its Evolution, it will attempt to evolve after every battle in which it levels up and every time it gains a level from a Rare Candy.

Leveling up
Chikorita	→ Level 16+	Bayleef

When friendship is high

Main article: Friendship Evolution

Some Pokémon evolve when they are leveled up with a friendship of at least 220. Like friendship itself, this evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation II. As long as the Pokémon has the required amount of friendship, unless there are other requirements for its Evolution, it will attempt to evolve whenever it levels up by battle or Rare Candy.

Baby Pokémon often have this Evolution requirement, but it is also an Evolution requirement for other Pokémon, and not all baby Pokémon have this as an Evolution requirement.

Friendship
Togepi	+ → Level up while friendship is high	Togetic

When the Pokémon knows a certain move

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve with certain moves

Some Pokémon evolve when they are leveled up and know a certain move or certain type of move. This evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation IV.

If the Pokémon learns the required move by leveling up, that same level up can trigger the Evolution. However, if a Pokémon learns a move by level up and overwrites the required move, such that it no longer knows the required move at the end of the battle (or after completing the level up in the case of a Rare Candy), it cannot evolve.

These moves are commonly available by leveling up, although some are only learned at level 1, so they normally must be taught by the Move Reminder.

Knowing a move
Piloswine	+ → Level up knowing Ancient Power	Mamoswine

In certain locations

Main article: Location-based Evolution

Some Pokémon evolve when they are leveled up in certain locations. This evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation IV.

There are four different types of location that can trigger location-based Evolutions: Moss Rock, Ice Rock, special magnetic field, and Mount Lanakila. Mount Lanakila, which is only required for Crabrawler's Evolution, is the only one which is a specific location rather than a type of location.

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver lack the locations needed for location-based Evolutions, making them impossible within those games. Starting in Generation VIII, although some games still feature location-based Evolution and others do not, it is possible to instead use Evolution stones to evolve these Pokémon (except for Nosepass and Eevee's Evolutions into Probopass and Glaceon respectively in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl).

In a certain location
Nosepass	+ → Level up in a special magnetic field	Probopass

In a certain region

Main article: Region-based Evolution

Some Pokémon evolve when they are leveled up in a specific region. This evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation VII.

Pokémon that evolve this way may also need other conditions, such as requiring it to be a specific time of day. Some Pokémon evolve into different forms depending on what region they are in.

In a certain region
Koffing	→ Level 35+	Weezing
	+ → Level 35+ in Galar	Galarian Weezing

At certain times

Main article: Time-based Evolution

Some Pokémon evolve when they are leveled up at a certain time of day. Like the time mechanic itself, this evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation II.

The time of day is only ever one of several requirements, never the only one. Other requirements it is combined with include having high friendship or holding a specific held item.

Due to the lack of a time system in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Pokémon whose Evolution depends on the time cannot evolve.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, time is pre-set outside the Wild Area before becoming Champion. This also influences Evolution.

At certain times
Tyrunt	+ → Level 39+ (day)	Tyrantrum

While holding an item

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve by leveling up with a held item

Some Pokémon evolve when they are leveled up while holding a specific Evolution item. If a Pokémon evolves this way, the item disappears upon completion of the Evolution; the item is not consumed if the Evolution is cancelled. This evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation IV.

All Pokémon that evolve this way also require that they be leveled up at a specific time of day to be evolved.

Holding an item
Sneasel	+ + → Level up holding Razor Claw (night)	Weavile

If the Pokémon is a certain gender

Main article: Gender-based Evolution

The Evolution of some Pokémon that evolve when they are leveled up is dependent on the Pokémon's gender. This evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation IV.

Combee and Salandit can evolve only if they are female (males cannot evolve). Burmy evolves into either Mothim or Wormadam, depending on whether it is male or female, respectively.

Gender
Combee	+ → Level 21+ if female	Vespiquen

In a certain game

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve based on game

The Evolution of Rockruff and Cosmoem is dependent on the game they are leveled up in. This evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation VII.

Cosmoem will evolve into either Solgaleo or Lunala depending on the game it is leveled up in. Rockruff will always evolve into Lycanroc, but, prior to Generation VIII, Lycanroc's form depends on the game Rockruff was evolved in, and Rockruff's Evolution can only occur at certain times of day (Midday Form requires it be daytime while Midnight Form requires it be nighttime); furthermore, special Rockruff that have Own Tempo can only evolve into Dusk Form Lycanroc, which is not dependent on the game. Starting in Generation VIII, the form Lycanroc becomes is no longer version-exclusive.

In a certain game
Cosmoem	+  S  US  Sw  S  → Level 53+ in Sun, Ultra Sun, Sword, or Scarlet	Solgaleo
	+  M  UM  Sh  V  → Level 53+ in Moon, Ultra Moon, Shield, or Violet	Lunala

Using the Let's Go! feature

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve using the Let's Go! feature

This Evolution method was introduced in Generation IX. Some Pokémon may evolve upon level up after using the Let's Go! feature to walk 1000 total steps.

Using the Let's Go! feature
Rellor	+ → Level up whilst outside of its Poké Ball after walking 1000 steps using the Let's Go! feature	Rabsca

Unique conditions

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve through a unique method

The following Pokémon evolve through a method that is isolated to their Evolution line only.

• In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness only, Eevee evolves into Espeon or Umbreon when leveled up with a Sun Shard or Moon Shard, respectively, in the player's Bag. Only one of the two items can be obtained per game.
• Eevee evolves into Sylveon when leveled up while knowing a Fairy-type move and having at least two levels of affection^VI—VII or high friendship^VIII+.
• Mantyke evolves into Mantine when leveled up with a Remoraid in the player's party.
• Feebas evolves into Milotic when leveled up with its Beauty condition at 170 or above. Starting from Generation V, it also evolves into Milotic when traded while holding a Prism Scale.
• When Nincada evolves into Ninjask (which it does starting at level 20), if there is an empty slot in the party, a Shedinja will appear. From Generation IV onward, the player must also have a spare standard Poké Ball in their Bag.
• Pancham evolves into Pangoro starting at level 32 if there is a Dark-type Pokémon in the party.
• Inkay evolves into Malamar starting at level 30 when leveled up while the game system is held upside-down. On the Nintendo Switch, this can only be accomplished in handheld mode.
• Sliggoo evolves into Goodra starting at level 50 during rain (or fog^VII-VIII) in the overworld. (Rain that is only present in battle will not trigger the Evolution.)
  • In Hisui, Sliggoo evolves into Hisuian Goodra starting at level 50 during rain or fog in the overworld.
• Finizen evolves into Palafin starting at level 38 when leveled up while connected with another player via the Union Circle.
• Bisharp evolves into Kingambit when leveled up after defeating three Bisharp that hold a Leader's Crest.
• Gimmighoul evolves into Gholdengo when leveled up while the player has 999 Gimmighoul Coins in their Bag. This consumes the Gimmighoul Coins, and the Evolution cannot be canceled.

Additional factors

Some Pokémon with branched Evolutions can evolve into one of multiple different Pokémon or different forms of the same Pokémon depending on other factors, but still have the same Evolution requirements for all of these possibilities.

• Burmy evolves starting at level 20, but its evolved form is determined by its gender and, if female, its cloak. As Burmy, its cloak changes according to the place where it last battled but has no effect on Burmy itself; once it evolves into Wormadam, its cloak no longer changes, and its types and the moves it can learn are dependent on its cloak.
  • Male Burmy → Mothim
  • Female Burmy → Wormadam
    • Female Plant Cloak Burmy → Plant Cloak Wormadam (Bug/Grass)
    • Female Sandy Cloak Burmy → Sandy Cloak Wormadam (Bug/Ground)
    • Female Trash Cloak Burmy → Trash Cloak Wormadam (Bug/Steel)

• Tyrogue evolves starting at level 20, depending on its stats.
  • Hitmonlee if Attack > Defense
  • Hitmonchan if Attack < Defense
  • Hitmontop if Attack = Defense

• Wurmple evolves into Silcoon or Cascoon starting at level 7, depending on its personality value. It is a hidden value determined when the Pokémon is encountered and cannot be seen or affected by the player.

• Dunsparce evolves into Dudunsparce when leveled up while knowing Hyper Drill. The form of Dudunsparce it evolves into depends on its encryption constant. Since this value cannot be influenced or seen by the player, what a given Dunsparce will evolve into is essentially random — with a 1/100 chance of evolving into Three-Segment Form Dudunsparce.

• Tandemaus evolves into Maushold starting at level 25, but if Tandemaus is not sent out in the battle it levels up in, the Evolution animation will be skipped. The form of Maushold it evolves into depends on its encryption constant. Since this value cannot be influenced or seen by the player, what a given Tandemaus will evolve into is essentially random — with a 1/100 chance of evolving into Family of Three Maushold.

Using an item

Some Pokémon evolve when they are exposed to a specific item. The player can use one of these items on a compatible Pokémon at any time outside of battle, which consumes the item. From Generation IV onwards, Evolution by exposure to an item cannot be prevented by holding an Everstone. Due to being able to evolve at any time, these Pokémon usually learn fewer or no moves by level up after evolving; however, in Generation VIII, even if they do not learn any additional moves by level-up, they normally can still be taught any move their pre-evolved form could learn by level up by the Move Reminder.

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus only, Pokémon that would normally evolve while holding a particular item (including by leveling up while holding a specific item) instead evolve when exposed to that item.

Using an item
Applin	→ Tart Apple	Flapple
	→ Sweet Apple	Appletun
	→ Syrupy Apple	Dipplin

Evolution stone

Main article: Evolution stone

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve by Evolution stone

The most common type of item that can trigger this kind of Evolution is an Evolution stone (and was the only type that could, prior to Generation VIII). Despite its name, the Oval Stone is not an Evolution stone, because it triggers Evolution as a held item rather than by being used directly.

Using a stone
Growlithe	→ Fire Stone	Arcanine

If the Pokémon is a certain gender

Main article: Gender-based Evolution

While most Pokémon that evolve by Evolution stone have no additional requirements, some Pokémon that evolve this way can only evolve if they are a specific gender. This evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation IV.

The only two Evolutions with this requirement are Kirlia's Evolution into Gallade (which requires that it be male) and Snorunt's Evolution into Froslass (which requires that it be female). These two Evolutions are the only Evolutions to use the Dawn Stone.

Kirlia (male) → Dawn Stone Gallade

Snorunt (female) → Dawn Stone Froslass

In a certain region

Main article: Region-based Evolution

While most Pokémon that evolve by Evolution stone have no additional requirements, some Pokémon can evolve into a different form when they use an Evolution stone in a specific region. This evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation VII.

In Alola Exeggcute → Leaf Stone Exeggutor + → Leaf Stone in Alola Alolan Exeggutor Special items The following items are each only used by one Pokémon to evolve. Galarian Slowpoke evolves into Galarian Slowbro when exposed to a Galarica Cuff Galarian Slowpoke evolves into Galarian Slowking when exposed to a Galarica Wreath Applin evolves into Flapple when exposed to a Tart Apple Applin evolves into Appletun when exposed to a Sweet Apple Applin evolves into Dipplin when exposed to a Syrupy Apple Phony Form Sinistea evolves into Phony Form Polteageist when exposed to a Cracked Pot Antique Form Sinistea evolves into Antique Form Polteageist when exposed to a Chipped Pot In Generation IX, Kubfu evolves into Single Strike Style Urshifu when exposed to the Scroll of Darkness In Generation IX, Kubfu evolves into Rapid Strike Style Urshifu when exposed to the Scroll of Waters Scyther evolves into Kleavor when exposed to a Black Augurite Ursaring evolves into Ursaluna when exposed to a Peat Block during a full moon Charcadet evolves into Armarouge when exposed to an Auspicious Armor Charcadet evolves into Ceruledge when exposed to a Malicious Armor Counterfeit Form Poltchageist evolves into Unremarkable Form Sinistcha when exposed to an Unremarkable Teacup Artisan Form Poltchageist evolves into Masterpiece Form Sinistcha when exposed to a Masterpiece Teacup Duraludon evolves into Archaludon when exposed to a Metal Alloy Trading Main article: Trade Evolution Some Pokémon evolve when they are traded. The Evolution starts immediately after the trade is completed, regardless of the method of trading used. However, sometimes there are additional conditions. In the animated series, Pokémon that evolve by trade sometimes evolve after being temporarily in a different person's possession, like Misty's Politoed being with Nurse Joy at the Pokémon Center and Brock's Steelix when he lent Onix to his brother Forrest. Trade Haunter → Trade Gengar Trade holding a certain item See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve by trading with a held item Some Pokémon evolve when traded while holding a specific Evolution item. If a Pokémon evolves this way, the item disappears upon completion of the Evolution. This method of Evolution was introduced in Generation II (the same generation that introduced held items in general). In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon that evolve when traded while holding a specific item can be evolved without trading by using their Evolution item from the player's satchel. Trade while holding an item Electabuzz + → Trade Holding an Electirizer Electivire Trading for a certain Pokémon Some Pokémon evolve when traded with a specific Pokémon. Only two Pokémon do this so far and evolve each other through this method. This method of Evolution was introduced in Generation V. If either Pokémon holds an Everstone, neither can evolve. Trade for certain Pokémon Shelmet for → Trade For a Karrablast Accelgor Karrablast for → Trade For a Shelmet Escavalier Unique triggers Generation VIII introduced several unique triggers for newly introduced Pokémon and regional forms. These triggers are all exclusive to a single Pokémon. Galarian Farfetch'd evolves into Sirfetch'd after it lands three critical hits in a single battle. Galarian Yamask evolves into Runerigus when the player travels through the stone gate in the Dusty Bowl after it has lost 49 HP or more from a single attack and did not faint in the same battle or since. Milcery evolves into Alcremie when the player spins and strikes a pose while Milcery holds a Sweet. Unless Milcery is Shiny, Alcremie's color depends on the time of day, the length of the spin, and the direction of the spin; if Milcery is Shiny, Alcremie takes on its sole Shiny coloration. Alcremie's Sweet corresponds to the Sweet Milcery held. Milcery evolves into: Vanilla Cream Alcremie after spinning clockwise for less than 5 seconds during the day. Ruby Cream Alcremie after spinning counterclockwise for less than 5 seconds during the day. Matcha Cream Alcremie after spinning clockwise for less than 5 seconds at night. Mint Cream Alcremie after spinning counterclockwise for more than 5 seconds at night. Lemon Cream Alcremie after spinning clockwise for more than 5 seconds at night. Salted Cream Alcremie after spinning counterclockwise for less than 5 seconds at night. Ruby Swirl Alcremie after spinning counterclockwise for more than 5 seconds during the day. Caramel Swirl Alcremie after spinning clockwise for more than 5 seconds during the day. Rainbow Swirl Alcremie after spinning counterclockwise for more than 10 seconds during the evening (between 7 and 7:59 PM in real-time in Pokémon Sword and Shield). Kubfu evolves into Urshifu when shown the scroll in one of the Towers of Two Fists. The form it evolves into depends on the tower it is trained in. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Kubfu instead uses a specific Scroll to evolve. Unlike most Evolution items, the Scroll is not consumed after use. Kubfu evolves into Urshifu Single Strike Style when trained in the Tower of Darkness. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Kubfu evolves into Urshifu Single Strike Style when exposed to the Scroll of Darkness. Kubfu evolves into Urshifu Rapid Strike Style when trained in the Tower of Waters. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Kubfu evolves into Urshifu Rapid Strike Style when exposed to the Scroll of Waters. Stantler evolves into Wyrdeer after using Psyshield Bash in the agile style at least 20 times. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Stantler cannot evolve (it is programmed to evolve when leveled up after using Psyshield Bash at least 20 times, but this Evolution method is disabled). White-Striped Basculin evolves into Basculegion after losing at least 294 HP from recoil damage, not counting damage that results in it fainting. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, White-Striped Basculin must level up after losing at least 294 HP from recoil damage in order to evolve. Hisuian Qwilfish evolves into Overqwil after using Barb Barrage in the strong style at least 20 times. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (starting in Version 3.0.0), Hisuian Qwilfish evolves when leveled up while knowing Barb Barrage. Primeape evolves into Annihilape when leveled up after using Rage Fist at least 20 times. Can only evolve in other games Meltan, which first appeared in the core series games in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, cannot be evolved in the core series games. Instead, it can only be evolved in Pokémon GO, where it can be evolved by pressing the "Evolve" button on Meltan's profile screen and spending 400 Meltan Candy. Candy in Pokémon GO Meltan + 400 Meltan Candy in Pokémon GO Melmetal In the side series games Pokémon Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness In Pokémon Colosseum and XD, there is no time system: In Colosseum, Pokémon whose Evolution depends on the time cannot evolve. In XD, Evolutions that depend on the time of day instead depend on the Sun Shard and Moon Shard. In the spin-off games This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Mystery Dungeon Pokémon GO Main article: List of Pokémon by evolutionary line in Pokémon GO In Pokémon GO, the only way to evolve Pokémon is to press the "Evolve" button on that Pokémon's profile page. All Pokémon require the player spend a specific amount of their own Candy to evolve them, but some have additional requirements. Some Evolutions require an item in addition to the Candy cost. All Evolutions that require an Evolution item other than an Evolution stone (except Feebas and Clamperl) or Sun Stone to evolve in the core series require an item to be spent in Pokémon GO. For Evolutions introduced in Generation II, the item required is the same as in the core series. All cross-generational evolutions introduced in Generation IV, except location-based Evolutions, require a Sinnoh Stone to evolve. All Evolutions introduced in Generation V that require an Evolution stone in the core series (except a Sun Stone) require a Unova Stone in Pokémon GO; Generation V Evolutions that require a Sun Stone in the core series also require it in Pokémon GO. From January 10, 2020 onward, certain Pokémon do not cost any Candy to evolve if they are traded. These Pokémon are Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, Haunter, Boldore, Gurdurr, Karrablast, Shelmet, Pumpkaboo, and Phantump. Feebas, Bonsly, Mime Jr., Happiny and Woobat cannot be evolved until the player has walked with them as Buddy Pokémon for a sufficient distance (the specific distance varies between species). This requirement is noted under the "Evolve" button. For some species of Pokémon with branched Evolutions, there are multiple "Evolve" buttons, allowing the player to choose which Pokémon to evolve into. The different buttons may have different requirements, such as one button requiring an item while another does not. Despite having branched Evolutions, Eevee, Tyrogue, Wurmple, and Clamperl only have a single button. Some of them have no indication of which Pokémon it will evolve into in most cases. Normally, if the player evolves Eevee, it will randomly evolve into one of Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon. However, if the player meets a special requirement, the player can influence its Evolution. If the player is in range of a Mossy Lure Module or Glacial Lure Module, Eevee will evolve into Glaceon or Leafeon, respectively. In this case, the Evolution button will indicate which Pokémon Eevee will evolve into. Once per nickname, if an Eevee has one of several special nicknames when evolved, it will evolve into a specific Pokémon. If the Eevee is nicknamed "Rainer", "Sparky", "Pyro", "Sakura", "Tamao", "Linnea", "Rea", or "Kira" it will evolve into Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, or Sylveon, respectively. Once the player has evolved an Eevee using one of these nicknames, that nickname will no longer have any impact on Eevee's Evolution. If Eevee is currently the Buddy Pokémon and has obtained at least 2 Candy for the player, it will evolve into Espeon during Day Mode or Umbreon during Night Mode. The Pokémon Tyrogue evolves into depends on its highest IV. It will evolve into Hitmonlee if it is Attack, Hitmonchan if it is Defense, or Hitmontop if it is HP. Unless there is a tie, the Evolution button will indicate which Pokémon it will evolve into. If there is a tie, the tie is broken randomly. Wurmple evolves into either Silcoon or Cascoon at random. Clamperl evolves into either Huntail or Gorebyss at random. Pokémon Pinball series Main article: Evolution Item (Pinball) In Pokémon Pinball and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, once the Evolution Mode or Evo Mode starts and the player chooses a Pokémon to evolve, then three instances of the same Evolution Item appear somewhere on the table, one at a time. The player is required to get the three repeated Evolution Items before the time runs up in order to evolve the chosen Pokémon. For instance, if the player attempts to evolve a Vulpix into Ninetales, they will be required to find three Fire Stones on the table. Most available Pokémon evolve by experience, which requires getting three "Ex" Evolution Items. If the Pokémon evolves by trade in the core series, then the player needs to get three Link Cable Evolution Items. In the TCG Main article: Evolution → In the TCG In the Trading Card Game, there are no different methods needed to evolve a Pokémon, but instead, all Pokémon evolve simply by placing an Evolution Pokémon on top of a Pokémon in play that it evolves into. For instance, if the player has a Ekans card in play, it evolves when a Arbok card is placed on top of it. There are multiple ways for that to occur. Most commonly, Evolution Pokémon can be played from a player's hand to evolve a Pokémon. This cannot be done to evolve a Pokémon on the first turn of the game or on the same turn a Pokémon enters play. Evolving counts as entering play, so a Pokémon that has evolved or devolved once during a turn cannot be evolved this way a second time. The card Pokémon Breeder from Base Set allows for a Stage 2 Pokémon in the hand to evolve from a Basic Pokémon of the same evolutionary line, although only in situations where the Basic Pokémon is allowed to evolve. (Usually, but not always, this means Pokémon Breeder does not work on the first turn of the game or on a Basic Pokémon during the turn it enters play.) This effect essentially skips the Stage 1 Pokémon of an evolutionary line and allows for a Stage 2 Pokémon to enter play a turn sooner than otherwise possible. The card Rare Candy allows for the process of Evolution from hand to be sped up in some manner. Its effect was changed starting in Dark Explorers. Before that set, when played, Rare Candy allows a player to evolve a Basic Pokémon into either a Stage 1 Pokémon in their hand that evolves from that Pokémon, or a Stage 2 Pokémon in their hand of the same evolutionary line. This was allowed to occur even on the first turn of the game or on the same turn a Pokémon enters play. From Dark Explorers onward, an errata makes the card act nearly precisely the same way Pokémon Breeder from Base Set does, only allowing a Stage 2 Pokémon from hand to evolve from the Basic Pokémon of that evolutionary line following normal rules about evolving from the hand. Some other Trainer cards, like Evosoda, cause a Pokémon to evolve. Usually, they search another zone like the deck to find a card that evolves from the Pokémon being evolved. Most of these effects cannot evolve a Pokémon on the first turn of the game or on the same turn a Pokémon enters play, as per their own text, but a rare few cards such as Boost Shake and Wally's Training are allowed to. (Newer renditions of this effect explicitly say that they can be used on the first turn of the game or on the same turn a Pokémon enters play.) Some attacks, Pokémon Powers, and Abilities can cause a Pokémon in play to evolve. It does not have to be the Pokémon using the attack, Pokemon Power, or Ability. These effects are usually not restricted by the current turn. Recurring examples of this are the Baby Evolution Poké-Power, the Ascension attack, and the Ultra Evolution attack. These effects usually ignore turn restrictions. Some of them allow for evolving into a Pokémon that does not normally evolve from the Pokémon that is evolving. One example of this is Baby Evolution allowing Baby Pokémon that are Basic Pokémon to evolve into their evolved forms that are also Basic Pokémon, even though Basic Pokémon do not evolve from any other Pokémon. Another example is that Ultra Evolution, which works like Rare Candy in that it allows a Basic Pokémon to evolve into the Stage 2 Pokémon of its evolutionary line. Some cards reference methods of Evolution found in the core series, such as the Moon Stone, Dusk Stone, Pancham, and Inkay. Not all cards referencing methods of Evolution have an effect which evolves a Pokémon. In the HeartGold and SoulSilver Series, the art for Pokémon that have evolved in the core series by either using an item, leveling up while holding an item, or being traded while holding an item included their respective Evolution item. The evolution procedure from the real-life card game is used in Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!, Pokémon Play It!, Pokémon Play It! Version 2, Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, and Pokémon Trading Card Game Live. Trivia Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the only core series titles to have the methods of Evolution required for some included Pokémon be completely unavailable. Pokémon whose method of Evolution depends on the time (Espeon and Umbreon) cannot be evolved into in FireRed and LeafGreen. While a Feebas traded in with the Beauty condition requirement already met can still evolve, there is no way to evolve one traded in without as that's its only method of Evolution and there is no way to affect Contest conditions in these games. Pokémon whose method of Evolution depends on a specific location (Magnezone, Leafeon, Glaceon, and Probopass) cannot be evolved into in HeartGold and SoulSilver. Pokémon who debuted in Pokémon Legends: Arceus whose previous Evolution has no form difference (Ursaluna, Kleavor, and Wyrdeer) cannot be evolved into in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. References Related articles Methods of Evolution Introduced in Generation I: Level-based Evolution (list) • Evolution stone • Trade Evolution Introduced in Generation II: Friendship Evolution • Time-based Evolution Introduced in Generation IV: Gender-based Evolution • Location-based Evolution Introduced in Generation VII: Region-based Evolution Lists by index number: Generation III list • Generation IV list This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.