Methods of evolution: Difference between revisions

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

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

• Gaining a level
• Being exposed to an evolutionary stone
• Being traded

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

A Pokémon holding an Everstone cannot evolve by level up or trade (except Kadabra from Generation IV onward); however, even if a Pokémon holds an Everstone, it can still be evolved by exposure to an Evolutionary stone.

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.

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.

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.

At or above a certain level

Main article: List of Pokémon that evolve at or above a certain level

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

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve by friendship

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

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve by training in a certain location

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, due to Crabrawler so far having only appeared in a single region.

With the exception of Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, in every core series game since this method was introduced, there is a location for every location-specific evolution. While no such locations exist in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, none of the Pokémon that could be evolved into by a location-specific evolution exist.

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

In a certain region

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve based on region

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
Cubone	→ Level 28	Marowak
	+ + File:Night Icon.png → Level 28 in Alola (night)	Alolan Marowak

At certain times

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve based on time

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 Colosseum, or XD, Pokémon whose evolution depends on the time cannot be evolved that way in these games. In Pokémon XD, evolutions that depend on the time of day in the core series games instead depend on the Sun Shard and Moon Shard.

At certain times
Tyrunt	+ File:Day Icon.png → Level 39 (day)	Tyrantrum

The specific times in each game that count as day and night for evolutions are detailed in the table below.

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-inducing held 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	+ + File:Night Icon.png → Level up holding Razor Claw (night)	Weavile

If the Pokémon is a certain gender

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve based on gender

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 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.

In a certain game
Cosmoem	+ SUS → Level 53 in Sun or Ultra Sun	Solgaleo
	+ MUM → Level 53 in Moon or Ultra Moon	Lunala

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 it levels up if the Sun Shard or Moon Shard, respectively, is in the Bag. Only one of the two shards can be obtained.
• Eevee evolves into Sylveon when it levels up if it knows a Fairy-type move and has at least two levels of Affection.
• Mantyke evolves into Mantine when it levels up if there is a Remoraid in the player's party.
• Feebas evolves into Milotic when it levels up if its Beauty condition is 170 or above. From Generation V onward, it can also evolve into Milotic when traded while holding a Prism Scale.
• When Nincada evolves into Ninjask 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 user's party.
• Inkay evolves into Malamar when it levels up starting a level 30 if the Nintendo 3DS system is held upside-down when it levels up.
• Sliggoo evolves into Goodra starting at level 50 if it is raining or foggy in the overworld. (Rain that is only present in battle, such as rain caused by Rain Dance or Drizzle, will not trigger the evolution.)

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

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

Evolutionary stone

Main article: Evolutionary stone

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve by evolutionary stone

Some Pokémon evolve when they are exposed to a specific evolutionary stone. The player can use an Evolutionary stone on compatible Pokémon at any time outside of battle. Using an Evolutionary stone on a Pokémon consumes the item. Unlike other evolution methods, evolution by Evolutionary stone 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.

Despite its name, the Oval Stone is not an Evolutionary stone, due to the method in which it must be used to trigger an evolution.

Using a stone
Growlithe	→ Fire Stone	Arcanine

If the Pokémon is a certain gender

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve based on gender

While most Pokémon that evolve by Evolutionary 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

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve based on region

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

In a certain region
Exeggcute	→ Leaf Stone	Exeggutor
	+ → Leaf Stone in Alola	Alolan Exeggutor

Trading

See also: Category:Pokémon that evolve through trading

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 anime, 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

Holding a certain item

Main article: Evolution-inducing held item

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

Some Pokémon evolve when traded while holding a specific evolution-inducing held 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).

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

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 spin-off games

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Mystery Dungeon

In Pokémon GO

Main article: List of Pokémon by evolution family 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-inducing held item (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 require a Sinnoh Stone to evolve. All evolutions introduced in Generation V that require an evolutionary 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.

Feebas cannot be evolved until the player has walked with it as the Buddy Pokémon for 20 km. 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", or "Rea", it will evolve into Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, or Glaceon, 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.

In the Pokémon Pinball series

In Pokémon Pinball and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, once the "Evolution Mode" or "EVO Mode" starts and the player chooses a Pokémon to evolve, that Pokémon evolves if the player collects three repeated evolution symbols before the time runs up.

In Pokémon Pinball, the 151 Generation I Pokémon are available. Most evolve by experience, which requires getting three "Ex" symbols. Some evolve using a Fire Stone, Leaf Stone, Thunder Stone, or Water Stone, in which case the player needs to get the respective stone three times. If the Pokémon evolves by trade in the core series, then the player needs to get three Link Cables. Each time the player gets an evolution symbol, a blue counter with the image of the current method of evolution appears below the Pokémon Panel (the place where the Pokémon appears).

Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, there are 205 available Pokémon. The first 201 are the Pokémon from the Generation III Hoenn Pokédex, except for Deoxys, which is unavailable from this game. The other 4 are unnumbered Pokémon not found in the Hoenn Pokédex: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, and Aerodactyl, which are unable to evolve in this game. All methods of evolution from the previous game return, with the addition of evolution by getting three Sun Stone, Friendship (heart), or PokéBlock symbols.

Gallery

Pokémon Pinball

Experience	Link Cable	Fire Stone	Leaf Stone	Moon Stone	Thunder Stone	Water Stone
Experience counter	Link Cable counter	Fire Stone counter	Leaf Stone counter	Moon Stone counter	Thunder Stone counter	Water Stone counter

Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire

Experience	Link Cable	Fire Stone	Leaf Stone	Moon Stone	Thunder Stone	Water Stone
		Sun Stone	Friendship	PokéBlock