User:Tiddlywinks/Evolution in the core series

< User:Tiddlywinks

In the core series games, there are four main classes of triggers for a Pokémon to evolve.

All of these triggers may have additional conditions attached (such as knowing a certain move while leveling up or holding a specific item while being traded), but the final trigger will overall be one of these methods. Depending on the Pokémon, there can be 0 to 2 additional conditions; all conditions for an Evolution must be fulfilled for a Pokémon to evolve.

Most types of conditions are associated with level-up triggers, but some overlap with multiple triggers. Level-up, trade, and unique triggers have held item conditions; level-up and item triggers have gender and region conditions; and level-up and unique triggers have time of day conditions.

One Evolution has never been made available in the core series games: Meltan can only be evolved in Pokémon GO.

Some Pokémon can have no ways to evolve, some can have one, some have multiple ways to evolve into multiple species or forms (branching Evolutions), some have multiple ways to evolve into the same species. Each has a deterministic method of Evolution, such that the player can usually tell what a Pokémon can or will evolve into, but some factors may be so opaque that they are effectively random.

Note that this page is mainly meant to classify the outward commonalities of Evolution. It does not strictly represent the inner workings of the games—though individual areas may touch on those inner workings.

Evolution process

Pokémon will never evolve during battle. If Evolution is triggered during battle, the Pokémon will evolve after the battle; in this case, the Evolution will be evaluated based on the Pokémon's status after any and all levels have been gained and moves from leveling up have been learned. Being fainted at the end of the battle does not prevent a Pokémon from evolving. Also, except in Generations VI and VII, level-up Evolutions will not occur if the player loses the battle.

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, level-up Evolutions are not automatically triggered by leveling up. Instead, once the other conditions are met (and the Pokémon is in the party), the Pokémon's Poké Ball will be highlighted in the menu and it can be evolved by selecting it or pressing X.

Sometimes Evolution can be cancelled by pressing the B button. Level-up Evolutions can be cancelled (except Gimmighoul), but item and trade Evolutions cannot. Canceling an Evolution is not permanent and the Evolution can usually be triggered again (unless it is a level-up Evolution and the Pokémon is level 100, see below).

The Everstone will also prevent most Pokémon from evolving, except for:

If either Karrablast or Shelmet holds an Everstone when traded for the other, neither can evolve.

Triggers

This section describes how different triggers work overall. Most triggers have additional conditions as well, some of which can apply to multiple triggers; they are described below.

Leveling up

Leveling up is the most common trigger for Evolution (accounting for approximately 4/5 Evolutions). 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. Most level-up Evolutions can be cancelled by pressing the B button; the exception is Gimmighoul's Evolution.

If a Pokémon gains multiple levels at once, it will only attempt to evolve once, after all levels have been gained. A level 100 Pokémon with a level-up Evolution can only be evolved by using a Rare Candy in Generation VIII and later (the candy is consumed but it does not increase the Pokémon's level), if it is not holding an Everstone; prior to that, Rare Candy cannot be used on level 100 Pokémon.

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, leveling up is not an automatic trigger; instead, once all conditions are met, the Pokémon can be evolved from the party menu.

All level-up Evolutions have at least one condition, but many have two. See the list of all conditions below.

Using an item

Using an item on a Pokémon is the second most common Evolution trigger (accounting for roughly 1/10 Evolutions). This can be done from the Bag, at any time outside of battle; the item will be consumed, the Evolution will start, and it cannot be cancelled. All of these Evolutions require a specific item; some also only work for certain genders.

Prior to Generation VIII, the only items that could be used in this way were Evolution stones, with individual stones able to evolve several Pokémon. Since then, many specialized Evolution items have been added to the games, each evolving a specific Pokémon.

Pokémon evolved by Evolution stone often can learn no or few moves by leveling up after evolving. Instead, they can access any move their pre-evolution had access to (at level 1 or by leveling up) as level 1 moves via the Move Reminder (prior to Generation VIII, this selection too was fairly limited). Beyond that, they also had access to TMs and HMs like other Pokémon. By contrast, Pokémon evolved by specialized Evolution items all have level up movesets that look much like any other Pokémon's.

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, all Evolutions with a held item condition were turned into item Evolutions.

Using an item

Applin 		Tart Apple
→
Tart Apple
Flapple
Sweet Apple
→
Sweet Apple
Appletun
Syrupy Apple
→
Syrupy Apple
Dipplin

As of Generation IX, all Pokemon that had location-based level-up Evolutions have received item Evolutions as an alternative method (such as Magneton being able to evolve by Thunder Stone instead of at a special magnetic field).

Prior to Generation IV, item Evolutions would not work if the Pokémon was holding an Everstone.

Trading

Main article: Trade Evolution

Trading Pokémon is the third most common Evolution trigger (accounting for approximately 1/20 Evolutions). Upon receiving a Pokémon with a trade trigger from any trade (and so long as any other conditions are met), it will immediately begin to evolve, which cannot be cancelled. If the Pokémon is holding an Everstone, it will not evolve, apart from two special exceptions: since Generation IV, Kadabra will always evolve when traded; and in Generation III, Kadabra, Machoke, Graveler, and Haunter are affected by a glitch that consumes held items before starting their Evolution.

After receiving a Pokémon with a trade Evolution, the player's Pokédex will record both the original and evolved species as caught.

Trade Evolutions are one of the only types of Evolution that can have no other conditions. However, the majority of these Evolutions still have an additional condition, mostly a held item.

Trade

Haunter
→
Trade
Gengar

Unique triggers

Several other triggers do not fall under the above categories and apply to a single Pokémon. These Evolutions may involve fulfilling complex conditions.

  • Galarian Farfetch'd has no condition except fulfilling specific conditions in battle. It will evolve into Sirfetch'd after it lands three critical hits in a single battle (so long as the player does not run or lose). This Evolution can be cancelled by pressing the B button.
  • Galarian Yamask's Evolution trigger requires the player to walk under a large rock arch in Dusty Bowl, after fulfilling special conditions in battle (losing at least 49 HP in battle without fainting). This Evolution can be cancelled.
  • Milcery's Evolution trigger requires the player to spin, with the direction (clockwise or counterclockwise), duration (less than 5 seconds or more than 10 seconds), time of day (day, night, or evening), and held item (any Sweet) affecting which form of Alcremie it evolves into. All combinations of direction, 5 second duration, day/night, and item result in different forms, while spinning in either direction for more than 10 seconds during the evening results in a Rainbow Swirl Alcremie (with its variant depending on the held item). This Evolution can be cancelled.
  • In Pokémon Sword and Shield (The Isle of Armor), Kubfu evolves into different forms of Urshifu when brought to a scroll in either the Tower of Darkness (Single Strike Style) or Tower of Waters (Rapid Strike Style). This Evolution cannot be cancelled, but it can be prevented by holding the Everstone. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Kubfu is able to evolve by specialized items instead (Scroll of Darkness or Scroll of Waters).

Conditions

Most conditions apply to level-up Evolutions, but a few do not or apply to other triggers as well. Unless otherwise noted, all conditions below apply to level-up Evolutions.

At or above a certain level

Main article: Level-based Evolution

Many Pokémon must reach or surpass a certain level to evolve. Level conditions may be combined with other conditions, the most common of which are gender and time of day.

Leveling up

Chikorita 		Rare Candy
→
Level 16+
Bayleef

When friendship is high

Main article: Friendship Evolution

Some Pokémon must have at least 220 friendship to evolve. For friendship Evolutions, most commonly there is no other condition, but time of day can be an additional factor, as well as knowing a type of move. This condition was introduced along with friendship in Generation II.

Friendship

Togepi 		Rare Candy + Soothe Bell
→
Level up
while friendship is high
Togetic

Many Baby Pokémon require friendship to evolve (roughly 1/3), but not all and not exclusively.

When the Pokémon knows a certain move

Main article: Move-based Evolution

Some Pokémon must know a specific move or a move of a certain type to evolve. If it already knew the move or learns it as part of its level up, this condition will be satisfied and the Pokémon will attempt to evolve after leveling up (so long as any other conditions are met); however, if the Pokémon knew the move but it is overwritten by another move as part of leveling up, this condition will not be met. For move Evolutions, most commonly there is no other condition, but a few Pokémon have additional requirements. This condition was introduced in Generation IV.

The moves required for this condition are commonly available by leveling up, but in some cases (particularly level 1 moves) they can only be learned with the Move Reminder.

Knowing a move

Piloswine 		Rare Candy +
→
Level up
knowing Ancient Power
Mamoswine

In certain locations

Main article: Location-based Evolution

Some Pokémon must be in or near a specific in-game location to evolve. No Evolution with this condition has additional conditions; any level up in the appropriate location will trigger it. This condition was introduced in Generation IV.

Four different options have been used for location conditions. As of Generation VIII, all of these conditions have been supplemented (or sometimes replaced) with alternative methods to achieve the same Evolution via Evolution stone. (While Mount Lanakila's was technically implemented in Generation IX, Crabrawler also was not present in any Generation VIII games.)

In a certain location

Nosepass 		Rare Candy +
→
Level up
in a special magnetic field
Probopass

None of these locations are known in Kanto or Johto, meaning that location Evolutions cannot be fulfilled in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.

Even though Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl has an Ice Rock and a special magnetic field, it only includes the Pokémon from Generations I to IV, meaning Eevee cannot evolve into Glaceon and Nosepass cannot evolve into Probopass.

In a certain region

Main article: Region-based Evolution

Some Pokémon must be in a specific region to evolve. Technically, only a few Pokémon have explicit conditions that allow them to evolve differently in different regions in the same game. This is seen in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, where Pikachu, Exeggcute, and Cubone evolve into Alolan forms in Alola locations, but evolve into their normal forms in Ultra Space. This condition always has additional conditions.

In a certain region

Pikachu 		Thunder Stone
→
Thunder Stone
Raichu
Thunder Stone +
→
Thunder Stone
in Alola
Alolan
Raichu

As a practical matter, a number of Pokémon may have region-exclusive Evolutions without having an explicit region "condition" internally, and some of those may have Pokédex descriptions or other lore that imply their Evolution is influenced by their region. The following list describes the most common category of these Evolutions, where a Pokémon has a branching Evolution that can arrive at different regional forms.

Most Pokémon in the above category (including the Pokémon with explicit regional conditions, who match the same criteria) have the same Evolution conditions for their regional and non-regional Evolutions; only Dartrix differs, evolving at level 34 normally, but evolving at level 36 for Hisuian Decidueye.

Other region-exclusive Evolutions—that do not involve regional forms—include:

At certain times

Main article: Time-based Evolution

Some Pokémon Evolutions depend on the time of day. All time-based Evolutions have additional conditions, such as level, friendship, or held items. Many of these Evolutions mean that a Pokémon can only evolve at a certain time, but Eevee, Rockruff, and Milcery have branching Evolutions depending on the time of day, such that they can always evolve if the other conditions are met. This condition was introduced alongside the time mechanic in Generation II.

While most time-based Evolutions have level-up triggers, Milcery's evolution has a unique trigger directly initiated by the player (spinning in place).

At certain times

Tyrunt 		Rare Candy +
→
Level 39+
(day)
Tyrantrum

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

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, while time always works normally in the Wild Area, elsewhere, prior to becoming Champion, the time of day is determined by the player's current point in the story.

While holding an item

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

Some Pokémon must be holding a specific item (a held Evolution item) to evolve. When a Pokémon evolves this way, the item is consumed; if the Evolution is cancelled, the item is not consumed. This evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation IV.

Held item conditions can apply to level-up, trade, and other unique Evolutions. Level-up Evolutions can be cancelled, as can Milcery's special Evolution, but trade Evolutions cannot.

All level-up Evolutions with a held item condition also have a time condition. Trade Evolutions with a held item condition have no other conditions.

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, all Evolutions with a held item condition are turned into simple item Evolutions; using the appropriate item consumes it and evolves the Pokémon.

Holding an item

Sneasel 		Rare Candy + Razor Claw +
→
Level up
holding Razor Claw
(night)
Weavile

If the Pokémon is a certain gender

Main article: Gender-based Evolution

Some Evolutions depend on the Pokémon's gender. Most Pokémon with a gender-based Evolution only have a special Evolution for one gender (such as female Combee evolving to Vespiquen), and another Evolution may or may not be available for both genders. Only Burmy has branching Evolutionary paths depending on its gender. This evolutionary requirement was introduced in Generation IV.

Gender

Combee 		Rare Candy +
→
Level 21+
if female
Vespiquen

In a certain game

Main article: Game-based Evolution

Some Pokémon Evolutions depend on the game they are in. Only Rockruff and Cosmoem have this condition (with only Cosmoem keeping it after Generation VII). This condition was introduced in Generation VII.

In Generation VII, in Pokémon Sun and Ultra Sun, normal Rockruff (Keen Eye, Vital Spirit, or Steadfast) would only evolve into Midday Form Lycanroc (during the day); while in Moon and Ultra Moon, normal Rockruff would only evolve into Midnight Form Lycanroc (during the night).

Cosmoem will only evolve into Solgaleo in Pokémon Sun, Ultra Sun, Sword, and Scarlet; or Lunala in Pokémon Moon, Ultra Moon, Shield, and Violet.

In a certain game

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

From a certain form

Forms affect Evolution in several ways. Internally, Evolution methods must be defined for specific forms (it cannot be defined for "all" of a species' forms), so any Pokémon with forms that can evolve must define it for each form, but this can manifest in a few ways.

Many regional forms may as well be different species, such as Meowth and its Alolan and Galarian forms; each form has its own method of Evolution and they do not intersect.

Some Pokémon have obvious, non-interchangeable forms that control how they evolve. This includes Shellos, Flabébé, Florges, Pumpkaboo, Sinistea, and Poltchageist, who functionally "keep" their form when they evolve; as well as Basculin, whose White-Striped Form is the only one that can evolve.

By contrast, some Pokémon have non-interchangeable forms that may be completely hidden—such as Scatterbug, Spewpa, and Rockruff—and these can also control how they evolve. While Rockruff's form can be distinguished by its Ability (only Own Tempo Rockruff can evolve into Dusk Form Lycanroc), Scatterbug and Spewpa's are completely hidden, being set when they are encountered (either depending on the geographical setting of the system or on Postcard effects).

Some other Pokémon may have interchangeable forms that also affect Evolution, such as Burmy and Deerling. Burmy's form technically affects both its male and female Evolutions, but only the female Evolutions to Wormadam produce visible differences ("keeping" Burmy's form, which becomes unchangeable as Wormadam). Deerling also "keep" their form when they evolve into Sawsbuck, but Sawsbuck can change forms the same way that Deerling can.

Walking

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

Some Pokémon must walk 1000 steps outside of their Poké Ball before they can evolve. This Evolution method was introduced in Generation IX, where it relies on the Let's Go! feature.

Using the Let's Go! feature

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

Bag items

Some rare Evolutions require the presence of a specific item in the player's Bag. These items are consumed after the Pokémon evolve.

In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, 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.

Nincada's Evolution into Shedinja (since Generation IV) requires a standard Poké Ball.

Gimmighoul evolves into Gholdengo when leveled up while the player has 999 Gimmighoul Coins in their Bag. Unlike most level-up Evolutions, this Evolution cannot be canceled.

Party conditions

A few Pokémon Evolutions depend on the composition of the party they're in.

Nincada's special Evolution into Shedinja requires there to be an empty slot in the party, where Shedinja will appear as Nincada evolves into Ninjask.

Mantyke requires a Remoraid in the party to evolve into Mantine, while Pancham requires a Dark-type Pokémon to evolve into Pangoro (starting at level 32).

Battle conditions

A few Pokémon must fulfill often complex conditions in battle to evolve.

Also, Galarian Farfetch'd's Evolution has battle conditions, but these conditions are also the direct trigger for its Evolution (if they are fulfilled, Farfetch'd will evolve after the battle).

Other stats

Randomized factors

A few Pokémon evolve differently based on invisible conditions that are randomly set when they are encountered. This makes any individual's Evolution deterministic (the outcome will never change), but it is generally impossible to tell without evolving them what they will end up as.

Wurmple, Dunsparce, and Tandemaus's Evolutions all depend on their encryption constant (personality value prior to Generation VI). Generally, these data are processed with a function (not necessarily the same function for each) that results in a single number that is then compared to a pre-determined value to determine which Evolution they will take.

Overall, Wurmple has a 50%/50% chance to evolve into Silcoon or Cascoon. Dunsparce and Tandemaus each have a 99%/1% split that determines which form they evolve into: Two-Segment/Three-Segment Dudunsparce or Family of Four/Three Maushold.

Unique conditions

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

A number of Evolutions have conditions unique to a single Pokémon or to related Pokémon.

  • Trade partners: Shelmet and Karrablast only evolve when traded for each other. If either Pokémon holds an Everstone, neither can evolve.
  • System orientation: 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.
  • Weather: Sliggoo evolves into Goodra starting at level 50 during rain (or fogVII-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.
  • Connectivity: Finizen evolves into Palafin starting at level 38 when leveled up while connected with another player via the Union Circle.
  • Nature: Toxel evolves into Toxtricity, with its resulting form depending on its Nature.
    • Amped Form: Hardy, Brave, Adamant, Naughty, Docile, Impish, Lax, Hasty, Jolly, Naive, Rash, Sassy, or Quirky
    • Low Key Form: Lonely, Bold, Relaxed, Timid, Serious, Modest, Mild, Quiet, Bashful, Calm, Gentle, or Careful

Meltan

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

Trivia

  • The majority of all Pokémon Evolutions are level-up Evolutions that only require the Pokémon to pass a threshold level.

References


Related articles

Game mechanics Evolution prevention • Devolution • Evolution move
Methods of Evolution Level-based Evolution • Evolution item (Evolution stone) • Trade Evolution • Friendship Evolution
Time-based Evolution • Gender-based Evolution • Move-based Evolution
Location-based Evolution • Region-based Evolution • Game-based Evolution
Lists of Pokémon Evolutionary line (GO) • No evolutionary line • Branched • Cross-generation • Levels
Methods of Evolution by index number (Gen I • Gen II • Gen III • Gen IV • Gen V • Gen VI • Gen VII • Gen VIII • Gen IX)
In spin-off games Evolution in Mystery Dungeon (items) • Evolution in Pinball (items)
Data structures Pokémon Evolution data structure (Gen III • Gen IV)
This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.
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