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Evolution (Japanese進化(しんか)HepburnShinka) is the first evolution in the Pokémon franchise when one Pokémon, upon reaching a certain level, using certain stones, learning certain moves, or being traded, evolves into a different kind of Pokémon. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold and SoulSilver games, it is stated that Professor Elm is an expert on evolution, and discovered that Pikachu evolves from Pichu.

In the anime, during evolution, a Pokémon will become surrounded by a light and slowly change shape. From Pokémon the Series: The Beginning through to Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, the Pokémon is surrounded by a white light, while in Pokémon the Series: Black & White to Pokémon Journeys: The Series, the Pokémon is surrounded by a golden or blue light. An evolution can also occur through multiple Pokémon of the same species combining. In some occasions, when a Pokémon (such as Ash's Charmander, Serena's Eevee, and Goh's Sobble) is about to evolve, its outline shines or its body becomes slightly brighter.

To some Pokémon, evolution means growing up, while to others, it just refers becoming another species or getting upgraded. However, many of them retain the memories of their life during their pre-evolution form. Evolution in the Pokémon games is more similar to metamorphosis (the process certain bugs undergo to become an adult) than actual evolution (a long process that happens to populations of creatures).

Tips[]

Pokémon gain experience after battling wild Pokémon and Pokémon Trainers. After gathering enough experience points, the Pokémon levels up. When a Pokémon reaches a particular level, it will evolve into its next form (if it has one). There are ways to share experience, such as allow a Pokémon to hold Exp. Share: a hold item that allows the user to earn experience even if it did not participate in the battle.

Evolution can be prevented by simply press the 'B' button on the Game when the Pokémon is attempting to evolve. This is useful as some Pokémon will learn moves that cannot be learnt in a later form or if you want a Pokémon to learn a move earlier than usual. For example, Gabite. If you let Gible evolve into Gabite at level 24 it will learn Dragon Rush at level 49, but if you keep Gible it will learn Dragon Rush at level 37. Sometimes it doesn't matter if you let it evolve or not. The Pokémon can hold an Everstone, which keeps them from evolving, so that you don't have to keep cancelling the evolution every time the Pokémon levels up. Although some Pokémon can evolve more than once (Poliwhirl, Wurmple, Applin etc.) some basic Pokémon just can't evolve, due to undiscovered forms, or if they are really rare (Chatot, Groudon, etc.). There are also Pokémon that can evolve into different things like love, choice, etc. (e.g. Eevee, Poliwhirl, Wurmple, or Kirlia)

Special conditions[]

Bag items[]

Some Pokémon will not evolve unless you use special items, mostly consisting of Evolutionary Stones, which are linked to the Pokémon's type. Here are a list of Pokémon that can evolve by giving them the items.

List of Pokémon that evolve by using items
Name Conditions Evolve to
Vulpix 037 Fire Stone Bag Fire Stone Sprite Ninetales 038
Growlithe 058 Arcanine 059
Eevee 133 Flareon 136
Pansear 513 Simisear 514
Pikachu 025 Thunder Stone Bag Thunderstone Sprite Raichu 026
Raichu (Alolan) 026A
Eevee 133 Jolteon 135
Eelektrik 603 Eelektross 604
Charjabug 737 Vikavolt 738
Poliwhirl 061 Water Stone Bag Water Stone Sprite Poliwrath 062
Shellder 090 Cloyster 091
Staryu 120 Starmie 121
Eevee 133 Vaporeon 134
Lombre 271 Ludicolo 272
Panpour 515 Simipour 516
Gloom 044 Leaf Stone Bag Leaf Stone Sprite Vileplume 045
Weepinbell 070 Victreebel 071
Exeggcute 102 Exeggutor 103
Exeggutor (Alolan) 103A
Eevee 133 Leafeon 470
Nuzleaf 274 Shiftry 275
Pansage 511 Simisage 512
Gloom 044 Sun Stone Bag Sun Stone Sprite Bellossom 182
Sunkern 191 Sunflora 192
Cottonee 546 Whimsicott 547
Petilil 548 Lilligant 549
Helioptile 694 Heliolisk 695
Nidorina 030 Moon Stone Bag Moon Stone Sprite Nidoqueen 031
Nidorino 033 Nidoking 034
Clefairy 035 Clefable 036
Jigglypuff 039 Wigglytuff 040
Skitty 300 Delcatty 301
Munna 517 Musharna 518
Roselia 315 Shiny Stone Bag Shiny Stone Sprite Roserade 407
Togetic 176 Togekiss 468
Minccino 572 Cinccino 573
Floette 670 Florges 671
Kirlia (♂ - Male) 281 Dawn Stone Bag Dawn Stone Sprite Gallade 475
Snorunt (♀ - Female) 361 Froslass 478
Murkrow 198 Dusk Stone Bag Dusk Stone Sprite Honchkrow 430
Misdreavus 200 Mismagius 429
Lampent 608 Chandelure 609
Doublade 680 Aegislash 681
Sandshrew (Alolan) 027A Ice Stone Bag Ice Stone Sprite Sandslash (Alolan) 028A
Vulpix (Alolan) 037A Ninetales (Alolan) 038A
Eevee 133 Glaceon 471
Darumaka (Galarian) 554A Darmanitan (Galarian) 555B
Applin 840 Tart Apple Tart Apple Sprite Flapple 841
Sweet Apple Sweet Apple Sprite Appletun 842
Syrupy Apple Dipplin 1011
Sinistea 854
(Phony)
Cracked Pot Cracked Pot Sprite Polteageist 855
(Phony)
Sinistea 854
(Antique)
Chipped Pot Chipped Pot Sprite Polteageist 855
(Antique)
Slowpoke 079A
(Galarian)
Galarica Cuff Galarica Cuff Sprite Slowbro 080A
(Galarian)
Galarica Wreath Galarica Wreath Sprite Slowking 199A
(Galarian)
Scyther 123 Black Augurite Kleavor 900
Poltchageist 1012 Unremarkable Cup Sinistcha 1013
Duraludon 884 Metal Alloy Archaludon 1018

Held item evolutions[]

Some items are needed for a Pokémon to evolve. If a Pokémon hold the item allowing it to evolve, let it level up once and it will then evolve into the second form.

List of Pokémon that evolve by holding items
Name Conditions Evolve to
Gligar 207 Held Item: Razor Fang at Night Gliscor 472
Sneasel 215 Held Item: Razor Claw at Night Weavile 461
Sneasel (Hisuian) Held Item: Razor Claw at Day Sneasler 903
Happiny 440 Held Item: Oval Stone at Day Chansey 113
Bisharp 625 Held Item: Leader's Chest when defeating 3 Bisharp in a group Kingambit 983

Trading and held item evolutions[]

A small group of Pokémon refuses to evolve, no matter if you are at the appropriate level to trigger the evolve process, unless you trade them with a friend. Some Pokémon need to have a held item to evolve when trading with a friend. Another group require specific Pokémon to be trade in order to evolve. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon that would evolve by being traded are instead evolved with a Linking Cord. Pokémon that would evolved while being traded and holding a certain item are evolved by being exposed to the item directly without needed to be traded.

List of Pokémon that evolve by trading
Name Conditions Evolve to
Kadabra 064 None/Linking Cord in Legends: Alakazam 065
Haunter 093 Gengar 094
Machoke 067 Machamp 068
Graveler 075 Golem 076
Graveler (Alolan) 075A Golem (Alolan) 076A
Boldore 525 Gigalith 526
Gurdurr 533 Conkeldurr 534
Phantump 708 Trevenant 709
Pumpkaboo 710 Gourgeist 711
Onix 095 Held Item: Metal Coat Steelix 208
Scyther 123 Scizor 212
Poliwhirl 061 Held Item: King's Rock Politoed 186
Slowpoke 079 Slowking 199
Seadra 117 Held Item: Dragon Scale Kingdra 230
Porygon 137 Held Item: Upgrade Porygon2 233
Clamperl 366 Held Item: Deep Sea Scale Gorebyss 368
Held Item: Deep Sea Tooth Huntail 367
Electabuzz 125 Held Item: Electirizer Electivire 466
Magmar 126 Held Item: Magmarizer Magmortar 467
Rhydon 112 Held Item: Protector Rhyperior 464
Porygon2 233 Held Item: Dubious Disc Porygon-Z 474
Feebas 349 Held Item: Prism Scale (Generation V-) Milotic 350
Dusclops 356 Held Item: Reaper Cloth Dusknoir 477
Shelmet 616 Trade for Karrablast Accelgor 617
Karrablast 588 Trade for Shelmet Escavalier 589
Spritzee 682 Held Item: Sachet Aromatisse 683
Swirlix 684 Held Item: Whipped Dream Slurpuff 685

Gender evolution[]

Small groups of Pokémon requires a gender to evolve into the next stage.

List of Pokémon that evolve by exclusive gender
Name Conditions Evolve to
Kirlia 281 Dawn Stone Bag Dawn Stone Sprite (♂ - Male) Gallade 475
Burmy 412 412B File:412C.png Level 20, (♀ - Female) Wormadam 413 413B File:413C.png
Level 20, (♂ - Male) Mothim 414
Combee 415 Level 25, (♀ - Female) Vespiquen 416
Snorunt 361 Dawn Stone Bag Dawn Stone Sprite, (♀ - Female) Froslass 478
Salandit 757 Level 33, (♀ - Female) Salazzle 758

Friendship evolutions[]

Certain Pokémon, especially baby Pokémon, requires friendship with its trainer and if they are fond enough, they are willing to evolve. Some Pokémon only evolves in a certain time of the day with friendship.

List of Pokémon that evolve by friendship
Name Conditions Evolve to
Golbat 042 None Crobat 169
Chansey 113 Blissey 242
Pichu 172 Pikachu 025
Cleffa 173 Clefairy 035
Igglybuff 174 Jigglypuff 039
Togepi 175 Togetic 176
Azurill 298 Marill 183
Buneary 427 Lopunny 428
Munchlax 446 Snorlax 143
Woobat 527 Swoobat 528
Swadloon 541 Leavanny 542
Type: Null 772 Silvally 773
Eevee 133 at Day Espeon 196
Budew 406 Roselia 315
Riolu 447 Lucario 448
Meowth (Alolan) 052A At Night Persian (Alolan) 053A
Eevee 133 Umbreon 197
Chingling 433 Chimecho 358
Snom 872 Frosmoth 873

Location-based evolutions[]

Special Pokémon evolve by leveling up at a certain area of location.

List of Pokémon that evolve by exclusive location
Name Conditions Evolve to
Magneton 082 Locations with an Special Magnetic Field
(Gen. IV-VII)
Magnezone 462
Nosepass 299 Probopass 476
Charjabug 737 Vikavolt 738
Eevee 133 Locations with an Moss Rock
(Gen. IV-VII)
Leafeon 470
Locations with an Ice Rock
(Gen. IV-VII)
Glaceon 471
Crabrawler 739 Mount Lanakila Crabominable 740

Attack-based evolutions[]

Certain Pokémon need to know a move to evolve. This method was introduced in Generation IV, starting with Diamond/Pearl/Platinum.

List of Pokémon that evolve by knowing moves
Name Conditions Evolve to
Tangela 114 Learning Ancient Power Tangrowth 465
Yanma 193 Yanmega 469
Piloswine 221 Mamoswine 473
Bonsly 438 Learning Mimic Sudowoodo 185
Mime Jr. 439 Mr. Mime 122
Lickitung 108 Learning Rollout Lickilicky 463
Aipom 190 Learning Double Hit Ambipom 424
Steenee 762 Learning Stomp Tsareena 763
Poipole 803 Learning Dragon Pulse Naganadel 804
Clobbopus 852 Learning Taunt Grapploct 853
Primeape 057 Learning Fist Punch Annihilape 979
Girafarig 203 Learning Twin Beam Farigiraf 981
Dunsparce 206 Learning Hyper Drill Dudunsparce 982
Dipplin 1011 Learning Dragon Cheer Hydrapple 1019

Time-based evolutions[]

The current time of day will sometimes affect evolution. This method was introduced in Generation VI, starting with X/Y/OR/AS.

List of Pokémon that evolve by time
Name Conditions Evolve to
Ursaring 217 (Hisui) Expose to a Peat Block during a full moon Ursaluna 901
Tyrunt 696 Level 39+ during the day. Tyrantrum 697
Amaura 698 Level 39+ during the night. Aurorus 699
Rattata (Alolan) 019A Level 20+ during the night. Raticate (Alolan) 020A
Cubone 104(Alola) Level 28+ during the night. Marowak (Alolan) 105A
Yungoos 734 Level 20+ during the day. Gumshoos 735
Rockruff 744 Level 25+ during the day. Lycanroc (Midday) 745
Level 25+ during the night. Lycanroc (Midnight) 745Mn
Level 25+ during the dusk with Own Tempo Ability. Lycanroc (Dusk) 745Du
Fomantis 753 Level 25+ during the day. Lurantis 754
Linoone (Galarian) 264A Level 35+ at night. Obstagoon 862

Unique evolutions[]

Some Pokémon have unique ways of evolving.

List of Pokémon that evolve by other methods
Name Conditions Evolve to
Farfetch'd (Galarian) 083A Get 3 Critical Hits in 1 Battle Sirfetch'd 865
Eevee 133 2+ Affection in Pokémon-Amie or Pokémon Refresh/Has high friendship, learn a Type Fairy-type move. Sylveon 700
Wurmple 265 Level 7 (Random depending on PV - Personality Value) Silcoon 266
Cascoon 268
Qwilfish File:221A.png Use Barb Barrage twenty times in Strong Style Overqwil 904
Stantler 234 Use Psyshield Bash twenty times in Agile Style Wyrdeer 899
Tyrogue 236 Level 20, Attack stats more than Defense Hitmonlee 106
Level 20, Defense stats more than Attack Hitmonchan 107
Level 20, Attack stats equal to Defense Hitmontop 237
Feebas 349 Maxed out Beauty Condition and then level up (Generation III - IV) Milotic 350
Nincada 290 Level 20, with empty Poké Ball and an open slot on your party. Shedinja 292
Mantyke 458 Level up with a Remoraid in the party. Mantine 226
Basculin (Hisui) 550B Lose at least 294 HP from recoil damage, not counting damage that results in it fainting Basculegion 902
Yamask (Galar) 562A Walk under the stone bridge in Dusty Bowl after Yamask has taken at least 49 HP in damage without fainting. Runerigus 867
Pancham 674 Level 32+ with a Type Dark-type in your party. Pangoro 675
Inkay 686 Level 30+ while holding the Nintendo 3DS upside down/the Nintendo Switch upside down in handheld mode when disconnecting the Pro Controller by removing the Switch from the docking station. Malamar 687
Sliggoo 705 Level 50+ during rainy or foggy weather. Goodra 706
Cosmoem 790 Level 53+ in Pokémon Sun, Ultra Sun, or Sword. Solgaleo 791
Level 53+ in Pokémon Moon, Ultra Moon, or Shield. Lunala 792
Meltan 808 Evolve in Pokémon GO once the player has 400 Meltan Candies. Melmetal 809
Toxel 848 Level 30+ with Bashful, Bold, Calm, Careful, Gentle, Lonely, Mild, Modest, Quiet, Relaxed, Serious, or Timid Nature. Toxtricity (Low Key) 849A
Level 30+ with Adamant, Brave, Docile, Hardy, Hasty, Impish, Jolly, Lax, Naive, Naughty, Rash, Quirky, or Sassy Nature. Toxtricity (Amped) 849
Milcery 868 Spin clockwise for 5 seconds during the day, holding a Sweet Alcremie (Vanilla Cream) 869
Spin counter-clockwise for 5 seconds during the day, holding a Sweet Alcremie (Ruby Cream) 869RC
Spin clockwise for 5 seconds during the night, holding a Sweet Alcremie (Matcha Cream) 869MaC
Spin counter-clockwise for 5 seconds during the night, holding a Sweet Alcremie (Salted Cream) 869SC
Spin clockwise for more than 5 seconds during the day, holding a Sweet Alcremie (Caramel Swirl) 869CS
Spin counter-clockwise for more than 5 seconds during the day, holding a Sweet Alcremie (Ruby Swirl) 869RuS
Spin clockwise for more than 5 seconds during the night, holding a Sweet Alcremie (Lemon Cream) 869LC
Spin counter-clockwise for more than 5 seconds during the night, holding a Sweet Alcremie (Mint Cream) 869MiC
Spin counter-clockwise for more than 10 seconds during the dusk/dawn, holding a Sweet Alcremie (Rainbow Swirl) 869RaS
Kubfu 891 Complete the Tower of Darkness Urshifu (Single Strike Style) 892
Complete the Tower of Waters Urshifu (Rapid Strike Style) 892

Mega Evolution[]

Certain Pokémon will be able to Mega Evolve with the use of a Mega Stone, a held item, if its Trainer has a Key Stone. However, the Pokémon will revert into their non-Mega Evolved form at the end of the battle, or after the Pokémon faints.

Devolution[]

Primal Reversion[]

Primal Reversion is a similar state to Mega Evolution, but the Pokémon devolve to a previous state in the past.

It is a possible game mechanic in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, most likely because this mechanic was founded during development of Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire.

Other[]

Devolution is a form of reverse evolution when a Pokémon reverts to a previous state. The only instance devolution happens in the games is in Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, in which the player Pokémon and partner Pokémon evolve and soon devolve three times during the main story, and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity, which includes the Devolve Orb that devolves all enemies in the room.

Devolution is common in the Manga and TCG. It is achieved mainly unnaturally—through experimentation, or Devolution Spray. Though certain Pokémon, such as Isamu's Clefairy and Pikachu are capable of devolving themselves. The TCG also has it that Eeveelutions can revert into Eevee and that Mew has two special attacks named the Devolution Beam and Devo Crush - both of which which devolves the Pokémon hit by the attack. Golurk and Jirachi also possess special attacks which allow them to devolve an opposing Pokémon.

Anime[]

In "Electric Shock Showdown", Misty points out that once Pikachu evolves with the use of the Thunder Stone, Pikachu won't revert.

In "An Epic Defense Force", Luke's Golett seemingly evolves to Golurk in a Movie then devolves back to Golett. This repairs the Golurk Statue, since it turns out to be fictitious.

Another instance of the non-existence of devolution, is when Bonnie requested Ash's Frogadier to devolve back to Froakie, Clemont said that it would be impossible.

In “The Gates of Warp!” and Showdown at the Gates of Warp!”, a number of Pokemon have devoted to their earlier forms, then into eggs, including Ash’s Pikachu, but when Palkia and Dialga stopped fighting, the Pokemon returned to their normal forms.

Trivia[]

  • There are eight Pokémon that can evolve into two different Pokémon, but only two that evolve into more: Tyrogue (three) and Eevee (eight).
  • As of Generation VIII, there are 87 Pokémon that do not evolve in any way. This is discounting Legendary Pokémon, Mythical Pokémon, and form changes such as Mega Evolution.
  • In "Dream a Little Dream from Me!", there is a group of Pokémon who evolved and devolved unnaturally, one actually missing its second evolved form.
  • In Final Rivals!, an evolution has occurred through multiple Pokémon of the same species combining, which was shown by Ash's Meltan and its horde.
  • Larvesta evolves at the highest level out of all unevolved Pokémon so far (level 59).
  • Zweilous evolves at the highest level out of any evolved Pokémon so far (level 64).
  • Porygon is currently the only Pokémon to be able to evolve at level 1 into both its evolutions, as they do not need a certain level to evolve.
  • Generation VII was the first generation to introduce Legendary and Mythical Pokémon capable of evolution.
  • Poipole is the only Ultra Beast that can evolve.
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