Evolution is a staple of the Pokémon series. It’s been in the games since day one, and is integral to the entire experience. There’s a lot to say about Pokémon evolution, but you may be surprised by just how much information surrounds it. Even the most veteran Pokémon fans have things to learn about it.
One thing that stands out about Pokémon evolution is the variety in the methods of evolution. Pokémon can change depending on things like level, location and gender. There’s a lot you’ll need to be aware of if you want to get the absolute most out of your Pokémon partner. Here are some interesting facts you didn’t know about Pokémon evolution.
10 Most Pokémon Evolve
This one is a given for most fans of the series. Most Pokémon evolve. It’s a core mechanic that many take advantage of. The Pokémon that don’t get evolutions are actually in the minority, which isn’t a surprise given how rare it is to actually run into and catch a Pokémon that doesn’t have an evolved form.
Some Pokémon get evolved forms later on. This is either done by introducing a new evolution in a later Gen (Electivire, Sirfetch'd) or as a Baby Pokémon.
9 Some Pretty Crazy Methods
The Pokémon games feature tons of different methods of evolution that vary with each species Pokémon. The most common method of evolution is by level. But over the years, new ways of evolving your partner have been introduced into the games, with some of them being pretty out there.
You have evolutions that are triggered by learning certain moves, or Pokémon that need specific items to evolve. Inkay has a pretty notable method of evolution; it evolves starting at level 30 – but the evolution can only be triggered if the player turns their system upside-down.
8 Evolution In The Side Games
Evolution works a little different in Pokémon side games, compared to the mainline series. Though they share similar conditions, the methods of evolution are often handled somewhat differently in comparison.
Take Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness for example. In order to evolve your Eevee into either Espeon or Umbreon in the game, players have to use either a Sun or Moon Shard respectively. This contradicts how they evolve in the mainline games, and is exclusive to the Orre variants.
7 TCG Evolution Methods
In some ways evolution in TCG works similarly to how it works in the games. But the main difference is in the variety. In TCG, there aren’t really all that many different methods of evolution. There’s just one.
If your Pokémon has different stages then it can be evolved from its basic stage. In order to do that, you just have to play the preceding stage Pokémon card, if it’s in your hand. It’s pretty straightforward but can take some getting used to if you’re new to it all.
6 Real World Relation
Like a lot of things Pokémon, evolution in the games actually takes some inspiration from real world phenomenon. Though it may seem like it ties into actual evolution theory, something else served as the inspiration to this mechanic.
Metamorphosis is what the developers based the concept of Pokémon evolution on. It makes sense if you think about it. Evolution as we know it takes years and effects entire populations rather than individual beings. Given how evolution works in the games, Metamorphosis seems more similar to what GameFreak was going for.
5 Hydreigon & The Long Grind
There are a handful of Pokémon that are just a nightmare to train. Not in regards to difficulty, but in regards to the amount of time it takes to train them. This isn’t your typical Magikarp to Gyarados either. While most of these Pokémon end up being pretty powerful, it takes a dedicated trainer to make it happen. One of the most challenging examples of this is Hydreigon.
Deino only evolves into Zweilous at level 50. That’s not even its final evolution! There’s a lot of training and grinding involved and even then, players have to wait till level 64 in order to finally claim their Hydreigon.
4 The Pain Of Training Larvesta
If you look at Larvesta it doesn’t seem all that special. But don’t be fooled by its meager appearance, as it actually evolves into a pretty exceptional Bug/Fire-type; Volcarona. But getting Volcarona isn’t an easy task. In fact it’s pretty time consuming.
Larvesta only evolves at level 59. Though Volcarona is plenty strong, Larvesta isn’t all that special. That makes getting it all the way up to level 59 that much more of a chore – but one that ultimately pays off.
3 Two Special Exceptions
With all the differences in evolution methods and the various ways of achieving evolution, two Pokémon really stand out. Eevee and Feebas are the only Pokémon in the series that reach their final forms through a multitude of ways.
Eeveelutions and their evolution methods are well known by all fans of the series, and some of the alternative methods were already covered when discussing the Orre games above. Feebas can also evolve by either raising its Beauty or alternatively, by using Prism Scales.
2 Gen III Evolution
Gen III is notable when talking about evolution for reasons you might not expect. The third Gen games actually introduced the most amount of Pokémon that just don’t have evolved forms. That means Pokémon like Sableye, Torkoal, Spinda, Seviper, Zangoose, Lunatone, Solrock aren’t going to change, no matter how much you may want them to.
With evolutions being as popular as they are you shouldn’t expect the Gen II record to fall anytime soon.
1 The Weird Thing About Porygon
Porygon is a pretty exceptional and unique Pokémon for a number of reasons. But there’s something about the way it evolves that makes it all the more notable. Tons of Pokémon need to reach a certain level before evolving, while others don’t need to.
Porygon falls under the latter category. And since it evolves through trade and held items, it’s the only Pokémon in the franchise that can be evolved multiple times while still at level 1.