Fans of Pokemon know how much of a game-changer the Mega Evolution mechanic has become, which allows their favorite Pokemon to evolve temporarily further into powerful variants to turn the tide of combat. Such is the meta-changing aspect of the Mega Evolution mechanic that not only has it been integrated into a competitive format, but also in games such as Pokemon GO. Similar to the base game, Mega Evolutions in Pokemon GO have rather strict requirements but can give players a lot of openings to make stunning upsets in losing situations.
However, players who want to capitalize on the Mega Evolution aspect of Pokemon GO may want to look into the specifics of this mechanic. This becomes all the more apparent for players who want to integrate Mega Evolutions into their usual PVP and Raiding rotations.
What Is Mega Evolution?
Series savants and newcomers to the Pokemon franchise would be surprised that there’s an entirely new way for Pokemon to “transform” outside of Pokemon Evolution after leveling up with EXP or using special items. Dubbed as Mega Evolution, some Pokemon beginning in Generation 6 can temporarily transform into their “Mega-” counterparts and gain access to more powerful stats and movesets. Most games featuring Mega Evolution can occur when players hold a Key Stone while their chosen Pokemon holds a Mega Stone.
Although not featured in any mainline game since Pokemon Sword and Shield, Mega Evolution has been added in quite a few spinoff titles. In the case of Pokemon GO, Mega Evolution introduces a unique mechanic that gives players another layer in intense Pokemon combat.
What About In Pokemon GO?
One thing to note about Mega Evolutions is that they don’t necessarily work the same way in Pokemon GO. Similar to the original series, Mega Evolution still transforms the appropriate Pokemon into their Mega-based counterparts. However, whereas Mega Evolution only lasts a turn in the games, Pokemon GO will have Mega Evolution last for a whopping eight hours.
Not only that, but the game offers various changes and bonuses to the said Pokemon, similar to the base series. Understanding what Mega Evolution can offer both a Pokemon and their Trainer’s lineup can make a vast difference in combat, especially since the Mega Evolution aspect in Pokemon GO expands to other game mechanics.
How To Mega Evolve A Pokemon
Unlike in the base game, Pokemon GO doesn’t require players to possess both a Key Stone and a Mega Stone to work. Instead, players need what is called Mega Energy to Mega Evolve a Pokemon. Mega Energy plays a lot into the mechanics of Mega Evolution in the game, and players may want to understand this resource deeper to “evolve” their Mega Evolution experience. Here are things players need to know about the overall Mega Evolution process:
Who Can Mega Evolve
Given how Pokemon GO works in an ever-changing environment, it’s safe to assume that the current meta of Mega Evolutions may change in the future. As such, some Pokemon capable of Mega Evolving now may not have the same privilege later on, or more Pokemon may be capable of Mega Evolving than players anticipate. However, here are some interesting notes regarding the overall nature of Mega Evolution privilege:
- One active at a time: Players may only have one Mega Evolved Pokemon at a time. If players activate a second Mega Evolved Pokemon, it will supersede the first one, and the first one will start its resting period.
- Shadow Pokemon and Clone Pokemon can’t Mega Evolve: A special exception to the Mega Evolution rule are extremely bizarre Pokemon variants such as Shadow Pokemon and Clone Pokemon, who are considered by the lore as rather “impure” forms of Pokemon. They cannot Mega Evolve, even if the Pokemon they look like can Mega Evolve by nature.
- Purified Pokemon, Other Event Forms may Mega Evolve: Other forms outside Shadow Pokemon and Clone Pokemon may be able to Mega Evolve.
How To Get Mega Energy
Since Mega Energy is essentially a “currency” that players trade for Mega Evolutions, it’s important to understand where Trainers can acquire them. Interestingly enough, each Pokemon eligible for Mega Evolution has its Mega Energy currency. As such, players can only Mega Evolve particular Pokemon by first possessing said un-evolved Pokemon and the right amount of Mega Energy. Thankfully, players may acquire Mega Energy in a rather straightforward manner, courtesy of these methods:
- Research Tasks: Certain Research Tasks in Pokemon GO may reward players with the Mega Energy of specific Pokemon. Given how most Research Tasks can be accomplished within a day or two, players may be able to farm Mega Energy rather quickly.
- Buddy Walking: Players may be able to acquire Mega Energy of a previously-Mega Evolved Pokemon via walking a Buddy Pokemon. This is only possible if said Mega Evolved Pokemon Buddy’s evolution tree and if players have fed that particular Pokemon a Candy.
- Mega Raids: Players who participate in Mega Raids may obtain Mega Energy from the boss Pokemon involved, provided they eventually defeat the Pokemon in the end.
- Spinning Locations: When players spin either a Gym or a PokeStop, they may obtain Mega Beedrill Energy.
How Much Does Mega Evolving Cost
Players have the choice of Mega Evolving a Pokemon from either the Pokemon Profile or the Preparation Screen for Raids and other battles in the game. The main thing to note here is that Mega Evolving has separate costs, and only select Pokemon in the Pokedex can do so, especially when it comes to doing this process for the first time or if the Pokemon has been Mega Evolved previously.
- First Time: Players who plan on Mega Evolving a Pokemon for the first time will require a particular number of Mega Energy before completing the process. This is significantly more Mega Energy than subsequent Mega Evolutions, similar to an “activation cost.”
- Subsequent Times: Players who have activated the Mega Evolution for a Pokemon will be able to Mega Evolve that Pokemon again for no Mega Energy once the cooldown ends. Before the cooldown ends, the player can end it earlier by spending Mega Energy. The amount expended depends on the Mega Level of the Pokemon in question and the rest period.
What Is The Rest Period
Due to the lack of Key Stones and Mega Stones in Pokemon GO, the “frequency” of Mega Evolutions is instead capped via Mega Energy costs and cooldown rates. At its core, each Pokemon has a set rest period that prohibits them from Mega Evolving for free, containing both a timer and a Mega Energy cost.
Players who fully wait for the rest period of a Mega Evolved Pokemon can then Mega Evolve it at zero cost, albeit this does take a long time, depending on Mega Level. Those who cannot wait for the rest period to count down to zero may still Mega Evolve their Pokemon much earlier, but at a Mega Energy cost proportionate to the time remaining. Players new to Pokemon GO need to anticipate a Mega Energy cost and waiting period when Mega Evolving Pokemon for the first time. Here are some insights regarding the Rest Period:
- First Time: 14 days
- Base Level: 7 days
- High Level: 5 days
- Max Level: 3 days
What Happens During Mega Evolution
When players of Pokemon GO’s various Teams Mega Evolve a Pokemon, this buff lasts for eight (8) whopping hours. Unlike in the base game, this buff extends this long because a lot of its effects don't just affect said Pokemon in combat but rather outside combat as well. A huge part of buffs in Mega Evolution have to do with Catch XP and Candy acquisition, but battles also get a boost as well. Here are things to consider:
Mega Evolution Bonuses
Since players may also use a Mega Evolved Pokemon in Raid Battles (not just Mega Raids), these Pokemon may also grant specific bonuses to both themselves and their peers. This allows players to dish out more powerful attacks with a Mega Evolved Pokemon and boost their overall advantage in combat. Here is some bonuses a Mega Evolved Pokemon can offer in combat:
- 1.3x Move Type Bonus: All moves within the player’s team get this bonus provided they are of the same Type as the Mega Evolved Pokemon.
- 1.1x Other Move Bonus: All other moves of ally Pokemon within the player’s team gain this bonus, regardless if said move shares the Type of the Mega Evolved Pokemon.
The Limitations
While it’s awesome to see a Mega Evolved Pokemon dish out powered-up moves in more intense combat in Pokemon GO, it helps to remember that Mega Evolved Pokemon do have certain limitations. For instance, here are certain things that players may not be able to do that involve a Pokemon that is currently Mega Evolved:
- Cannot defend Gyms: Given the overpowered nature of a Mega Evolved Pokemon, they may not be stationed at Gyms as Defender Pokemon.
- Cannot be traded: Players cannot trade a currently Mega Evolved Pokemon. Even if players trade the same Pokemon in its base form, the progress of that Pokemon with regards to Mega Levels will reset and will therefore need the same starting cost to start Mega Evolving again.
- Cannot Power Up: Pokemon who are currently in a Mega Evolution may not be able to Power Up. Players need to wait until their chosen Pokemon has returned to its base form before being able to upgrade their stats.
What Is Mega Level
Similar to the Buddy System in Pokemon GO, the Mega Evolution concept in the game also works with a level-up system. This rewards players' efforts when it comes to earning Mega Energy and the frequency of using Mega Evolution throughout the game. At its core, players may earn Mega Levels by frequently using Mega Evolutions, eventually unlocking higher tiers with significantly higher bonuses, especially when used in events like Mega Raids. Here are the respective Mega Levels and relevant stats attached to each of them:
Base Level
Considered as the lowest tier of Mega Evolutions, the Base Level may count as players simply “testing” the Mega Evolution process for a particular Pokemon. Players may have a Pokemon stay in this level for longer if they want to rush leveling up the Mega Level of that creature. However, players are advised to Mega Level more frequently to get out of this tier if they want to maximize the Mega Evolution benefits. Here’s what the Base Level offers:
- Mega Evolutions Required: 1
- Rest Period: 7 days
- Cost Reduction (after 1st): 80%
- Catch Candy Bonus: 1
- Bonus Candy XL Chance: -
- Catch XP Bonus: -
High Level
A much higher tier than Base Level, the High Level reflects the frequency of players using their Pokemon’s Mega Evolved state in fights. Habits-wise, this may represent players starting to rely on a particular Pokemon’s Mega Evolution for larger, tougher fights. They receive more bonuses with regards to Catch XP and the acquisition of Candy XL. Here are other bonuses:
- Mega Evolutions Required: 7
- Rest Period: 5 days
- Cost Reduction (after 1st): 90%
- Catch Candy Bonus: 1
- Bonus Candy XL Chance: 20%
- Catch XP Bonus: 50XP
Max Level
The highest tier offered for Mega Levels, the Max Level, is where maximum benefits for Mega Evolution are attained. Players attain this level with their Pokemon through dedication, considering this takes almost triple or quadruple the time to upgrade from High Level. Here are the bonuses players may receive when attaining Max Level:
- Mega Evolutions Required: 30
- Rest Period: 3 days
- Cost Reduction (after 1st): 95%
- Catch Candy Bonus: 2
- Bonus Candy XL Chance: 25%
- Catch XP Bonus: 100XP
Pokemon GO is available to play on iOS and Android.