Mega Evolution (GO): Difference between revisions

'''[[Mega Evolution]]''' (Japanese: '''メガシンカ''' ''Mega Evolution'') is a temporary transformations that certain Pokémon can undergo. Mega Evolution was introduced to {{g|GO}} on August 27, 2020. Like in the [[core series]], Mega Evolution significantly increase a Pokémon's stats and potentially change its type, but its moves will remain the same. However, rather than using a [[Mega Stone]], an eligible Pokémon instead consumes [[Mega Energy]] to activate this temporary transformation. In addition, several type-based bonuses are in effect while Mega Evolution remains active.  

'''[[Primal Reversion]]''' (Japanese: '''ゲンシカイキ''' ''Primal Regression'') was introduced on February 18, 2023. Rather than using the [[Blue Orb]] or [[Red Orb]], Primal Energy is consumed to activate Primal Reversion. In Pokémon GO, Primal Reversion is treated as a special type of Mega Evolution, and the only functional differences are that Primal Reversion grants bonus effects to more types, and the damage bonus in {{GO|Gym}} and {{GO|Raid Battle}}s persist even if the Primal form is not in battle.

Activating Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion for a Pokémon the first time costs a large amount of species-specific Mega Energy or Primal Energy. Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion last eight hours, and once its timer expires, that Pokémon will enter a rest period. During the rest period, a Pokémon can reactivate Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion, but at a fraction of the Energy cost required the first time. As the rest period counts down, the Energy cost will gradually decrease. And once the rest period has ended, then the Pokémon can reactivate Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion at no cost.

Rayquaza's Mega Evolution also requires it to know the move {{m|Dragon Ascent}}, on top of the Mega Energy cost, to activate. Rayquaza can learn Dragon Ascent by consuming a [[Meteorite]].

A player can only have one active Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion at a time. Activating Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion on a second Pokémon will cancel any currently active ones. Prematurely ending Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion also immediately starts the rest period timer.

{{OBP|Shadow Pokémon|GO}} and [[Cloning|Clone Pokémon]] cannot Mega Evolve, but Purified Pokémon and other event forms can.<ref>[https://niantic.helpshift.com/a/pokemon-go/?p=web&s=top-articles&f=mega-evolving-your-pokemon Mega Evolving your Pokémon — Niantic Support]</ref> Active Mega-Evolved Pokémon cannot be deployed to defend {{OBP|Gym|GO}}s, {{OBP|trade|GO}}d, or [[Power Up|powered up]]. Trading a Pokémon resets all progress for Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion, and it will cost the full amount to activate Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion.

Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion temporarily boosts the Attack and Defense base stats of a Pokémon, with some forms having different [[type]]s, additionally Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion will restore a [[fainting|fainted]] or damaged Pokémon to max HP. Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion can be used in all types of battles, except most formats in [[GO Battle League]].  

For Mega Evolution, the Mega-Evolved Pokémon, including Mega Rayquaza, must be present on the battlefield for the damage bonuses to be active. For Primal Reversion, the primal form only needs to be present in the party; the damage bonuses are active even if the primal form Pokémon is never sent out to battle.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/TheSilphRoad/comments/11mp7dr/primal_boost_remains_active_even_though_the/ Primal Boost remains active even though The Primal Reversion Pokemon is NOT in battle]</ref>  

Multiple players can use Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion at one time, but the damage bonuses will not stack, and only the highest possible damage bonus will be applied.

In addition special bonuses are applied for catching Pokémon that have at least one of the Mega Evolution's or Primal Reversion's boosted types:

Once a Pokémon's Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion is registered to the [[Pokédex]], walking any [[Buddy Pokémon]] that belongs to its evolutionary family will also yield its respective Mega Energy or Primal Energy whenever it finds {{OBP|Candy|GO}} (at 5 Energy per km). Energy can be found this way regardless if there is a Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion active.