Methods of evolution: Difference between revisions

Pokémon from [[Evolution#Branch_evolution_families|branched evolution families]] may evolve into different forms depending on the event that caused evolution and other conditions.

This is the most common trigger of evolution: most Pokémon evolve when they [[level]] up. It is not neccessary that  Pokémon levels up by gaining experience in a battle: [[Vitamin#Rare Candy|Rare Candy]] will also trigger evolution if all conditions are met. However, leveling up in [[Pokémon Daycare|Daycare]] will not cause evolution. Also it will not evolve if it is holding an {{evostone|Everstone}}. If a Pokémon levels up in a battle, the evolution will be triggered immediately after the battle. Of course, there are no Pokémon that evolve by leveling up without any additional conditions.

Amongst Pokémon that evolve by level, most Pokémon evolve as soon as they reach a certain level by leveling up. If a Pokémon is not able to evolve when it reaches the required level, it will try to evolve every time it levels up again. Therefore, Pokémon from this group cannot be evolved only if the somehow reached level 100 without evolving.

This method of evolution in most cases has no special disadvantages. However, {{p|Meowth}}, for example, evolves into {{p|Persian}} at level 30, but learns {{m|Pay Day}} at level 32. In Generation IV Persian cannot learn Pay Day by leveling up, what means that if a player wants to have a Persian with Pay Day, he must not let Meowth evolve until it has learned this attack.

Some Pokémon evolve by leveling up if their hidden [[Happiness]] stat is 220 or above. It is usually true for [[baby Pokémon]] such as {{p|Cleffa}}, but also holds true for some other Pokémon, including {{p|Chansey}} (evolves to {{p|Blissey}}). This method of evolution was introduced in [[Generation II]].

*{{p|Buneary}} → {{p|Lopunny}}

Some Pokémon evolve when they level up if they know a certain move. All of them can learn required moves by leveling up. However, if they are made to forget these moves, they must relearn them in order to evolve with the help of [[move relearner]]. This method of evolution has been introduced in [[Generation IV]].

**{{p|Bonsly}} → {{p|Sudowoodo}}

This method of evolution has also been introduced in [[Pokémon_Diamond_and_Pearl_Versions|Generation IV games]], where some Pokémon evolve when they level up in a certain area.

**{{p|Eevee}} → {{p|Glaceon}}

Some Pokémon evolve when they level up if they are holding a certain [[Evolution-inducing held item|item]]. In this case the item disappears after the Pokémon evolves.

*{{p|Sneasel}} (holding [[Evolution-inducing held item#Razor Claw|Razor Claw]]) → {{p|Weavile}}

Some Pokémon evolve by leveling up being happy, but only during a certain part of the day.

**{{p|Chingling}} → {{p|Chimecho}}

This is a unique condition: {{p|Mantyke}} evolves into {{p|Mantine}} when it levels up only if there is a {{p|Remoraid}} in user's party.

This is also a unique condition: {{p|Feebas}} evolves into {{p|Milotic}} by leveling up if its Beauty stat is 170 or above.

It is the third unique condition: {{p|Combee}} evolves into a {{p|Vespiquen}} if it is female. Male Combee do not evolve.

Some Pokémon from branched evolution families evolve into different forms depending on some additional factors. These factors are not conditions for evolution, since they do not determine the possibility of evolution, but what the Pokémon will become after evolution.

Espeon and Umbreon are not listed here, because they were [[#By time and happiness|already mentioned]].

Some Pokémon evolve when they are exposed to an [[evolutionary stone]]. The stone may be applied at any time, thus causing an instant evolution.

Note that sometimes (in Bulbapedia as well) {{evostone|Oval Stone}} is said to be an evolutionary stone, because it is a stone and it is required for an evolution. However, technically Oval Stone is an evolution-inducing held item, which Happiny must be holding to evolve into Chansey when it levels up.

Many Pokémon evolve only when they are [[Trade|traded]]. The evolution starts immediately after the trade, regardless of the method of trading used. However, sometimes there are additional conditions.

A well-known mistranslation in the [[Generation I]] games suggested that after trading a man a {{p|Raichu}}, he said that it had evolved.  This fueled speculation as to whether or not there would be a third stage to the {{p|Pikachu}} line in [[Generation II]]; the third stage was realized in the form of a [[Baby Pokémon]], {{p|Pichu}}.

Some Pokémon evolve when traded only if the are holding a certain item. Like any evolution-inducing held item, the item disappears after the Pokémon evolves.