Evolution: Difference between revisions

Evolution is not a merely visual change, as Pokémon of a higher evolutionary stage has different (and usually increased) [[stats]], can learn different moves, and sometimes change [[type]]s (although normally at least one of the pre-evolved form's types remains the same). Pokémon may also change [[Ability]] upon evolution.

In the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]], Pokémon are divided into four different categories: {{TCG|Baby Pokémon}}, {{TCG|Basic Pokémon}}, {{TCG|Stage 1 Pokémon}}, and {{TCG|Stage 2 Pokémon}}. Pre-evolved forms introduced in a later generation than their evolved form are classified as Baby Pokémon so that the evolution stages of their evolved forms are not disrupted.

Several one- and two-evolution families are also branched, evolution families. A branched evolution family has a member that can evolve into one of several different Pokémon. {{p|Eevee}} is the most extreme example, having eight different possible evolved forms. An example of this type of evolution family is below.

*Knowing a certain move or a move of a certain [[type]]

When a Pokémon evolves, it becomes a new species of Pokémon. This new species has a different Pokédex number and [[base stat]]s, and maybe a different [[type]], learn different moves, and have a different [[Ability]]. The Pokémon's personal properties, however, such as [[Nature]] and {{Shiny|Shininess}}, remain.

All evolutions via leveling up to take place at the end of a {{pkmn|battle}}, or when a Pokémon is given a [[Rare Candy]]. Each Pokémon may evolve only once per battle. Even if a Pokémon faints in battle, it will still evolve at the end of that battle if it met the requirements to evolve; however, prior to [[Generation VI]], if the player lost the battle, none of their Pokémon could evolve as a result of that battle.

However, some Pokémon originally from the [[Generation III]] games can change the Ability slot upon evolution. When Abilities were introduced in Generation III, some Pokémon only had one possible Ability but were given a second Ability in Generation IV. If a Pokémon whose species gained an Ability after Generation III is transferred to a Generation IV or {{gen|V}} game, it will initially retain its original Ability; upon evolving, however, its Ability slot will be recalculated and its Ability may change. When a Pokémon is transferred to Generation VI or [[Generation VII]], however, it will be locked into the appropriate slot for its current Ability.

Each evolutionary family has its own kind of Candy. Candy can be obtained by catching or hatching Pokémon of that evolutionary family, or by walking with a Pokémon of that evolutionary family as a [[Buddy Pokémon]]. The player can also obtain 1 Candy for its evolutionary family by permanently transferring it to [[Professor Willow]].

In the {{pkmn|anime}}, Evolution happens in much the same way as it does in the {{pkmn|games}}; though [[level]]-based evolutions and [[trade]]-based evolutions do not occur using those methods, there are similarities in the way they come about. For example, {{an|Misty}}'s {{p|Poliwhirl}} evolved into {{TP|Misty|Politoed}} because it found {{Ash}}'s [[King's Rock]] and was holding it when Misty sent it out, while in the games it is required that Poliwhirl be traded while holding the King's Rock for the evolution to take place (it should be noted that Poliwhirl had been through a machine in connection with it being healed at the Pokémon Center while holding the item). When a {{p|Beedrill}} attacked Ash's {{p|Metapod}}, it caused a crack to appear on its shell, which {{AP|Butterfree}} came out of (although later examples of Metapod evolving into Butterfree were treated as the more familiar form of evolution used in the anime).

Additionally, a difference can be seen in the fact that Pokémon evolve '' during'' a battle, as opposed to after it. Pokémon may also evolve when they are needed to, for an extra boost of power or gaining new abilities, instead of after a set amount of training, such as when Ash's {{p|Charmeleon}} evolved into {{AP|Charizard}} to battle an Aerodactyl just three episodes after it evolved from Charmander, where the game requires Charmeleon to grow twenty levels to reach that stage. In addition, Pokémon can sometimes choose not to evolve, even if they evolve by a 'natural' method such as leveling up. This was shown when [[Ash's Bulbasaur]] refused to evolve during an evolution festival for all Bulbasaur to evolve in ''[[EP051|Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden]]''. It appears that Evolution has emotional implications for Pokémon - some Pokémon, such as Team Rocket's {{MTR}}, dislike their evolved forms, while others such as [[Ash's Pikachu]] simply want to prove they can be powerful without evolving. Conversely, when Pokémon do evolve, this can often be linked with an experience that causes them to mature emotionally or deal with an emotional issue, such as when the {{p|Poochyena}} in ''[[AG011|A Bite to Remember]]'' evolved, or the {{p|Paras}} in ''[[EP044|The Problem With Paras]]''. Poochyena, for some reason, had an aversion to using the move {{m|Bite}}, while Paras was extremely timid and weak in battle. Both of them evolved shortly after overcoming these issues.

*Stage 2 Pokémon, which represents the final evolutionary forms of Pokémon.

Within the deck and discard pile, Pokémon cards that evolve from others are considered to be "evolution cards" for the purpose of effects that interact with them. In the play, a Basic Pokémon card can be considered an evolution card if it is evolved from its Baby stage.