Pokemon Evolution Methods, Ranked

One of the most well-known aspects of the Pokemon series is evolution, where Pokemon can grow into stronger forms with their trainer’s assistance. Since the inception of the series, not every Pokemon has evolved the same, and in each generation, newer, more specific methods have appeared as well.

Rather than trying to parse their merits, these methods will be ranked by convenience, as some are easier than others. To simplify the process, certain more specific methods will be lumped in with their more common counterparts, as they often rely on the simpler methods, just with extra steps included.

14 Collect-a-thon

Evolves: Gimmighoul and Meltan (Pokemon Go only)

Perhaps the least convenient method is the admittedly rare, collect-a-thon. Most Pokemon only take one item to evolve. A few, however, require the accumulation of numerous evolutionary items, all directed towards one specific Pokemon. This is relatively less convenient than most other methods.

Gimmighoul requires 999 Gimmighoul coins, which are found throughout Paldea, often atop taller structures. Meltan is an even odder prospect, as its evolution requires Pokemon Go, where it can either be evolved by way of a mystery box given to owners of Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee or 400 Meltan Candy, which can be collected in Go proper.

In both cases, these collect-a-thons can be extremely time-consuming and very purposeful. It is perhaps for this reason that certain evolutions in this branch, such as Gimmighoul to Gholdengo, cannot be prevented as others can.

13 Battle-Based

Evolves: Bisharp, Primeape, Galarian Yamask, etc.

• Originated in Pokemon Legends: Arceus

Rather than leveling up on its own, which can be technically accomplished outside of battle, these evolutions specifically require the chosen Pokemon to participate in battles themselves. From there, the specifics of each required evolution differ drastically. In Legends: Arceus and for Primeape in Scarlet and Violet, a common method is using a specific attack 20 times. Other Pokemon, like White-Striped Basculin and Galarian Yamask, require taking a certain amount of damage without fainting to evolve. In Basculin’s case, this specifically must be recoil damage.

Perhaps the most complex evolution in this category is Bisharp, which requires the Pokemon to defeat three other Bisharp that hold the leader’s crests to evolve into Kingambit. It is generally advised to give a Bisharp a fighting type move like focus blast, brick break, or reversal to expedite this process, as steel-dark types are four times weaker against them. All in all, these various methods require a bit more extra attention than most, naturally making them far less convenient.

12 Beauty Factor

Evolves: Feebas

• Originated in Pokemon: Ruby and Sapphire

Feebas existed as a Generation III counterpart to Magikarp, with an emphasis on gaining beauty rather than power (although Milotic certainly doesn’t skimp in either department.) Prior to the introduction of the Prism Scale, the only way to evolve Feebas was by increasing its Beauty Factor to 170 through continued judgment in Pokemon Contests.

While not exceedingly difficult, this does require some cultivation, as certain factors such as nature, movesets, and specific items can all play a part in the ultimate result. In newer games, many of which no longer have contests, Feebas evolves by being traded with a Prism Scale, although later games with contests also utilize Beauty Factor as a possible method.

11 Union Circle Connection

Evolves: Finizen

• Originated in Pokemon: Scarlet and Violet

Evolving Finizen into the elusive Palafin requires a continual connection with another player in the Union Circle. This may be somewhat more frustrating for players with poor internet connectivity, as the process of leveling up, while fairly simple on its own, can take a while depending on Finizen’s current level.

The exact level of convenience can be premeditated to some extent. If a Finizen reaches a certain level (37 or higher) and the player has a rare candy at the ready, this can be wrapped up even shorter than a trade.

10 Setting-Based

Evolves: Eevee, Sliggoo, Tyrunt, etc.

• Originated in Pokemon: Gold and Silver

Some Pokemon only evolve at certain times of day. One Pokemon (Sliggoo) only evolves when it rains. These are a bit more difficult despite sounding somewhat easier, as time is never the sole requirement. These kinds of Pokemon often need a high enough level, a specific held item, or happiness to properly evolve.

9 Trading

Evolves: Haunter, Kadabra, Machoke, etc.

• Originated in Pokemon: Red and Blue

Trading is a central aspect to Pokemon, with the mainline games always being handheld, and connectable with other players’ devices. It is a method that for a while was the only way to obtain fan-favorite Pokemon, such as Gengar or Alakazam. This common method, however, is somewhat less convenient, as it most commonly requires either another player or a separate console running a compatible game.

The difficulty is compounded when more further requirements like having a certain held item, or in one odd case, evolving opposite another specific Pokemon are included.

8 Let’s Go!

Evolves: Rellor, Pawmo, and Bramblin

• Originated in Pokemon: Scarlet and Violet

The Let’s Go! feature introduced in Scarlet and Violet allows a trainer’s Pokemon to accompany them in the overworld. Three Pokemon evolve after walking 1000 steps with this feature and leveling up. This can be done in essentially any walkable part of the overworld with relatively minimal effort.

It may be mildly less convenient for trainers who wish to ride on their legendary bike Pokemon, as this counter can be reset.

7 Location-Based

Evolves: Eevee, Magneton, Nosepass etc.

• Originated in Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl

Generation IV included many new evolutions for established Pokemon for previous generations. Because of this, more complex evolution methods were ushered in, presumably to explain why these Pokemon could not evolve in earlier generations.

One such method is location-based evolutions, where Pokemon need to be near a certain type of area to evolve. A common example is a magnetic field which could evolve Nosepass, Magneton, and Charjabug. This method, while somewhat specific, is comparatively easy, as all it requires is to visit the location once it is accessible and train until they hit a level. Newer generations seem to have largely phased this method out, as now most Pokemon it affected can instead evolve by way of items, such as elemental stones.

6 Party-Based

Evolves: Mantyke, Nincada, and Pancham

• Originated in Pokemon: Ruby and Sapphire

Some Pokemon only evolve if the party is right. These Pokemon all require leveling up, but need a specific Pokemon to be in or out of the party before they properly evolve. Shedinja is a special evolution of Nincada, who otherwise only evolves into Ninjask. If a player has a spare pokeball and party slot, a Shedinja appears once the evolution takes place.

Mantyke needs a Remoraid in the Party, which makes sense, as they tend to latch on to the evolved Mantine. Pancham needs a dark-type Pokemon in the party to evolve into Pangoro. These methods often require relatively minimal planning but are not as immediate or convenient as simply grinding to level up.

5 Move-Based

Evolves: Piloswine, Lickitung, Yanma, etc.

• Originated in Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl

Some Pokemon need to learn a move before they evolve. This requires leveling up in advance, but is often no more situational than leveling up before or after the move is learned. In fact, if a trainer simply wants a specific move that will incidentally level up a Pokemon, it is entirely possible to achieve this kind of evolution by accident.

Sylveon requires slightly more attention, needing a higher level of either affection or happiness, depending on the game, before evolving, whilst knowing baby-doll-eyes.

4 Happiness

Evolves: Eevee, Riolu, Pichu, etc.

• Originated in Pokemon: Gold and Silver

Many Pokemon evolve by maxing out friendship. There are many methods to do this, including leveling up a Pokemon at its met location, letting it hold a soothe bell, or capturing it with a luxury ball. However, certain items and actions will also reduce friendship, such as giving a Pokemon bitter medicine or having it faint in battle.

Ultimately, as long as you avoid bitter medicine and super-high-leveled Pokemon, friendship is fairly easy to increase and often includes many fringe benefits alongside evolution.

3 Spinning and Sweets

Evolves: Milcery

• Originated in Pokemon: Sword and Shield

The cream Pokemon Milcery can evolve into one of several forms of Alcremie, all of which require spinning for an allotted amount of time (usually less than five seconds) with a specific held item. The evolution is fairly easy, getting the exact type of Alcremie you want is a bit less so.

Factors that determine evolution include; how long the player was spinning, whether the player spun clockwise or counterclockwise, what time of day it was, and what type of sweet was held. The Pokemon has 63 forms in total, with nine different cream bases, and seven different sweets to combine.

2 Leveling Up

Evolves: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, etc.

• Originated in Pokemon: Red and Blue

Leveling up is perhaps the most common way to evolve a Pokemon, and is fairly easy. Just throw a Pokemon into battle against an opponent it can beat, and it will gain experience. It doesn’t even need to finish it off, although this will give it more experience. For most other methods of evolution displayed thus far, leveling up is often an additional stipulation.

In newer games, which introduced the EXP Share, and later made it into an item that affects the whole party, leveling up a Pokemon has never been easier. Some Pokemon tend to need slightly more motivation to evolve, such as Inkay who needs the device turned upside down to evolve itself upon leveling up. Other Pokemon have different forms they can take upon leveling up, such as Tyrogue whose evolution depends on how its attack and defense stats are allocated.

1 Item-Based

Evolves: Pikachu, Eevee, Applin, etc.

• Originated in Pokemon: Red and Blue

While not as common as leveling up, using items to evolve Pokemon is a continual method employed throughout the series. Most items are usually elemental stones, often corresponding to the element of the Pokemon in question.

However, recent games have introduced other items which Pokemon can be exposed to and evolve, such as the three apples Applin can be exposed to, in order to evolve. Pokemon can evolve with these items at any level, all that’s often required is simply finding them and exposing the right Pokemon to them.