Evolution

If you were looking for the set in Pokémon Trading Card Game, see Evolution (GB1).

Ivysaur evolving into Venusaur, depicted in Pokémon Black and White

Evolution (Japanese: 進化 shinka) is a process in which a Pokémon changes into a different species of Pokémon. This change is not merely physical, however, as Pokémon of a higher evolutionary stage have different (and usually more powerful) base stats than their predecessors, may have different moves that can be learned, and sometimes change their types, though usually at least one of the types of the previous form is preserved. Other statistics, such as Nature and EVs, as well as shininess, are preserved. In the real world, it is more similar to metamorphosis than evolution.

Professor Elm and Professor Rowan are the leading experts in Pokémon Evolution. According to the latter's research, over 90% of all Pokémon are connected to at least one other through Evolution. Rowan is currently investigating whether Evolution is a form of maturity in Pokémon, and looking at the implications this process has on Legendary Pokémon, which don't evolve.

Evolution families

An evolution family is a group of Pokémon who will all, if bred with Ditto or a Pokémon in the same Egg Group, make a Pokémon Egg that will hatch into the same Pokémon, excluding baby Pokémon. This also means that the most basic form has the potential to become any of the rest of the family, although it will ultimately be able to follow only one evolutionary path.

Stages of evolution

Piplup evolution family in the anime

Pokémon can be divided into different evolutionary stages, based on where they appear in their evolution family. All Pokémon fall into one of four groups: baby Pokémon, unevolved Pokémon, first-evolution Pokémon, and second-evolution Pokémon. These groups are also the basis for the TCG's grouping of Baby Pokémon, Basic Pokémon, Stage 1 Pokémon, and Stage 2 Pokémon, respectively.

Due to the fact that no evolution family contains both a baby Pokémon and a second-evolution Pokémon, many regard baby Pokémon as the most basic form, while moving their evolved counterparts one level higher. For example, originally, Pikachu was regarded as an unevolved Pokémon, however, with the release of Pichu in Generation II, many now consider it to be more on par with Pokémon like Charmeleon, though its TCG classification remains the same.

Two-evolution families

Main article: Pokémon that are part of a three-stage evolutionary line

Perhaps the most well-known types of evolution families are those that feature two separate evolutionary events in the Pokémon's development. Indeed, this type of evolution family is what all of the starter Pokémon in the core series are a part of (excluding the starter Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow, as Pichu did not yet exist and it could not be evolved into Raichu; and Eevee, which could only be taken by Blue), as well as all pseudo-legendary Pokémon. An example of this type of evolution family is below.

Lowest Trigger → Level 30 Middle Trigger → Level 55 Highest Dratini Dragonair Dragonite

One-evolution families

Main article: Pokémon that are part of a two-stage evolutionary line

By far the most common type of evolution family, these families are based in a Pokémon that will only ever evolve once in its development. About one third of all Pokémon that would later get a baby form were part of this kind of evolution family before their baby form was revealed. An example of this type of evolution family is below.

Lowest Trigger → Level 20 Highest Rattata Raticate

Pokémon that do not evolve

Main article: List of Pokémon that are not part of an evolutionary line

The least common type of evolution family is that in which no evolutionary event takes place, meaning that it is made up of only one member. Many of the Pokémon that have no evolutionary relatives are Legendary Pokémon. However, there are still 61 other Pokémon that do not evolve. Below is a list of all non-Legendary Pokémon that do not evolve (Phione isn't included due to its status as a Legendary being disputed).

Gen I		Gen II		Gen III		Gen IV		Gen V		Gen VI
	Farfetch'd		Unown		Sableye		Pachirisu		Audino		Furfrou
	Kangaskhan		Girafarig		Mawile		Chatot		Throh		Hawlucha
	Pinsir		Dunsparce		Plusle		Spiritomb		Sawk		Dedenne
	Tauros		Qwilfish		Minun		Carnivine		Basculin		Carbink
	Lapras		Shuckle		Volbeat		Rotom		Maractus		Klefki
	Ditto		Heracross		Illumise				Sigilyph
	Aerodactyl		Corsola		Torkoal				Emolga
			Delibird		Spinda				Alomomola
			Skarmory		Zangoose				Cryogonal
			Stantler		Seviper				Stunfisk
			Smeargle		Lunatone				Druddigon
			Miltank		Solrock				Bouffalant
					Castform				Heatmor
					Kecleon				Durant
					Tropius
					Absol
					Relicanth
					Luvdisc

Not belonging to an evolutionary family is not indicative of strength, or a lack thereof. Some Pokémon, such as Heracross and Skarmory, are comparable to fully evolved Pokémon while others, like Delibird and Luvdisc, are more comparable to unevolved Pokémon. Often this indicates a Pokémon's possibility to be eligible for future new evolutions or pre-evolutions.

Branch evolution families

Main article: List of Pokémon with branched evolutions

Several families, while also one- and two-evolution families, are also branch evolution families. What this means is that there is a split in the evolutionary line at some point so that even though two Pokémon of the same species evolve the same amount of times, they can become one of two or more entirely different creatures. Eevee is the best-known example of this, evolving eight different ways depending on the method used. An example of this type of evolution family is below.

Lowest Trigger → Level 25 Middle Trigger → Water Stone Trigger → Trade Holding King's Rock Highest Poliwag Poliwhirl Poliwrath Politoed

Advantages

A major difference between the final forms of an evolution family with a branch in evolution is in the way that their base stats line up. For example, Kirlia can evolve into both Gardevoir and Gallade, which both have 518 total base stats. However, Gallade's base stat in Attack is 125 and its base stat in Special Attack is 65. The reverse is true for Gardevoir, whose Special Attack is 125 and whose Attack is 65. This is true of many opposing evolutions, with one focusing in one specific stat, the other focusing in a separate stat, and both having the same total stats. This is especially obvious in the Eeveelutions, who each have exactly the same base stats, though organized differently.

A listing of the stat focuses is below.

Basic form		Evolutions		Types		Difference
	Oddish		Vileplume	Grass	Poison	Defense is 85, Special Attack is 110, Special Defense is 90
			Bellossom	Grass		Defense is 95, Special Attack is 90, Special Defense is 100
	Poliwag		Poliwrath	Water	Fighting	Defense is 20 higher, Attack is 20 higher
			Politoed	Water		Special Attack is 20 higher, Special Defense is 10 higher
	Slowpoke		Slowbro	Water	Psychic	Defense is 110, Special Defense is 80
			Slowking	Water	Psychic	Special Defense is 110, Defense is 80
	Eevee		Vaporeon	Water		Highest stat is HP
			Jolteon	Electric		Highest stat is Speed
			Flareon	Fire		Highest stat is Attack
			Espeon	Psychic		Highest stat is Special Attack, tied with Glaceon
			Umbreon	Dark		Highest stat is Special Defense, tied with Sylveon
			Leafeon	Grass		Highest stat is Defense
			Glaceon	Ice		Highest stat is Special Attack, tied with Espeon
			Sylveon	Fairy		Highest stat is Special Defense, tied with Umbreon
	Tyrogue		Hitmonlee	Fighting		Attack is 120, Defense is 52, Speed is 87
			Hitmonchan	Fighting		Attack is 105, Defense is 79, Speed is 76
			Hitmontop	Fighting		Attack is 95, Defense is 95, Speed is 70
	Wurmple		Beautifly	Bug	Flying	Attack and Special Attack higher than Defense and Special Defense
			Dustox	Bug	Poison	Defense and Special Defense higher than Attack and Special Attack
	Ralts		Gardevoir	Psychic	Fairy	Special Attack is 125, Attack is 65
			Gallade	Psychic	Fighting	Attack is 125, Special Attack is 65
	Snorunt		Glalie	Ice		All stats are 80
			Froslass	Ice	Ghost	HP, Defense, Special Defense each 10 lower, Speed 30 higher
	Clamperl		Huntail	Water		Attack is 104, Special Attack is 94
			Gorebyss	Water		Attack is 84, Special Attack is 114
	Burmy		Wormadam	Bug	Grass	Special Attack and Special Defense higher by 10
			Wormadam	Bug	Ground	Attack and Defense higher by 10
			Wormadam	Bug	Steel	Equal special and physical stats
			Mothim	Bug	Flying	Lower Defenses but higher HP, Attacks, and Speed

Methods of evolution

Main article: Methods of evolution

The various triggers for a Pokémon's evolution are almost as varied as the Pokémon themselves, and some Pokémon have a unique evolution method. The most common of them is Evolution by leveling up at or above a certain level. Other methods include the following:

• leveling up when friendship has reached a high level
• leveling up while holding an item
• leveling up while knowing a certain move or a move of a certain type.
• leveling up in a certain location
• trading the Pokémon
• trading the Pokémon while holding an item
• trading the Pokémon for specific Pokémon
• using an evolutionary stone on it.
• leveling up with a certain Pokémon or Pokémon of a certain type in the party.

Additionally, holding an Everstone prevents a Pokémon from evolving, as well as surprising a Pokémon via the B Button. The latter method is known as "Evolution cancellation".

Pokémon that get knocked out during a battle will evolve at the end of that battle if its requirements have been met. However, before Generation VI, losing a battle would make Pokémon not evolve even if the conditions have been met.

Pokémon that can evolve into more than one Pokémon will usually have the ways in which the evolution is activated being slightly similar, such as having both being initiated by evolutionary stone or by trading while holding an item. Closely-related Pokémon, such as Nidoran♀ and Nidoran♂, will also have very similar, if not identical, evolution methods.

Some Pokémon have different evolutions depending on their gender. For example, only female Combee can evolve into Vespiquen; male Combee cannot evolve at all. Meanwhile, Snorunt can evolve into Glalie, but females ones have the option of evolving into Froslass instead. This instance occurs in a similar way with Kirlia, albeit with males having split evolution instead.

Also, there have been situations in which the current party must be configured in a specific manner for some Pokémon to evolve. So far, only three Pokémon need to have these special requirements. Mantyke will evolve into Mantine if leveled up with a Remoraid in the player's party. Nincada will evolve into Ninjask when it reaches level 20. However, if there happens to be an empty space in the player's party (and a spare Poké Ball in Generation IV onward), a Shedinja will also appear in the party. Pancham evolves into Pangoro if its level is 32 or higher and there is a Dark-type Pokémon in the player's party.

Some Pokémon evolve in other unique ways. If one trades a Karrablast for a Shelmet, they will evolve into Escavalier and Accelgor, respectively, though neither will evolve if one of them holds an Everstone. When Inkay reaches level 30, the player must hold the 3DS upside-down for it to evolve into Malamar. Also introduced was a weather-based evolution: Sliggoo will evolve into Goodra beginning at level 50 only if it is raining in the area that the player is in. Finally, Sylveon can only be obtained be leveling up an Eevee that knows any Fairy-type moves and has at least two hearts of affection in Pokémon-Amie.

In the anime

Slowpoke and Shellder evolving into Slowking in A Crowning Achievement

Kakuna evolving into Beedrill in Challenge of the Samurai

Evolution in the Best Wishes series

In the anime, Evolution happens in much the same way as it does in the 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, Misty's Poliwhirl evolved into 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 Beedrill attacked Ash's Metapod, it caused a crack to appear on its shell, which Butterfree came out of.

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, instead of after a set amount of training, such as when Ash's Charmeleon evolved into Charizard. In addition, Pokémon can sometimes choose not to evolve, even if they evolve by a 'natural' method such as leveling up. It appears that Evolution has emotional implications for Pokémon - some Pokémon, such as Team Rocket's Meowth, 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 Poochyena in A Bite to Remember evolved, or the Paras in The Problem With Paras. Poochyena, for some reason, had an aversion to using the move Bite, while Paras was extremely timid and weak in battle. Both of them evolved shortly after overcoming these issues.

For a list of all evolutions that Pokémon belonging to the main cast have undergone, see List of anime Pokémon by evolution.

In the TCG

Main article: Evolution (TCG)

Evolution in the TCG functions similarly in many aspects to that of the games, however, there is no different requirement that needs to be met depending on the Pokémon species to be evolved to move on to the next stage.

There are four different stages of evolution in the TCG, Baby Pokémon, Basic Pokémon, Stage 1 Pokémon, and Stage 2 Pokémon. Of these, only Baby and Basic Pokémon may be placed onto the Bench during the setup phase and during play; Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pokémon are considered to be evolution cards and therefore unable to be played except on top of their corresponding pre-evolved forms. The stage of evolution is indicated in a conspicuous place on each and every Pokémon card, though the placement differs among the four generations of cards.

Within the deck and discard pile, only Stage 1 and Stage 2 cards are considered to be "evolution cards" for the purpose of a Trainer card or Pokémon Power which allows them to be searched for. In play, a Basic Pokémon card can be considered an evolution card if it is evolved from its Baby stage.

In relation to the real world

Evolution in Pokémon, for most species, is more akin to metamorphosis than to actual evolution. This is because real life evolution happens to a population rather than to individuals, and happens over much larger time scales than in the Pokémon world. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, it is mentioned that Pokémon Evolution is an entirely separate phenomenon from the normal process of evolution, and is a mysterious ability exclusive to Pokémon that is still not fully understood.

However, this does not necessarily mean that evolution in real-world terms does not exist in the Pokémon world; the existence of "extinct" Pokémon backs this up, or also in the alternately colored Pokémon of the Orange Archipelago; Magikarp is apparently much weaker than its prehistoric ancestors, showing a genetic change in the Magikarp population.

Trivia

• Eevee and Feebas are the only two Pokémon that reach their next evolutionary forms in multiple ways. Whereas in the handheld games, Eevee becomes Espeon or Umbreon with high friendship when leveled up depending on the time of day, in Pokémon XD it evolves when raised a level when the Sun Shard or Moon Shard is in the bag. This is because Pokémon XD, like Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, lacks a time function. Feebas, meanwhile, evolves into Milotic when its Beauty condition is high, which cannot be done in the Generation V or VI games unless the Feebas is native to a Generation III or IV game and has had its Beauty raised to maximum prior to use of Poké Transfer to send it forward from Generation IV's games. Due to this, the Prism Scale was introduced, so that Feebas caught in the wild or bred in Generation V onward would be able to evolve freely.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 進化 Jeunfa Mandarin 進化 / 进化 Jìnhuà Danish Udvikling Finnish Evoluutio Muodonmuutos Kehitys French Canada Évolution Europe Évolution German Entwicklung Indonesian Evolusi Italian Evoluzione Korean 진화 Jinhwa Polish Ewolucja European Portuguese Evolução Spanish Latin America Evolución Spain Evolución Swedish Utveckling

See also

• List of Pokémon by evolution family
• List of Pokémon with cross-generational evolutions
• Form differences