Pokemon Go special evolutions & how to do them all

Like in the franchise’s other games, Pokemon Go has some unusual evolution methods that players will need to understand if they want to complete the Pokedex.

Over the years, Pokemon evolution gimmicks have become more common and complex. While most Pokemon can evolve after simply reaching a certain level, newer games have introduced various creatures that only evolve under very specific conditions that the game doesn’t explain, such as Alcremie and Kingambit.

As the mobile game’s Pokedex grows, Pokemon Go has replicated this by adding extra evolutionary requirements that, for the most part, mirror those of the main series.

Since some of these can be confusing or hard to pull off, this guide will go over all of Pokemon Go’s special evolutionary methods, which Pokemon use them, and how to catch ’em all.

Every special evolution method & requirement in Pokemon Go

While the majority of Pokemon simply require a set amount of Candy to evolve, many have additional requirements.

If you’re trying to evolve an Eevee, check out our guide on how to get all the Eeveelutions.

Trade evolutions

There are currently 11 Pokemon that evolve through trading. Unlike other evolution methods in Go, though, this isn’t the only way to evolve these Pokemon. Trading simply removes the Candy requirement to evolve, though you’ll still need to use Stardust.

Here are the Pokemon that evolve via trading:

Pokemon	Requirement	Evolution
Kadabra	100 Abra Candy (Free after Trade)	Alakazam
Machoke	100 Machop Candy (Free after Trade)	Machamp
Graveler & Alolan Graveler	100 Geodude Candy (Free after Trade)	Golem & Alolan Golem
Haunter	100 Gastly Candy (Free after Trade)	Gengar
Boldore	100 Roggenrola Candy (Free after Trade)	Gigalith
Gurdurr	100 Timburr Candy (Free after Trade)	Conkeldurr
Karrablast	100 Karrablast Candy (Free after Trade)	Escavalier
Shelmet	100 Shelmet Candy (Free after Trade)	Accelgor
Phantump	100 Phantump Candy (Free after Trade)	Trevenant
Pumkaboo	100 Pumkaboo Candy (Free after Trade)	Gourgeist

For more details on trade evolutions in Pokemon Go, check out our guide.

Item evolutions

Like in the games, some Pokemon require the use of an item to evolve. Note that these Pokemon also require Candy, and evolving them consumes the item.

Dragon Scale

To learn how to get Dragon Scales, check out our guide.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Seadra	100 Horsea Candy & Dragon Scale	Kingdra

King’s Rock

To learn how to get King’s Rocks, check out our guide.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Poliwhirl	100 Poliwag Candy & King’s Rock	Politoed
Slowpoke	50 Slowpoke Candy & King’s Rock	Slowking

Metal Coat

To learn how to get Metal Coats, check out our guide.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Onix	50 Onix Candy & Metal Coat	Steelix
Scyther	10 Scyther Candy & Metal Coat	Scizor

Sinnoh Stone

To learn how to get Sinnoh Stones, check out our guide.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Lickitung	100 Lickitung Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Lickilicky
Rhydon	100 Rhyhorn Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Rhyperior
Tangela	100 Tangela Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Tangrowth
Electabuzz	100 Electabuzz Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Electivire
Magmar	100 Magmar Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Magmortar
Togetic	100 Togepi Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Togekiss
Aipom	100 Aipom Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Ambipom
Yanma	100 Yanma Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Yanmega
Murkrow	100 Murkrow Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Honchkrow
Misdreavus	100 Misdreavus Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Mismagius
Gligar	100 Gligar Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Gliscor
Sneasel	100 Sneasel Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Weavile
Piloswine	100 Swinub Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Mamoswine
Porygon2	100 Porygon Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Porygon-Z
Kirlia	100 Ralts Candy & Sinnoh Stone Kirlia must be male	Gallade
Roselia	100 Roselia Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Roserade
Dusclops	100 Duskull Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Dusknoir
Snorunt	100 Snorunt Candy & Sinnoh Stone Snorunt must be male	Froslass

Sun Stone

To learn how to get Sun Stones, check out our guide.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Gloom	100 Oddish Candy & Sun Stone	Bellossom
Sunkern	50 Sunflora Candy & Sun Stone	Sunflora
Cottonee	50 Cottonee Candy & Sun Stone	Whimsicott
Petilil	50 Petilil Candy & Sun Stone	Lilligant

Unova Stone

To learn how to get Unova Stones, check out our guide.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Pansage	50 Pansage Candy & Unova Stone	Simisage
Pansear	50 Pansear Candy & Unova Stone	Simisear
Panpour	50 Panpour Candy & Unova Stone	Simipour
Munna	50 Munna Candy & Unova Stone	Musharna
Minccino	50 Minccino Candy & Unova Stone	Cinccino
Eelektrik	100 Tynamo Candy & Unova Stone	Eelektross
Lampent	100 Litwick Candy & Unova Stone	Chandelure

Upgrade

To learn how to get Upgrades, check out our guide.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Porygon	25 Porygon Candy & Upgrade	Porygon2

Lure module evolutions

There are currently 6 Pokemon that require a Lure Module to evolve, plus one where a specific Lure Module can help make things easier. These Pokemon are that, in at least one game in the core series, can only evolve when in specific locations.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Magneton	100 Magnemite Candy & Magnetic Lure	Magnezone
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & Mossy Lure	Leafeon
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & Glacial Lure	Glaceon
Nosepass	50 Candy & Magnetic Lure	Probopass
Sliggoo	100 Goomy Candy & Rainy Lure Can also evolve when raining in overworld	Goodra
Charjabug	100 Grubbin Candy & Magnetic Lure	Vikavolt
Crabrawler	50 Crabrawler Candy & Glacial Lure	Crabominable

Gender-specific evolutions

Certain Pokemon have evolutions based on gender, either evolving into different species or not being capable of evolving at all depending on if they are male or female.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Kirlia	100 Ralts Candy & Sinnoh Stone Kirlia must be male	Gallade
Snorunt	100 Snorunt Candy & Sinnoh Stone Snorunt must be female	Froslass
Burmy	50 Burmy Candy Burmy must be female	Wormadam
Burmy	50 Burmy Candy Burmy must be male	Mothim
Combee	50 Combee Candy Combee must be female	Vespiquen
Salandit	50 Salandit Candy Salandit must be female	Salazzle

Time & weather-specific evolutions

There are 10 Pokemon that can only evolve at certain times of day, plus one Pokemon whose form is impacted by what time it evolves.

Note that many of these Pokemon have other requirements to fulfill before you can evolve them.

Daytime

In Pokemon Go, daytime starts about two hours after sunrise.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & daytime Must walk 10 km with Eevee as your Buddy	Espeon
Sneasel (Hisuian form)	100 Sneasel Candy & daytime Must walk 7 km with Sneasel as your Buddy	Sneasler
Tyrunt	50 Tyrunt Candy & daytime	Tyrantrum
Yungoos	50 Yungoos Candy & daytime	Gumshoos
Rockruff	50 Rockruff Candy & daytime	Lycanroc (Midday Form)
Fomantis	50 Fomantis Candy & daytime	Lurantis
Cosmoem	100 Cosmog Candy & daytime	Solgaleo

Nighttime

In Pokemon Go, nighttime starts around 2 hours after sunset.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & nighttime Must walk 10 km with Eevee as your Buddy	Umbreon
Ursaring	100 Teddiursa Candy & nighttime Must be a full moon	Ursaluna
Amaura	50 Amaura Candy & daytime	Aurorus
Rockruff	50 Rockruff Candy & nighttime	Lycanroc (Midnight Form)
Cosmoem	100 Cosmog Candy & nighttime	Lunala

There is currently one Pokemon that only evolves during specific weather conditions.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Sliggoo	100 Goomy Candy while raining Can also evolve with Rainy Lure active	Goodra

Buddy task evolutions

There are also Pokemon who need to be set as your Buddy and complete specific tasks before they can evolve. Many simply involve walking with the Pokemon, but others have more complicated requirements.

Walking

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & walk 10 km with Eevee as your Buddy Must be daytime	Espeon
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & walk 10 km with Eevee as your Buddy Must be nighttime	Umbreon
Sneasel (Hisuian Form)	100 Sneasel Candy & walk 7 km with Hisuian Sneasel as your Buddy	Sneasler
Feebas	100 Feebas Candy & walk 20 km with Feebas as your Buddy	Milotic
Bonsly	50 Sudowoodo Candy & walk 15 km with Bonsly as your Buddy	Sudowoodo
Mime Jr.	50 Mr. Mime Candy & walk 15 km with Mime Jr. as your Buddy	Mr. Mime
Happiny	25 Chansey Candy & walk 15 km with Happiny as your Buddy	Chansey
Woobat	50 Woobat Candy & walk 1 km with Woobat as your Buddy	Swoobat
Pawmo	100 Pawmi Candy & walk 25 km with Pawmo as your Buddy	Pawmot

Other Buddy tasks

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Primeape	100 Mankey Candy & defeat 30 30 Ghost-type or Psychic-Type Pokemon with Primeape as your Buddy	Annihilape
Slowpoke (Galarian Form)	50 Slowpoke Candy & catch 30 Poison-type Pokemon with Galarian Slowpoke as your Buddy	Slowbro (Galarian Form)
Slowpoke (Galarian Form)	50 Slowpoke Candy & catch 30 Psychic-type Pokemon with Galarian Slowpoke as your Buddy	Slowking (Galarian Form)
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & earn 70 Hearts with Eevee as your Buddy	Sylveon
Qwilfish (Hisuian Form)	50 Qwilfish Candy & win 10 Raids with Hisuian Qwilfish as your Buddy	Overqwil
Yamask (Galarian Form)	50 Yamask Candy & win 10 Raids with Galarian Yamask as your Buddy	Runerigus
Floette	100 Flabébé Candy & earn 20 Hearts with Floette as your Buddy	Florges
Pancham	50 Pancham Candy & catch 32 Dark-type Pokemon with Pancham as your Buddy	Pangoro
Spritzee	50 Spritzee Candy & use an Incense with Spritzee as your Buddy	Aromatisse
Swirlix	50 Swirlix Candy & feed Swirlix 25 treats as your Buddy	Slurpuff
Farfetch’d (Galarian Form)	50 Farfetch’d Candy & make 10 Excellent throws with Galarian Farfetch’d as your Buddy	Sirfetch’d
Charcadet	50 Charcadet Candy & fight 30 Psychic-type Pokemon	Armarouge
Charcadet	50 Charcadet Candy & fight 30 Ghost-type Pokemon	Ceruledge

Regional variants

Regional variants have been part of the franchise since Sun and Moon and were incorporated into Pokemon Go early on.

It’s important to note that Pokemon typically cannot evolve into regional variants unless they are also the same form. That applies to Pokemon lines that only have one regional variant and regional variants that can evolve.

For example, Pikachu cannot evolve into Alolan Raichu, Kantoian Farfetch’d can’t become Sirfetch’d, and a regular old Zigzagoon from Hoenn will never evolve into a Galarian Linoone or Obstagoon.

That means the only way to get Pokemon like Alolan Exeggutor or Galarian Weezing is by catching them in their final form, though events occasionally lift that restriction.

Special cases

There are also a handful of Pokemon with completely distinct evolutionary methods or branching evolutionary lines that come with their own conditions.

Tyrogue, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan & Hitmontop

Evolving Tyrogue is simple, as you only need 25 Candy. However, the Scuffle Pokemon can evolve into three different species: Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, and Hitmontop.

Which one Tyrogue becomes depends on its stats. Whichever state is highest will determine what it becomes, so be sure to appraise your Tyrogue in the menu before you evolve it.

For more details on Tyrogue’s evolutions, be sure to check out our guide.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Tyrogue	25 Tyrogue Candy & Attack as highest stat	Hitmonlee
Tyrogue	25 Tyrogue Candy & Defense as highest stat	Hitmonchan
Tyrogue	25 Tyrogue Candy & HP as highest stat	Hitmontop

Wurmple, Silcoon, Cascoon, Beautifly & Dustox

Wurmple can evolve into either Silcoon (which becomes Beautifly) or Cascoon (which becomes Dustox).

Unlike other branching evolution lines, there’s no way to predict or influence which one Wurmple evolves into. If you’re looking for a specific one, you’ll have to simply hope for the best and catch plenty of Wurmple in case luck isn’t on your side.

Inkay & Malamar

Just like in the other games, Inkay has a unique evolution method that requires players to turn their phones upside down. Simply turn your phone while looking at your Inkay, and you’ll notice the pink “Evolve” box get darker; the text will also flip – provided you have enough Candy.

For more details on getting Inkay and Malamar, check out our guide.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Inkay	50 Inkay Candy & turn phone upside down	Malamar

Rockruff & Dusk Form Lycanroc

We already went over how to get Lycanroc’s other forms, but Dusk Form Lycanroc is unique enough to discuss separately.

To get this Lycanroc form, you need to have a Rockruff that’s capable of becoming Dusk Form. You’ll be able to tell the difference by looking at the Pokemon’s page, as it will only display one evolution option instead of the two available to other Rockruff.

For more details on Lycanroc’s forms, check out our guide.

Pokemon	Requirements	Evolution
Rockruff	50 Rockruff Candy & Dusk Form capable	Lycanroc (Dusk Form)

Gimmighoul & Gholdengo

Gimmighoul has a form that’s unique to Pokemon Go. Rather than hiding in a chest like in Scarlet and Violet, Roaming Form Gimmighoul is a tiny Pokemon that carries a coin.

To even get Gimmighoul, you’ll need to have Scarlet or Violet on Nintendo Switch and connect your game to your Pokemon Go account. This unlocks the Coin Bag, which is needed to find Ghimmighoul and the Coins necessary to evolve it into Gholdengo.

For more details on catching Gimmighoul and collecting Coins, check out our guide.

Pokemon	Requirement	Evolution
Gimmighoul	999 Gimmighoul Coins	Gholdengo

Best ways to get special evolutions

THE POKEMON COMPANY

Trainers hoping to get a specific special evolution should keep a close on Pokemon Go’s event calendar, as some make it much easier to fulfill the requirements.

For example, the Psychic Spectacular event running until September 22 makes Psychic-type Pokemon far more common than they typically are. That means it’s the perfect time to get Galarian Slowking, as it requires you to catch 30 Psychic-types with Galarian Slowpoke as your Buddy.

There’s also the Psychic Cup, which will help you defeat the 30 Psychic-types you need to evolve Charcadet into Armarouge.

Additionally, the Legendary Heroes event that runs from September 26 through October 1 will allow players to evolve Koffing into Galarian Weezing.

That’s everything to know about special evolution methods in Pokemon Go! For more on the mobile game, check out our guides on how to get Best Buddy status, how IVs & CP work, and how to beat Giovanni.