Evolving Kadabra into Alakazam in Fire Red: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’re itching to add that magnificent, mind-bending Alakazam to your Fire Red team? Excellent choice! Alakazam is a powerhouse, a special attack and speed demon that can sweep through opponents with ease. However, the path to unlocking its full potential isn’t as straightforward as simply leveling up. The key? Trading.
Kadabra evolves into Alakazam through trading. That’s it. No special items, no hidden locations, just a good old-fashioned trade with another player. Find a friend or use a second Game Boy Advance and a copy of Fire Red, Leaf Green, or any compatible Gen 3 Pokémon game to initiate the trade. Once Kadabra is sent over the communication cable, poof, Alakazam appears! And, hopefully, your friend is kind enough to trade it back.
The Nitty-Gritty of Trading in Fire Red
Before you dive into the trading process, let’s cover a few essentials:
- Accessing the Trading Center: You need to reach the Pokémon Center in Vermilion City. This requires progressing through the game, beating Lt. Surge, and restoring power to the city.
- The Communication Cable: This is crucial for trading. Ensure you have a compatible Game Boy Advance link cable to connect two systems.
- Two Game Boy Advances: You’ll need two systems to initiate a trade if you don’t have a friend readily available.
- Two Game Paks: Both consoles must have Pokemon games inserted in order to do trading.
- A Trustworthy Trading Partner: Ideally, trade with a friend you trust to trade Alakazam back.
- No Level Requirement: The level of your Kadabra is irrelevant. It will evolve upon being traded, regardless of whether it’s level 16 or level 100.
Step-by-Step Trading Guide
- Prepare Your Team: Make sure Kadabra is in your party.
- Head to the Pokémon Center: Go to the second floor of the Pokémon Center in Vermilion City.
- Connect the Systems: Connect the two Game Boy Advances using the communication cable.
- Talk to the NPC: Speak to the NPC in the middle of the room. This will initiate the trading sequence.
- Enter the Trade Room: Both players will enter a trade room.
- Select Kadabra: Choose Kadabra as the Pokémon you want to trade.
- Confirm the Trade: Confirm the trade with your trading partner.
- Watch the Evolution: As soon as the trade is complete, Kadabra will evolve into Alakazam on the other player’s screen.
- Trade Back: Have your friend trade Alakazam back to you.
- Rejoice! You now have Alakazam in your party and can wreak havoc on the Elite Four!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Evolving Kadabra into Alakazam
1. Can I get Alakazam in Fire Red without trading?
Unfortunately, no. In Fire Red (and most other core Pokémon games), trading is the ONLY legitimate way to evolve Kadabra into Alakazam. There’s no special item or level requirement to bypass the trade. This core aspect of Pokemon games encourages players to cooperate, and socialize with each other. For more insights into the social aspects of gaming, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
2. What level does Kadabra evolve into Alakazam?
Kadabra does not evolve based on level. It evolves the instant it’s traded, regardless of its current level. Feel free to trade it as soon as it evolves from Abra at level 16.
3. Is there a way to evolve Kadabra without a friend?
Yes, you’ll need two Game Boy Advances and two copies of Fire Red, Leaf Green, or any other compatible Gen 3 Pokémon game. This allows you to trade with yourself, essentially.
4. I traded Kadabra, but it didn’t evolve. What happened?
Double-check that you traded Kadabra and not some other Pokémon. Also, ensure you’re trading with a compatible game (Fire Red, Leaf Green, Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald). If all else fails, there might be a glitch, but this is highly unlikely.
5. Is Alakazam a good Pokémon in Fire Red?
Absolutely! Alakazam is one of the best special attackers in Fire Red. Its high Special Attack and Speed stats make it a formidable sweeper. It’s especially effective against opponents weak to Psychic-type moves.
6. Are there any other Pokémon that evolve through trading in Fire Red?
Yes, several other Pokémon evolve through trading, including:
- Machoke to Machamp
- Graveler to Golem
- Haunter to Gengar
7. Is Kadabra worth using before it evolves into Alakazam?
Kadabra is still a decent special attacker, but it’s significantly weaker than Alakazam. Its stats are lower, making it more vulnerable. Evolving it as soon as possible is generally recommended.
8. Does the nature of Kadabra affect Alakazam?
Yes, the nature of Kadabra is carried over to Alakazam. So, if you’re aiming for a competitive Alakazam, pay attention to the nature of your Abra/Kadabra. A Timid nature (+Speed, -Attack) or Modest nature (+Special Attack, -Attack) is generally preferred.
9. What moves should I teach my Alakazam?
A good moveset for Alakazam in Fire Red includes:
- Psychic: Its STAB (Same-Type Attack Bonus) move.
- Recover: Essential for longevity.
- Calm Mind: Boosts Special Attack and Special Defense.
- Fire Punch, Ice Punch, or Thunderpunch: Coverage against various types.
10. Can I trade with Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald?
Yes, Fire Red and Leaf Green can trade with Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald via the Game Boy Advance link cable.
11. What happens if my trading partner disconnects during the trade?
If the connection is interrupted during the trade, the Pokémon might be lost, or the trade might be corrupted. It’s best to ensure a stable connection before initiating the trade.
12. Is it possible to use an emulator to trade and evolve Kadabra?
Some emulators support trading, but the process can be complicated and requires specific setups. It’s usually easier to trade on actual Game Boy Advance hardware.
13. Are there any benefits to keeping Kadabra unevolved?
No, there are no significant benefits to keeping Kadabra unevolved. Alakazam has superior stats, so evolving is always the best option.
14. Does the held item matter when trading Kadabra?
No, the held item does not affect the evolution of Kadabra into Alakazam in Fire Red. Held items only influence the evolution of certain other Pokémon when traded.
15. Where can I find Abra in Fire Red?
Abra can be found on Routes 24 and 25, as well as inside Cerulean Cave. It’s a relatively rare encounter, so be prepared to spend some time searching. Use a Pokémon with the ability Arena Trap to prevent Abra from teleporting away.