Mastering Mega Evolution: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting Mega Pokémon
The path to acquiring Mega Pokémon in Pokémon GO involves a multi-faceted approach, primarily centered around Mega Raids and accumulating Mega Energy. You don’t directly “catch” a Mega Pokémon in the wild. Instead, you defeat them in Mega Raids to earn Mega Energy specific to that Pokémon. After collecting enough Mega Energy, you can Mega Evolve a previously caught Pokémon of that species. The initial Mega Evolution costs a certain amount of Mega Energy, but subsequent Mega Evolutions for that same Pokémon become free after a cooldown period, and you can even level up your Mega Pokémon for additional bonuses. It’s a journey of battling, collecting, and strategic deployment!
The Mega Evolution Process Explained
Raiding for Mega Energy
The cornerstone of obtaining Mega Pokémon is participating in Mega Raids. These raids feature powerful Mega-Evolved Pokémon as the raid boss. Defeating these bosses rewards you with Mega Energy tailored to that specific Pokémon species. The faster you vanquish the raid boss, the more Mega Energy you’ll receive, so team up with strong trainers!
Accumulating Enough Mega Energy
The amount of Mega Energy needed for the first Mega Evolution varies depending on the Pokémon. After collecting enough Mega Energy, you can initiate the Mega Evolution from the Pokémon’s profile page. Remember, it often requires multiple successful Mega Raids against the same Pokémon to gather the necessary Mega Energy.
The First Mega Evolution and Beyond
Once you have enough Mega Energy, you can Mega Evolve your chosen Pokémon. The initial Mega Evolution will consume the required amount of Mega Energy. However, after the first time, future Mega Evolutions for that same Pokémon become free after a certain cooldown period. This cooldown period can be reduced by leveling up your Mega Pokémon.
Mega Levels: Unlocking Additional Benefits
Mega Pokémon can be leveled up through repeated Mega Evolutions. As they level up, they unlock additional bonuses, such as increased CP, boosted attack power during raids, and reduced Mega Evolution cooldown times. There are three Mega Levels: Base Level, High Level, and Max Level, each offering increasing benefits.
Finding Mega-Evolvable Pokémon
To easily find which Pokémon in your storage are eligible for Mega Evolution, use the search term “megaevolve”. You can also search “mega1”, “mega2”, or “mega3” to find Pokémon based on their current Mega Level.
Strategic Mega Evolution
Team Composition
Mega-Evolved Pokémon offer significant boosts to raid teams, particularly against Legendary Pokémon. Use them strategically to maximize damage output and secure victory. Furthermore, having a Mega-Evolved Pokémon active during Community Days can provide beneficial bonuses.
Temporary Transformation
Keep in mind that Mega Evolution is a temporary transformation, typically lasting for eight hours. After this period, the Pokémon reverts to its regular form. Plan your Mega Evolutions strategically based on your gameplay needs, such as upcoming raids or Community Day events.
One Mega at a Time
Trainers can only have one Mega-Evolved Pokémon active at any given time. If you Mega Evolve another Pokémon, the first one will revert to its regular form. Consider this limitation when planning your battles and raids.
Mega Rayquaza: A Special Case
Mega Rayquaza is a unique case, as it doesn’t require a Mega Stone to Mega Evolve. However, it needs to know the move Dragon Ascent. To teach Dragon Ascent, you’ll need a Meteorite item. Once it knows Dragon Ascent and you have enough Mega Energy, you can Mega Evolve Rayquaza!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you catch Mega Pokémon in the wild?
No, you cannot catch Mega Pokémon in the wild. You must defeat them in Mega Raids to earn Mega Energy, which is then used to Mega Evolve a pre-existing Pokémon of that species.
2. How do you get Mega Energy?
Mega Energy is primarily obtained by defeating Mega-Evolved Pokémon in Mega Raids. The faster you beat the raid boss, the more Mega Energy you will receive. Tasks and research assignments can sometimes also award Mega Energy.
3. Are Mega Evolutions permanent?
No, Mega Evolutions are not permanent. They typically last for eight hours, after which the Pokémon reverts to its regular form. However, repeated Mega Evolutions will level up your Mega Pokémon, yielding bonuses such as a reduced cool down period.
4. Can you only have one Mega-Evolved Pokémon at a time?
Yes, you can only have one Mega-Evolved Pokémon active at any given time. Evolving a second Pokémon will cause the first one to revert to its regular form.
5. Can Shadow or Clone Pokémon Mega Evolve?
No, Shadow and Clone Pokémon cannot Mega Evolve. These “impure” forms of Pokémon are excluded from the Mega Evolution mechanic.
6. Does a Pokémon need to be powered up before Mega Evolving?
Mega-Evolved Pokémon cannot be powered up while in their Mega-Evolved form. Power up the Pokémon in its normal form to maximize its stats before Mega Evolving it.
7. What is the strongest Mega Pokémon?
Mega Rayquaza is considered one of the strongest Mega Pokémon due to its extremely high base stats. Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y also boast impressive stats.
8. How do Mega Levels work?
Mega Levels increase through repeated Mega Evolutions. Higher Mega Levels unlock benefits such as reduced Mega Evolution costs, increased CP boosts, and bonus rewards during certain events.
9. Which Mega Charizard is better, X or Y?
Mega Charizard Y generally boasts higher offensive stats and a higher maximum CP. Mega Charizard X, however, gains the Dragon typing, offering different resistances and offensive advantages. The “better” one depends on your team composition and strategy.
10. Is Mega Evolution worth it?
Yes, Mega Evolution is worth it, especially for challenging raid battles against Legendary Pokémon. Mega-Evolved Pokémon provide significant stat boosts and can dramatically improve your team’s performance.
11. How do I trigger Mega Evolution in raids?
In the raid lobby, if you have a Pokémon that can Mega Evolve, a Mega Evolution icon will appear in the top left corner of your battle party. Tap this icon to select which eligible Pokémon to Mega Evolve before the raid begins.
12. How many Mega Evolutions are there in Pokémon GO?
While the main series games feature numerous Mega Evolutions, Pokémon GO gradually releases them over time. Regularly check the in-game news to see which Mega Evolutions are currently available.
13. What happens when a Mega Pokémon reverts to its regular form?
When a Mega Pokémon reverts to its regular form, either after eight hours or when another Pokémon is Mega Evolved, it returns to its original state with its regular stats and moves.
14. Does Mega Evolution affect a Pokémon’s HP?
No, Mega Evolution does not directly affect a Pokémon’s HP. The HP remains the same as before the Mega Evolution.
15. How does Mega Rayquaza learn Dragon Ascent?
To teach Dragon Ascent to Rayquaza, you need to use a Meteorite item on it. Meteorites are typically available through special research tasks or events. The world of Pokémon is ever-evolving (pun intended!), and understanding these mechanics will give you a significant advantage in the game. For those interested in the intersection of gaming and education, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Good luck on your Mega Evolution journey, Trainer!