Can I Get Alakazam by Trading Abra? A Comprehensive Guide
The short, direct answer is: No, you cannot get Alakazam by directly trading Abra. While Abra is the first Pokémon in the evolutionary line, trading it will not trigger an evolution to Alakazam. Instead, you must first evolve Abra into Kadabra, and it is Kadabra that must be traded to another player in order to obtain an Alakazam. This trade evolution mechanic is a key feature in many Pokémon games and often a point of confusion for new and returning players alike. This article will provide a thorough explanation of how to evolve Abra into Alakazam and will also answer other frequently asked questions about this particular Pokémon lineage.
The Abra Evolution Line: A Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding the evolution process is key to obtaining an Alakazam. Here’s how it works:
- Catching an Abra: Abra is typically encountered in the wild, and it is known for its high speed and tendency to teleport away from battles. Catching one can be challenging, but it’s the necessary first step.
- Evolving Abra to Kadabra: Abra evolves into Kadabra at level 16. Upon reaching this level, your Abra will automatically transform into Kadabra, and will finally be able to deal direct damage with moves such as Confusion.
- Trading Kadabra for Alakazam: This is the most crucial step. Once you have a Kadabra, you need to trade it to another player. Once the trade is complete, the Kadabra will evolve into Alakazam, a powerful Psychic-type Pokémon.
- Trading Back (If Needed): If you need the Alakazam for your team, you’ll need to trade it back. If your friend is willing to trade you back, you’ll have the powerful Alakazam on your side.
It’s important to understand that only trading a Kadabra triggers the final evolution; trading an Abra will not. This mechanic has been consistent across many generations of Pokémon games, making it a key challenge for players seeking to add Alakazam to their collections.
The Nuances of Trade Evolutions
Trade evolutions are a unique mechanic in the Pokémon universe. They add an element of social interaction, requiring players to connect with others to complete their Pokédex. Here are a few key points about trade evolutions:
- Specific Pokémon: Only a select group of Pokémon evolve through trading, including Kadabra.
- Evolution Upon Trade: As soon as the trade is completed, the Pokémon will evolve in the hands of the receiver. There is no need for any further action beyond the initial trade.
- Unique Challenges: This mechanic often requires players to have multiple devices or rely on friends to complete their collection.
- Modern Alternatives: While trade evolution has been a consistent feature, some modern Pokémon games have introduced new methods for evolving these Pokémon to be a bit more accessible, such as using items to simulate a trade.
Understanding these aspects of trade evolution is vital to fully enjoying the Pokémon gaming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam
To further enhance your understanding of the Abra evolution line and trading mechanics, here are some frequently asked questions with detailed answers:
1. Can a traded Abra evolve into Kadabra?
Yes, a traded Abra can evolve into Kadabra at level 16, just like an Abra you caught yourself. The trade status doesn’t affect its level-up evolution. However, remember that only Kadabra can evolve to Alakazam via trade.
2. Can I evolve Kadabra without trading in any main series Pokemon Game?
No, in the main series games, Kadabra cannot evolve into Alakazam without trading. The evolution is specifically linked to the trade mechanic. There have been alternative methods in certain games, but these are the exception, not the rule.
3. What are the benefits of evolving Kadabra into Alakazam right away?
Evolving Kadabra into Alakazam as soon as possible is usually advantageous. Alakazam has better base stats than Kadabra, making it a stronger Pokémon in battle. Additionally, Alakazam and Kadabra learn the same moves at the same levels, so there is no reason to wait for Kadabra to learn a specific move before evolving.
4. Is Alakazam a rare Pokémon?
Alakazam’s rarity varies across different Pokémon games. Alakazam is not traditionally considered rare to encounter or catch through typical gameplay methods (after evolving Kadabra), but some specific versions or forms of it may be rare in the trading card game. In general, obtaining it through trade evolution is straightforward once you understand the process.
5. Do I need to trade Kadabra to get Alakazam?
Yes, you absolutely need to trade your Kadabra to another player to get Alakazam. There is no other method for Kadabra to evolve in main series Pokémon games. This is a trade evolution, and only trading triggers the final form.
6. What level should my Kadabra be before I trade it?
The level of your Kadabra before trading does not matter for evolution. As soon as you trade it, it will evolve to Alakazam. You could trade your Kadabra at level 16, or at level 100 if you want, so long as you trade it.
7. Can a level 100 Kadabra still evolve through trade?
Yes, a Kadabra at level 100 will still evolve into Alakazam when traded. The evolution is not limited by the Pokémon’s level, but by the trade event itself.
8. Are there any special moves Kadabra learns that I might miss if I evolve it too early?
No, both Kadabra and Alakazam learn the same moves at the same levels. There’s no reason to delay the evolution to access specific moves. Once a Pokemon evolves, it will also get a stat boost, which is also a reason to not hold off on trading.
9. Can you trade a Pokémon back and forth multiple times?
In most Pokémon games, especially in modern versions like Pokémon GO, a traded Pokémon can’t be traded again. So you can’t trade Kadabra to your friend, evolve it, trade it back, and then trade it to another player. Each Pokémon can only be traded once.
10. Why is Kadabra a special trade in Pokémon Go?
In Pokémon Go, if you trade for a Gastly/Haunter or Abra/Kadabra, you can evolve them without using Candy. This is the special benefit of getting those Pokémon in a trade; the same mechanic does not exist for other Pokémon with trade evolutions, such as Machoke.
11. Why is there no Kadabra Card in the Pokémon TCG for many years?
The Pokémon Company stopped printing Kadabra cards due to a legal dispute. Magician Uri Geller sued the company for using his likeness. While he has since retracted the complaint, the cards were only printed again in 2023.
12. Is it better to have Haunter or Kadabra?
This depends on your situation, but in most games, Kadabra has a type advantage against Haunter. As a Psychic-type, it’s super effective against Haunter’s Poison/Ghost typing. In terms of move pools, Haunter is usually slightly better as well as better against most Pokemon types.
13. Can you catch a Kadabra in the wild?
Yes, Kadabra can be found in the wild in certain Pokémon games. This can sometimes be a convenient alternative to evolving Abra, particularly if you’re keen to skip the initial step of leveling up Abra.
14. How do I trade in the main series Pokémon games?
Trading requires you to be connected with another player via a local wireless connection or the internet. You will need to have two game systems and two copies of the game, or another player who is willing to trade with you. Navigate to the trade center or similar area in your game and follow the on-screen prompts.
15. What is Abra’s hidden ability?
Abra’s hidden ability is Magic Guard. This ability prevents Abra from taking damage from effects like weather or status ailments. However, it won’t be very useful as Abra because Abra does not take damage from damaging moves.
Conclusion
Obtaining an Alakazam requires a clear understanding of the evolutionary chain and trading mechanic. You cannot directly trade an Abra to get an Alakazam. Instead, you need to level up Abra to level 16 to get Kadabra, and then you must trade the Kadabra to another player for it to evolve into Alakazam. With this detailed guide and answers to frequently asked questions, you should now have a firm grasp on how to obtain this iconic Psychic-type Pokémon. By remembering these steps and the specific trade rules, you’ll be well on your way to adding Alakazam to your collection and fully appreciating the intricacies of Pokémon evolution. Happy training!