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Can You Mega Evolve in Pokémon Sword and Shield?

The short and direct answer is: No, you cannot Mega Evolve Pokémon in Pokémon Sword and Shield. This beloved battle mechanic, first introduced in Pokémon X and Y, did not make a return in the Galar region. Instead, Game Freak opted to introduce Dynamax and Gigantamax as the main battle gimmicks for these titles. This has left many long-time Pokémon fans wondering why, and what implications this has for their favorite Mega-Evolving Pokémon. This article will delve into why Mega Evolution is absent, where else you can experience this feature, and explore the related questions that might be on your mind.

Why is Mega Evolution Absent in Sword and Shield?

The exclusion of Mega Evolution in Pokémon Sword and Shield is a topic that has been heavily debated within the Pokémon community. The official reasoning from Game Freak is primarily tied to the desire to focus on the new Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics. These new transformations were intended to be a fresh take on powerful battle transformations and were designed to be the defining feature of the Galar region.

Several factors contributed to this decision:

Focus on New Mechanics: Game Freak wanted to ensure Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing took center stage. Introducing multiple transformation mechanics (like Mega Evolution and Z-Moves alongside Dynamaxing) was deemed to potentially confuse players and dilute the impact of each system.
Development Time Constraints: The development timeline for Pokémon Sword and Shield was, by some accounts, quite rushed. This likely contributed to the decision to prioritize and polish the new mechanics at the expense of bringing back previous ones. Implementing old features like Mega Evolution requires extensive coding, testing and graphical work, all of which would have added significant time to the game’s development.
Strategic Choices: There’s an argument that the developers chose to let older mechanics phase out, rather than try to blend the older, with newer features, to maintain freshness and variety between the generations.

Ultimately, the choice to leave out Mega Evolution was a calculated one, designed to emphasize the new features of the game while also likely simplifying the development process. Although it was met with disappointment by some players, it has led to the rise of new competitive strategies and battles based around the new Dynamax system.

Where Can You Use Mega Evolutions?

Though Mega Evolution is absent from Pokémon Sword and Shield, it still features in several other Pokémon titles. If you’re yearning to use your favorite Mega Evolutions, here are the games where you can find them:

Pokémon X and Y: The original games that introduced Mega Evolution.
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire: Remakes of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, they expand on the Mega Evolution concept significantly.
Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon: These games allow for Mega Evolutions and incorporate them into the story and battles.
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!: Mega Evolution is available as a temporary transformation.
Pokémon GO: Mega Evolution is also present in the mobile game, albeit implemented with its own unique mechanics.

It’s important to note that despite Mega Evolution not being in Pokémon Sword and Shield, it’s still a major part of Pokémon’s history and features in many other titles, allowing you to experience it even if you’re playing the latest mainline games.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Mega Evolution in Sword and Shield

Here are some of the most common questions surrounding the absence of Mega Evolution in Pokémon Sword and Shield:

1. Is Mega Lucario in Sword and Shield?

No, Mega Lucario is not available in Pokémon Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, or Shining Pearl. This Pokémon cannot be sent to or used in those games. If you wish to use Mega Lucario, you must play one of the games that still supports Mega Evolution.

2. Can you use Z-Moves in Sword and Shield?

Similarly to Mega Evolution, Z-Moves are not included in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. These moves were another battle mechanic previously found in Pokémon Sun and Moon but were not transferred to the Galar region.

3. Which is stronger, Z-Moves or Gigantamax?

Generally, Z-Moves are stronger than Gigantamax moves in terms of raw damage output, but they are very different moves. Z-Moves are singular, powerful attacks that do not boost the user’s stats before being used. Whereas Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing increase the Pokémon’s HP and boost other stats, in addition to changing their moves to Dynamax or Gigantamax versions.

4. Can Rayquaza Mega Evolve in Sword and Shield?

Rayquaza does not Mega Evolve in Sword and Shield, as the mechanic is absent. While you can catch Rayquaza in the Crown Tundra DLC, it will not be able to achieve Mega Evolution.

5. Can Ash’s Greninja Mega Evolve?

Ash’s Greninja is not technically a Mega Evolution, it is a special form achieved through the Battle Bond ability when Ash and Greninja have a particularly strong connection. However, neither Ash-Greninja or a Greninja holding a mega stone can mega evolve in the usual sense.

6. What is the strongest Mega Pokémon?

Mega Rayquaza is considered one of the strongest Mega Pokémon due to its extremely high base stats. It also does not require a mega stone to Mega Evolve, allowing the player to equip other useful items. Mega Mewtwo X and Y are also among the most powerful Mega evolutions.

7. What is Mewtwo’s final form?

Mewtwo has no ‘final’ evolution in the traditional sense, but it can Mega Evolve into two forms: Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y, using Mewtwonite X and Mewtwonite Y, respectively.

8. Where can you get Rayquaza in Pokémon Shield?

Rayquaza can be caught in Pokémon Sword and Shield via the Crown Tundra DLC. You can encounter it by participating in Dynamax Adventures once the main Dynamax Adventures story missions are completed, after speaking to Peonia at the Max Raid Dungeon.

9. Why was Mega Lucario banned in some formats?

Mega Lucario was often banned in some competitive formats due to its unpredictability. The problem is that its counters for a physical set are different from the counters of a special set, making it hard to be prepared for both possibilities in a battle.

10. At what level is Ash’s Lucario?

In the anime, Ash’s Lucario is depicted as a level 80 Fighting/Steel-type Pokémon.

11. Are Mega Evolutions mentioned in Sword and Shield?

While Mega Evolutions don’t exist in the gameplay of Sword and Shield, the mechanic and the concept is not mentioned at all. The game fully focuses on Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing in its place.

12. Which Pokémon cannot Mega Evolve?

Most Pokémon cannot Mega Evolve. Many Pokémon do not have a Mega Evolution at all, even those that can evolve further. Furthermore, Shadow Pokémon cannot Mega Evolve.

13. What is the only Mythical Pokémon that can Mega Evolve?

Diancie is the only Mythical Pokémon that can Mega Evolve, transforming into Mega Diancie.

14. Which Pokémon is stronger than Mega Mewtwo?

Mega Rayquaza is generally considered stronger than Mega Mewtwo, primarily due to its higher base stats and its ability to Mega Evolve without a Mega Stone.

15. Where is Mewtwo in Pokémon Shield?

Mewtwo is located in the same place as Rayquaza, in the Crown Tundra DLC’s Dynamax Adventures in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Like Rayquaza, you’ll need to continue doing Dynamax Adventures until you find it.

Conclusion

While the absence of Mega Evolution in Pokémon Sword and Shield was a disappointment to many fans, it was a deliberate choice by Game Freak to focus on new mechanics like Dynamax and Gigantamax. Although Mega Evolutions are not available in the Galar region, they remain an important part of Pokémon’s history and can still be experienced in other titles. Hopefully, the above FAQs have answered many of the most common questions regarding this popular battle transformation, providing you with a comprehensive look into this subject.

Can you Mega Evolve in sword and shield?