Can You Unevolve a Pokemon? The Definitive Guide

The short answer is a resounding no. Once a Pokémon has evolved, there’s no mechanic in the main series Pokémon games to revert it back to its previous form. However, the world of Pokémon is filled with nuances, exceptions, and workarounds, so let’s dive deep into the specifics.

Understanding Evolution in Pokémon

Evolution is a core mechanic of the Pokémon franchise. It’s the process by which a Pokémon transforms into a stronger form, usually triggered by leveling up, using specific items, or fulfilling certain conditions. This process is usually irreversible, meaning that once a Pokémon evolves, it cannot be devolved back to its original state through any in-game method.

Why the Irreversibility?

The game mechanics are designed this way to encourage strategic choices in Pokémon training. Evolution usually grants stat boosts and access to more powerful moves, which is usually a major benefit. However, there are times when keeping a Pokémon unevolved can be advantageous. For example, some unevolved Pokémon might learn certain moves earlier than their evolved forms.

Preventing Evolution

While you can’t reverse evolution, you can prevent it. There are two primary methods for doing so:

• Pressing B During Evolution: When a Pokémon starts to evolve (usually after leveling up), you can repeatedly press the B button on your Nintendo Switch. This will interrupt the evolution process, and the Pokémon will remain in its current form.

• Using an Everstone: The Everstone is an item that, when held by a Pokémon, prevents it from evolving. This is a more reliable method than repeatedly pressing the B button, as you don’t need to worry about timing.

Special Cases and Exceptions

While true “unevolution” is impossible in the core games, some mechanics mimic it in certain contexts:

• Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion: These are temporary transformations that boost a Pokémon’s stats for the duration of a battle (or a short period in Pokémon GO). Once the battle is over, the Pokémon reverts to its original evolved form. This isn’t unevolving, as the Pokémon is still in its evolved state before and after the transformation, but it does offer a temporary alteration.

• Pokémon GO Mechanics: In Pokémon GO, some mechanics involve evolving and powering up Pokémon. The “purification” of Shadow Pokémon and the process of trading Pokémon can slightly alter their stats, but this doesn’t involve unevolving.

Why Would You Want to Unevolve a Pokémon?

Even though evolved forms generally have better stats, there are a few compelling reasons to consider stopping a Pokemon from evolving:

• Movepool Differences: As mentioned, unevolved Pokémon sometimes learn moves earlier. This could provide a tactical advantage in early-game battles.
• Aesthetic Preference: Let’s face it, sometimes players just prefer the look of the unevolved form!
• Nuzlocke Challenges: In Nuzlocke runs, stricter rules might make keeping a Pokémon unevolved strategically beneficial.
• Little Cup: A fan-made format focuses on the first forms of Pokemon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Unevolving Pokémon

Here are some frequently asked questions about unevolving Pokemon, with detailed and comprehensive answers:

1. Can you reverse a Pokémon evolution in Pokémon GO?

No, you cannot reverse a standard evolution in Pokémon GO. Once a Pokémon is evolved, it’s permanent. However, Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion are temporary transformations that revert after a set time. These do not reverse the standard evolution, but revert them to their normally evolved forms.

2. What happens if you cancel a Pokémon evolution and still want to evolve it later?

If you cancel a Pokémon’s evolution, you can simply level it up again. The next time it levels up and meets the evolution requirements, it will attempt to evolve again. You can repeat this process as many times as you like.

3. Is it a good idea to stop a Pokémon from evolving?

It depends on your strategy and the specific Pokémon. Unevolved Pokémon sometimes learn certain moves earlier than their evolved forms, which can be advantageous in early-game battles. However, evolved forms generally have higher stats. So, weigh the pros and cons carefully.

4. Can you undo an Eevee evolution?

No, you cannot undo an Eevee evolution. Once Eevee evolves into Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, or Sylveon, that evolution is permanent. You cannot revert it back to Eevee.

5. Can a Pokémon evolve twice in one turn?

In the main series games, a Pokémon can only undergo one evolution at a time. In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the rules are different. Here, you can only evolve once per turn for each Pokémon. There are certain trainer cards that let you evolve two times in one turn.

6. Why did my Pokémon stop evolving in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

If your Pokémon isn’t evolving in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, it could be due to several reasons:

• It hasn’t reached the required level.
• It needs a specific item to evolve (like a Leaf Stone or King’s Rock).
• It evolves based on friendship, and its friendship level is not high enough.
• It evolves at a specific time of day.
• For walking evolutions, ensure you are using the ‘Let’s Go’ feature correctly by pressing the R button and allowing the Pokemon to roam.
• It may be part of a special two-stage evolution line.

7. Which Pokémon refuses to evolve?

Several Pokémon cannot evolve at all. These include legendary and mythical Pokémon like Unown, Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, Deoxys, Phione, and Manaphy. They are designed to be standalone Pokémon without evolutionary forms.

8. Can you un-level a Pokémon?

No, you cannot un-level a Pokémon in the main series games. Once a Pokémon gains experience and levels up, its level is permanent. There are some glitches in early games that might cause level overflow, but these are not intended mechanics.

9. Can you evolve Pokémon by walking in every game?

Not in every game. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet feature three new Pokémon that can be evolved by walking them around using Generation Nine’s new Let’s Go mode.

10. Is it easier to level up unevolved Pokémon?

Yes, generally, unevolved Pokémon require less experience points (EXP) to level up than evolved Pokémon. This makes it faster to train unevolved Pokémon in the early stages of the game.

11. What Pokémon only have two evolutions?

A Pokémon only has two evolutions when it only evolves once in its line. Examples include: Abomasnow, Accelgor, Aipom, Alcremie, Altaria, Amaura, and Ambipom.

12. What happens if you don’t draw a basic Pokémon in your initial hand?

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, if you don’t draw a Basic Pokémon in your initial hand, you reshuffle your hand and draw a new one until you get a Basic Pokémon. Your opponent gets to draw an extra card each time you reshuffle.

13. What is the hardest Eevee evolution to get?

Sylveon is often considered the hardest Eevee evolution to achieve in Pokémon GO, as it requires earning a certain number of hearts with Eevee as your buddy. The others, such as Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, and Glaceon, can be acquired with relative ease through naming tricks or other specific methods.

14. Should you evolve a 3-star Pokémon or a Pokémon with high CP?

The decision depends on various factors, including your available resources and your goals. A 3-star Pokémon has better IVs (Individual Values), meaning it has higher potential stats in the long run. A Pokémon with high CP (Combat Points) is immediately stronger. If you have the resources to power up the 3-star Pokémon, it’s generally the better choice.

15. Does evolving a Pokémon later make it weaker?

No, delaying evolution does not cause a stat loss. The power-up gained by evolution is based on level and base stats, so a level 100 Raichu will always be stronger than a level 80 Raichu, regardless of when it was evolved.

Conclusion

While the concept of unevolving a Pokémon remains impossible within the current game mechanics, the flexibility in preventing evolution and the existence of temporary transformations offer interesting strategic options. Understanding these nuances can help you become a more skilled and knowledgeable Pokémon trainer.

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