Mastering Eevee Evolution: A Comprehensive Guide to All Forms
So, you want to evolve your Eevee “correctly,” eh? Well, that depends entirely on what you consider “correct!” There’s no single right answer, but generally, evolving Eevee correctly means obtaining the specific evolution you desire. To do that, you need to understand the various evolution methods, which vary significantly across different Pokémon games. These methods include using evolution stones, leveling up with high friendship, leveling up in specific locations, knowing certain moves, and even using special items during specific times of day. In short, “correctly” is subjective and depends on your goal – catching ’em all or building the ultimate team!
Understanding Eevee’s Evolutionary Branches
Eevee is famous for its unstable genetic code, granting it an unprecedented number of evolutions, each with unique typing and battle capabilities. Navigating this evolutionary maze can be tricky, so let’s break down each Eeveelution and its specific requirements. Remember that some methods are game-specific!
The Original Three: Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon
These are the classic Eeveelutions, all achieved using Evolution Stones:
- Vaporeon (Water-type): Use a Water Stone. Simple and straightforward.
- Jolteon (Electric-type): Use a Thunder Stone. Another classic choice.
- Flareon (Fire-type): Use a Fire Stone. Complete the original trio!
These methods are generally consistent across all games where these Eeveelutions are available.
Friendship Evolutions: Espeon and Umbreon
These elegant evolutions rely on the bond you share with your Eevee:
- Espeon (Psychic-type): Maximize your Eevee’s friendship (usually 220 or higher, depending on the game) and level it up during the daytime. Avoid leveling up in locations where location-based evolutions could occur (see below).
- Umbreon (Dark-type): Maximize your Eevee’s friendship and level it up during the nighttime. Again, be mindful of location-based evolution priority.
Friendship can be increased by battling with Eevee, feeding it berries, using it in your party, and avoiding fainting. Talk to the Friendship Checker in various games to gauge your progress.
Location, Location, Location: Leafeon and Glaceon
These evolutions are tied to specific in-game locations:
- Leafeon (Grass-type): Level up Eevee near a Moss Rock (usually found in a forest area). The exact location varies by game.
- Glaceon (Ice-type): Level up Eevee near an Ice Rock (typically found in a snowy area). The specific location also differs by game.
These locations essentially act as an evolutionary trigger.
The Fairy Touch: Sylveon
Sylveon’s evolution is a little more complex and incorporates Fairy-type moves and friendship:
- Sylveon (Fairy-type): Eevee must know at least one Fairy-type move, and its friendship must be high (similar to Espeon and Umbreon). Then, level up Eevee.
Ensure Eevee knows a Fairy-type move like Baby-Doll Eyes before attempting to level it up with high friendship.
The Gen VIII Duo: Vaporeon and Leafeon
These are also affected by weather conditions in some generations.
- Vaporeon (Water-type): Use a Water Stone. Simple and straightforward.
- Glaceon (Ice-type): Use a Ice Stone. Another classic choice.
The specific location also differs by game.
Sword and Shield: The Vitamin Boost
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, you can also use vitamins like Calcium, Protein, Iron, etc., to raise Eevee’s friendship. This is an alternative to the traditional methods and can be faster.
Evolution Priorities
In some cases, particularly with friendship evolutions, the game may prioritize location-based evolutions (Leafeon, Glaceon) over friendship-based ones (Espeon, Umbreon, Sylveon). If you’re trying for Espeon, Umbreon, or Sylveon, avoid leveling up Eevee near Moss Rocks or Ice Rocks until you’ve obtained the desired evolution. If you keep getting Leafeon or Glaceon when you want something else, that’s almost certainly the reason.
FAQs: Eevee Evolution Edition
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about evolving Eevee, along with detailed answers:
1. How do I check Eevee’s friendship level?
The method varies by game. Typically, there’s an NPC called the Friendship Checker in a specific location. They’ll provide a vague statement about your Pokémon’s happiness, which you can use to gauge its friendship level. Some games even have items like the Friendship Checker app on the PokéGear or Rotom Phone that offer a more precise reading.
2. What’s the fastest way to increase Eevee’s friendship?
Several methods can speed up the process:
- Keep Eevee in your party: Simply having Eevee in your party gradually increases friendship as you travel.
- Battle with Eevee: Winning battles with Eevee in your party provides a significant friendship boost.
- Give Eevee berries: Certain berries, like Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa, and Tamato Berries, increase friendship (though they may also lower certain stats).
- Vitamins: As mentioned, in Sword and Shield, Vitamins like Calcium, Protein, Iron, etc., rapidly raise friendship.
- Avoid letting Eevee faint: Fainting decreases friendship.
- Use Soothe Bell: This held item significantly boosts friendship gains.
3. Can I control which evolution Eevee gets if it meets multiple conditions?
Yes, but it requires careful planning. Generally, the game has a priority system. Location-based evolutions (Leafeon, Glaceon) often take precedence over friendship-based evolutions (Espeon, Umbreon, Sylveon). If Eevee meets the conditions for both, you’ll get Leafeon or Glaceon. Similarly, Sylveon’s Fairy-type move requirement must be met for it to take priority over Espeon or Umbreon.
4. Does the time of day affect Evolution Stone evolutions?
No, the time of day does not affect Eevee evolution using Evolution Stones. You can evolve Eevee into Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon at any time of day, as long as you have the corresponding stone.
5. What happens if I try to evolve Eevee with high friendship near both a Moss Rock and an Ice Rock?
This is where the priority system comes into play. Generally, the Ice Rock takes priority over the Moss Rock. So, you’d likely get Glaceon. If you want Leafeon, avoid the Ice Rock! If you want Espeon, Umbreon, or Sylveon, avoid both!
6. My Eevee has max friendship, knows a Fairy-type move, but still isn’t evolving into Sylveon. Why?
Double-check that Eevee is truly at max friendship. Use the Friendship Checker to confirm. Also, ensure you’re leveling up Eevee after it has met both conditions. Sometimes, a simple level gain is all it takes to trigger the evolution. It’s also worth confirming that the Fairy-type move is actually learned and not just something it can learn.
7. Can I revert an Eevee evolution?
Generally, no. Once Eevee evolves, it’s permanent. You can’t revert it back to Eevee without trading and starting over with a new Eevee. This is why careful planning is crucial!
8. Are there any Eeveelutions that require trading?
No, none of the currently available Eeveelutions require trading to evolve. They all rely on in-game mechanics such as items, friendship, location, or moves.
9. Can Eevee evolve if it’s holding an Everstone?
No. An Everstone prevents Pokémon from evolving, regardless of the method being used. Remove the Everstone before attempting to evolve Eevee.
10. How do I get a specific Eeveelution in Pokémon GO?
Pokémon GO uses a name trick for the first evolution of each Eeveelution. Rename your Eevee as follows before evolving:
- Vaporeon: Rainer
- Jolteon: Sparky
- Flareon: Pyro
- Espeon: Sakura
- Umbreon: Tamao
- Leafeon: Linnea
- Glaceon: Rea
- Sylveon: Kira
This trick only works once per Eeveelution. After that, you’ll need to use other methods, such as walking Eevee as your buddy and evolving it during the day/night (for Espeon/Umbreon), or being near a Glacial Lure/Mossy Lure (for Glaceon/Leafeon). Sylveon requires earning hearts as your buddy.
11. Is there a “Shiny” version of each Eeveelution?
Yes! Every Eeveelution has a Shiny variant. However, obtaining a Shiny Eevee and then evolving it into a specific Shiny Eeveelution can be a challenging and time-consuming process.
12. What are the best movesets for each Eeveelution?
The best movesets depend on the game and the role you want the Eeveelution to play on your team. Websites like Serebii.net and Bulbapedia offer comprehensive movepool and strategy guides for each Pokémon, including Eeveelutions.
13. Does breeding Eevee guarantee another Eevee?
Yes, breeding Eevee with Ditto, or with another Eevee of the opposite gender, will always produce an Eevee egg. This is the primary method for obtaining multiple Eevee for evolution purposes.
14. Are there any new Eeveelutions planned for future Pokémon games?
While there’s no official confirmation, fans are constantly speculating about potential new Eeveelutions. A Steel-type or Dragon-type Eeveelution are commonly requested. Only time will tell!
15. Where can I learn more about Pokémon game design and the science behind these mechanics?
There are many great resources for learning about game design and the deeper mechanics behind games like Pokémon. I highly recommend visiting the Games Learning Society website, GamesLearningSociety.org, to explore the intersection of games and education. They offer valuable insights into how games teach and engage players.