Unlocking Mega Evolution: Your Comprehensive Guide to Earning Mega Energy in Pokémon GO
So, you’re eager to unleash the incredible power of Mega Evolution in Pokémon GO? The key to doing so lies in Mega Energy, the resource that fuels these temporary but impactful transformations. Here’s the breakdown of how to acquire more of this essential resource:
- Mega Raids: This is perhaps the most direct method. Defeating a Mega-Evolved Pokémon in a Mega Raid Battle rewards you with a substantial amount of its specific Mega Energy. The faster you defeat the raid boss, the more energy you typically receive.
- Research Tasks: Keep an eye out for Special Research and Field Research tasks that offer Mega Energy as a reward. These tasks often involve completing specific objectives, such as catching certain Pokémon or winning raids.
- Walking Your Buddy: Once you’ve Mega Evolved a Pokémon in a specific evolutionary line (e.g., Venusaur), you can walk any Pokémon from that same family as your buddy to earn Mega Energy. This even applies to Pokémon that haven’t Mega Evolved themselves. This is a passive way to accumulate Mega Energy over time.
- Timed Research: Many events in Pokémon GO feature Timed Research that provides opportunities to earn Mega Energy. Be sure to complete these tasks within the specified timeframe to claim your rewards.
Mastering these methods will allow you to consistently gather Mega Energy and unlock the potential of your Pokémon, giving you the edge in raids, battles, and more! Now, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions to further clarify how to maximize your Mega Energy gains.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mega Energy
How do I know which Pokémon can Mega Evolve?
Check the Pokémon’s summary page. If the Pokémon is eligible for Mega Evolution, you will see a “Mega Evolve” button with the Mega Evolution requirements (Mega Energy required). Keep in mind that not all Pokémon species are capable of Mega Evolution.
How much Mega Energy do I get from Mega Raids?
The amount of Mega Energy you receive from a Mega Raid depends on how quickly you defeat the Raid Boss. Faster victories result in more energy. Aim to assemble a strong team of counters to maximize your rewards.
Does the Mega Level of my Pokémon affect Mega Energy gains?
While Mega Level does not directly impact Mega Energy gains, it can reduce the amount of Mega Energy needed for subsequent Mega Evolutions after the initial one. This makes it more efficient to evolve frequently.
Can I get Mega Energy for a Pokémon if I haven’t Mega Evolved it before?
Yes, you can earn Mega Energy for a Pokémon family by walking a Pokémon from that family, even if you have never Mega Evolved that specific Pokémon before. This is particularly useful when initially gathering enough energy to trigger your first Mega Evolution.
If I transfer a Mega-Evolved Pokémon, do I keep the Mega Energy I used?
No, transferring a Mega-Evolved Pokémon does not refund the Mega Energy you used to evolve it. Once you transfer the Pokémon, the spent Mega Energy is gone. So, be sure you really don’t want that Pokémon before transferring.
How often can I earn Mega Energy by walking my buddy?
The frequency of Mega Energy gains while walking your buddy is similar to that of regular candy. It depends on the buddy distance for the Pokémon family. Keep an eye on how much distance you need to walk in order to earn the regular candy and you should earn the mega energy around the same time.
Is there a limit to how much Mega Energy I can hold?
Yes, there is a limit on the amount of Mega Energy you can hold for each specific Pokémon. You can check the limit by looking at your bag and scrolling down to the Mega Energy section. If you’re near the limit, it’s a good idea to use some Mega Energy before participating in more Mega Raids.
How long does Mega Evolution last?
A Mega-Evolved Pokémon remains in its Mega-Evolved form for 8 hours. After this time, it reverts to its regular form. Plan your Mega Evolutions strategically to coincide with raid battles, Community Days, or other events where the boosted stats can be most beneficial.
Can I Mega Evolve a Pokémon if I have a status condition like sleep?
Yes, status conditions such as paralysis and sleep do not affect a Pokémon’s ability to Mega Evolve in Pokémon GO. So, if you want to Mega Evolve your Pokémon while you are asleep you can (however, you might waste the 8 hours of being able to use it).
Do I get any other bonuses from Mega Evolving a Pokémon?
Absolutely! Besides increased stats, Mega Evolution provides other perks:
- Increased Candy: For catching Pokémon of the same type.
- Higher Chance of XL Candy: Also for Pokémon of the same type (at Trainer Level 40+).
- Catch XP Bonus: At High or Max Mega Levels.
These bonuses can significantly boost your resources while the Mega Evolution is active.
How do Mega Levels work?
Mega Levels are increased by Mega Evolving a Pokémon. As you Mega Evolve a Pokémon more times, it will reach higher Mega Levels, unlocking additional benefits such as reduced Mega Energy costs for future evolutions and increased catch bonuses for Pokémon of the same type. The catch XP, catch Candy, and Candy XL bonuses only apply to Pokémon of the same type as the Mega Evolution.
Can I use Rare Candy to get Mega Energy?
Unfortunately, you cannot directly convert Rare Candy into Mega Energy. However, you can use Rare Candy to evolve Pokémon and then walk them as a buddy to gain Mega Energy. This is an indirect way to use Rare Candy to help earn Mega Energy.
How do I Mega Evolve without using Mega Energy?
After Mega Evolving a Pokémon once, you can Mega Evolve it again for free after a “resting period”. The length of this resting period depends on the Pokémon’s Mega Level. Higher Mega Levels reduce the duration of the resting period. Keep in mind that this only works if you’ve already Mega Evolved that specific Pokémon before.
Are some Mega Evolutions better than others?
Yes, certain Mega Evolutions are considered superior due to their stats, typing, and move sets. For example, Mega Charizard Y is often favored for its high Special Attack, making it a top-tier Fire-type attacker in raids. Mega Charizard Y has a much higher Attack stat (319 vs 273) and it’s capable of reaching max 5037 CP, which is huge when compared to Mega Charizard X’s max 4354 CP. Mega Charizard Y is pretty much the best Fire-type attacker you can get for Raid Battles, which makes it an easy win. Research the best Mega Evolutions for different battle scenarios to optimize your team.
How does Mega Evolution contribute to Pokémon GO’s educational value?
The Pokémon GO app is a vehicle for augmented reality games that can offer physical, social, and emotional benefits. One of the core research concerns of the Games Learning Society is how play and games relate to learning and engagement. GamesLearningSociety.org seeks to answer such critical learning design questions. Mega evolution promotes strategic thinking as players must plan resources, form cooperative raid teams, and optimize moves for challenges in the game.