Mastering the Eevee Name Trick in Pokémon GO: A Comprehensive Guide
The Eevee name trick in Pokémon GO is a cherished secret weapon for trainers aiming to secure specific Eeveelutions. But the burning question remains: How many times can you use the name trick for Eevee in Pokemon GO? The simple answer is once per Eeveelution. This means you can guarantee one of each of the eight Eeveelutions (Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon) using this method. However, careful planning is crucial because once you’ve used a specific name, it won’t work again for that particular evolution.
Understanding the Eevee Name Trick Mechanics
The Eevee name trick leverages a clever in-game mechanic. By renaming your Eevee to a specific nickname, you can force its evolution into the desired form, bypassing the usual randomness associated with Eevee’s transformations. Each name corresponds to a specific Eeveelution. Once you’ve used the trick for a specific evolution, you’ll need to rely on alternative methods to obtain more of that particular form.
Here’s the breakdown of the names and their corresponding Eeveelutions:
- Rainer – Vaporeon (Water-type)
- Sparky – Jolteon (Electric-type)
- Pyro – Flareon (Fire-type)
- Sakura – Espeon (Psychic-type)
- Tamao – Umbreon (Dark-type)
- Linnea – Leafeon (Grass-type)
- Rea – Glaceon (Ice-type)
- Kira – Sylveon (Fairy-type)
To execute the trick, follow these steps:
- Rename Your Eevee: Tap on the Eevee you wish to evolve. Locate the pencil icon next to its current name. Tap the pencil, erase the current name, and enter the appropriate nickname from the list above.
- Confirm the Name Change: Ensure the new name is saved correctly. Sometimes the game can be a bit glitchy, so double-check that the rename went through. A quick restart of the app can also help ensure the change sticks.
- Evolve Your Eevee: Once the name is confirmed, you should see a silhouette of the corresponding Eeveelution on the evolve button. If you see a question mark instead, something went wrong, and you should revert the name back to something else and try again. With the correct silhouette showing, evolve your Eevee using 25 Eevee Candy.
Alternative Eeveelution Methods
After you’ve exhausted the name trick, you’ll need to embrace other methods to acquire specific Eeveelutions. These alternative strategies offer varied degrees of control and require different approaches.
Espeon and Umbreon: Walking Buddies
Evolving Eevee into Espeon or Umbreon requires a walking buddy strategy. You must set Eevee as your buddy, walk at least 10 km with it, and earn at least two Eevee Candies. The crucial part is the evolution timing:
- Evolve Eevee during the day to get Espeon.
- Evolve Eevee during the night to get Umbreon.
Make sure you’re still in the buddy relationship when you initiate the evolution. If you swap buddies, you’ll have to start the process over.
Leafeon and Glaceon: Lure Modules
Leafeon and Glaceon evolutions are tied to specific Lure Modules available in the game.
- To evolve Eevee into Leafeon, you must be within range of a Mossy Lure Module.
- To evolve Eevee into Glaceon, you must be within range of a Glacial Lure Module.
These lure modules can be purchased in the in-game shop or sometimes obtained through special research tasks. Once you’re near the active lure, the evolve button will show the corresponding Eeveelution silhouette. Evolve your Eevee using 25 Eevee candy.
Sylveon: Buddy Hearts
Evolving Eevee into Sylveon after using the name trick requires earning 70 Buddy Hearts with the Eevee. This means achieving Great Buddy status with your chosen Eevee. Earning buddy hearts involves various interactions, including:
- Feeding your Eevee berries.
- Playing with your Eevee.
- Taking snapshots of your Eevee.
- Battling alongside your Eevee.
- Visiting new locations with your Eevee.
While swapping buddies won’t reset your progress, it’s most efficient to stick with the same Eevee until you reach the 70-heart milestone.
Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon: Random Evolutions
Unfortunately, after using the name trick, there’s no guaranteed method to obtain Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon. These evolutions become entirely random. Evolving Eevee with 25 candies will result in one of these three, but the specific outcome is unpredictable.
Optimizing Your Eevee Evolution Strategy
To maximize your Eevee evolution success, consider the following tips:
- Prioritize Shiny Eevees: If you have shiny Eevees, consider using the name trick on them to guarantee shiny versions of your desired Eeveelutions.
- Plan Your Evolutions: Carefully map out which Eeveelutions you want to obtain using the name trick to avoid wasting the opportunity.
- Stock Up on Candy: Ensure you have sufficient Eevee Candy (25 per evolution) before initiating any evolution process.
- Be Mindful of Time of Day: When evolving for Espeon or Umbreon, pay close attention to the in-game time to ensure you get the correct evolution.
- Check Lure Modules: Before evolving for Leafeon or Glaceon, verify that the appropriate lure module is active and within range.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use the Eevee name trick on Community Day?
During Eevee Community Day events, the name trick still works, but it’s often more advantageous to utilize the event bonuses, such as increased shiny odds and special moves, with alternative evolution methods after securing your initial guaranteed evolutions with the name trick.
2. What happens if I evolve Eevee without using the name trick or other specific methods?
Evolving Eevee without using the name trick or fulfilling the requirements for Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, or Sylveon will result in a random evolution into Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon.
3. Is there a limit to how many Eevees I can catch?
There’s no limit to the number of Eevees you can catch in Pokémon GO. Eevees are relatively common, especially in parks and grassy areas.
4. Does the Eevee name trick work in 2024?
Yes, the Eevee name trick continues to work in 2024, assuming Niantic doesn’t change the game mechanics. The names listed above are still valid for triggering the corresponding Eeveelutions.
5. Can I evolve a purified Eevee using the name trick?
Yes, you can evolve a purified Eevee using the name trick, just as you would with any other Eevee. The purified status doesn’t affect the name trick’s functionality.
6. What is the best Eeveelution for PvP battles?
The best Eeveelution for PvP battles depends on the specific league and meta. Umbreon is generally considered strong in Great League due to its bulk, while Sylveon can excel in Ultra League with its fairy-type moves.
7. How do I get more Eevee candy quickly?
To acquire Eevee Candy quickly, focus on catching as many Eevees as possible. Use Pinap Berries when catching them to double the candy received. You can also transfer unwanted Eevees to Professor Willow for additional candy.
8. Can I use the name trick to get a specific Eeveelution with a special move?
The name trick guarantees the Eeveelution, but it doesn’t guarantee a specific move set. If you’re aiming for a specific move, you might need to use TMs (Technical Machines) to re-roll the moves.
9. What should I do if the Eevee name trick doesn’t work?
If the name trick fails, ensure the name is spelled correctly and that you haven’t already used that name for that specific Eeveelution. Restarting the game can sometimes resolve glitches. If the issue persists, contact Pokémon GO support.
10. Are Eeveelutions available in raids?
Yes, some Eeveelutions, like Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, and Glaceon, have been available in raids during specific events. Raids offer an alternative method to obtain these Eeveelutions without relying on the evolution process.
11. Does weather affect Eevee spawns?
Weather can influence Pokémon spawns, including Eevee. Certain weather conditions might increase the spawn rate of Eevee in specific areas. For example, partly cloudy weather can boost Eevee spawns.
12. What is the rarest Eeveelution?
Due to the random nature of the evolution process after the name trick, Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon can be considered equally rare, as there’s no guaranteed way to obtain them. Sylveon, while obtainable through a specific method, requires significant effort in earning buddy hearts, making it relatively challenging to acquire multiple times.
13. Can I trade an Eeveelution obtained using the name trick?
Yes, you can trade Eeveelutions obtained using the name trick with other players. However, keep in mind that trading can alter the Pokémon’s IVs (Individual Values).
14. Where can I learn more about Pokémon GO strategies?
You can find a wealth of information and community discussions about Pokémon GO strategies on various online platforms, including the official Pokémon GO website, Reddit communities, and the website of the Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org, where they explore the intersection of games and learning.
15. Are there any upcoming Eevee-related events planned?
Stay updated on Pokémon GO news and announcements through the game’s official channels, such as the in-game news section, social media accounts, and the Pokémon GO blog. These sources will provide information about upcoming events, including those featuring Eevee.
By understanding the Eevee name trick mechanics, alternative evolution methods, and optimization strategies, you can become a true Eevee evolution master in Pokémon GO!