Unlocking Umbreon: The Name Trick and Beyond
The name trick for evolving Eevee into Umbreon in Pokémon GO is simple: rename your Eevee to “Tamao” before evolving it. This guarantees that your Eevee will evolve into the Dark-type Umbreon. However, this trick only works once per account. Let’s delve deeper into this and other ways to obtain this sought-after Eeveelution!
Decoding the Eevee Evolution Enigma
Eevee, the Evolution Pokémon, is famous for its unique ability to evolve into multiple different forms, each with a different type and appearance. These evolutions, collectively known as Eeveelutions, are highly coveted by trainers. In Pokémon GO, the method for achieving these evolutions can be quite specific, involving various tricks and techniques. One of the earliest and most well-known methods is the name trick, a one-time use feature that allows players to guarantee a specific Eeveelution.
Tamao: The Key to Umbreon
To reiterate, renaming your Eevee to “Tamao” and then evolving it will result in Umbreon. This name is a reference to one of the Kimono Sisters in the Pokémon anime, known for their Umbreon. Keep in mind that once you’ve used the “Tamao” name trick, it will not work again. Any subsequent Eevees you want to evolve into Umbreon will require a different method.
Beyond the Name Trick: Evolving Umbreon the Traditional Way
After using the name trick, there are traditional methods for evolving Eevee into Umbreon. This involves building a bond with your Eevee and evolving it at the correct time.
Buddying Up and Walking the Distance
- Make Eevee Your Buddy: Select the Eevee you wish to evolve and designate it as your buddy Pokémon.
- Walk 10km: You must walk a minimum of 10 kilometers with your Eevee as your buddy. The distance is tracked within the game, so be sure to check your progress.
- Evolve at Night: This is crucial. The actual evolution process must take place at night within the game (when the game reflects nighttime based on your local time). If you evolve it during the day, you will get Espeon instead.
Ensuring Success
- Keep Eevee as Your Buddy: Do not swap Eevee out as your buddy until after the evolution is complete. If you do, the evolution might not work.
- Check the Evolution Button: Before evolving, ensure the silhouette on the evolution button shows Umbreon. This is a good indicator that the conditions have been met.
- Avoid GPS Drifting: GPS inaccuracies can sometimes confuse the game about the time of day. Try to stay in a stable location with a clear GPS signal during the evolution process.
Shiny Umbreon: A Rare Treasure
Evolving a Shiny Eevee into a Shiny Umbreon is a particularly sought-after achievement. Shiny Pokémon are rare variants with different color palettes than their normal counterparts. A Shiny Umbreon replaces its yellow rings with a striking blue, making it a visually stunning addition to any collection. You can use the name trick on a Shiny Eevee, so use the name Tamao for a Shiny Umbreon.
Maximizing Your Chances of Finding a Shiny Eevee
- Community Days: Keep an eye out for Eevee Community Days. These events significantly increase the spawn rate of Eevee, and importantly, increase the chances of encountering a Shiny Eevee.
- Special Research Tasks: Occasionally, special research tasks will reward you with an Eevee encounter. These encounters sometimes have increased Shiny odds.
- Lure Modules and Incense: Using Lure Modules at PokéStops and activating Incense will increase the spawn rate of Pokémon around you, including Eevee, therefore improving your chances to catch a shiny.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does the “Tamao” name trick still work in 2024?
Yes, the “Tamao” name trick still works, but only once per account. If you have never used the “Tamao” name before, it will guarantee an Umbreon.
2. What happens if I evolve an Eevee named “Tamao” after I’ve already used the trick?
If you’ve already used the name trick, evolving an Eevee named “Tamao” will result in a random Eeveelution (Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon), not Umbreon.
3. Can I use the name trick on a Shiny Eevee?
Yes, you can use the name trick on a Shiny Eevee. If you want a guaranteed Shiny Umbreon, rename your Shiny Eevee to “Tamao” before evolving.
4. What time is considered “night” for evolving Eevee into Umbreon?
“Night” in Pokémon GO is determined by the in-game environment, which corresponds to your local time. Usually, it starts around dusk and lasts until dawn. Check the game map to see if the sky is dark before evolving.
5. Do I have to walk the 10km all at once, or can it be accumulated over time?
The 10km can be accumulated over time. The game tracks the total distance you’ve walked with Eevee as your buddy. You can check how far you have walked in the buddy information section.
6. What if my GPS signal is unstable while I’m trying to evolve Eevee into Umbreon?
An unstable GPS signal can disrupt the evolution process and result in the wrong Eeveelution. Try to find a location with a strong, stable GPS signal before initiating the evolution.
7. Can I use a Lucky Egg during the evolution process?
Using a Lucky Egg during the evolution process will grant you double XP for the evolution. It doesn’t affect the outcome of the evolution itself.
8. Is Umbreon a good Pokémon to use in battles?
Umbreon is a decent Pokémon for battles, particularly in the Great League. Its high stamina makes it a bulky opponent, and it has access to moves like Foul Play and Last Resort. Greninja the Water/Dark Ninja is an excellent alternative.
9. What are the other name tricks for Eeveelutions?
Here’s a comprehensive list of all Eevee name tricks: * Vaporeon: Rainer * Jolteon: Sparky * Flareon: Pyro * Espeon: Sakura * Umbreon: Tamao * Leafeon: Linnea * Glaceon: Rea * Sylveon: Kira
10. What is the best moveset for Umbreon?
The best moveset for Umbreon typically includes Snarl as the fast move and Foul Play and Last Resort as the charged moves.
11. Is it possible to get Umbreon from a raid?
No, Umbreon is not available as a raid boss. The only way to obtain Umbreon is through evolving an Eevee.
12. How rare is Eevee in Pokémon GO?
Eevee is relatively common, especially during events or in areas with diverse biomes.
13. Can I use the name trick to get multiple Umbreons on different accounts?
Yes, the name trick works once per account. Therefore, if you have multiple accounts, you can use the name trick on each to get an Umbreon on each account.
14. What if the Eevee I want to evolve has a costume?
Costumes don’t affect the evolution process. An Eevee wearing a costume can still be evolved into Umbreon using the name trick or the buddy method.
15. How do I know if the evolution is going to work before I press the evolve button?
Before pressing the evolve button, check the silhouette displayed on the evolve button. If it shows the silhouette of Umbreon, the evolution is guaranteed to work (provided you’ve met all the necessary conditions, such as evolving at night and keeping Eevee as your buddy).
The world of Pokémon Go and its Eevee evolutions continues to evolve itself. As trainers, we are always learning! For more information on the educational aspects of gaming, consider exploring resources at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.