The Cheapest Pokémon to Evolve: A Comprehensive Guide

The absolute cheapest Pokémon to evolve, hands down, are those that require only 12 candies. This puts Caterpie, Weedle, Wurmple, and Pidgey at the top of the list in many Pokémon games, especially in Pokémon GO. Their accessibility and low candy requirement make them prime targets for maximizing experience gains using Lucky Eggs. These little guys are your best friends when trying to level up quickly!

Understanding Evolution Costs: Beyond the Basics

While 12 candies is the bottom of the barrel when it comes to evolution costs, understanding the different factors influencing evolution can help you strategize your gameplay and maximize your resources. Let’s delve into the nuances.

Candy Mechanics and Availability

Candy is the primary resource for evolving Pokémon in games like Pokémon GO. Obtaining candy usually involves catching multiple instances of the same Pokémon, transferring them to the Professor, or using Rare Candies. The commonality of a Pokémon directly impacts the ease of gathering the necessary candy. Pokémon like Pidgey and Caterpie, being exceptionally common, are easier to mass-collect, leading to faster evolution cycles. Keep an eye out for events that boost spawn rates, further accelerating this process.

The Lucky Egg Strategy

A “Lucky Egg” is an item that temporarily doubles the experience points (XP) earned for a set period, typically 30 minutes. The strategy is to stockpile numerous Pokémon ready for evolution (especially those requiring only 12 candies) and then activate a Lucky Egg before initiating a mass evolution spree. This exponentially increases the XP gained, allowing you to level up much faster than normal. Efficiently executing this strategy requires planning and preparation.

Special Evolution Requirements

While candy is the standard, some Pokémon have unique evolution requirements. For example, some Pokémon need to be traded to evolve, others require specific items, and a few even have time-of-day dependencies. These additional requirements can complicate the process, even if the candy cost is relatively low. Always check the specific evolution method for each Pokémon to avoid wasting resources.

FAQs: Your Burning Pokémon Evolution Questions Answered

Here’s a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that will provide additional valuable information about Pokémon evolution:

1. What are the benefits of evolving Pokémon early and often?

Evolving Pokémon increases their Combat Power (CP) and hit points (HP), making them stronger in battles. Early evolutions, especially when using the Lucky Egg strategy, help players level up faster. Furthermore, evolved forms can learn more powerful moves, giving you a tactical advantage.

2. Are there any drawbacks to evolving Pokémon too early?

There aren’t significant drawbacks to evolving early in games like Pokémon GO. Power-up costs remain consistent whether you power up before or after evolution. In core series games, waiting to evolve can sometimes allow a Pokémon to learn specific moves at a lower level, but this is a more nuanced consideration.

3. Which Pokémon have the highest candy cost for evolution?

Several Pokémon require a whopping 400 candies to evolve. These include Magikarp, Swablu, Wailmer, Meltan, Noibat, Stufful, and Wimpod. This high cost makes evolving them a long-term goal, often requiring significant dedication and resource management.

4. Can Pokémon be weaker after evolution?

Yes, there are instances where specific evolved Pokémon are considered weaker than their pre-evolved forms, especially in terms of certain stats or move sets. Popplio, for example, is sometimes cited as a Pokémon that trainers might not want to evolve.

5. Which fully evolved Pokémon has the lowest stats?

Shedinja generally holds the title for the weakest fully evolved Pokémon based on its base stat total, which is exceptionally low. Other contenders include Kricketune, Dustox, Ledian, Beedrill, Beautifly, and Butterfree.

6. Is it cheaper to power up a Pokémon before or after evolving it?

The cost to power up a Pokémon remains the same whether you do it before or after evolving. The percentage of training remains consistent, so don’t worry about losing out on efficiency.

7. How do I evolve Eevee into specific forms without using candies?

In some games like Pokémon GO, you can use name tricks to guarantee certain Eevee evolutions once per name. Rename Eevee as Rainer for Vaporeon (water), Sparky for Jolteon (electric), Pyro for Flareon (fire), Sakura for Espeon (psychic), Tamao for Umbreon (dark), Rea for Glaceon (ice), and Linnea for Leafeon (grass).

8. Can I use Rare Candies to evolve Pokémon?

Yes, Rare Candies can be used to level up a Pokémon, and if leveling up triggers an evolution, the Pokémon will evolve. However, keep in mind that Rare Candies only increase levels and don’t influence Evolution Value (EV) training.

9. What are the Pokémon that do not evolve?

Certain Pokémon do not have any evolutionary forms. Some examples include Furfrou, Hawlucha, Dedenne, Carbink, Kelfki, Xerneas, Yveltal, and Diancie. These Pokémon are often standalone species with unique characteristics.

10. What is the hardest Pokémon to catch?

The difficulty of catching a Pokémon depends on various factors like rarity, catch rate, and the type of Poké Ball used. Generally, legendary and mythical Pokémon like Arceus, Deoxys, and Manaphy are among the most challenging to catch.

11. Why does Magikarp require 400 candies to evolve?

Magikarp needs 400 candies to evolve into Gyarados because the transition represents a massive power leap. Magikarp’s CP can increase dramatically upon evolution, far more than most other Pokémon.

12. What are the walking distances for earning candies with my buddy Pokémon?

Different Pokémon require different walking distances to earn a candy. For example, Caterpie, Pikachu, and Magikarp require walking 1 km per candy, while Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle need 3 km.

13. What does Magikarp candy XL do?

Magikarp Candy XL allows you to level up your Magikarp (or Gyarados) beyond the original level 40 cap in Pokémon GO, increasing its CP all the way to level 50.

14. What is the advantage of using an Everstone?

An Everstone prevents a Pokémon from evolving. This can be useful if you want to keep a Pokémon in its pre-evolved form for specific strategic reasons or for breeding purposes, as it allows you to pass down the Pokémon’s nature to its offspring.

15. How do I get Pokémon with better IVs (Individual Values)?

Pokémon with perfect IVs are rare but highly desirable. Trading Pokémon with friends, completing raid battles, and hatching eggs are ways to increase your chances of obtaining Pokémon with high IVs. Keep an eye out for Community Day events, as they often feature boosted spawn rates for specific Pokémon with increased chances of finding higher IV specimens. Remember that a fully 0% IV Pokemon is even rarer than its 4-star/Perfect IV counterparts.

Maximizing Efficiency: Tips and Tricks

Beyond knowing which Pokémon are cheapest to evolve, applying efficient strategies can further optimize your gameplay.

• Strategic Catching: Focus on catching common Pokémon during events with increased spawn rates. Use items like Incense and Lure Modules to further attract Pokémon.

• Pinap Berry Use: Use Pinap Berries when catching Pokémon to double the candy gained, accelerating the evolution process.

• Community Engagement: Participate in local Pokémon communities to trade Pokémon, share tips, and coordinate raid battles for high-IV specimens.

• Research Tasks: Complete research tasks and field research for opportunities to encounter rare Pokémon and earn extra candies.

The Educational Value of Pokémon

Beyond the strategic gameplay and collection aspects, Pokémon offers significant educational value. The game encourages resource management, strategic thinking, and social interaction. Players learn to analyze data (such as Pokémon stats and types), plan routes, and collaborate with others to achieve common goals. The Games Learning Society, a community dedicated to exploring the intersection of games and education, recognizes the potential of games like Pokémon to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. GamesLearningSociety.org advocates for the use of games in educational settings to enhance learning outcomes.

Conclusion: Evolving Your Understanding

Mastering the art of Pokémon evolution involves more than just knowing which Pokémon are the cheapest to evolve. It requires understanding the underlying mechanics, implementing efficient strategies, and continuously learning and adapting. By focusing on common Pokémon with low candy requirements, utilizing the Lucky Egg strategy, and engaging with the community, you can maximize your progress and become a true Pokémon master. So get out there, catch ’em all, and evolve your way to the top!