Table of Contents

Why Are My Pokémon Not Evolving? A Comprehensive Guide

Quick answer

This page answers Why are my Pokémon not evolving? quickly.

Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.

Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.

Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.

▶

So, you’re a budding Pokémon trainer, and your prized Pokémon isn’t evolving as expected? Don’t panic! This is a common frustration, and the reasons can be varied. The most straightforward answer is that your Pokémon hasn’t reached the required level for evolution. However, there are numerous other factors that can prevent your Pokémon from undergoing its transformative journey. These include specific evolution items, happiness levels, time of day, location, and even certain game mechanics or glitches. This comprehensive guide will delve into these reasons, providing you with everything you need to know to get your Pokémon evolving.

Understanding Evolution Requirements

Before diving into troubleshooting, it’s crucial to understand the basic evolution mechanics in the Pokémon world.

Level-Based Evolution: This is the most common type. Pokémon evolve when they reach a specific level. For instance, a Pidgey evolves into Pidgeotto at level 18.
Item-Based Evolution: Some Pokémon require specific items to evolve. For example, using a Thunder Stone on Pikachu will cause it to evolve into Raichu.
Happiness/Friendship Evolution: Certain Pokémon, like Chansey, evolve when their happiness or friendship level is high enough.
Time-Based Evolution: Some evolutions only occur during specific times of day. For example, Eevee can evolve into Espeon during the day with high friendship or Umbreon during the night with high friendship.
Location-Based Evolution: Specific locations are needed to evolve a Pokémon.
Trade Evolution: Trading with another player, sometimes while holding a specific item, is required.
Walking Evolution: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced the concept of evolving Pokemon by walking with them outside their Pokéball and then leveling them up.

Common Reasons for Evolution Failure

Even when you think you’ve met the requirements, things can go wrong. Here’s a breakdown of the most common culprits:

Incorrect Level: Double-check the required level for your Pokémon’s evolution. It’s easy to misremember or get information from unreliable sources.
Held Item Interference: Some items, like the Everstone, prevent evolution. Ensure your Pokémon isn’t holding anything that blocks evolution.
Accidental “B” Button Press: During the evolution sequence, pressing the “B” button (or its equivalent on your console) will cancel the evolution. Many players do this accidentally.
Low Friendship/Happiness: If your Pokémon evolves through friendship, make sure you’ve raised its happiness level sufficiently. Using it in battles, giving it berries, and keeping it in your party are ways to increase happiness.
Incorrect Time of Day: For time-sensitive evolutions, make sure you’re leveling up your Pokémon during the correct time of day within the game.
Missed Evolution Level Move: If your Pokemon evolves and tries to learn a move at the same level, it’s possible you’re not evolving it because you don’t want to overwrite a move.
Game Glitches or Bugs: While rare, glitches can occur. Try restarting your game or console. If the issue persists, consider reporting it to the game developers. Some bugs in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have been linked to auto-battling. Pokémon may not evolve if they level up through the auto battle mechanic.
Specific Evolution Methods: Pokemon like Pawmo in Scarlet and Violet, need the player to walk 1,000 steps outside of its Pokéball before leveling up for it to evolve.

Troubleshooting Steps

If your Pokémon is stubbornly refusing to evolve, follow these steps:

Verify Evolution Requirements: Use a reliable source like Serebii.net or Bulbapedia to confirm the exact evolution method, level, item, or other specific conditions.
Check Held Items: Remove any held items and try leveling up again.
Increase Friendship (If Applicable): If friendship is a factor, perform activities that boost happiness, such as winning battles or feeding it berries.
Adjust Time of Day (If Applicable): Ensure it’s the correct time of day in the game world.
Level Up Manually: Level up by battling, rather than letting it level up with auto-battling or the candy system.
Try Again: Sometimes, the game simply needs another attempt. Level up again, ensuring all conditions are met.
Contact Support: If all else fails, reach out to the game developer’s support channels for assistance.

The Allure of Pokemon

The Pokémon world continues to captivate us, due in part to its blend of strategy and connection. If you want to understand more about how games contribute to learning, then check out the GamesLearningSociety.org website to learn about how research uncovers the fascinating relationships between games and education.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to address specific evolution scenarios:

1. Your Pokémon WILL NOT EVOLVE at their designated levels if they level up with auto battling! How do I get my Pokemon to evolve again?

Yes, just level up again. Each next level it will try and evolve again, only when you cancel an evolution at lvl 100 are you screwed. Note: depending on the Pokemon you may have missed a move though (some learn a move at their evolution level), but that’s nothing the move relearner can’t fix.

2. Do all starters evolve at 36?

All Starter Pokémon are also part of 3-stage evolutionary lines, triggering their first evolution between Lv. 14-18, and second evolution at Lv. 30-36.

3. Why did my Torchic stop evolving?

Usually it is because Torchic evolves at 16, but since you stopped for one level, it won’t learn it. Best bet to get it is the move relearner. It’s supposed to learn it at Level 16 but you can re-teach it later by bringing a heart scale to the move re-learner in Lilycove city later on in the game.

4. Why did my Dragonair stop evolving?

It was either holding a everstone or you hit b. Starting in this gen it evolves at 55.

5. Is it OK to not evolve Dragonair?

Thankfully, if players want to keep their Dragonair and pass up the more powerful Dragonite, not evolving won’t ruin this Pokémon forever. Its stats are good, if not on the same level as Dragonite’s, and its Shed Skin ability is arguably more useful than the Inner Focus it would gain.

6. Will my level 50 Dratini evolve?

Dratini evolves into Dragonair at level 30. Later, Dragonair will evolve into Dragonite, but not until level 55. As we would eventually find out, Dragon-types tend to evolve much later than other Pokémon.

7. Why is Bulbasaur not evolving?

In universe, it’s simply because Bulbasaur doesn’t want to. As many have said, no one can, and it is especially not in Ash’s character to do so, to force their Pokemon to evolve. Outside of the anime universe, we all know it’s because the anime is mainly used for advertisement.

8. Should I stop Squirtle from evolving?

Its Attack stats are on-par with Bulbasaur and with the exception of Speed, it beats out its Fire and Grass/Poison counterparts on all counts. It learns its last, and most powerful technique at level 42, so it’s a good idea to wait with evolving it into Wartortle until the last possible moment.

9. Why isn t Pawmo evolving?

If your Pawmo doesn’t evolve, you probably didn’t hit that 1,000-step goal. Give it another shot and run around a little longer this time, then try leveling up again.

10. Are female Pokemon starters rare?

The gender ratio for the starters is 12.5% female / 87.5% male, or 1 : 7.

11. Do any of Ash’s starters evolve?

However, some of Ash’s Pokémon do not evolve in the show. Specifically, out of the first generation’s three starter Pokémon — Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle — only Ash’s Charmander evolves, though all three can.

12. Why won t Rockruff evolve?

Once it’s caught, check its Ability on the Summary page, and see if it has Own Tempo. Since it’s already level 25, Rockruff only needs to level one more time to evolve into Dusk Form Lycranroc. Remember that it needs to be evening in-game for the evolution to work. If it’s day or night, then Rockruff won’t evolve.

13. Can you evolve Pokemon by walking?

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet add a new and unorthodox method for evolving three of its new Pokémon – walking. By using the new Let’s Go feature, players can let their party’s lead creature out to travel the overworld alongside them.

14. What Pokemon do you not want to evolve?

The biggest examples of pokemon that I don’t evolve in my playthoughs are Rhydon and Scyther.

15. Should I let Charmander evolve?

You’re best served evolving Charmander into Charmeleon as late as possible (it learns its last technique at level 46).

Conclusion

Evolving your Pokémon can be a rewarding experience, but also a frustrating one if the process is not understood. By understanding the factors that influence evolution and following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can overcome most challenges and witness your Pokémon reach its full potential. Happy training, and may your Pokémon always evolve as expected! Learn more about the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.