Why Does My Eevee Keep Evolving into Flareon in Pokémon GO?
It’s a frustrating experience: you’re trying to expand your Eeveelution collection in Pokémon GO, but every time you evolve an Eevee, you end up with yet another Flareon. There are several reasons why this might be happening. The most common culprit is that you’re not meeting the specific requirements for the other Eeveelutions beyond the random ones. If the game can’t fulfill the criteria for Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, or Sylveon, it will default to the random pool of Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon. If the game randomly picks Flareon, you are out of luck! Additionally, keep in mind that the name trick only works once per Eeveelution.
Understanding Eevee Evolution Mechanics in Pokémon GO
The key to solving the mystery of recurring Flareons lies in understanding how Eevee evolutions are determined in Pokémon GO. Unlike the core series games where evolution methods can be intricate and varied, Pokémon GO simplifies the process, but introduces its own set of specific criteria. Let’s break down the process and identify potential pitfalls.
The Random Evolution Trio: Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon
Without specific conditions being met, Eevee will evolve into Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon at random, with each having an equal chance. This is the default outcome. If you’re consistently getting Flareon, it’s simply a matter of chance within this random selection. There’s no hidden mechanic that favors one over the others, despite how it might feel.
The Name Trick: A One-Time Guarantee
The name trick is a reliable, but one-time-only method for obtaining each of the Eeveelutions. By renaming your Eevee to a specific name, you can guarantee its evolution into the desired form. The relevant names for each Eeveelution are:
- Rainer = Vaporeon
- Sparky = Jolteon
- Pyro = Flareon
- Sakura = Espeon
- Tamao = Umbreon
- Linnea = Leafeon
- Rea = Glaceon
- Kira = Sylveon
Once you’ve used the name trick for a particular Eeveelution, it will no longer work, and subsequent Eevees with that name will evolve randomly. This is crucial to remember if you’ve already used “Pyro” to get a Flareon.
Meeting the Specific Evolution Requirements
For the Eeveelutions beyond the random trio, you must meet specific requirements:
- Espeon: Set Eevee as your buddy, walk 10 km with it, and evolve it during the daylight hours.
- Umbreon: Set Eevee as your buddy, walk 10 km with it, and evolve it during the nighttime hours.
- Leafeon: Evolve Eevee within range of a Mossy Lure Module at a PokéStop.
- Glaceon: Evolve Eevee within range of a Glacial Lure Module at a PokéStop.
- Sylveon: Earn 70 buddy hearts with Eevee (it needs to be at least Great Buddy level).
Failing to meet these conditions will result in a random evolution (again, Vaporeon, Jolteon, or Flareon).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Time Zone Issues: Be mindful of your in-game time. What you perceive as daytime or nighttime may not align with the game’s server time, especially if you’re near a time zone boundary.
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Lure Module Confusion: Make sure you’re using the correct lure module. A regular lure module won’t trigger Leafeon or Glaceon evolution.
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Walking Distance Not Registered: Check your buddy progress to ensure the 10 km distance has registered correctly before evolving for Espeon or Umbreon. Sometimes GPS drift or connectivity issues can interfere with distance tracking.
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Buddy Swapping: Avoid swapping buddies after walking the required distance for Espeon or Umbreon, and do not remove the Eevee as your buddy before evolving.
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Insufficient Buddy Hearts: Ensure you’ve earned the full 70 hearts with your Eevee before attempting to evolve it into Sylveon. You can track your progress in the buddy profile.
Dealing with the Frustration
It’s understandable to feel frustrated when you keep getting the same Eeveelution. Here are a few tips:
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Double-Check Requirements: Before evolving, meticulously review the requirements for the specific Eeveelution you desire.
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Use Reminders: Set reminders on your phone to ensure you evolve your Eevee during the correct time of day.
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Patience: Evolving into a desired Eeveelution takes effort. Be patient and persistent, and eventually, you’ll get the Pokémon you’re after.
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Trading: Trading is another good way to obtain other Eeveelutions. You can always try to find a trade in a local Pokemon Go group, as well.
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Community: If you are more involved in the community, consider joining the Games Learning Society to get access to research to make gaming better. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is the name trick not working for Flareon anymore?
The name trick for Flareon (renaming Eevee to “Pyro”) only works once. After you’ve used it, subsequent Eevees named “Pyro” will evolve randomly.
2. How do I stop my Eevee from evolving into Flareon when I want Espeon?
Ensure you’ve walked 10 km with Eevee as your buddy, and then evolve it during the daylight hours while it’s still your buddy. If you meet these conditions, it will evolve into Espeon.
3. Can weather affect Eevee evolutions?
No, weather does not affect Eevee evolutions in Pokémon GO. Only location, friendship level, buddy status, name and time of day matter.
4. I already used the name trick. How do I get another Vaporeon/Jolteon/Flareon?
After using the name trick, these evolutions are determined randomly. There’s no guaranteed method to get a specific one.
5. What happens if I evolve Eevee at the exact time of day shift (day to night or vice versa)?
There may be some issues that result from evolving on the cusp of dawn or dusk, and it might be better to evolve on either extreme to ensure that Espeon or Umbreon is acquired.
6. Does the name trick work on Shiny Eevee?
Yes, the name trick works on Shiny Eevee, but only once per name. Be sure to evolve a shiny carefully!
7. Is there a cooldown period after walking 10 km with Eevee before evolving it?
No, there’s no cooldown. As long as you’ve walked the 10 km and it registers correctly, you can evolve it immediately.
8. What’s the best Eevee evolution for battling?
The “best” evolution depends on the battle situation. Umbreon is a strong defender in Great and Ultra Leagues, while Sylveon is a good Fairy-type attacker. However, Glaceon and Espeon are also strong choices.
9. Can location affect Eevee evolutions besides Leafeon and Glaceon?
No, only Leafeon and Glaceon are directly affected by location (specifically, being near a Mossy Lure Module or Glacial Lure Module).
10. I evolved my Eevee near a lure, but it didn’t turn into Leafeon/Glaceon. Why?
Ensure you’re using the correct lure module (Mossy or Glacial). Regular lure modules won’t trigger these evolutions.
11. How do I earn buddy hearts quickly to evolve Sylveon?
Engage in activities with your Eevee buddy such as feeding it berries, playing with it, taking snapshots, and battling together. Earning multiple hearts per day will speed up the process.
12. If I trade my Eevee, can I still evolve it into Espeon or Umbreon?
Yes, you can still evolve a traded Eevee into Espeon or Umbreon by walking 10 km with it as your buddy and evolving it during the correct time of day. However, bear in mind that it may have a slightly different IV than prior to trading, but it also could have better IVs.
13. Are there any events that affect Eevee evolutions?
Yes, during Community Day events, the walking distance for Espeon and Umbreon may be reduced. Keep an eye on Pokémon GO news for event details.
14. What happens if my GPS signal is weak when I evolve Eevee near a Mossy/Glacial Lure?
A weak GPS signal can interfere with the evolution process. Ensure you have a stable connection before evolving your Eevee near a lure. Consider moving to an area with a better signal.
15. Is there a way to cancel an Eevee evolution if I realize I made a mistake?
Unfortunately, once you start the evolution process, there is no way to cancel it. Double-check all requirements before tapping the evolve button.