Guide to Pokemon Go Special Evolutions: Complete Steps for All

<p>Just like in previous entries of the franchise, Pokémon Go features some unique evolution methods that players must grasp to successfully complete their Pokédex.

Throughout the years, Pokémon evolution methods have become increasingly intricate. While most Pokémon evolve simply by reaching a specific level, newer games introduced various Pokémon that only evolve under specific conditions that the game does not clarify, such as Alcremie and Kingambit.

As the mobile game’s Pokédex expands, Pokémon Go has followed suit by incorporating additional evolutionary requirements that largely reflect those present in the main series.

Given that some of these requirements can be perplexing or challenging to accomplish, this guide will detail every special evolution method in Pokémon Go, identify which Pokémon utilize them, and equip you to catch ’em all.

Every Special Evolution Method & Requirement in Pokémon Go

While the bulk of Pokémon merely require a certain amount of Candy to evolve, many have additional criteria.

Trade Evolutions

Currently, there are 11 Pokémon that evolve through trading. Unlike other evolution methods in Pokémon Go, trading is not the only means to evolve these Pokémon. It merely eliminates the Candy requirement for evolution, although Stardust will still be necessary.

Here is the list of Pokémon that evolve via trading:

Pokémon	Requirement	Evolution
Kadabra	100 Abra Candy (Free after Trade)	Alakazam
Machoke	100 Machop Candy (Free after Trade)	Machamp
Graveler & Alolan Graveler	100 Geodude Candy (Free after Trade)	Golem & Alolan Golem
Haunter	100 Gastly Candy (Free after Trade)	Gengar
Boldore	100 Roggenrola Candy (Free after Trade)	Gigalith
Gurdurr	100 Timburr Candy (Free after Trade)	Conkeldurr
Karrablast	100 Karrablast Candy (Free after Trade)	Escavalier
Shelmet	100 Shelmet Candy (Free after Trade)	Accelgor
Phantump	100 Phantump Candy (Free after Trade)	Trevenant
Pumkaboo	100 Pumkaboo Candy (Free after Trade)	Gourgeist

Item Evolutions

As seen in the games, some Pokémon require specific items to evolve. Note that these Pokémon also require Candy, and using the item for evolution will consume it.

Dragon Scale

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Seadra	100 Horsea Candy & Dragon Scale	Kingdra

King’s Rock

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Poliwhirl	100 Poliwag Candy & King’s Rock	Politoed
Slowpoke	50 Slowpoke Candy & King’s Rock	Slowking

Metal Coat

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Onyx	50 Onix Candy & Metal Coat	Steelix
Scyther	100 Scyther Candy & Metal Coat	Scizor

Sinnoh Stone

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Lickitung	100 Lickitung Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Lickilicky
Rhydon	100 Rhyhorn Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Rhyperior
Tangela	100 Tangela Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Tangrowth
Electabuzz	100 Electabuzz Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Electivire
Magmar	100 Magmar Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Magmortar
Togetic	100 Togepi Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Togekiss
Aipom	100 Aipom Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Ambipom
Do not burn	100 Yanma Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Yanmega
Murkrow	100 Murkrow Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Honchkrow
Misdreavus	100 Misdreavus Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Mismagius
Giggles	100 Gligar Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Gliscor
Sneasel	100 Sneasel Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Weavile
Piloswine	100 Swinub Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Mamoswine
Porygon2	100 Porygon Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Porygon-Z
Kirlia	100 Ralts Candy & Sinnoh Stone Kirlia must be male	Gallade
Roselia	100 Roselia Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Roserade
Dusclops	100 Duskull Candy & Sinnoh Stone	Dusknoir
They snore	100 Snorunt Candy & Sinnoh Stone Snorunt must be male	Frost load

Sun Stone

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Gloom	100 Oddish Candy & Sun Stone	Bellossom
Sunkern	50 Sunflora Candy & Sun Stone	Sunflora
Cottonee	50 Cottonee Candy & Sun Stone	Whimsicott
Petilil	50 Petilil Candy & Sun Stone	Lilligant

You become Stone

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Grooming	50 Pansage Candy & Unova Stone	We are sage
Pansear	50 Pansear Candy & You Become Stone	Simizer
Panpour	50 Panpour Candy & Unova Stone	Simipour
Munna	50 Munna Candy & Unova Stone	Musharna
Minccino	50 Minccino Candy & Unova Stone	Cinccino
Electric	100 Tynamo Candy & Unova Stone	Elektross
Lampent	100 Litwick Candy & You Become Stone	Chandelure

Upgrade

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Porygon	25 Porygon Candy & Upgrade	Porygon2

Lure Module Evolutions

Currently, there are 6 Pokémon that necessitate a Lure Module for evolution, in addition to one for which a specific Lure Module can facilitate the process. These Pokémon can only evolve in specific locations, as seen in at least one core series game.

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Magneto	100 Magnemite Candy & Magnetic Lure	Magnezone
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & Mossy Lure	Leafeon
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & Glacial Lure	Glaceon
Nosepass	50 Candy & Magnetic Lure	Probopass
Sliggoo	100 Goomy Candy & Rainy Lure Can also evolve when raining in the overworld	Goodra
Charjabug	100 Grubbin Candy & Magnetic Lure	Vikavolt
Crabrawler	50 Crabrawler Candy & Glacial Lure	Crabominable

Gender-Specific Evolutions

Some Pokémon evolve in accordance with their gender, meaning they can evolve into different species or might not even be able to evolve depending on whether they are male or female.

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Kirlia	100 Ralts Candy & Sinnoh Stone Kirlia must be male	Gallade
They snore	100 Snorunt Candy & Sinnoh Stone Snorunt must be female	Frost load
Burmy	50 Burmy Candy Burmy must be female	Wormadam
Burmy	50 Burmy Candy Burmy must be male	Moth
Combee	50 Combee Candy Combee must be female	Vespiquen
Salads	50 Salandit Candy Salandit must be female	Salazzle

Time & Weather-Specific Evolutions

There are 10 Pokémon that can only evolve at specific times of day, as well as one Pokémon whose form changes based on the time of evolution.

Keep in mind that many of these Pokémon also have other conditions to fulfill for their evolution.

Daytime

In Pokémon Go, daytime begins approximately two hours after sunrise.

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & daytime Must walk 10 km with Eevee as your Buddy	Espeon
Sneasel (Hisuian form)	100 Sneasel Candy & daytime Must walk 7 km with Sneasel as your Buddy	Snowshoes
Tyrant	50 Tyrunt Candy & daytime	A tyrant
Yungoos	50 Yungoos Candy & daytime	Gumshoos
Rockruff	50 Rockruff Candy & daytime	Lycanroc (Midday Form)
Fomantis	50 Fomantis Candy & daytime	Lurant
Cosmoem	100 Cosmog Candy & daytime	Solgaleo

Nighttime

In Pokémon Go, nighttime starts around 2 hours after sunset.

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & nighttime Must walk 10 km with Eevee as your Buddy	Umbreon
Ursaring	100 Teddiursa Candy & nighttime Must be a full moon	Ursaluna
Amaura	50 Amaura Candy & daytime	Aurora
Rockruff	50 Rockruff Candy & nighttime	Lycanroc (Midnight Form)
Cosmoem	100 Cosmog Candy & nighttime	Lunala

There is currently one Pokémon that only evolves under specific weather conditions.

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Sliggoo	100 Goomy Candy while raining Can also evolve with Rainy Lure active	Goodra

Buddy Task Evolutions

Some Pokémon require you to have them as your Buddy and complete specific tasks before they can evolve. Many of these tasks involve simple walking, while others may require more complex actions.

Walking

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & walk 10 km with Eevee as your Buddy Must be daytime	Espeon
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & walk 10 km with Eevee as your Buddy Must be nighttime	Umbreon
Sneasel (Hisuian Form)	100 Sneasel Candy & walk 7 km with Hisuian Sneasel as your Buddy	Snowshoes
Feebas	100 Feebas Candy & walk 20 km with Feebas as your Buddy	Milotic
Bonsly	50 Sudowoodo Candy & walk 15 km with Bonsly as your Buddy	Sudowoodo
Mime Jr.	50 Mr. Mime Candy & walk 15 km with Mime Jr. as your Buddy	Mr. Mime
Happiny	25 Chansey Candy & walk 15 km with Happiny as your Buddy	Chansey
Woobat	50 Woobat Candy & walk 1 km with Woobat as your Buddy	Swoobat
Pawmo	100 Pawmi Candy & walk 25 km with Pawmo as your Buddy	Pawmot

Other Buddy Tasks

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
First	100 Mankey Candy & defeat 30 Ghost-type or Psychic-Type Pokémon with Primeape as your Buddy	Annihilape
Slowpoke (Galarian Form)	50 Slowpoke Candy & catch 30 Poison-type Pokémon with Galarian Slowpoke as your Buddy	Slowbro (Galarian Form)
Slowpoke (Galarian Form)	50 Slowpoke Candy & catch 30 Psychic-type Pokémon with Galarian Slowpoke as your Buddy	Slowking (Galarian Form)
Eevee	25 Eevee Candy & earn 70 Hearts with Eevee as your Buddy	Sylveon
Qwilfish (Hisuian Form)	50 Qwilfish Candy & win 10 Raids with Hisuian Qwilfish as your Buddy	Overqwil
Yamask (Galarian Form)	50 Yamask Candy & win 10 Raids with Galarian Yamask as your Buddy	Runerigus
Floette	100 Flabébé Candy & earn 20 Hearts with Floette as your Buddy	Florges
Pancham	50 Pancham Candy & catch 32 Dark-type Pokémon with Pancham as your Buddy	On the cart
Spritzee	50 Spritzee Candy & use an Incense with Spritzee as your Buddy	He smelled it
Swirlix	50 Swirlix Candy & feed Swirlix 25 treats as your Buddy	Slurpuff
Farfetch’d (Galarian Form)	50 Farfetch’d Candy & make 10 Excellent throws with Galarian Farfetch’d as your Buddy	Sirfetch’d
Charcadet	50 Charcadet Candy & fight 30 Psychic-type Pokémon	Armarouge
Charcadet	50 Charcadet Candy & fight 30 Ghost-type Pokémon	Ceruledge

Regional Variants

Regional variants have been a staple of the franchise since the Pokémon Sun and Moon titles, and were integrated into Pokémon Go early.

It’s crucial to remember that Pokémon can generally not evolve into regional variants unless they are also of the same form. This includes Pokémon with only one regional variant and those that can evolve.

For instance, Pikachu cannot evolve into Alolan Raichu, Kanto Farfetch’d can’t transform into Sirfetch’d, and an ordinary Zigzagoon from Hoenn will never evolve into a Galarian Linoone or Obstagoon.

This means that catching specific Pokémon like Alolan Exeggutor or Galarian Weezing can only be done by capturing them in their final form, although events may sometimes lift this restriction.

Special Cases

A few Pokémon entail unique evolutionary methods or divergent evolutionary lines requiring distinct conditions.

Tyrogue, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan & Hitmontop

Evolving Tyrogue is straightforward, requiring merely 25 Candy. However, this Scuffle Pokémon can evolve into three different species: Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, and Hitmontop.

The specific evolution depends on its stats. The highest stat will dictate which Pokémon it becomes, so be sure to appraise your Tyrogue before evolving.

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Tyrogue	25 Tyrogue Candy & Attack as highest stat	Hitmonlee
Tyrogue	25 Tyrogue Candy & Defense as highest stat	Hitmonchan
Tyrogue	25 Tyrogue Candy & HP as highest stat	Hitmontop

Wurmple, Silcoon, Cascoon, Beautifly & Dustox

Wurmple can evolve into either Silcoon (which then becomes Beautifly) or Cascoon (which evolves into Dustox).

Unlike other branching evolution lines, there is no way to predict or influence which evolution Wurmple will undergo. If you aim for a specific one, you’ll need to catch many Wurmple, as luck plays a significant role.

Inkay & Malamar

requires players to turn their phones upside down. Just flip your phone while viewing your Inkay, and you’ll notice the pink “Evolve” box darken; the text will even flip – as long as you have sufficient Candy.

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Inkay	50 Inkay Candy & turn phone upside down	The teacher

Rockruff & Dusk Form Lycanroc

We previously discussed how to obtain Lycanroc’s other forms, but Dusk Form Lycanroc deserves a separate mention.

To achieve this Lycanroc form, you must have a Rockruff that can evolve into Dusk Form. You can identify this ability by checking the Pokémon’s page—it will show only one evolution option instead of two like other Rockruff.

Pokémon	Requirements	Evolution
Rockruff	50 Rockruff Candy & Dusk Form capable	Lycanroc (Dusk Form)

Gimmighoul & Gholdengo

Gimmighoul possesses a unique form in Pokémon Go. Unlike its appearance in *Scarlet and Violet*, Roaming Form Gimmighoul is a small Pokémon that carries a coin.

To obtain Gimmighoul, you must have either Scarlet or Violet on the Nintendo Switch and link your game to your Pokémon Go account. This action unlocks the Coin Bag, which is essential for discovering Gimmighoul and gathering the Coins necessary to evolve it into Gholdengo.

Pokémon	Requirement	Evolution
Gimmighoul	999 Gimmighoul Coins	Gholdengo

Best Ways to Obtain Special Evolutions

Trainers seeking a particular special evolution should closely monitor Pokémon Go‘s event calendar, as some events significantly ease the requirements.

For example, the Psychic Spectacular event running until September 22 makes Psychic-type Pokémon notably more prevalent than usual. This is an excellent opportunity to obtain Galarian Slowking, as it necessitates catching 30 Psychic-types with Galarian Slowpoke as your Buddy.

The Psychic Cup will also aid you in defeating the 30 Psychic-types needed to evolve Charcadet into Armarouge.

Additionally, the Legendary Heroes event from September 26 through October 1 will enable players to evolve Koffing into Galarian Weezing.

That covers everything regarding special evolution methods in Pokémon Go!

Source