Level-based Evolution

Level-based Evolution^[1] refers to the process in which certain Pokémon can evolve upon reaching a minimum level in the Pokémon games. Introduced in Generation I, this is the most common method of Evolution.

In some early guidebooks, this has been referred to as Level-Up Evolution.^[2][3] This is known as Evolution by Level in the Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire game manual.^[4]

List of Pokémon that evolve at or above a certain level

Main article: List of Pokémon that evolve at or above a certain level

In the core series games

Pokémon that evolve at or above a certain level will evolve once the Pokémon levels up at the end of a Pokémon battle or by the use of a Rare Candy. If the unevolved Pokémon already has a higher level than required, it is still able to evolve whenever it levels up. For instance, a Bulbasaur is able to evolve into Ivysaur starting at level 16.

The Evolution can be prevented if the player presses B when the Pokémon attempts to evolve or if the Pokémon is holding an Everstone. A Pokémon is also able to level up without evolving when it is in the Pokémon Day Care or Nursery. The evolved forms of Pokémon that evolve via leveling up often have a higher number of available moves than their unevolved forms. However, the unevolved forms often have a faster learning rate, learning certain moves at lower levels than their evolved forms.

In most cases, these Evolutions have no requirements other than the starting level. However, some of those Evolutions have additional requirements, being triggered if the Pokémon levels up in a certain region, at a certain time, if the Pokémon has a certain gender, and so on.

Underleveled Pokémon

Main article: Underleveled Pokémon

In the games, there are some instances of underleveled evolved wild Pokémon. For instance, Pidgey evolves into Pidgeotto starting at level 18, but there are also level 9 wild Pidgeotto in Viridian Forest. Some non-player characters use underleveled Pokémon in their teams as well.

Level 100 Pokémon

From Generation I to VII, a level 100 Pokémon is permanently unable to evolve by leveling up. For instance, a level 100 Bulbasaur is unable to evolve into Ivysaur in those generations.

From Generation VIII onwards, if a Rare Candy is used on a level 100 Pokémon that evolves by leveling up and currently meets its Evolution requirements, it will evolve without gaining a level. However, Tandemaus is required to gain a level in battle in order to evolve into Maushold, therefore a level 100 Tandemaus is permanently unable to evolve.

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, Evolution via leveling up is available after the Pokémon has reached the required level after the Evolution location has been unlocked in the current game. The Evolution must be triggered at this location instead of taking place automatically like in the core series.

Pokémon Snap

Main article: Evolution → Pokémon Snap

In Pokémon Snap, although Pokémon levels are not mentioned, some of the Evolutions seen are equivalent to level-based Evolutions from the core series games.

This includes Evolutions from Magnemite to Magneton, from Charmeleon to Charizard, from Slowpoke to Slowbro, from Grimer to Muk, and from Magikarp to Gyarados.

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, this is the only method of Evolution available, but this occurs at different levels than those in the core series games. For instance, a Lv. 5 Bulbasaur evolves into Ivysaur, and a Lv. 7 Ivysaur evolves into Venusaur. This also applies to Pokémon that would evolve using a different method in the core series games, such as a Lv. 4 Clefairy evolving into Clefable (instead of using a Moon Stone for this Evolution).

See the list of Pokémon for all the available Pokémon Evolution levels.

Pokémon Pinball series

In Pokémon Pinball and Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire, as seen when a Pokémon is able to evolve during the Evolution Mode, Evolution via leveling up is represented by the Experience Evolution Item: or . The player is required to obtain three instances of this item on the pinball table in order to evolve the current Pokémon.

e-Reader games

In Machop At Work, if the player character Machop smashes 50-99 rocks, it evolves into Machoke at the end.

In animation

The concept of levels is not usually mentioned in the animated series. Instead, Pokémon often evolve when they train and become stronger, which usually corresponds to level-up Evolutions available in the games.

Trivia

• All Pokémon that evolve at or above a certain level introduced in Generations I, V, and in Pokémon Sword and Shield have no additional Evolution requirements.
  • Tyrogue was the first of these Pokémon with additional requirements other than the starting level. Specifically, it evolved into Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, or Hitmontop depending on its stats, starting at level 20.
• All first partner Pokémon evolutionary lines evolve via leveling up, with no additional requirements.

Notes

Related articles

This game mechanic article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games.