Evolution prevention

B button

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: State whether it is possible to stop any other Pokémon evolutions by pressing B. The evolutions of these Pokémon are not currently covered by this section: Milcery, Galarian Yamask, Galarian Farfetch'd, Stantler, White-Striped Basculin, Hisuian Qwilfish, and several evolutions from being exposed to items (Galarian Slowpoke, Applin, Sinistea, Kubfu, Scyther into Kleavor, Ursaring, Charcadet, Poltchageist, and Duraludon)

In the core series games, the player can press B during the evolution cutscene to prevent any of the Methods of Evolution triggered by gaining a level in battle or by consuming a Rare Candy. This includes but is not limited to leveling up at or above a certain level, or with high friendship, or in certain locations, or knowing a certain move, holding a certain item, and so on.

However, pressing B does not work to prevent evolutions from Evolution stones or from trades.

Everstone

Everstone

Main article: Everstone

In all core series games with the held item feature, a Pokémon holding an Everstone is unable to evolve using certain Methods of Evolution. This item prevents all the evolution methods triggered by leveling up. It also prevents a Pokémon from evolving by trade, except this does not work in Generation III due to a glitch. From Generation IV onwards, a Kadabra still evolves into Alakazam when being traded while holding an Everstone due to an explicitly programmed exception. Only in Generations II and VIII, the Everstone prevents evolution from an Evolution stone.

For more details, see Everstone → Effect.

National Pokédex requirement

In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, if the player has not yet obtained the National Pokédex, when a Pokémon in the Kanto Pokédex meets its evolution conditions but its evolved form is not in the Kanto Pokédex (for example, Chansey's evolution into Blissey), it will attempt to evolve but fail.

Unevolvable forms and variants

Some Pokémon forms and variants are unable to evolve altogether despite the games being compatible with their evolved forms.

This applies to the Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow, the Spiky-eared Pichu in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the Cosplay Pikachu in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Pikachu in a cap from Generation VII onwards, and the Partner Pikachu and Eevee in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pikachu, Meowth, and Eevee with the Gigantamax Factor cannot evolve.

Unevolvable level 100 Pokémon

From Generation I to VII, a level 100 Pokémon is unable to evolve by leveling up. For instance, the level 100 Pokémon is unable to evolve at a certain level, or with high friendship, or knowing a certain move, among other Evolution methods.

From Generation VIII onwards, a level 100 Pokémon can evolve by consuming a Rare Candy (without increasing its level) if the Evolution requirements are met.

Unevolvable Feebas

In Generations III and IV, and in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, a Feebas is permanently unable to evolve if its sheen has already reached the maximum value of 255 and its Beauty is below 170. This Feebas will be unable to increase its Beauty by eating any more Pokéblocks or Poffins which would be required for its Evolution into Milotic. However, in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, a Feebas is potentially able to reach enough Beauty nonetheless because in those games a Pokémon's contest conditions can be raised regardless of its sheen.

In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, a Feebas with Beauty below 70 is permanently unable to evolve unless it is traded to other games where its Beauty can be raised. In this pair of games, there is no way to raise a Pokémon's Beauty, but Feebas can evolve normally if its Beauty is already high enough.

From Generation V onwards, except in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Feebas can alternatively evolve into Milotic by being traded while holding a Prism Scale.

Pokémon: Magikarp Jump

Main article: Everstone → Pokémon: Magikarp Jump

In Pokémon: Magikarp Jump, the player begins the game with one Everstone, which prevents Magikarp from evolving into Gyarados. This item can be cracked and broken by tapping Magikarp in quick succession.

Once it is broken, Magikarp can evolve on reaching Level 20 or higher. This will cause the Magikarp to retire, and a new one must be caught.

Pokémon Quest

Main article: Everstone → Pokémon Quest

In Pokémon Quest, a Pokémon is unable to evolve as long as it is holding an Everstone.

Pokémon Adventures

Yellow arc

In Can't Catch Caterpie!, Yellow reacted with shock and dismay when her Ratty evolved into Raticate due to the fact that she had no idea what is evolution in the first place. Blue then informed Yellow that it is possible to cancel a Pokémon's evolution by using the Pokédex.

In The Might of... Metapod?!, it was revealed that since Blue taught Yellow how to cancel a Pokémon's evolution, she had been often cancelling the evolution of her Pokémon by using Red's Pokédex. However, with the Pokédex no longer in her possession, several of her Pokémon evolved at once during the battle against Lance: Kitty evolved into Metapod and then Butterfree, Dody evolved into Dodrio, Omny evolved into Omastar, and Gravvy evolved into Golem.

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, several card effects prevent a Pokémon from evolving. For instance, Spiritomb has an attack named "B Cancel" whose name refers to pressing B to cancel an evolution in the core series games.

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