Special Evolution Methods Guide
Most Pokémon evolve simply by leveling up, but dozens require a special condition: trading, high friendship, a specific time of day, a particular location, or even a unique in-battle action. This guide catalogs every non-standard evolution method across all generations.
Trade Evolutions
8 PokémonThese Pokémon evolve only when traded to another player. They cannot evolve by leveling up alone.
Trade with Held Item
15 PokémonThese Pokémon evolve when traded while holding a specific item. The item is consumed during evolution.
High Friendship
10 PokémonThese Pokémon evolve after reaching a friendship value of 160 or higher (max 255). Feed them Berries, walk with them, and avoid letting them faint.
Time of Day
8 PokémonThese evolutions are locked to a specific time window — either daytime or nighttime — in addition to other conditions.
Location-Based
6 PokémonThese Pokémon evolve only when leveled up in or near a specific location — a magnetic field area, mossy rock, icy rock, or a particular map tile.
Yamask Galar
Walk under the stone arch in Dusty Bowl after taking 49+ damage
Runerigus
Special In-Game Actions
14 PokémonThese evolutions require a unique in-game action: landing three critical hits, defeating three of a specific species, collecting 999 coins, and more.
Spin / Beauty / Other
2 PokémonAlcremie evolves when a player character spins and strikes a pose while holding a Sweet. Milotic evolves from Feebas only when Feebas's Beauty stat is maxed via Poffins or Pokéblocks.
Non-Stone Items
6 PokémonThese Pokémon evolve using specific held items that are not elemental stones — including regional items like Tart Apple or Malicious Armor.
Evolution Stones
26 PokémonThese Pokémon evolve when exposed to a specific elemental stone. Stones can be found throughout the world or purchased at special shops.
Baby Pokémon
14 PokémonBaby Pokémon hatch from Eggs and have their own special first-stage evolutions, often requiring friendship or specific held items.
FAQ
Also see our complete guide to Pokémon with multiple forms.
Pokémon with Multiple Forms Explained