Pokémon become stronger when they evolve; thus, it is your goal as their trainer to help them reach their peak potential. But what if your Pokémon stops evolving? Can you do anything about it?
Pokémon can stop evolving for many reasons. Your Pokémon could be holding an Everstone, which prevents the Pokémon from evolving. Either that or you have not yet met the special condition needed to evolve the Pokémon.
Most Pokémon evolve when they reach a certain level. But that does not apply to all. Others need something else other than levels to evolve.
Continue reading to learn more about this, so you can make your team stronger. And then you can become “the very best like no one ever was.”
Why does your Pokémon stop evolving?
There are different criteria for each Pokémon to evolve. Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander, and all other starters evolve when you level them up enough. Many other Pokémon are also like them, but not all Pokémon are like them.
For instance, Haunter, Kadabra, and Machoke will not evolve unless you trade them. Meanwhile, Scyther, Porygon, and Steelix are some examples of Pokémon that need to be traded while holding a specific item to evolve.
Even if they reach level 100, the Pokémon mentioned above and a few others will not evolve. You really need to trade them so they can evolve.
Meanwhile, you need to use evolution stones on some Pokémon to evolve them. Some examples are Gloom, Lombre, Clefairy, and the elemental monkeys from Unova.
Others like Togepi evolve when you reach maximum friendship with them.
There are also other gimmicks introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield that you need to do to evolve Pokémon. For example, one Pokémon evolves when you spin and strike a pose while it is in the party.
You may also have given your Pokémon an Everstone. Or perhaps you spam pressing B while your Pokémon is evolving. These will also stop the process.
What to do if Pokémon stops evolving?
If your Pokémon stops evolving, try to level it up one more. You might have pressed the B button while it is evolving. That cancels the process.
If it still does not evolve, open an internet browser and do some research about the Pokémon that you are trying to evolve. It could be that it needs to be exposed to evolution stones, or there are other boxes that need to be checked for the Pokémon to evolve.
Can Pokémon refuse to evolve?
In the Pokémon games, Pokémon can't refuse to evolve. But in the anime, they can. Some examples are Ash's Pikachu and Bulbasaur and Dawn's Piplup.
Is there an item that prevents a Pokémon from evolving?
Yes, there is, and it is called Everstone. You could be using this item to pass down a Pokémon's nature to its offspring when breeding. And you may have forgotten about making your Pokémon hold it.
So make sure to check if your Pokémon is currently holding one when you are trying to evolve it. Take it off them so they can evolve when their evolution conditions are met.
Will rare candy evolve Pokémon?
Yes. If you use a rare candy to level up a Pokémon, and it is supposed to evolve in that level, it will evolve. Also, using a rare candy on a Pokémon that is level 100 already, but can still evolve, will evolve it.
Can you evolve a Pokémon if it's level 100?
Many Pokémon evolve when you level it up. But perhaps you have prevented it from evolving until it reached level 100.
Now you changed your mind and decided you want the extra stat points evolving your Pokémon will provide. Can you still evolve it if it could no longer level up?
The answer is yes. As mentioned above, you can feed the level 100 Pokémon a rare candy. The Pokémon will not level up as it is already at max, but it will evolve. This is the only way to do it.
But that's only for Generation VIII and onwards. In games from Generation I – VII, it is not possible.
Pokémon that do not need to level up to evolve will still evolve even at level 100 as long as you meet the requirements. For instance, a traded level 100 Graveler will evolve into a Golem. Also, a level 100 Eevee will turn into a Jolteon when exposed to Thunder Stone.
How do you force Pokémon to evolve?
You don't have to force a Pokémon to evolve. They will automatically evolve once requirements are met.
That is unless you are playing Pokémon Go. In that game, the only way to evolve a Pokémon is by pressing the “Evolve” button on the Pokémon's page. Note that you need enough Candy and have the additional requirements for those who need it to be able to evolve the Pokémon.