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Pokemon Goinvolves a lot of collecting Pokemon. To collect some of them, you’ll need to evolve their weaker forms. Usually, this is a simple matter of collecting enough candy! Depending on the species and evolutionary step, the process will cost between 25 and 400 unique candies! However, some Pokemon require a little extra love and care.
There are a number of Pokemon in the game that can only be evolved if you do something special, in addition to spending the candy.That might be as simple as collecting a new item, or as complicated as performing extra tasks during the day. We’ll detail every single one below, and how to do them.
The Eeveelutions are listed below, but if you’re looking for those specifically,we’ve also put them in their own, concise guide for you!
Updated Jun 07, 2025, by Gabrielle Huston:With a few of the Paldea Pokemon from Scarlet and Violet being added to Pokemon Go, we checked whether there were any special evolutions! The one we found - Pawmi’s evolutionary line - has been added.
Hisui
We are not listing here any Pokemon who have other forms, butthe evolution train is the same.
For example, Alolan Geodude evolves into Graveler and then Golem, just like the normal Geodude form.
Evolved With: Unique Items
To evolve Pokemon in this category, youjust need to use an extra item,like a Sinnoh Stone.
Evolved With: Lure Modules
To evolve these Pokemon, you need to beclose enough to spina Poke Stop with the associated luremodule active on it.
Evolved With: Weather And Time
These Pokemon can only be evolved incertain weather and daylight conditions.
Evolved With: Buddy Tasks
To evolve the Pokemon listed below,you just need to have them as your Buddy, then have the Buddywalk the appropriate distance.
Some Pokemon require you todo things with them as a Buddyother than just walking.
Evolved With: Trades
The below Pokemon can be evolved the normal way with candies, butif you get the Pokemon in a trade with another player, you won’t have to pay any candy at all!This is the only method of evolution where you can circumvent the candy cost altogether.
ForPokemonwithmore than two stages of evolution, you will be able to evolve the Pokemon evenif you received the first stage in the trade. You just have topay for the first step of evolution with candy.
If you receive a Geodude in a trade, for example,you need to pay 25 candies to evolve it into Graveler, but the evolution into Golem will still be free.
Unique Case: Inkay, Malamar
In order to evolve Inkay into Malamar,you literally have to flip your phone upside down!When you’re looking at the screen from the wrong direction, you should see the evolve button light up. Hit it and watch the magic happen!
Unique Case: Wurmple, Cascoon, Dustox, Silcoon, Beautifly
Wurmple canevolve into either Cascoon or Silcoon.In turn, they evolve into Dustox and Beautifly respectively.
Unfortunately, there’sno way to control which Pokemon Wurmple evolves into!The odds are about 50/50, so you just need to get lucky if you’re looking for one of them in particular. If you’re just looking to fill your Pokedex, though, just keep trying and you’ll get there eventually!
Unique Case: Tyrogue, Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, Hitmontop
The Pokemon Tyrogue could evolve into one of three different Pokemon: Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, or Hitmontop.Which one it turns into is determined by the Tyrogue’s stats!Click the appraise button in the menu, and your team leader will show you the stats so that you can figure it out.
