What are the rules for mega evolutions in Pokemon go?

[BACK]
What are the rules for mega evolutions in Pokemon go?
Posted On: January 15, 2023

The rules for Pokémon go's mega evolutions have changed over time. There doesn't seem to be any one place in the publisher, Niantic, states all the rules, mechanics and benefits for mega evolutions.


The question is really: what is the complete set of rules that governs how mega evolutions work in Pokémon go?


Question from user This is the Dave I know at gaming.stackexchange.com.


Answer:

This is partially repeat from This is the Dave's answer but with some extra detail, subheadings and updated for the late April 2022 Mega Evolution changes. And thankfully, more of this information is now stated in-game, particularly the Mega Evolution levels.


List of current Mega evolutions, their initial Mega evolution cost, and their types if they have changed from their base forms:.


100:.


Mega Banette.


Mega Beedrill.


Mega Houndoom.


Mega Manectric.


Mega Pidgeot.


Mega Slowbro.


200:.


Mega Abomasnow.


Mega Absol.


Mega Aerodactyl.


Mega Aggron (Steel only).


Mega Alakazam.


Mega Ampharos (Electric/Dragon).


Mega Blastoise.


Mega Blaziken.


Mega Charizard X (Fire/Dragon).


Mega Charizard Y.


Mega Gengar.


Mega Lopunny (Normal/Fighting).


Mega Kangaskhan.


Mega Salamence.


Mega Sceptile (Grass/Dragon).


Mega Steelix.


Mega Swampert.


Mega Venusaur.


300.


Mega Altaria (Dragon/Fairy).


Mega Gyarados (Water/Dark).


Mega Latias.


Mega Latios.


Mega evolution cost.


The initial Mega evolution cost is either 100, 200 (most common) or 300 (Pokemon requiring 400 candy to evolve and legendaries). After a Pokemon has previously Mega Evolved, a Mega Evolution timer starts. At the beginning of this timer, the Mega Evolution cost is reduced by a factor of 5 for that Pokemon only. For example, a previously Mega Evolved Beedrill has a cost of 20, but all other Beedril still have a cost of 100 unless they have also Mega Evolved previously. This reduction remains even if the Pokemon is later traded. Over the timer, the cost gradually decreases over time till the timer finishes, at which the cost then becomes 0 (i.e. free Mega Evolution). The duration is 7 days at the base Mega Evolution level (more on this later).


Earning Mega energy.


Mega energy can be collected for all Pokemon who can currently Mega evolve. The methods of collection are:.


By winning a Mega raid (4 star, 6 star if legendary). The energy earned is a set 200 (increased from 50 to 90), enough to Mega Evolve most Pokemon.


Completion of specific research tasks. This most commonly involves "Power Up Pokemon 5 (10) times" Field Research tasks, whereas the amount varies for Event Field, Special, and Timed Research tasks. These tasks give Mega energy for a specific Pokemon based on the visual appearance of the Mega energy item (which is often difficult to determine: see Bulbapedia for a list of symbols).


Walking with a buddy of the same evolution species of a Pokemon that you have Mega evolved before. For example, if you have Mega Evolved Gyarados previously, any Magikarp and Gyarados can earn Mega candy as your buddy. Energy is earned at a rate of 5 Mega energy every km, but the mega energy is only rewarded when the buddy Pokemon rewards candy i.e. at 1, 3, 5, or 20 km. For example, if the distance is 3km, it will earn 15 Mega Energy every 3km but not before 3km is walked.


Spinning Gym Pokestops (Mega Beedrill energy only as of this edit).


In-battle Mega evolution effects.


All Mega Pokemon have altered Atk and Def which give overall boosted stats (currently all Pokemon have both Atk and Def stats improved, though when Mega Diancie gets released, it will likely lose Def). The Stamina stat will not change.


If a Mega evolved Pokemon is on the field in a raid or gym battle, all its and allied Pokemon's moves that share a type with the Mega evolved Pokemon will receive an attack boost until it leaves the field i.e. switches or faints.


Mega evolved Pokemon are useable in all modes except for (1) PvP battles against other humans and (2) being placed inside gyms. They can be used for training and against Team Rocket, and can be used to beat gyms and raids.


Outside-battle Mega evolution effects.


Whilst you have an active Mega evolved Pokemon, all Pokemon caught of the same type as the Mega Pokémon reward +1 additional candy. +1 candy will also be rewarded when captuing a raid boss regardless of its type. A icon will appear on your profile on your friends' friend list, indicating that you have an active Mega evolution. If the Mega evolution Pokemon is your buddy, this Pokemon will be visible to other players in its Mega evolved form when they see your profile.


Mega evolution duration: 8 hours.


Max Mega energy that can be stored per Pokemon: 2000.


Mega Evolution levels.


This is new as of late April 2022. If you Mega Evolve a Pokemon enough times, it moves up a level. There is a base level and two levels above that. Moving up a level can:.


Decrease the timer taken for a Pokemon to be able to Mega Evolve again for free (from 7 days to 5 days to 3 days).


Decrease the cost required if a Pokemon chooses to Mega Evolve before the timer is out.


Increase the Attack bonuses that Mega Pokemon provide to other Pokemon and their attacks.


Increase EXP from catching Pokemon that share a typing with the Mega Pokemon.


Increase candy from catching Pokemon that share a typing with the Mega Pokemon.


Increase the chance of obtaining XL Candy from catching Pokemon that share a typing with the Mega Pokemon.


Answer from user BGamer at gaming.stackexchange.com.



[BACK]
What are the rules for mega evolutions in Pokemon go?
Posted On: January 15, 2023

The rules for Pokémon go's mega evolutions have changed over time. There doesn't seem to be any one place in the publisher, Niantic, states all the rules, mechanics and benefits for mega evolutions.


The question is really: what is the complete set of rules that governs how mega evolutions work in Pokémon go?


Question from user This is the Dave I know at gaming.stackexchange.com.


Answer:

This is partially repeat from This is the Dave's answer but with some extra detail, subheadings and updated for the late April 2022 Mega Evolution changes. And thankfully, more of this information is now stated in-game, particularly the Mega Evolution levels.


List of current Mega evolutions, their initial Mega evolution cost, and their types if they have changed from their base forms:.


100:.


Mega Banette.


Mega Beedrill.


Mega Houndoom.


Mega Manectric.


Mega Pidgeot.


Mega Slowbro.


200:.


Mega Abomasnow.


Mega Absol.


Mega Aerodactyl.


Mega Aggron (Steel only).


Mega Alakazam.


Mega Ampharos (Electric/Dragon).


Mega Blastoise.


Mega Blaziken.


Mega Charizard X (Fire/Dragon).


Mega Charizard Y.


Mega Gengar.


Mega Lopunny (Normal/Fighting).


Mega Kangaskhan.


Mega Salamence.


Mega Sceptile (Grass/Dragon).


Mega Steelix.


Mega Swampert.


Mega Venusaur.


300.


Mega Altaria (Dragon/Fairy).


Mega Gyarados (Water/Dark).


Mega Latias.


Mega Latios.


Mega evolution cost.


The initial Mega evolution cost is either 100, 200 (most common) or 300 (Pokemon requiring 400 candy to evolve and legendaries). After a Pokemon has previously Mega Evolved, a Mega Evolution timer starts. At the beginning of this timer, the Mega Evolution cost is reduced by a factor of 5 for that Pokemon only. For example, a previously Mega Evolved Beedrill has a cost of 20, but all other Beedril still have a cost of 100 unless they have also Mega Evolved previously. This reduction remains even if the Pokemon is later traded. Over the timer, the cost gradually decreases over time till the timer finishes, at which the cost then becomes 0 (i.e. free Mega Evolution). The duration is 7 days at the base Mega Evolution level (more on this later).


Earning Mega energy.


Mega energy can be collected for all Pokemon who can currently Mega evolve. The methods of collection are:.


By winning a Mega raid (4 star, 6 star if legendary). The energy earned is a set 200 (increased from 50 to 90), enough to Mega Evolve most Pokemon.


Completion of specific research tasks. This most commonly involves "Power Up Pokemon 5 (10) times" Field Research tasks, whereas the amount varies for Event Field, Special, and Timed Research tasks. These tasks give Mega energy for a specific Pokemon based on the visual appearance of the Mega energy item (which is often difficult to determine: see Bulbapedia for a list of symbols).


Walking with a buddy of the same evolution species of a Pokemon that you have Mega evolved before. For example, if you have Mega Evolved Gyarados previously, any Magikarp and Gyarados can earn Mega candy as your buddy. Energy is earned at a rate of 5 Mega energy every km, but the mega energy is only rewarded when the buddy Pokemon rewards candy i.e. at 1, 3, 5, or 20 km. For example, if the distance is 3km, it will earn 15 Mega Energy every 3km but not before 3km is walked.


Spinning Gym Pokestops (Mega Beedrill energy only as of this edit).


In-battle Mega evolution effects.


All Mega Pokemon have altered Atk and Def which give overall boosted stats (currently all Pokemon have both Atk and Def stats improved, though when Mega Diancie gets released, it will likely lose Def). The Stamina stat will not change.


If a Mega evolved Pokemon is on the field in a raid or gym battle, all its and allied Pokemon's moves that share a type with the Mega evolved Pokemon will receive an attack boost until it leaves the field i.e. switches or faints.


Mega evolved Pokemon are useable in all modes except for (1) PvP battles against other humans and (2) being placed inside gyms. They can be used for training and against Team Rocket, and can be used to beat gyms and raids.


Outside-battle Mega evolution effects.


Whilst you have an active Mega evolved Pokemon, all Pokemon caught of the same type as the Mega Pokémon reward +1 additional candy. +1 candy will also be rewarded when captuing a raid boss regardless of its type. A icon will appear on your profile on your friends' friend list, indicating that you have an active Mega evolution. If the Mega evolution Pokemon is your buddy, this Pokemon will be visible to other players in its Mega evolved form when they see your profile.


Mega evolution duration: 8 hours.


Max Mega energy that can be stored per Pokemon: 2000.


Mega Evolution levels.


This is new as of late April 2022. If you Mega Evolve a Pokemon enough times, it moves up a level. There is a base level and two levels above that. Moving up a level can:.


Decrease the timer taken for a Pokemon to be able to Mega Evolve again for free (from 7 days to 5 days to 3 days).


Decrease the cost required if a Pokemon chooses to Mega Evolve before the timer is out.


Increase the Attack bonuses that Mega Pokemon provide to other Pokemon and their attacks.


Increase EXP from catching Pokemon that share a typing with the Mega Pokemon.


Increase candy from catching Pokemon that share a typing with the Mega Pokemon.


Increase the chance of obtaining XL Candy from catching Pokemon that share a typing with the Mega Pokemon.


Answer from user BGamer at gaming.stackexchange.com.



[BACK]

Whats up with the Overwatch pink sausages and onions? Whats up with the Overwatch pink sausages and onions?

Posted On: May 10, 2023
One of the many sprays available in-game shows a pink sausage holding a leek, and is commonly seen with his turnip-onion baby, seen here:. All of the sprays in game, for every hero either reference...[More]


What’s you favorite spell in Hogwarts Legacy? What’s you favorite spell in Hogwarts Legacy?

Posted On: March 23, 2023
I really like depulso it’s really cool that you can slam enemies into each other with it. Also revelio used to be my favorite spell but after hearing it over 10,000 times in one hour it’s ...[More]


What are useful or fun times to use Speak With Dead? What are useful or fun times to use Speak With Dead?

Posted On: November 8, 2023
This is something I feel like I'm missing out on. Does it work on Undead? I always have characters that have the ability but never use it. I'm on my second playthrough. Every time I've tri...[More]


How do you get past the four levers and gate in Harmugstahl? How do you get past the four levers and gate in Harmugstahl?

Posted On: June 28, 2023
I tried to do one lever at a time but that didn't work. Then I tried many different patterns and nothing is working. It is one of the Trouble in Skyrim quests. Question from user doger at stack...[More]


What does Johnny say if youve not completed Blistering Love prior to starting Nocturne Op55N1? What does Johnny say if youve not completed Blistering Love prior to starting Nocturne Op55N1?

Posted On: March 15, 2024
This question is about an option near the end of Cyberpunk 2077. There are certain side quests that, if completed, provide extra options to finishing the last quest. What does Johnny say if those side...[More]


How do restaurants and markets differ in their functions and benefits in Tropico? How do restaurants and markets differ in their functions and benefits in Tropico?

Posted On: May 30, 2023
It seems that both the restaurant and the market are used by Tropicans to satisfy their "food" needs. Since the restaurant has the added convenience of also satisfying the "entertainmen...[More]


What parts of the ending may change in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom? What parts of the ending may change in Zelda Tears of the Kingdom?

Posted On: June 15, 2023
Just like in BotW, the ending is probably modular, lots of things may or may not be there depending if you did something or not. (Staying vague so if someone that hasn't finished the game opens th...[More]


Is Hearthstone a game-within-game? Is Hearthstone a game-within-game?

Posted On: August 25, 2023
Hearthstone's visuals suggest that the game is played in a tavern in the World of Warcraft universe on a (possibly magical) game board. Is Hearthstone a game-within-game in WoW? When you play H...[More]


My cat judged me for my romance with Karlach. My cat judged me for my romance with Karlach.

Posted On: October 26, 2025
Question from user clockfart at BaldursGate3 at reddit.com.Answer:https: - - preview.redd.it - 43rozd682hxf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=09f8507118c348285c6e43ca64eea2252e85f010.I feel you...[More]


How to increase the render resolution in God of War pc? How to increase the render resolution in God of War pc?

Posted On: September 4, 2023
My laptop has 16GB RAM and a Geforce GTX 1060 6GB. The render resolution option is disabled in the game settings. Is it possible to increase it on my laptop, or is GTX incapable of it? Question fro...[More]