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Mega Evolution Mechanics

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How 2 Mega

Mega Evolution can occur if sufficient Mega Energy is obtained for a Pokémon that can Mega Evolve. Mega Energy can be obtained from Mega Raids, Research Tasks, and walking a Buddy that has already Mega Evolved at least once. Walking a Buddy will reward 5 Mega Energy per kilometer walked, but not received until obtaining a Candy from the Buddy. 

Mega Energy Raid Reward
Time Elapsed to Complete Raid Mega Energy Rewarded
0:00 - 0:29 250
0:30 - 1:14 225
1:15 - 2:29 200
2:30 - 3:44 175
3:45 - 5:00 150
Mega Evolution Costs Per Species
Mega Pokemon Initial Mega Energy Cost Subsequent Mega Energy Cost (Base Level) Subsequent Mega Energy Cost (High Level) Subsequent Mega Energy Cost (Max Level)
Venusaur 200 40 20 10
Charizard X 200 40 20 10
Charizard Y 200 40 20 10
Blastoise 200 40 20 10
Beedrill 100 20 10 5
Pidgeot 100 20 10 5
Alakazam
Slowbro 100 20 10 5
Gengar 200 40 20 10
Kangaskhan 200 40 20 10
Pinsir
Gyarados 300 60 30 15
Aerodactyl 200 40 20 10
Mewtwo X 300 60 30 15
Mewtwo Y 300 60 30 15
Ampharos 200 40 20 10
Steelix 200 40 20 10
Scizor
Heracross
Houndoom 100 20 10 5
Tyranitar 300 60 30 15
Sceptile
Blaziken
Swampert
Gardevoir
Sableye 100 20 10 5
Mawile
Aggron
Medicham 100 20 10 5
Manectric 100 20 10 5
Sharpedo
Camerupt
Altaria 300 60 30 15
Banette 100 20 10 5
Absol 200 40 20 10
Glalie
Salamence 300 60 30 15
Metagross 300 60 30 15
Latias 300 60 30 15
Latios 300 60 30 15
Kyogre 300 60 30 15
Groudon 300 60 30 15
Rayquaza 300 60 30 15
Lopunny 200 40 20 10
Garchomp 300 60 30 15
Lucario
Abomasnow 200 40 20 10
Gallade
Audino
Diancie 300 60 30 15

Mega Mechanics

General Mechanics

  • Mega Evolution lasts 8 hours, after which the Mega Pokémon will revert to its regular form. 
  • Only one Pokémon can be Mega Evolved at any time. If a player wants to Mega Evolve another Pokémon, the current Mega Evolved Pokémon will revert to its regular form. 
  • Initial Mega Energy costs 100-400 Energy (species dependent), decreased by 80% for subsequent Mega Evolutions (only applies to the exact specific Pokémon that did Mega Evolution, not to the Pokémon family or species).
  • Certain Mega Pokémon have less Mega Energy cost than others.
  • Shadow Pokémon and GO Exclusive variants (ex Clones) cannot Mega Evolve.
  • Costumed Pokémon can Mega Evolve, but the Mega Pokémon will not wear the costume.
  • Shiny Pokémon can Mega Evolve and will show a Shiny Mega Pokémon.
  • Mega Pokémon cannot be used in Go Battle League, but can be used in PvP Trainer Battles outside of GBL.
  • Maximum Mega Energy storage capped at 9999 per Pokémon family. 
  • Mega Pokémon cannot be slotted into Gyms as defenders. 
  • Mega Pokémon cannot be powered up while they are Mega Evolved. Their stats are determined by the base Pokémon's stats (including level and IVs). 
  • If the base Pokemon is not fully healed, it will be restored to full HP once it Mega Evolves. 

Candy Mechanics

  • +1 Candy for all Raid bosses caught, regardless of typing.
  • +1 Candy for all Pokémon caught with shared typing as the Mega Pokémon.
  • Above two bonuses do not stack.
  • Your Mega Evolved Pokémon does not need to be in your battle party or paired as your active buddy for these bonuses to apply.

Combat Mechanics

PvE (Raid/Gym) ATK Bonus

  • +30% ATK bonus if the Fast Move or Charged Move shares the same typing as the Mega Pokémon.
  • +10% ATK bonus if the Fast Move or Charged Move does not share the same typing as the Mega Pokémon. 
  • Mega Pokémon must be actively fighting to apply these boosts (does not apply if fainted or switched out). 
  • Mega Pokémon will provide these boosts to all other player's attacking Pokémon in the Raid/Gym battle, but no boosts stack. 
  • Mega Pokémon can boost other Mega Pokémon, but effects do not stack. If multiple Mega Pokémon are battling at the same time, only the highest boost will apply. 
  • Example: Two Mega Gengar are on the field at the same time, both with only STAB moves. Both will receive a +30% ATK bonus. 

Mega Levels

  • Mega Pokemon have three levels (Base, High, Max) that can be increased once daily.
  • Mega Levels apply to individual Pokemon, not Pokemon family or species.
  • After initially Mega Evolving for the first time, the Mega Pokemon's level will be at Base Level.
  • High Level requires 7 Mega Evolutions from the same individual Pokemon. (Includes the initial Mega Evolution)
  • Max Level requires 30 Mega Evolutions from the same individual Pokemon. 
  • XL and XP bonuses apply only to Pokemon caught with a shared typing as the active Mega Pokemon. 
Mega Level Perks
Base Level High Level Max Level
+1 Catch Candy +1 Catch Candy +2 Catch Candy
Boosted Ally Attacks Boosted Ally Attacks Boosted Ally Attacks
7 Day Mega Evolution Rest Period 5 Day Mega Evolution Rest Period 3 Day Mega Evolution Rest Period
80% Reduced Subsequent Mega Energy Cost 90% Reduced Subsequent Mega Energy Cost 95% Reduced Subsequent Mega Energy Cost
10% Bonus XL Chance 25% Bonus XL Chance
+50 Catch XP Bonus +100 Catch XP Bonus

Notes

Notes

  • On April 25, 2022, Mega Energy cap increased from 2000 to 9999
  • On April 28, 2022, an update introduced Mega Levels and changed Mega Energy requirements of a few species
    • Gyarados and Altaria Mega Energy cost increased from 200 to 300 for initial Mega Energy cost, and from 40 to 60 for subsequent costs
    • Manectric and Slowbro Mega Energy cost decreased from 200 to 100 for initial Mega Energy cost, and from 40 to 20 for subsequent costs
    • Sableye, Medicham, and Banette were datamined to have 100 initial Mega Energy cost despite not being released at that time
    • Mewtwo, Tyranitar, Salamence, Metagross, Latias, Latios, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Garchomp, and Diancie were datamined to have 300 initial Mega Energy cost despite not being released at that time
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About the Author(s)

Writer for GamePress with a focus on raid and PvP content. Retired from competitive play, former GBL Rank 10/Legend and Silph Arena Elite. Also a fan of Digimon. 

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