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Familiar fans of thePokemonfranchise will already know that not every Pokemon evolves by leveling up. Certain species require trading, and then there are the species that have unique evolution requirements. Naturally, this carries over intoPokemon GO, where Pokemon don’t “level up,” but may require a trick in addition to receiving the right amount of Pokemon Candy.
Some of the Pokemon inPokemon GOjust need to be assigned as a Buddy and walk a certain amount of kilometers, but that isn’t always the case. Evolution methods can have bizarre requirements, and some take longer than others. Knowing and checking which Pokemon have special evolutions will prevent you from being caught off guard.
Updated on August 05, 2025 by Renri Seong:Special evolutions continue to be a part ofPokemon GO’s gameplay. If you’re trying to fill out the Pokedex, you’ll be setting various Pokemon as your Buddy and completing different Buddy Tasks. If you’re an avid player ofGOor are a fan who’s just familiar with the franchise, then you probably know that some Pokemon can only evolve in specific conditions such as the time of day or during rainy weather. The following guide has been updated to include more Pokemon evolutions, such as Pokemon that can evolve by trade.
Every Pokemon that Evolves During Certain Weather or Time
Pokemon like Tyrunt and Amaura can only evolve at a certain time of day. It doesn’t matter if youhave the right amount of Candy. If it’s not daytime or nighttime respectively, then the “Evolve” button won’t work. Nighttime ranges from20:00 - 7:59LocalinPokemon GO.
Here are the current Pokemon that have weather or time requirements inPokemon GO:
Eevee
Espeon
Walk 10km with Eevee as the Buddy Pokemon. Can evolve into Espeon during theday.
* Rockruff
Lycranroc (Dusk Form)
Hatch Rockruff from a 10km Egg from Adventure Sync. Evolve between 17:00-19:00 local.
Hisuian Sneasel
Sneasler
Walk 7km with Sneasel as the Buddy Pokemon. Evolves during theday.
100 Sneasel Candy
- Dusk Form Lycanroc made its debut on June 06, 2025. Rockruffs hatched from 2km-7km Eggs during this event would have the ability to evolve into Dusk Lycanroc. Since the event has ended, you’re able to’t get Rockruff via the 2km-7km Eggs. However, if you walk50km in a week, you may receive a10km Egg as an Adventure Sync rewardon Monday. The Rockruff that hatches from this Eggcan potentially evolve into Dusk Lycanroc. Unfortunately, the chances of getting Rockruff are randomized, and it also has to compete with other Pokemon in the 10km Egg pool.
Every Pokemon that Evolves with Buddy Tasks
For some Pokemon, there will be a tab beneath theEvolvebutton on the summary page. Tap the dropdown arrow to view the Evolution/Buddy Task and check its progress. Most Pokemon with this evolution method will need to be set as the Buddy Pokemon. To do this,tap the trainer iconin the lower-left of the screen. SelectChoose a BuddyorSwap Buddies. A Buddy Pokemon can be changed up to20 times a day.
The Pokemon doesn’t necessarily have to be out of the Poke Ball/on the map for the completion of the task. Just verify it’s set as the Buddy beforegetting to work on the Buddy Tasks.
Set as Buddy Pokemon and earn70 Hearts.
Set as Buddy Pokemon and catch32 Dark-type Pokemon.
Set as Buddy Pokemon and feed Swirlixx25 Berries.
Set as Buddy Pokemon and use anIncense.
Set as Buddy Pokemon and catch30 Poison-type Pokemon.
Set as Buddy Pokemon and catch30 Psychic-type Pokemon.
Set as Buddy Pokemon and make10 Excellent Throws.
Set as Buddy Pokemon anddefeat 30 Psychic-type or Ghost-type Pokemon.
Set as Buddy Pokemon anddefeat 30 Ghost-type Pokemon.
50 Charcadet Candy
While most of the Pokemon in this list can be caught in the wild, some are more common during events, such as the Galarian Yamask. In fact, Galarian Yamask Encounters could only be done through completing Timed Research Tasks. This also applied to Galarian Farfetch’d, who had a chance of appearing as a reward for an Event-themed Field Research Task.
Unfortunately, Hisuian Pokemon such as Wyrdeer and Kleavor can only be caught in Timed Raids as of August 2024. Although they’re final-evolved forms, there are currently no ways to evolve Stantler and Scyther into Wyrdeer and Kleavor respectively inPokemon GO. The same applies for thePokemon Legends: Arceusstarters: Oshawott, Rowlet, and Cyndaquil. The only way to get Hisuian Samurott, Hisuian Decidueye, and Hisuian Typhlosion is through Raids. Thus, you’ll want to keep aneye out forGO’s in-game events.
Every Pokemon with a Unique Evolution Method
Pokemon with Unique Evolutions are those that don’t need to be set as a Buddy, but they do have Evolution Tasks. For a Pokemon like Tyrogue, the silhouette of what it will evolve into will appear next to the Evolve button. Others may have question marks and have little-to-no clues on how to evolve the Pokemon.
Turn device upside downand then selectEvolve.
50 Inkay Candy
- You can view a Pokemon’s IVs by tapping theicon in the bottom-rightof Tyrogue’s summary screen. SelectAppraisalto see which one of its IVs are the highest. In addition to this, there will be a silhouette (if you have not yet registered them) of either Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee, or Hitmontop nearEvolve. If you want Hitmontop but their Tyrogue’s best IV is its Attack, then they should refrain from evolving it and save the Candies for the next Tyrogue.
Every Pokemon That Evolves Through Trade
Although they’re not part of the “Special Buddy Tasks” evolution bunch, there are several Pokemon inGOthat can be evolved through trade. Trading can be done between yourself and a friend in-game. To make a trade, you’ll need Stardust, but the amount of Stardust depends on a couple factors:
Here’s the list of all Pokemon inGOthat can evolve by trading:
Trevenant
200 Phantump Candy
Fortunately, you can still evolve these Pokemon if you don’t have anyone to trade with. The drawback is you’ll be required to spend Candy, whereas when you trade, the Evolve button on the Pokemon’s summary page will be clickable.
Gen 1 Pokemonsuch as Kadabra and Graveleronly need 100 Candy to evolve into their final evolution. However, those from later generations such as Karrablast and Shelmet require 200 Candy. Thus, it’s better if you receive the Pokemon you’re trying to evolve in trade so you don’t spend 100-200 Candy.
Every Pokemon with a Random Evolution
Finally, there are Pokemon that have “random” evolutions. You’ll notice a “?” on the Evolve button on the Pokemon’s summary page. If you have the right amount of Candy, you may evolve it into one of the available evolutions. However, you can’tchoosewhich one you’ll get, which can make things trickywhen you’re trying to get a specific Pokemon.
