The Most Difficult Pokemon to Evolve, Ranked

Choose the Pokemon you think is the most difficult!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 24, 2024 08:49
For many Pokemon trainers, evolving their creatures presents unique challenges, some of which can be significantly harder than others. Factors such as specific item requirements, certain time conditions, or unique actions in the game can elevate the evolution difficulty of specific Pokemon. It's not just about battles and strategies; knowing which Pokemon are toughest to evolve can greatly enhance a trainer's gaming experience. This site gathers insights from gamers around the world, offering a live ranking of Pokemon based on the difficulty of their evolution processes. By participating in this voting process, you contribute to a broader understanding that can help fellow trainers make informed decisions about their gameplay. Moreover, checking out how others vote gives you a perspective on the common and rare challenges trainers face during their Pokemon evolution journeys.

What Is the Most Difficult Pokemon to Evolve?

  1. 1
    0
    votes

    Nincada to Shedinja

    When Nincada evolves into Ninjask at level 20, if there is an extra space in the player's party and an extra Poké Ball, Shedinja will appear.
    • Evolution Method: Extra space in party and Poké Ball when evolving
  2. 2
    0
    votes

    Alolan Raichu

    Pikachu can only evolve into Alolan Raichu by using a Thunder Stone in the Alola region.
    • Evolution Method: Thunder Stone in Alola
  3. 3
    0
    votes

    Magikarp to Gyarados

    Magikarp requires 400 candies to evolve into Gyarados in Pokémon GO, similar to Meltan's evolution.
    • Evolution Method: Requires 400 candies in Pokémon GO
  4. 4
    0
    votes

    Eevee to Sylveon

    Eevee evolves into Sylveon when it levels up with a high friendship level and knows a Fairy-type move.
    • Evolution Method: High friendship and knows a Fairy-type move
  5. 5
    0
    votes

    Tyrogue to Hitmontop

    Tyrogue evolves into Hitmontop if its Attack and Defense are equal at level 20.
    • Evolution Method: Attack and Defense equal at level 20
  6. 6
    0
    votes

    Feebas to Milotic

    Evolving Feebas into Milotic requires maxing out its Beauty condition in earlier games or trading it while holding a Prism Scale in later games.
    • Evolution Method: Max Beauty condition or trade with Prism Scale
  7. 7
    0
    votes

    Wurmple to Silcoon/Cascoon

    Wurmple's evolution into Silcoon or Cascoon is determined randomly, based on its personality value.
    • Evolution Method: Random, based on personality value
  8. 8
    0
    votes

    Meltan to Melmetal

    Evolving Meltan into Melmetal requires 400 candies in Pokémon GO, making it a tedious process.
    • Evolution Method: Requires 400 candies in Pokémon GO
  9. 9
    0
    votes

    Sirfetch'd from Farfetch'd

    Farfetch'd must land 3 critical hits in a single battle to evolve into Sirfetch'd.
    • Evolution Method: 3 critical hits in one battle
  10. 10
    0
    votes

    Inkay to Malamar

    Inkay evolves into Malamar when it levels up above level 30 while the game device is held upside-down.
    • Evolution Method: Level up over 30 while device is upside-down

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult Pokemon to evolve. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Pokémon is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2590 views
  • 0 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Pokémon once every 24 hours. The rank of each Pokémon is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Additional Information

More about the Most Difficult Pokemon to Evolve

Nincada to Shedinja
Rank #1 for the most difficult Pokemon to evolve: Nincada to Shedinja (Source)
In the world of Pokémon, evolution is a key feature. Some Pokémon evolve easily, while others pose challenges. The difficulty of evolving certain Pokémon varies due to several factors. Understanding these factors can help trainers prepare for the journey.

One major factor is the level requirement. Some Pokémon need to reach a high level before they evolve. This means trainers must spend much time battling to gain experience points. As Pokémon gain levels, the experience needed increases, making the process slow.

Another factor is the use of special items. Some Pokémon need specific items to evolve. These items can be rare or hard to find. Trainers often need to search different locations or complete certain tasks to obtain them. This adds a layer of complexity to the evolution process.

Friendship levels also play a role. Some Pokémon evolve only when they have high friendship with their trainer. Building friendship takes time. Trainers must engage in activities like walking, battling, and feeding their Pokémon. This requires patience and consistency.

Environmental conditions can also affect evolution. Some Pokémon need to be in a specific location or environment to evolve. This means trainers must explore different areas and wait for the right conditions. Weather, time of day, and even seasons can influence evolution.

Trading is another method that can complicate evolution. Certain Pokémon evolve only when traded between trainers. This requires coordination with another player. It can be challenging if a trainer does not have someone to trade with. Trust is also a factor, as both parties must ensure the Pokémon trade back if needed.

Evolution through moves or stats is another hurdle. Some Pokémon evolve when they learn a particular move or reach a certain stat threshold. This can be tricky as it requires careful planning. Trainers must monitor their Pokémon’s growth and moveset.

Lastly, some Pokémon have unique evolution methods. These methods can be complex and require specific actions. For example, holding an item while leveling up or evolving at a certain time of day. These unique methods often need research and precise timing.

In summary, evolving certain Pokémon can be challenging due to high level requirements, special items, friendship levels, environmental conditions, trading, moves or stats, and unique methods. Trainers must be prepared to invest time and effort. Understanding these factors can make the journey smoother. Each evolution is a milestone and a testament to a trainer’s dedication.

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