Everything we know so far about Mega Evolution for Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go is getting Mega Evolution soon! We don't have a release date yet and we don't know exactly how the mechanic will be incoporated. However, dataminers have broken down the most recent APK update and we've got a lot of ideas! As more details come to light, we'll be the first to let you know.

August Pokémon Go APK update

On August 18, 2020, Pokémon Go got an APK update that the dataminer group PokéMiners broke down to discover lots of new Mega Evolution related content. As with anything dataminers find, this is subject to change before implementation, but so far, they've discovered:

• Mega Raids - it would seem as though we'll soon be challenging Mega Evolved Pokémon in Raids! These Raids will feature special Mega Evolution music too.
• Mega Candy - this item is a reward for winning Mega Raids and would seem to be serving as the Mega Evolution Stone, but does not appear to be species specific. It's also not clear how many Mega Candies are necessary but it would seem as though the Mega Candies will be used up each time you Mega Evolve.
• Mega Evolution quests - could we be seeing the beginnings of Special Research for Mega Evolution? It's not clear if this is a one time thing, or perhaps something you need to complete for each species you wish to Mega Evolve.
• Mega Evolution timer - it would seem as though Mega Evolution is a temporary thing in Pokémon Go.
• Mega Evolution and devolution animation - looks like we'll see some sort of fancy animation when our Pokémon Mega Evolve and revert back to normal.
• Mega Evolved display - the display for name, CP, Pokédex, etc... will reflect Mega Evolved Pokémon.
• Mega Evolved stats - it would seem as though Mega Evolution leads to a percentage boost, as opposed to a flat stat boost and may be connected to a Mega Energy bar.
• Mega Evolution Badges - two new badges players can earn by Mega Evolving, one for total Mega Evolutions and one for unique Mega Evolutions
• Mega Evolution X and Y - while most Mega Evolved Pokémon only have one forme, Charizard and Mewtwo both have two designated Mega X and Mega Y, something now reflected in the APK.

While this may seem like an awful lot of new information, Niantic recently added a layer of obfuscation to the APK, making it much more difficult for dataminers. The PokéMiners will be doing a deeper dive that may turn up even more information soon!

What is Mega Evolution in Pokémon Go?

Mega Evolution is a battle mechanic introduced in the Gen VI games, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. Closer to Dynamaxing than it is to Evolution, Mega Evolution allows a Pokémon to become much stronger for the remainder of a single battle. the resulting Mega Pokémon will look considerably different and sometimes even have a different typing. Only select species are capable of Mega Evolution and it requires a Mega Stone specific to the species of the Pokémon. For example, if you want Ampharos to Mega Evolve, you need Ampharosite, but Absol needs Absolite. On top of the Mega Stone, the Trainer also has to have a Key Stone which is kept in a Mega Ring, Mega Bracelet, Z-Ring, or Z-Power Ring.

While many Pokémon Go Trainers will have most of the Pokémon capable of Mega Evolving already the Mega Stones and other key items needed will likely be more difficult to come by.

Will existing Pokémon be able to Mega Evolve in Pokémon Go?

This question has come up frequently and is one I've had myself. In the current core games Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Gigantamax forms are specific to not just species but individuals as well. I have several Pikachu, but only a couple can Gigantamax. Pokémon Go has also implemented Pokémon which change formes in the core games as separate species. For example, in the core games, Giratina can hold an item that allows it to change from one forme to another, but in Pokémon Go, an Origin Forme Giratina can never be an Altered Forme Giratina.

While we still don't know exactly how Mega Evolution will work in Pokémon Go, during Pokémon Go Fest 2020, a Developer Insight video was released in which it was confirmed that any Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution in the core games will also be able to Mega Evolve in Pokémon Go, including the very first starter Pokémon you chose. Well, assuming you didn't pick Pikachu.

Which Pokémon can Mega Evolve in Pokémon Go?

Although we don't know yet how Pokémon Go will implement Mega Evolution, we do know which species could be included. There are 46 species of Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, two of which have two different Mega forms:

• Venusaur
• Charizard* - can change from Fire and Flying to Fire and Dragon
• Blastoise
• Beedrill
• Pidgeot
• Alakazam
• Slowbro
• Gengar
• Kangaskhan
• Pinsir - changes from Bug to Bug and Flying
• Gyarados - changes from Water and Flying to Water and Dark
• Aerodactyl
• Mewtwo* - can change from pure Psychic to Psychic and Fighting
• Ampharos - changes from pure Electric to Electric and Dragon
• Steelix
• Scizor
• Heracross
• Houndoom
• Tyranitar
• Sceptile - changes from pure Grass to Grass and Dragon
• Blaziken
• Swampert
• Gardevoir
• Sableye
• Mawile
• Aggron - changes from Steel and Rock to pure Steel
• Medicham
• Manectric
• Sharpedo
• Camerupt
• Altaria - changes from Dragon and Flying to Dragon and Fairy
• Banete
• Absol
• Glalie
• Salamence
• Metagross
• Latias
• Latios
• Rayquaza
• Lopunny - changes from Normal to Normal and Fighting
• Garchomp
• Lucario
• Abomasnow
• Gallade
• Audino - changes from Normal to Normal and Fairy
• Diancie

An asterisk indicates a Pokémon with two different Mega Evolutions, differentiated as Mega X or Mega Y.

Primal Reversion in Pokémon Go?

In addition to the 46 Pokémon capable of Mega Evolving, the Legendary Pokémon Kyogre and Groudon have forms that are similar to Mega Evolution. These forms, called Primal Reversion, use orbs instead of Mega Stones and don't require the Key Stone. Otherwise, the process is very similar, so it is possible that they will also be getting their Primal forms when Mega Evolution is introduced.

Primal Groudon

After going through Primal Reversion, Groudon is no longer solely Ground type, but now Ground and Fire type. Its new ability, Desolate Land changes the weather to Extremely Harsh Sunlight. This causes damaging Water type attacks to fail; weather modifying moves Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Sandstorm, and Hail to fail; and certain abilities (Drought, Drizzle, Sand Stream, and Snow Warning) fail. Groudon can also undergo Primal Reversion multiple times in the same battle and does not limit another Pokémon from Mega Evolving.

Primal Kyogre

When Kyogre undergoes Primal Reversion, it remains a pure Water type, but still gets a big stat boost. It's new ability, Primordial Sea causes Heavy Rain. This extreme weather condition causes Fire type damaging attacks to fail; weather modifying moves Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Sandstorm, and Hail to fail; and certain abilities (Drought, Drizzle, Sand Stream, and Snow Warning) to fail. Kyogre can also undergo Primal Reversion multiple times in the same battle and does not limit another Pokémon from Mega Evolving.

Questions?

Do you have questions about Mega Evolution? Which Mega Pokémon are you most excited to see in Pokémon Go? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to check out our CompletePokédex, as well as our many Pokémon Go guides so you can be the very best like no one ever was!