Everything we know so far about Mega Evolution for Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go finally has Mega Evolution and Mega Raids and it is a game changer! While there is a lot to this new mechanic, we here at iMore have everything you need to know about Mega Evolution in Pokémon Go!

Mega Evolution in Pokémon Go

On August 27, 2020, Mega Evolution finally arrived, confirming some of what was suspected, some of what dataminers had found, and more. Mega Raids were added and the ability to Mega Evolve some species was added as well. Mega Evolution looks a little different in Pokémon Go than it did in the core games, but we have everything you need to know about how Mega Evolution works and how to make the most of it in Pokémon Go.

Mega Energy

Mega Evolution in Pokémon Go costs Mega Energy. This rare resource is rewarded for completing Mega Raids and Special Research. Soon, Mega Energy will also be rewarded for walking with your Buddy Pokémon, completing select Field Research tasks, and other gameplay.

The initial cost for Mega Evolution for a species is high, but once you've Mega Evolved an individual Pokémon, subsequent Mega Evolutions of that species cost a fraction of the Mega Energy.

Uses for Mega Pokémon

Once Mega Evolved, a Pokémon will remain Mega Evolved for a set period of time. It can be used in Raid Battles, Gym Battles, Team GO Rocket Battles, PVP Battles outside the Go Battle League, and as your Buddy Pokémon. After the timer runs out, you will need to spend more Mega Energy to Mega Evolve again. When used in Raids and Gym Battles, a Mega Evolved Pokémon boosts the stats of all the other Pokémon in the battle and provides an additional boost to Pokémon of the same type using the same type attacks.

Mega Raids

A new class of Raid Battles, Mega Raids are run similar to normal Raids, but against a Mega Evolved Pokémon. Instead of catching the Mega Pokémon at the end of the Mega Raid, players are rewarded with Mega Energy. The faster the Raid is completed, the more Mega Energy Trainers are rewarded. Although all Mega Pokémon haven't been introduced to Mega Raids yet, we have guides for the following eight:

• Mega Venusaur Mega Raid Guide
• Mega Charizard X Mega Raid Guide
• Mega Charizard Y Mega Raid Guide
• Mega Blastoise Mega Raid Guide
• Mega Pidgeot Mega Raid Guide
• Mega Houndoom Mega Raid Guide
• Mega Gengar Mega Raid Guide
• Mega Abomasnow Mega Raid Guide

Additionally, unlike most evolved Pokémon, the Pokémon you catch after completing a Mega Raid can be Shiny.

What is Mega Evolution?

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.

Can existing Pokémon Mega Evolve in Pokémon Go?

It was revealed in a Developer Insight video 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. However, not all Pokémon capable of Mega Evolving in the core games can do so right now. Currently, only select species of Pokémon can Mega Evolve, while more species will be added over time.

The following species have had Mega Evolution unlocked:

• Venusaur: Mega Venusaur costs 200 Mega Energy initially and 40 Mega Energy on subsequent Evolutions.
• Charizard (both X and Y): Mega Charizard costs 200 Mega Energy initially and 40 Mega Energy on subsequent Evolutions.
• Blastoise: Mega Blastoise costs 200 Mega Energy initially and 40 Mega Energy on subsequent Evolutions.
• Beedrill: Mega Beedrill costs 100 Mega Energy initially and 20 Mega Energy on subsequent Evolutions.
• Pidgeot: Mega Pidgeot costs 100 Mega Energy initially and 20 Mega Energy on subsequent Evolutions.
• Houndoom: Mega Houndoom costs 200 Mega Energy initially and 40 Mega Energy on subsequent Evolutions.
• Gengar: Mega Gengar costs 200 Mega Energy initially and 40 Mega Energy on subsequent Evolutions.
• Abomasnow: Mega Abomasnow costs 200 Mega Energy initially and 40 Mega Energy on subsequent Evolutions.

As of September 3, 2020, the cost for subsequent Mega Evolutions has been dropped from 25% to 20% of the initial cost.

Which Pokémon will eventually be able to Mega Evolve in Pokémon Go?

There are 46 species of Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution in the core Pokémon games, 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
• Banette
• 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. Although neither have been introduced yet, dataminers have found evidence that Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon are coming soon.

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.

• A note on Abilities: Pokémon Go does not incorporate Abilities in the way the core games do. Generally, this hasn't been an issue, but Mega Evolution also changes a Pokémon's Ability and some of those Abilities can have a dramatic effect on battle. While Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre's Abilities are quite significant, Mega Venusaur's Ability Thick Fat would normally cut the damage it takes from Fire and Ice type attacks in half. Because Mega Venusaur doesn't have this Ability in Pokémon Go, both Fire and Ice type attacks deal super effective damage.

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 Best Portable Battery Packs guide so you can stay charge for a whole day of Mega Raids!