As the series progressed, Nintendo added in multiple types of evolution to Pokemon. While frustrating at times, it adds a new level of depth to the gameplay, encouraging experimenting to find out just how some forms evolve. This guide focuses on the various methods of evolution and looks to note those of a unique nature (i.e. not by level gain). At this time, Pokemon evolve because of Level, Happiness, Item held at level, Moves known at level, Location, Trade (sometimes with an item), statistic based, beauty, and party set-up. That list is abbreviated, but the guide following will clarify on the unique evolutions. Some Pokemon over the course of their life use multiple forms of evolution. The following guide’s lists will state the format of evolution at its most basic level. Each Pokemon will be clearly named and all relevant details will be stated for that particular evolutionary chain. I will also give helpful tips to aid in attaining these evolutions. Anyone who has attempted to get some of the trickier ones should find this very useful. While the guide does contain reiterations, I am simply aiming for accuracy, as many of these evolutions have multiple requirements and am going for the most accurate I can get each entry. This is to prevent confusion, just in case.

Each entry has this format:
The relevant form (Items/Lvl/Move) --> The Evolution (any specific requirements)


Level:
    This is the most common method for any Pokemon to evolve with. Of the 490, most will have at least one evolution that is level based in one way or another. However, while this is a simple method of evolution, it can be used in conjunction with moves and gender to add complications that make it harder for one to evolve particular species of Pokemon. It’s important to look into the means of evolution when trying to get any one particular species that has a chain of evolutions. A great number of Pokemon evolve this way. Simply in the interest of space, I won’t list them as this would then be the largest section and this is focusing on more than the basic form of evolution.

*For full list of pokemon who evolve by leveling go to the Pokemon Platinum Evolution Levels Guide.

    Lickitung (Lvl. 33 & Rollout) --> Lickilicky
    Tangela (Lvl. 33 & Ancient Power) --> Tangrowth
    Mime Jr. (Lvl. 18 & Mimic) --> Mr. Mime
    Bonsly (Lvl. 17 & Mimic) --> Sudowoodo
    Aipom (Lvl. 32 & Double-slap) --> Ambipom
    Yanma (Lvl. 33 & Ancient Power) --> Yanmega
    Piloswine (Any & Ancient Power(the Move Tutor)) -->Mamoswine
    FEMALE Burmy (Lvl. 20) --> Wormadam
    MALE Burmy (Lvl. 20) --> Mothim
    FEMALE Combee (Lvl. 21) -->Vespiquen
    Matyke (lvl 25 & have Remoraid in your party) --> Mantine
    Tyrouge at Lvl. 20 (Atk > Def) --> Hitmonlee
    Tyrouge at Lvl. 20  (Def > Atk) --> Hitmonchan
    Tyrouge at Lvl. 20  (Atk = Def) --> Hitmontop

Friendship:
    This is easily one of the trickiest means for a Pokemon to evolve as it’s very hard to gauge, even with the Poketech Application. Still, it’s possible with some time and some knowledge. If possible, try to catch the Pokemon with a Luxury Ball is it makes it easier to raise happiness. Once something is happy enough, the time it levels, it will evolve, provided there aren’t any more requirements. The most standard ways to gain happiness in Pokemon would be:
    1)    Having it in your Party: They love being used in battle and they like being with you.
    2)    Drinks from Veilstone Department Store (Lemonade, Soda, Water in that order)
    3)    Poffins (their favorite kind)
    4)    Winning Super Contest
    5)    Veilstone and Ribbon Syndicate Massages. Veilstone has the advantage of getting an accessory as well.
    6)    Vitamins: From the Veilstone Dept. Store, while only 51 can be used, it’s a great way to raise something simply because
    7)    Berries: Specifically the EV Reducing berries, a great way.
    8)    Amity Square: Open to only specific Pokemon, it’s still a good way to raise their happiness. It is important to check on them every 200 steps to see if they have picked up an item.
    9)    Soothe Bell: Slow but reliable. Recommended with a Luxury Ball

The quickest way of raising a Pokemon’s happiness is also the one that should be done the soonest. The most efficient way I’ve found is to use the EV Reducing berries: Pomeg, Kelpsy, Qualot, Hondew, Grepa and Tamato. While this is a very efficient method, about 35 berries, it isn’t without risk as it reduces Statistics if Effort Values are figured in. It’s a lot easier to have something hold an Everstone to learn moves than to struggle through happiness-gain more than needed.

    Muchlax --> Snorlax
    Golbat --> Crobat
    Togepi --> Togetic
    Eevee --> Espeon (between 4am and 8pm)
    Eevee --> Umbreon (between 8pm and 4am)
    Chansey --> Blissey
    Buneary --> Lopunny
    Riolu -->Lucario (between 4am and 8pm)
    Cleffa --> Clefairy
    Igglybuff --> Jigglypuff
    Pichu --> Pikachu
    Azurill --> Marill
    Budew --> Roselia (between 4am and 8pm)
    Chingling --> Chimecho (between 8pm and 4am)

Item Based:
    Some Pokemon cannot evolve on their own. These Pokemon require an item to trigger the evolution. Items factor in to evolution in two ways. The first is simply by using it on the Pokemon, like a Potion, all entries simply stating an item require it to be used on the Pokemon. The second is for the Pokemon to be holding the item when they are either traded or gain a level. Some Pokemon can only learn moves in their younger forms which they can’t learn in their evolved form, so be warned and carefully consider when it evolve them.

    Happiny (Holding Oval Stone) --> Chansey (Between 4am and 8pm, level it)
    Nidorino (Moon Stone) --> Nidoking
    Nidorina (Moon Stone) --> Nidoqueen
    Clefairy (Moon Stone) --> Clefable
    Pikachu (Thunder Stone) --> Raichu
    Vulpix (Fire Stone) --> Ninetails
    Jigglypuff (Moon Stone) --> Wigglytuff
    Gloom (Leaf Stone) --> Vileploom
    Gloom (Sun Stone) --> Bellossom
    Growlithe (Fire Stone) --> Arcanine
    Poliwhirl (Water Stone) --> Poliwrath
    Weepinbell (Leaf Stone) --> Victreebel
    Shellder (Water Stone) --> Cloyster
    Exeggcute (Leaf Stone) --> Exeggutor
    Staryu (Water Stone) --> Starmie
    Eevee (Water Stone) --> Vaporeon
    Eevee (Thunder Stone) --> Jolteon
    Eevee (Fire Stone) --> Flareon
    Togetic (Shiny Stone) --> Togekiss
    Sunkern (Sun Stone) --> Sunflora
    Murkrow (Dusk Stone) --> Honchkrow
    Misdreavus (Dusk Stone) --> Mismagius
    Gligar (Holding Razor Fang) --> Gliscor (Between 8pm and 4am, level it)
    Sneasel (Holding Razor Claw) --> Weavile (Between 8pm and 4am, level it)
    Lombre (Water Stone) --> Ludicolo
    Nuzleaf (Leaf Stone) --> Shiftry
    MALE Kirlia (Dawn Stone) --> Gallade
    Skitty (Moon Stone) --> Delcatty
    Roselia (Shiny Stone) --> Roserade
    FEMALE Snorunt (Dawn Stone) --> Froslass
    Seadra (Holding Dragon Scale) --> Kingdra (Trade)
    Poliwhirl (Holding King’s Rock) --> Politoed (Trade)
    Slowpoke (Holding King’s Rock) --> Slowking (Trade)
    Onix (Holding Metal Coat) --> Steelix (Trade)
    Rhydon (Holding Protector) --> Rhypieror (Trade)
    Scyther (Holding Metal Coat) --> Scizor (Trade)
    Electabuzz (Holding Electirizer) --> Electivire (Trade)
    Magmar (Holding Magmarizer) --> Magmortar (Trade)
    Porygon (Holding Upgrade) --> Porygon 2 (Trade)
    Porygon 2 (Holding Dubious Disc) --> Porygon-Z (Trade)
    Dusclops (Holding Reaper Cloth) --> Dusknoir (Trade)
    Clamperl (Holding Deepsea Tooth) --> Huntail (Trade)
    Clamperl (Holding Deepsea Scale) --> Gorebyss (Trade)


Trade:
    The first style of evolution in Pokemon that encouraged social behavior or having 2 Gameboys and 2 of the games to get the species. It started simply, just requiring you to send it over to a friend and that would be enough. Now though, an item can be required to trigger the evolution. Be careful as some of these evolutions can only be done once. It is worth noting that a trade-based evolution will follow roughly the same move-gain as its previous form.

    Kadabra --> Alakazam
    Machoke --> Machamp
    Graveller --> Golem
    Haunter --> Gengar
    Seadra (Holding Dragon Scale) --> Kingdra
    Poliwhirl (Holding King’s Rock) --> Politoed
    Slowpoke (Holding King’s Rock) --> Slowking
    Onix (Holding Metal Coat) --> Steelix
    Rhydon (Holding Protector) --> Rhypieror
    Scyther (Holding Metal Coat) --> Scizor
    Electabuzz (Holding Electirizer) --> Electivire
    Magmar (Holding Magmarizer) --> Magmortar
    Porygon (Holding Upgrade) --> Porygon 2
    Porygon 2 (Holding Dubious Disc) --> Porygon-Z
    Dusclops (Holding Reaper Cloth) --> Dusknoir
    Clamperl (Holding Deepsea Tooth) --> Huntail
    Clamperl (Holding Deepsea Scale) --> Gorebyss

Location:
    Location, location, location. It’s an old joke, yes, but now it’s a relevant thing for a few Pokemon as a new way of evolving. Right now, only a few select Pokemon are affected by location. It’s a very simple mode though, requiring only that the Pokemon gains a level within/in the proximity to the location stated.

    Magneton (Mt. Coronet) --> Magnezone
    Nosepass (Mt. Coronet) --> Probopass
    Eevee (Eterna Forest – Mossy Rock) --> Leafeon
    Eevee (Route 217 – Icy Rock) --> Glaceon
    Deoxys (Veilstone Meteorites) --> Attack/Defense/Speed Forme
    FEMALE Burmy (Lvl. 20 - In Forest/Water/Snow) --> Plant Cloak Wormadam
    FEMALE Burmy (Lvl. 20 - In Desert/Mountain/Caves) --> Sandy Cloak Wormadam
    FEMALE Burmy (Lvl. 20 - In Buildings/Pokemon League) --> Trash Cloak Wormadam

Statistic Based:
    This is for only 2 Pokemon in the game so far. By having the set stats, you will get the intended Pokemon. For these Pokemon, Nature becomes a very big factor as it greatly influences the growth of each Pokemon. The use of the Vitamins for Veilstone Dept. Store and the EV reducing Berries are going to be essential for Tyrouge. Berries in general, specifically DRY berries made into Poffins, are important for Freebas to increase its beauty to the appropriate level.

    Tyrouge at Lvl. 20 (Atk > Def) --> Hitmonlee
    Tyrouge at Lvl. 20  (Def > Atk) --> Hitmonchan
    Tyrouge at Lvl. 20  (Atk = Def) --> Hitmontop
    Freebas (Max Beauty) --> Milotic

Party:
    Very few Pokemon are affected by your party set-up, but it does become important for evolution. Each has different requirements so it’s important to check things carefully to ensure you will achieve the desired results. It’s worth noting that evolving Matyke (at least in Pearl) won’t cost you a Remoraid.

    Matyke (lvl 25 & have Remoraid in your party) --> Mantine
    Nincida (have an empty slot & an empty capture ball) --> Shedinja & Ninjask

Gender:
    Again, a very rare type of evolution in Pokemon, but one that will be encounter at some point. This one simply requires attentiveness. Just be sure that it’s the proper gender by looking at the Pokemon. It’s very clearly displayed in the present generation, leaving little ambiguity, save where appropriate for the species.

    MALE Kirlia (Dawn Stone) --> Gallade
    FEMALE Snorunt (Dawn Stone) --> Froslass
    FEMALE Burmy (Lvl. 20) --> Wormadam
    MALE Burmy (Lvl. 20) --> Mothim
    FEMALE Combee (Lvl. 21) -->Vespiquen

Time of Day:
    Introduced back in Gold and Silver, this was one of the first additional modes of evolution. The idea is to level up the Pokemon, sometimes meeting particular requirements.

    Eevee --> Espeon (between 4am and 8pm) - Max Friendship
    Eevee --> Umbreon (between 8pm and 4am) - Max Friendship
    Budew --> Roselia (between 4am and 8pm) - Max Friendship
    Chingling --> Chimecho (between 8pm and 4am) - Max Friendship
    Riolu -->Lucario (between 4am and 8pm) - Max Friendship
    Gligar (Razor Fang) --> Gliscor (Between 8pm and 4am)
    Sneasel (Razor Claw) --> Weavile (Between 8pm and 4am)
    Happiny (Oval Stone) --> Chansey (Between 4am and 8pm)

* Pokemon and Pokemon character names are trademark and copyright of Nintendo.