Pokémon GO Mega Evolution guide

Last Updated: April 13th, 2022

Mega Evolution is a relatively new feature in Pokémon GO, having been added in August 2020. Meanwhile, Mega Evolution itself has been in Pokémon games since Pokémon X & Y.

Pokémon GO’s Mega Evolution system can be a little complicated to get to grips with as it introduces yet another resource to keep track of and gather, alongside Stardust, species Candy, XL Candies and more. And what even is the point in Mega Evolution in Pokémon GO and what are its benefits? We’ll answer those questions and more in this complete guide to Pokémon GO Mega Evolution.

What is Mega Evolution?

Mega Evolution is a way to further evolve some species of Pokémon for a short period of time into a stronger, “Mega” version of themselves. Sometimes, the Pokémon may even experience a type change with Mega Evolution. In the main series games and anime, Trainers require a Mega Ring and a species-specific Mega Stone in order to Mega Evolve their Pokémon (A Mega Ring was not required in Pokémon Let’s Go).

Mega Evolution in Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, Niantic has made the requirements for Mega Evolution slightly easier, and players instead only need to gather Mega Energy. Mega Energy is species-specific, though, just like Mega Stones, so you will need to recover enough of the correct Mega Energy type to evolve each Pokémon.

Which Pokémon can Mega Evolve in Pokémon GO?

• Venusaur
• Charizard
• Blastoise
• Beedrill
• Pidgeot
• Slowbro
• Gengar
• Gyarados
• Aerodactyl
• Ampharos
• Steelix
• Houndoom
• Manectric
• Altaria
• Absol
• Lopunny
• Abomasnow

Charizard is slightly different from the rest of the Pokémon above in that it can evolve into two different forms of Mega Pokémon. When you hit the Mega Evolve button on your favorite Charizard, you’ll be given the option to select either Mega Charizard Y or Mega Charizard X.

How to Mega evolve your Pokémon

Once you have gathered enough Mega Energy, you’ll be able to Mega Evolve the Pokémon in question from within its entry in your Pokémon storage. If a Pokémon can Mega Evolve (Energy or not), you’ll be able to see the “Mega Evolve” button below the “Power Up” button, just like evolving a Pokémon normally.

Mega Energy costs and how to collect it

Mega Energy can be earned in a couple of different ways, but the easiest and fastest way to gather it is by taking part in Mega Raids. Otherwise, Mega Energy can sometimes be rewarded for completing Field Research Tasks, or in some Special Research Stories.

Another great way of earning Mega Energy is walking with your buddy. If you set any Pokémon from the family of a Pokémon that is able to Mega Evolve as your buddy, you can earn extra Mega Energy when walking with that buddy. For example, if you walk with any Gastly, you can earn Gengar Mega Energy. However, you must have already Mega Evolved one of that Pokémon for this mechanic to work, so in the example, you must have previously Mega Evolved a Gengar.

The initial cost for the first time you evolve each Mega Pokémon will require a larger amount of Mega Energy. However, once you have Mega Evolved your Pokémon once, any following Mega Evolutions will cost far less. Bear in mind that this is the case for each individual Pokémon, not each species, so make sure you select the strongest Pokémon for Mega Evolution.

Mega Energy cost

Mega Raid Battles

The fastest way of earning Mega Energy is through winning Mega Raids. There is usually only one type of Mega Raid live at any one time, though, so check the list of current Pokémon GO Raid Bosses to see which Mega-evolved Pokémon you can battle.

Upon defeating a Mega Pokémon in a Raid, you will earn a variable amount of Mega Energy depending on the speed with which your team wins the Raid. The faster the defeat, the more Mega Energy you earn. Also, the Mega Energy that you earn will match the Pokémon you are battling, so if you defeat a Mega Pidgeot, you will receive Pidgeot Mega Energy.

You will, as with any Raid Battle, earn an encounter with the defeated Pokémon as well. However, you’ll notice at the end of the battle that the Mega Pokémon will return to its normal form, and that is the Pokémon you will encounter. However, it is more likely that a Pokémon encountered from a Raid Battle will be fairly strong, so it might be that you choose to Mega Evolve the caught Pokémon in the future.

What is the point of Mega Evolution in Pokémon Go?

Mega Pokémon are stronger than their non-Mega counterparts, so provide certain bonuses in Pokémon GO. You can take them into Gym Battles, Battles against your Pokémon GO friends, and to take on Team GO Rocket. You cannot, however, Battle with Mega Pokémon in the GO Battle League, or leave them defending Gyms.

Taking your Mega Pokémon into Raid Battle will provide an extra benefit. The Mega Pokémon will receive a boost itself, as will any other ally Pokémon in the Raid that match its type. Every other ally Pokémon in the raid receives a 10% boost, so just one Mega Pokémon in a Raid will reduce the time and effort it takes to defeat the Raid Boss.

According to Serebii.net, the amount of boost provided is 33% for the Mega Pokémon and the Pokémon matching its type, and 10% for all other Pokémon.

Finally, if you have a Mega-evolved Pokémon in your Pokémon storage, you will earn bonus Catch Candy for any Pokémon that you catch that match the type of your Mega Pokémon. For example, for the duration a Charizard is in its Mega Evolved form, you will receive bonus Candy for any Fire and Flying-type Pokémon you catch.

Can you permanently Mega Evolve in Pokémon Go?

Unfortunately, as with Mega Evolution elsewhere in Pokémon lore, Mega Evolution is only temporary. There is, and probably always will be, no way of permanently Mega Evolving a Pokémon in Pokémon GO. Mega Evolution will last eight hours, so make sure you’re making the most of that time! Take your Mega Pokémon for a walk, take Snapshots of your Mega Pokémon in the wild, and – of course – take it into Raid Battles for that power boost.

That’s everything you need to know about Mega Evolution for now, hopefully that makes things a bit clearer and you’re ready to go out and earn plenty of Mega Energy. It’s also worth noting that Mega Energy doesn’t take up any space in your bag, so get walking, battling and researching!

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