Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Evolution Methods

Master Pokémon evolution in Black 2 and White 2 beyond leveling. This guide details specific triggers and items needed to evolve your favorite Pokémon.

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Evolution Methods

Beyond simply gaining levels, many Pokémon in Black 2 and White 2 require specific conditions or items to evolve. Understanding these methods is crucial for completing your Pokédex and optimizing your team. This section details the various evolution triggers and where to find the necessary items.

Evolution by Level-Up

The most common evolution method, where a Pokémon evolves upon reaching a certain level. Simply battle, use Exp. Share, or give your Pokémon Rare Candies to increase their level. Some Pokémon also have additional requirements:

  • Time of Day: Certain Pokémon, like Eevee into Espeon (daytime) or Umbreon (nighttime), require leveling up during specific in-game hours. Daytime is generally 4:00 AM to 7:59 PM, and nighttime is 8:00 PM to 3:59 AM.
  • Specific Moves: Some Pokémon need to know a particular move when they level up. For example, Porygon2 evolves into Porygon-Z when traded holding a Dubious Disc, but only if it knows the move Tri Attack.
  • Gender: A few Pokémon, like Combee into Vespiquen, only evolve if they are female.

Evolution by Evolution Stone

Evolution Stones are single-use items that trigger evolution in specific Pokémon. They are consumed upon use, so plan carefully! Here's where to find them:

  • Fire Stone: Evolves Eevee into Flareon, Growlithe into Arcanine, Pansear into Simisear.
    • Location: Castelia City (from a man in a building near the fountain), Black City (Black 2 only, for sale), White Forest (White 2 only, for sale), Dustcloud Ruins (hidden item).
  • Water Stone: Evolves Eevee into Vaporeon, Poliwhirl into Poliwrath, Panpour into Simipour.
    • Location: Lentimas Town (from a woman in a house), Black City (Black 2 only, for sale), White Forest (White 2 only, for sale), Route 19 (hidden item).
  • Thunder Stone: Evolves Eevee into Jolteon, Pikachu into Raichu, Tynamo into Eelektrik.
    • Location: Nimbasa City (from a man in a house), Black City (Black 2 only, for sale), White Forest (White 2 only, for sale), Chargestone Cave (hidden item).
  • Leaf Stone: Evolves Exeggcute into Exeggutor, Nuzleaf into Shiftry, Pansage into Simisage.
    • Location: Route 6 (hidden item), Black City (Black 2 only, for sale), White Forest (White 2 only, for sale).
  • Moon Stone: Evolves Clefairy into Clefable, Jigglypuff into Wigglytuff, Nidorina into Nidoqueen, Nidorino into Nidoking, Munna into Musharna.
    • Location: Relic Passage (hidden item), Giant Chasm (hidden item), Dustcloud Ruins (hidden item).
  • Sun Stone: Evolves Gloom into Bellossom, Sunkern into Sunflora, Cottonee into Whimsicott (Black 2 only), Petilil into Lilligant (White 2 only).
    • Location: Nimbasa City (from a man in a house), Desert Resort (hidden item), Reversal Mountain (hidden item).
  • Shiny Stone: Evolves Togetic into Togekiss, Roselia into Roserade, Minccino into Cinccino.
    • Location: Route 6 (hidden item), Dragonspiral Tower (hidden item).
  • Dusk Stone: Evolves Murkrow into Honchkrow, Misdreavus into Mismagius, Lampent into Chandelure.
    • Location: Mistralton Cave (hidden item), Route 10 (hidden item).
  • Dawn Stone: Evolves Kirlia (male) into Gallade, Snorunt (female) into Froslass.
    • Location: Route 2 (hidden item), Relic Passage (hidden item).

Evolution by Friendship

Some Pokémon evolve when they have a high friendship level with their trainer and then level up. Friendship is increased by:

  • Walking with the Pokémon in your party.
  • Giving them vitamins (HP Up, Protein, etc.).
  • Using them in battles (winning helps!).
  • Getting haircuts in Castelia City.
  • Using the Soothe Bell (found in Nimbasa City from a woman in a house) which doubles friendship gains.
  • Avoiding fainting, using bitter medicines, or leaving them in the PC for extended periods.

You can check a Pokémon's friendship level with the Friendship Checker app on the Xtransceiver, or by talking to a woman in Icirrus City's Pokémon Center.

  • Examples: Chansey into Blissey, Eevee into Espeon (daytime) or Umbreon (nighttime), Golbat into Crobat, Munchlax into Snorlax, Togepi into Togetic, Woobat into Swoobat.

Evolution by Trading

A classic method where certain Pokémon evolve when traded between games. Some require holding a specific item during the trade.

  • Standard Trade Evolutions: Kadabra into Alakazam, Machoke into Machamp, Graveler into Golem, Haunter into Gengar.
  • Trade with Item Evolutions:
    • King's Rock: Evolves Poliwhirl into Politoed, Slowpoke into Slowking.
      • Location: Relic Passage (hidden item), held by wild Poliwhirl/Poliwrath.
    • Metal Coat: Evolves Onix into Steelix, Scyther into Scizor.
      • Location: Chargestone Cave (hidden item), held by wild Magnemite/Magneton.
    • Up-Grade: Evolves Porygon into Porygon2.
      • Location: Porygon2 is obtained from a scientist in Opelucid City after defeating the Elite Four. The Up-Grade is found in the Plasma Frigate after defeating Team Plasma.
    • Dubious Disc: Evolves Porygon2 into Porygon-Z.
      • Location: Route 13 (hidden item).
    • Protector: Evolves Rhydon into Rhyperior.
      • Location: Twist Mountain (hidden item).
    • Reaper Cloth: Evolves Dusclops into Dusknoir.
      • Location: Route 13 (hidden item).
    • Electirizer: Evolves Electabuzz into Electivire.
      • Location: Route 11 (hidden item), held by wild Electabuzz (Black 2 only).
    • Magmarizer: Evolves Magmar into Magmortar.
      • Location: Route 13 (hidden item), held by wild Magmar (White 2 only).
    • Dragon Scale: Evolves Seadra into Kingdra.
      • Location: Dragonspiral Tower (hidden item), held by wild Horsea/Seadra.

Evolution by Location

A unique method introduced in later generations, some Pokémon evolve when leveled up in specific areas:

  • Moss Rock: Evolves Eevee into Leafeon when leveled up nearby.
    • Location: Pinwheel Forest (accessible via Route 20).
  • Ice Rock: Evolves Eevee into Glaceon when leveled up nearby.
    • Location: Twist Mountain.
  • Chargestone Cave: Evolves Magneton into Magnezone, Nosepass into Probopass when leveled up inside.

Other Special Evolutions

  • Shedinja: If you have an empty slot in your party and a Poké Ball in your bag when Nincada evolves into Ninjask at level 20, a Shedinja will appear in your party.
  • Hitmontop: Tyrogue evolves into Hitmontop at level 20 if its Attack and Defense stats are equal. If Attack is higher, it becomes Hitmonlee. If Defense is higher, it becomes Hitmonchan.

Always double-check your Pokémon's specific evolution requirements to ensure you don't miss out on their powerful evolved forms!