Evolving Pokemon

Learn how Pokemon evolve in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire through leveling, stones, trading, and happiness. Understand evolution pros and cons.

When a Pokémon evolves in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, it becomes a stronger form with potentially better stats, though it might learn fewer moves naturally compared to its pre-evolved state. Some Pokémon can learn moves at earlier stages that their evolved forms cannot learn by leveling up, or may require TMs (Technical Machines) for certain powerful moves.

Example: Torchic

Torchic evolves into Combusken at Level 16. If you prevent evolution by pressing the B button, Torchic can reach Level 25 to learn Fire Spin, a move Combusken cannot learn by leveling up. Torchic can also learn Flamethrower at Level 43, while Combusken and Blaziken require a TM for this move.

Example: Treecko

Treecko can learn Mega Drain at level 26. Its evolved form, Grovyle, cannot learn Giga Drain at all. If you raise Treecko past level 29, Grovyle cannot learn Leaf Blade, which is the strongest move for the Treecko evolutionary line.

Methods of Evolution:

1. Leveling Up: The most common method. A Pokémon will attempt to evolve upon reaching a specific level. For example, Treecko evolves into Grovyle at Level 16 and then into Sceptile at Level 36.
2. Elemental Stones: Using items like the Thunderstone, Fire Stone, Water Stone, Leaf Stone, Sun Stone, and Moon Stone on a Pokémon at any level will trigger evolution. It's advisable to wait until the Pokémon has learned all desired moves by leveling up before using a stone, as evolved Pokémon may not learn new moves through leveling.
3. Trading: Certain Pokémon evolve when traded. These include Graveler, Machoke, Kadabra, and Haunter. Traded Pokémon retain their move-learning capabilities, offering stat boosts with no drawbacks.
4. Trading with Held Items: Some Pokémon evolve when traded while holding a specific item. For instance, Seadra holding a Dragon Scale evolves into Kingdra.
5. High Happiness: Pokémon can evolve when their happiness level is very high and they level up. Happiness can be increased by battling, keeping the Pokémon in your party, leveling it up, giving it beneficial items like Protein and Iron, and walking around. A Pokémon with the highest happiness level will say, "It adores you. It can't possibly love you any more. I even feel happy seeing it," when checked by a specific NPC (non-player character — anyone the game controls, not you). Golbat evolves into Crobat this way.