Mega Evolution

Learn how to use Mega Evolution in Pokémon Sun and Moon! Discover how to get Mega Stones, when to Mega Evolve, and the rules you need to follow.

Hey there! So, you've heard about Mega Evolution, huh? It's a pretty cool mechanic that can really shake up battles, just like Z-Moves. It first showed up in Pokémon X and Y, and it's back in Sun and Moon, though you'll need to finish the main story before you can get your hands on the Mega Ring.

Basically, Mega Evolution temporarily boosts your Pokémon's stats during a battle. It's not permanent, though – they'll revert back to normal after the fight or if they get knocked out.

Getting Ready for Mega Evolution

To make a Pokémon Mega Evolve, it needs to be holding its specific Mega Stone. For example, Alakazam needs the Alakazite. You can snag these Mega Stones by trading in BP you earn at the Battle Tree or through other methods. Once you've got the right stone and your Pokémon is ready, you'll see a big “Mega Evolve” button pop up on the bottom touch screen when you're choosing its moves. Just tap that before you select an attack.

Your Pokémon will then Mega Evolve on the next turn, right before it uses the move you picked. Pretty neat, right?

Mega Evolution Rules to Keep in Mind

Here's the catch: just like Z-Moves, you can only Mega Evolve one Pokémon per battle. This applies to your whole team, so choose wisely! Also, since both Mega Evolution and Z-Moves require a held item, a Pokémon can't do both in the same battle. It's either a Mega Evolve or a Z-Move, not both.

While they share some similarities with Z-Moves, Mega Evolution is quite different. It actually changes your Pokémon's stats, and sometimes even their type(s) and ability! Because of this, it can be super beneficial to Mega Evolve early in a battle to give your Pokémon a stat boost or to take advantage of a better typing or ability. Sometimes, if your Mega Evolved Pokémon is in a tough spot, you can even switch it out and it'll stay Mega Evolved when you bring it back in later. You can also hold off on Mega Evolving until the coast is clear if you prefer.