In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon are divided into four different categories: Baby Pokémon, Basic Pokémon, Stage 1 Pokémon, and Stage 2 Pokémon. In a three-stage family, at least one of the evolved forms can evolve once again. In a two-stage family, any member of the family can evolve at most once, from the unevolved form into one of the evolved forms.

In a one-stage family, there is only a single Pokémon that cannot evolve. Pokémon evolutionary families have anywhere between one and three stages. The species at the lowest evolutionary stage in an evolutionary family can ultimately evolve into any member of the evolutionary family. (Currently the actual percentage is 81%.) Rowan's research focuses on whether Evolution is a form of maturity in Pokémon, and looking at the implications of the process on Legendary Pokémon (which could not evolve in Generation IV, when Rowan debuted).Īn evolution family is a group of Pokémon who are all related by evolution. According to Elm's research, over 90% of all Pokémon are connected to at least one other through Evolution. Professor Elm and Professor Rowan are the leading experts in Pokémon Evolution. Pokémon may also change Ability upon evolution. Evolution is mostly independent from the aging process, instead being triggered by external factors, such as gaining experience in battle or being exposed to certain items.Įvolution is not a merely visual change, as Pokémon of a higher evolutionary stage have different (and usually increased) stats, can learn different moves, and sometimes change types (although normally at least one of the pre-evolved form's types remains the same). With respect to real-world phenomena, Pokémon Evolution is more similar to metamorphosis than evolution. Pikachu evolving into Raichu, depicted in Pokémon Sword and ShieldĮvolution (Japanese: 進化 evolution) is a process in which a Pokémon changes into a different species of Pokémon.

Evolve stage 2 not launching