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Pokemon Go Mega Evolutions is one of the most powerful features in the Pokemon franchise. It changed how battling in the main Pokemon games was done and has since made its way into Pokemon Go.
While Mega Evolution in Pokemon Go is very very different than in the main series games, the main aspects of this battle feature remain the same. However, since their introduction in Pokemon Go back in 2020 the feature has undergone a number of changes including how to obtain Mega Energy, more on that in the section below.
In 2022, the feature underwent its most drastic change yet, giving trainers an easier way to use Mega Evolution.
This guide is every trainer’s tool for everything Mega Evolution in Pokemon Go.
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What is Mega Evolution in Pokemon Go?
Certain Pokemon have the ability to obtain a new powerful form in battle. First introduced in the X and Y games, Mega Evolution is a battle-only feature that gave a handful of Pokemon new abilities, power and, for a few, new typings.
It was a hit for the main series games and is a powerful tool in Pokemon Go. What Mega Evolution does is give your Pokemon a power boost and to other Pokemon on your team. It’s a great way to take down powerful enemies like Team Go Rocket and its leaders.
Mega Pokemon gain a 33 percent boost to itself and any other Pokemon in Raids that match the Pokemon’s typing. So if you bring a Mega Venusaur (a Grass and Poison-type) all Grass and Poison types in your team and the teams of trainers who join you in Raids will get this boost.
All other Pokemon in the Raid will get just a 10 percent boost.
Mega Pokemon can only participate in battles in Gyms, Raids and the aforementioned Team Go Rocket. They can’t be placed in Gyms and can’t participate in the GO Battle League.
It should also be noted that Shadow Pokemon can’t Mega Evolve.
How to Mega Evolve in Pokemon Go
To Mega Evolve your Pokemon, trainers have to use Mega Energy. This special in-game currency acts like Pokemon Candy in that your Pokemon will use them to perform the action. The initial cost to Mega Evolve is a bit high but once that specific Pokemon has undergone the transformation once, the cost to do it again for that Pokemon will be free just on a cooldown. The cooldown can be reduced using more Mega Energy though.
To obtain more Mega Energy, trainers have to defeat Mega Pokemon in Mega Raids. These Raids are similar to Level 5 Raids, but the new update has decreased the difficulty of them for trainers to win with less help than before.
The amount of Mega Energy obtained depends on a number of factors including how quickly you defeat the Raid. The quicker you defeat it the more Mega Energy you receive. Trainers will receive anywhere between 50 and 90 Mega Energy per completion. That means trainers will usually have to win anywhere between four and seven Mega Raids to get enough to Mega Evolve their Pokemon.
However, there are other ways to obtain Mega Energy.
There are some rare occasions where Niantic will reward Mega Energy during special events where tasks need to be completed. There are also some Field Research Tasks that will reward certain Mega Energy so always keep your eyes peeled.
Mega Energy can also be earned by walking with your Pokemon using the Buddy System. Simply walk with the Pokemon that has Mega Evolved and trainers will earn their Mega Energy alongside candy.
What are Mega Levels in Pokemon Go?
A new feature to Mega Evolution introduced in 2022 was Mega Levels. These special levels increase depending on the number of times a trainer has actually Mega Evolved a specific Pokemon (Note: this refers to one Pokemon not a species. One Blastoise reaches Level 3 Mega Level, your other Blastoise will be different).
There are three Mega Levels to achieve, each increasing the number of bonuses received during and after the battle and reducing the cooldown of Mega Evolution for that Pokemon.
Here’s the breakdown of Mega Levels.
Which Pokemon can Mega Evolve in Pokemon Go?
When Mega Evolution was first introduced, only five were available in the game. Since then, there are almost 20 Pokemon that can Mega Evolve with even more to come in the future.
Each Pokemon offers different battle strategies that trainers will want to implement against various Raids, especially against Legendaries. It should also be noted that some species will have a higher initial Mega Energy cost than others.
Niantic has taken its time releasing Mega Pokemon, but they have made progress in recent months. They often wait for big events, like this 2022 update, or special events to do so. Mega Pokemon also appear periodically in Mega Raids every two weeks. Each Mega Pokemon appears and disappears from these Raids periodically so trainers should follow the official Pokemon Go social accounts for the latest updates.
Here’s the list of Pokemon that can currently Mega Evolve in Pokemon Go with the amount of initial Mega Energy needed to perform them.
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