Evolution (Mystery Dungeon)

This is how evolution woks in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series.
==Unlocking evolution==
Evolution does not occur automatically in most games and usually has to be manually triggered. Inability to evolve is explained during the story as an effect of the world being in a state of danger. The ability of Pokémon to evolve is unlocked in most games shortly after beating the main story. Specifically:
* In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team as well as Rescue Team DX, it is unlocked immediately after beating the main story and clearing Sky Tower.
* In Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness and Explorers of Sky, it is unlocked after clearing Mystifying Forest. However, the player and partner are unable to evolve until after Palkia has been recruited/Marine Resort has been unlocked.
* In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (WiiWare), evolution is available to the player immediately.
* For the main characters to evolve in Gates to Infinity, the player has to clear the Worldcore. However, any other Pokémon can evolve beforehand.
* In , the player has to clear .
Super Pokémon Mystery Dungeon was the first Generation VI game in the series and thus features Mega Evolution. It is achieved by attaching an Awakening Emera onto a Looplet. This feature is also present in Rescue Team DX, where it is instead achieved by eating an Empowerment Seed; unlike in Super Mystery Dungeon, this will also trigger Primal Reversion.
==Evolution locations==
In the , evolution is usually restricted until reaching a special location where evolution takes place. Evolution is typically done in a ritual held in several locations across the . Pokémon who evolve through unusual methods require an additional item to act as a catalyst.
In Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, evolution is held in Luminous Cave and will get rid of any additional experience points but will not reduce the level. The player has to enter the cave with only one Pokémon in their party.
In the Explorers series, evolution is held in Luminous Spring. The player can evolve Pokémon not in the active party as long as they meet the requirement; however, if an active Pokémon is evolved, the party is disbanded.
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (WiiWare) and Gates to Infinity, Pokémon can evolve as soon as they meet the conditions. Due to the fact there is no special location to trigger evolution, evolution not based on items will happen similarly to core series, one attempt per level-up.
In , evolution is held in Tree of Life, with all but level requirements being removed (with the player being given choice for split evolutions). The player and their partner temporarily evolve into their final forms several times throughout the story. In addition, connectable Pokémon that exist as NPCs in this game and previous games will refuse evolution. However, because all Pokémon can be recruited separately through the Connection Orb, the player can still access their respective evolved forms in alternate ways.
In Rescue Team DX, Pokémon evolve in Luminous Cave as in the original games; however the player is no longer forced to constantly go in one by one and can now evolve anyone on their rescue team.
==Evolution items==
Because of the different mechanics of Pokémon evolution, certain evolutions have been modified to require particular items:
* Pokémon that in order to evolve instead require the Link Cable.
* requires the Beauty Scarf to evolve into .
* Pokémon that require high friendship to evolve instead require that their IQ be sufficiently high (which differs among Pokémon) prior to Gates to Infinity. In Gates to Infinity, this is instead dictated by a hidden stat that increases as the Pokémon takes part in adventures.
* and require the Coronet Rock to evolve into and , respectively.
* Pokémon that evolve in the daytime instead require the Sun Ribbon in Red and Blue Rescue Team as well as Explorers or Heart of the Sun in WiiWare games and Gates to Infinity.
* Pokémon that evolve at night instead require the Lunar Ribbon in Red and Blue Rescue Team as well as Explorers or Heart of the Moon in WiiWare games and Gates to Infinity.
* requires a Mossy Rock to evolve into or an Icy Rock to evolve into .
* In , evolutionary items do not exist, and Pokémon that usually require these items to evolve will not need them and be able to evolve regardless.
* In Rescue Team DX, evolutionary items have been replaced with Evolution Crystals, which are used for any Pokémon with an evolutionary requirement besides leveling up.
==Enemy evolution==
In the WiiWare games, Gates to Infinity, and Super Mystery Dungeon, enemy Pokémon can evolve under certain circumstances.
In the WiiWare games, if a party member is defeated (regardless of whether they are revived or not), or an enemy gains a level such as via Joy Seed, they will evolve. If a Pokémon is below a certain level, it will be increased to that level upon evolution, otherwise they will remain at their current level; for level-based evolution this is the evolution level. This can in certain cases make the enemy drastically stronger.
In Gates to Infinity, only level-based evolutions happen, and only in dungeons where it is allowed (which can be seen on the dungeon selection screen). Enemies will also not evolve if the team member was revived via Reviver Seed.
In Super Mystery Dungeon, non-level-based evolutions can happen again. Certain enemy Pokémon can evolve in other ways. Additionally, AI will prioritize knocking out enemy Shedinja to evolve.
==See also==
* Recruitment
Category:Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Category:Game mechanics