Mega Evolution

**Mega Evolution** is a temporary transformation that affects certain Pokémon. Mega-Evolved Pokémon are identified by having "Mega" in front of their name. Mega Evolution requires the player to hold a Key Stone and a Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution holding its compatible Mega Stone.

There are 46 species of Pokémon that are capable of Mega Evolution and there are 48 different Mega Evolutions.

## History

The history and origins of Mega Evolution are shrouded in mystery and apparent contradictions, with different characters and groups having their own beliefs on where the phenomenon originated. For instance, Professor Sycamore theorizes Mega Evolution originates from special stones, possibly Evolution stones, that were irradiated by the light of Xerneas/Yveltal that was fired from the ultimate weapon 3,000 years ago. Despite this, Sycamore additionally claims that Mega Evolution is a new type of evolution and that the phenomenon only occurs in the Kalos region.

However, the Draconids, a group of Dragon-type Pokémon Trainers from the Hoenn region that worship Rayquaza, believe that Mega Evolution originates from Rayquaza and various meteorites that rained down upon the Hoenn region thousands of years ago.

According to knowledge passed down by the Draconids, during the long-lost primal age of Hoenn, one of the many disasters that struck the region were numerous meteorites that rained from space and landed in the home of the Draconids, Meteor Falls, with these meteorites glowing a rainbow brilliance, not unlike the description of a Key Stone, which attracted Rayquaza and led to it putting an end to the disasters and restoring peace.

One thousand years later, disasters befell the region once more, most notable was a massive meteorite described with boundless brilliance and directly compared to a Key Stone, that bore deep into the ocean and created what would eventually come to be the location of Sootopolis City; with the impact cracking the ground and releasing a wave of primal energy, causing Groudon and Kyogre to awaken once more in their thirst for this power. This led the people to wish for Rayquaza to appear once more and save them, as it had done in the past and, once Rayquaza did appear, the people fell to their knees and wished for salvation, causing a great change to overtake Rayquaza as it Mega Evolved, with it using this power to defeat Groudon and Kyogre once again.

While the knowledge of the Draconids implies Rayquaza was the first Pokémon to Mega Evolve, an old Kalos legend from the Tower of Mastery tells of a Trainer and Lucario arriving in the region long ago, with the pair discovering two strange stones and subsequently leading to the world's first Mega Evolution.

The usage of Mega Evolution unleashes a massive amount of energy, as mentioned by Professor Cozmo, which itself is implied to have a direct connection, if not outright be a Pokémon's own life force, as it's mentioned by Lysandre that Professor Sycamore believes Mega Evolution releases all of a Pokémon's hidden energy at once that can't be achieved via regular evolution.

Similarly to Mega Stones, Key Stones can also be found in certain locations.

## In the game

In order to Mega Evolve, most Pokémon must be holding their appropriate Mega Stone and the Trainer must have a Key Stone. Only Rayquaza does not need a Mega Stone to Mega Evolve; instead, it must hold the item Dragon Scroll.

### In battle

In any battle, each Trainer may Mega Evolve a single Pokémon once. Mega Evolution is essentially a free action a Pokémon may make in addition to its normal move, but if a Pokémon will not use a move, it cannot Mega Evolve. Mega Evolution occurs before most actions except switching. A Mega-Evolved Pokémon will only revert to its original state if it faints or the battle ends; if it is switched out, it will remain Mega Evolved.

A Pokémon cannot Mega Evolve if it is being held in the airborne phase of Sky Drop. Neither volatile nor non-volatile status conditions such as paralysis, sleep and infatuation will have any effect over a Pokémon's ability to Mega Evolve, even if they result in the Pokémon not being able to move that turn.

Mega Stones are not affected by most moves or Abilities. If they would move a Mega Stone to or from a Pokémon that could use it to Mega Evolve, the moves Bestow, Covet, Fling, Thief, Trick and Switcheroo will fail and the Abilities Magician, Pickpocket and Symbiosis will not activate. The move Knock Off cannot remove a Mega Stone from a Pokémon that can use it to Mega Evolve, and Knock Off's power will not be increased since it cannot remove the item. The moves Embargo and Magic Room and the Ability Klutz will not prevent a Pokémon from using its respective Mega Stone to Mega Evolve.

Changes in a Pokémon's Ability will take place immediately. A Sharpedo that normally has Speed Boost will not gain a boost in Speed at the end of the turn it Mega Evolves, but if it uses a biting move such as Crunch that turn, it will be boosted by Strong Jaw, its Ability as Mega Sharpedo.

A transformed Pokémon (either by Transform or Imposter) is unable to Mega Evolve. It will fail to Mega Evolve even if it is transformed into the correct species and it is holding the respective Mega Stone. However, it is possible to transform into a Mega-Evolved Pokémon by copying another Mega-Evolved Pokémon. The restriction of only one Mega Evolution per battle does not apply to transformed Pokémon.

A Pokémon's Speed after Mega Evolution is used to determine turn order. Likewise, if a Pokémon only has an Ability such as Prankster before Mega Evolution, appropriate moves will not gain priority. If a Pokémon gains Prankster upon Mega Evolution, appropriate moves will gain priority.

Otherwise, stat changes and type changes due to Mega Evolution take effect immediately and damage calculation proceeds as usual. For example, a Pokémon whose Mega Evolution has a lower base Defense stat takes greater damage from physical moves on the turn it Mega Evolves. Likewise, the move Gyro Ball considers the Pokémon's Speed stat after Mega Evolution for damage calculation, not before.

## Effects

A Mega-Evolved Pokémon has different base stats, with the exception of HP, and can have a different Ability and type from its non-Mega-Evolved form. Every Mega-Evolved Pokémon has a base stat total 100 points higher than that of its base form.

## Trivia

* According to Ken Sugimori in his interview in the Nintendo Dream magazine, Flygon was intended to get a Mega Evolution, but the idea was later dropped due to him experiencing an artist's block.
* There is at least one Mega Evolved Pokémon of every type: Psychic has the most (with ten), while both Ice and Electric have the fewest (with two each).
* Gardevoir and Gallade are the only Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution that are in the same evolutionary family.
	+ Gallade is the only Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution that evolves from exposure to an Evolution stone.
* Only Pokémon which cannot evolve further are capable of Mega Evolution.
	+ Aerodactyl is the only Fossil Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution.
	+ Rayquaza is the only group master capable of Mega Evolution.
	+ Diancie is the only Mythical Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution.
* With base stat totals of 780, Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y and Mega Rayquaza have the highest base stat totals of any obtainable Pokémon.
	+ In addition, Mega Mewtwo Y has the highest base Special Attack of all Pokémon at 194 and Mega Mewtwo X has the highest base Attack of all Pokémon at 190. Mega Mewtwo X also has the highest base stat increase of all Mega Evolutions, its Attack stat being boosted by 80 upon the process.
* Aggron is the only dual-type Pokémon to become single-type upon Mega Evolving, going from Steel/Rock-type to pure Steel-type.
* The only Pokémon with multiple Mega Evolutions are Charizard and Mewtwo, which have two each and are native to Kanto.
	+ In addition, both of their Y Mega Evolutions kept their original type(s), while both of their X Mega Evolutions changed or added their secondary type.
	+ Also, in both cases, the X Mega Evolution is more physically-oriented (with a higher Attack and/or Defense), while the Y Mega Evolution is more specially-oriented (with a higher Special Attack and/or Special Defense).
* Rayquaza is the only Pokémon that does not require a Mega Stone to Mega Evolve, instead requiring a Dragon Scroll.
	+ It is, furthermore, the only Pokémon to lack the message "(The opposing) <Pokémon>'s <Mega Stone> is reacting to its Key Stone!" when it Mega Evolves, as it has the message "<player>'s fervent wish has reached Rayquaza!" instead.
	+ Although Rayquaza can learn Dragon Ascent, it will not trigger its Mega Evolution.
* Although it's heavily pushed that one needs a strong bond with their Pokémon in order to achieve Mega Evolution, Friendship isn't a factor at all for Mega Evolution in the games.
* The fully evolved Kanto starter Pokémon and Gengar are the only Pokémon that can both Mega Evolve and Gigantamax.
* Mega Altaria is the only Mega Evolved Pokémon with a unique type combination.
* When Kangaskhan Mega Evolves, only the baby experiences any change, leaving the mother's appearance unaltered.
* No Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution has an exclusive Z-Move.